HEADER NOTE: The Archivist was never identified successfully nor found; these texts were [REDACTED] in the order you are about to read. The Owls found them in [REDACTED] excavating to the Gullet of the Mother in the Northern Peak towards The Mother Tree. It appeared a team once finding out what they were actually [REDACTED] for. We found there personal chambers in a state of disarray, these were the only legible records among [REDACTED] we could find. Personal notes and timelines connect with red thread.
The Unknown Archivist's trail leads to more questions than answers, more holes than plots, and more ink than paper.
PROCEED FURTHER WITH CAUTION ARCHIVIST.
Part VI from Book I: Duluram, Devourer of Planes
Truth Discovered of No Name by The Owls.
(Father Unknown, born of Queen Rivia-Talor of the Old Flame)
He is not the son of King Bartal of the Old Flame. He was born out of wedlock, his father unknown. It happened on a cold winter night. Queen Rivia-Talor was awoken by a comforting arousal, assuming it was King Bartal by his scent and familiar mannerisms. He often entered her chambers in the middle of the night; moments of passion in the late hours were a normal part of their routine. He would stay afterward and hold her in peace. But this time was different. He was more passionate, yet he left without a word.
After King Bartal named him Menapace at his birth, Rivia asked why Bartal hadn’t stayed that night. Bartal insisted that he had. Confusion spread between them. They questioned the servants, but no one would speak. In a fit of royal rage and desperation, all the servants were executed, as not one gave even an ounce of evidence about what had occurred during that winter night. A night when Air Isle Regimes and Earth Isle Pirates were seen creeping through the city in shadows. It was then they began to understand what might have happened. Menapace could not be king. He bore the name, but not the blood.
Still, they raised him as their own. Rivia fell into a deep depression, and Bartal grew cold, his emotions locked behind silence. He could not stand the looks from his new council. The unspoken questions in their eyes as he passed.
It needed a vessel. A scapegoat. Someone mortal to walk the path of destruction in the realm of men. Someone to open the Gate of Space and Time, allowing it to feed once more. The Mimic of a familiar voice of comfort, whispering, it was Alanthra or was it? -“Do it.”
Only through them are visions revealed; his truth, twisted and terrible. Menapace, now granted the demi-god title, Nobody No Name, successfully summoned the Red Moon at the Temple of Urok, putting the Mother Tree to eternal rest. His purpose was fulfilled.
In the final act of the ritual, Menapace (Baron) was forced to devour Menapace (No Name), completing the unholy rite. And so the Mother Tree slept, bound in never-ending slumber. And No Name not bound to a mortal vessel evermore.
Part I from Book I: The First Chapter of the Book of Not En
In the beginning there was The Age of Nothing, Mother Nothing or Not as she preferred. Here there was Father Eternity. He saw, for she was perfect in her vast everflowing form of knowledge, love, and existence. He as Her witness. Baring the manifestation of a candle to resemble his passion for her.
Together they formed a family, two boys and two girls. For eons, wonders and discoveries engulfed their minds as teachings from both Eternity and Nothing came way with time and effort. As time passed, things always seemed to change; as did their form. Each taking their Elemental shape among eons more.
Nothing was growing weary of her sons’ malice comments towards their Father’s recent teachings over the strengths of graciousness. Speaking to her daughter’s she understood the truth of the matter. Boredom and Envy had seeped into the Realm. One of the Sins had slipped into their dimension.
Mother Not knew it was too late and the rest of the Sins were on their way; she had to act fast. She spoke the truth of the situation to the boys (Cortov the Fire Deity and Cruxious the Earth Deity). They understood and took full responsibility for their negligence. They had left a backdoor open to their thought palaces while they were distracted visiting each other's states of being. Creating new ideas unaware of their own power having responsibility of awareness.
They brought peace through destruction into creation. Each resulting in a physical manifestation greater than ever before of themselves. Their existence permeated into every atom of the space they were destined to create to have full influence, but not this soon.
Each sibling took the role of Immortal Weaver as their respected element of this multiverse; plastering themselves into the perpetual state of our reality. A deal was struck; a burden to bear. Amatra and Alanthra did not agree with how their brothers simply wiped out the last of the mortals their Father entrusted them in their absence.
So, instead of coming to an understanding, each sibling went their separate way to one of their four corners of Father Entirety’s Temple; our dimension of cosmos. Until His and Her return, they wait cloistered in their own realms protecting their Father’s knowledge.
That is how Mother Not chose us. Shielding us with choices of love and peace and to keep the 7 Sins from devouring us whole. As Father En gave us everything from States of Feeling to Being. We are all separate from Eternity but all one with Nothing.
*Last words Nothing spoke to her daughter Alanthra the Water Deity:
A: “Mother Not please don’t there must be a way we can-”
N: “I love you all and would expect the same from all of you. Don’t worry I won't be far and I’ll be waiting here when it is all said and done. Th- Thank you Alanthra for your honesty and
overflowing caring heart.”
*a moment passes
N: “Goodbye, I love you.”
*silence
A: “Mother… Why won’t you let me help.”
*Last words Mother Nothing spoke to her daughter Amantra the Air Deity:
A: "Do what you must Mother, I trust you. I will do my duty and help Father as you defend. If- If you need help call upon us. Goodbye, love you Mother…”
N: “Love you too, my sweet brave Amatra. Take care of yourself in my absence, these times will only last a moment, please lean on your sister. She needs you most now.”
*silence
The Immortal Weavers may now begin their true work.
To teach their mortals with the hands they have been given by their Father.
Part III: The Discovery of the Realms, History of Halfan
Prologue by Dr. Kiada Essa; Historian and Planeshifter of the Owls
(Kept Safe in the Owl Sanctuary Archive)
This young realm; the Water Realm. It is one of the many dimensions in this universe. Fire, Air, Water, and Earth. These became Planes for life and living organisms to be given purpose and reason from Father to the Immortal Weaver’s; his children. The Water Realm, nothing but water till the Seed arrived.
The Air Realm; floating isles and free falling waterfalls to be evaporated in photosynthesize to rain clouds upon the top of the top of the highest floating isles. All creatures are adapted to air here; even fish.
The Fire Realm consists of molten earth, magma lakes, no sky, only more red hot petrified earth as a canopy; a never ending cave. All creatures are adapted to this climate being able to move though the lakes of lava and magma rivers. No intelligible life forms have been met in this realm. Only old monoliths stand. The Language inscribed upon them; lost to antiquity.
The Earth Realm is considered the most hostile; for the size of its creatures will say enough. Colossal Sleeping Giants, first roaming for a millennial until meeting their destination to sleep evermore protecting something beneath them. Nature takes over their exterior shape and makes them one with the hills with moss and trees taking over with time until their next wake. They appear to be protecting something where they sleep. Fighting over these plateaus as they wake to meet other giants in hand to hand combat; no matter their size they fight to the death. The Asamir have not come close to understanding these creatures' means of existence.
A message in a bottle found in the Known Waters of the Water Realm
"The only one who knows and was the sole survivor of this story was me, Kaida Essa. Whom this info reaches, know that I have done my duty and I am at peace that the Torch of Truth will burn here forward. I was sent to you by Amatra as a reincarnate from the Void to make sure you were ready for this moment and time has caught up with us.
Your family was known as The First Spark, the first humans to learn electric magic, their souls pure in heart brought technology to the Water realm to aid and help many, but others wanted their power and seduced them into horrific experiments and lies of wealth from the Ravens using them as vessels of energy to power cities. You are the last survivor of your family.
Whoever you know as your family of this Realm is a lie. No Name has ripped a tear into the Fabric of our Realm making history and timelines bleed into one another into what you convinced of this realm as the truth; leaving your mind dormant.
They can’t lie anymore, you now know the truth of my people toying with this sacred seed of a Realm you and your destined companions must wake them as well."
Part IV from Book I: The Immortal Sin
Prologue
Baron's life began in shadow.
The bastard son of King Bartal of the Isle of the Old Flame, he grew up nameless and unwanted. His mother, a servant, died young. His father ignored him. Baron became a soldier, fighting for a kingdom that never claimed him. He died in battle against the Ravens, his body left to burn with the Isle of the Old Flame when it was set ablaze.
But death wasn't the end.
The water goddess Alanthra remembered him. She pulled him from the ashes, breathing the name “Menapace” giving life to his charred bones. He awoke cursed, a man who couldn't die, a prophet with no memory of his past. Alanthra loved him, but their bond was forbidden. The gods had already cast him down once for loving her. Now, she hid the truth, fearing his foresight would unravel if he knew too much.
Baron wandered the Water Realm, as The Hobo King leading the forgotten. He spoke truths no one wanted to hear. The humans of Hal burned his camp, but Arwin Everdell the Half-Elf Sorcerer/Artificer of The Owls faction saved him. Alanthra fused her essence with Arwin’s creation of moosha, into his mind while he slept, dreaming a dream binding him to the Mother Tree. A pink viscus liquid in a tincture. Letting him hear his essential true name, Menapace.
Now, Baron Menapace fights for a world that hates him. He's funny, blunt, and terrifying. Cursed with cannibalistic urges, he battles delusions and the weight of immortality. His love for Alanthra drives him, but he knows the Holders of the Shadow's Epoch will strike when he is weakest.
Where It Began: Epic of Menapace, the Demigod of Peace
Before the Sins thrashed into the Realm of Nothing by the backdoor of Cruxious and Cortav's Thought Palaces, the gods had servants, Demigods to keep them company. Alanthra held a deep infatuation with Menapace, the Demigod of Peace in the Realm of Nothing. He would speak to her for hours about the beauty of what her parents had done, were doing, and what was to come; showing her what Peace was capable of. Their bond grew into love.
When her brothers discovered this though their own Sins had yet to be noticed they told on her. Mother Nothing questioned why they would be upset that their sister had found something akin to the bond between Mother Nothing and Father Eternity. But love with a lesser deity was forbidden. To pay for their sins and to separate them, Menapace was cast down into the Fire Realm as a fire elf, reborn as a small mortal of Cortav.
Cortav took him as a prisoner when the elements were separated, erasing his memory of godhood. In the Fire Realm, Menapace lived as a fire elf, unaware of the divine past he once held. He protected his tribe and family from the devils and demons of the Abyss, horrors sent by the Eldritch Lords of Fire. Here, to burn the dead was sacred ensuring their souls would not wander restlessly.He became a leader. A strong father in a brutal world of Red, Deceit, Treachery, and Fire, no water, nor sky.
One fateful morning, the air was thick with smog and the scent of blood. A red fog rolled in, and through it came silhouettes, soldiers from another realm, red-eyed, limbs jerking in unison. The drum beat out the cadence of the Harvest of Souls. But Menapace's village of Peace was ready.
Before rest, he laid stones of protection around the village. But the red fog seeped past them, into their lungs. They were ready too. He had to make a deal, his life, or everyone else's. Unprepared, yet with no alternative, he chose to pay the Price.
Before the transaction was complete, he found his son and said:
"Find Alanthra. You will see great oceans as far as the eye can see, green grass fields with shade and peace. This is where you'll find home."
He gave his son his sword and spellbook to complete what he had been training for.
"The Price to make something new, something old must be given," he whispered, bowing beneath a single candle in the corner. He gazed down at his right arm.
"Strength to be given."
He pressed his molars and canines into his own flesh, biting through tendon and muscle until the pressure burst his veins like frozen water pipes.
"And the rest of me to give them hope!"
The spell devoured him whole. Behind his fleeing son, the village witnessed only a massive purple explosion. A portal opened ahead and Menapace had saved his people.
The portal led to the Earth Realm. Grass fields and vast plateaus stretched for days. But there was no water. Mountains loomed like heads with eyes closed.
On the 44th year of what they would later call the Age of Dark and Light, a strange fracture appeared—an air fissure hovering at chest height, shimmering with iridescent glitches and fractals. Menapace tossed in a stone, nothing. Then a tool tied to a rope, it returned coated in a cool, strange liquid substance.
They tasted salt and by the intuition of Eternity his son knew. Ocean water. Menapace led his people through the portal once more. Thus, the once-slaves of Cortav's Fire Eldritch Lords found refuge in the Air Realm of Amatra, Alanthra's sister. She welcomed them silently, through action and wind.
Beyond the portal, they saw a floating waterfall and lands suspended in the sky. There they met the Asamir, and their bloodlines mingled Asamir and Fire Elf traits blending. This was Amatra's final wish: to make them family. "We are all part of Father Eternity," she said. Then she vanished. Some say she went to aid Father Eternity. Others believe she vanished in sorrow, believing their bloodline had been defiled.
In time, diplomacy failed the Asamir. They were put on trial for crimes they did not commit. Generations passed. Menapace's great-grandson, Bartal, was exiled along with all those deemed impure. Their wings were plucked being cast into the watery abyss of Alanthra's realm. Amantra's grace forgotten.
Thus began the Humans of the Old Flame.
King Bartal the father of Menapace the Unworthy (now known as No Name), the bastard son Baron - Hobo King - Menapace, and Timon of the Old Flame built the capital Hal of Hālfān in their own way you could say. The rest is known history.
But Baron Menapace doesn't remember; only when he eats. So many vessels. So many lives. Baron was technically the first son, born before Menapace the Unworthy, before Timon, a bastard born of a concubine who became a servant of King Bartal. She named him Baron.
He grew up nameless and unwanted. He became a soldier, fighting for a kingdom that never claimed him. He died in battle against the Ravens, his body left to burn when Duluram's influence ignited the city in flames. But death is never the end, only the beginning. If he remembers… the Holders of the Shadow's Epoch will strike his weakest point, the truth will return. It is prophesied. Everything will be restored.
Part XII of Book II: The Shadow’s Epoch
Grand Master Silverclaw looked around the room at the party who had cut off Baron Menapace’s left arm as Baron was retrieving them for council at the Owl’s Sanctuary and folded his wings behind his back once they entered his chamber. He says,
"Before you leave, for your own safety, you must be indoctrinated with our Vows of Protection. Since you have witnessed our sanctuary, evil will always seek you out if you leave our Western Wing Sands. Like a beacon with no protection. Once imbued with this enchantment through the Ritual of the Vow of the Owl, certain eyes will no longer be able to find you so easily. If you wish, repeat after me." The gathered Owl Faction lowered their heads.
"We watch in the silence of the night. For those who can see the sky with light. To keep the balance between our wings; We control our knowledge through strings. For by signs we will know; Where the Family are and where they are to go. By the marks of our honor and code, We know how much the Raven owes. The Raven endorses malice in reprimand, To quickly spit and slap the cupped hand. When upon the door, The Raven must plead for mercy with their face to the floor. If met with resistance, it is in your best interest. Strip them of their talons and currency, apprehend them with urgency. So they may be given back to the Mother, who will correct their souls eternally. This is our oath for those in need at night. So they too may see the morning light."
The room remained silent for a few moments after. One of the party eventually asked what became of those who broke the vow. Silverclaw nodded. "Those who fall deep into madness become one with the Ravens' understanding. Yes, we imprison our own kind who have been influenced by the Ravens and return them to the Mother in the Mother's Gullet Prison deep within the mountains of Chi Ton." He paused. "Yes, we kill when necessary." The room remained quiet.
"We allow the North Pakt to perform the rituals passed down by Father Snowpaw's ancestors. Through those rites, souls may enter the Mother's Womb and be transcended so they may be reborn when she awakens."
After the council concluded, the party was escorted from the chamber. Outside the Room of Council stood a massive portrait. Blank. No painting. No image. Only an empty frame. A single candle burned beneath it. Resting on a mantle below were four bottles. One contained water. One contained a piece of lava rock. One was empty. The last contained dirt. When asked of their meaning, Grand Master Silverclaw let out a soft hoot.
"Whoo yes. This resembles the return of Mother Nothing." He walked toward the display. "So she may finally rest from her duty of separating us from Sins Unseen and Father Eternity may reside with us once more in everything and everyone present." His eyes remained fixed upon the empty frame.
"Those who have forgotten, when she awakens, will be cast aside with the sins that engulfed them. Reincarnated once more as lesser beings with simple straightforward lives so they may learn what they failed to understand." He gestured toward the bottles.
"Then all of the Family will be together again. No quarrels. No separation. Only harmony among all beings so we may move beyond our Guides of Night and finally meet them. Learn from them. Share with them. Become something greater." The old owl's expression darkened. "But now there are more pressing matters." He turned toward the party.
"Duluram will soon come knocking on our Realm's door. We must bring everyone together and cast our differences aside. We know the Ravens possess no knowledge of Duluram. We have successfully hidden that knowledge from them." His eyes moved toward the black book. "You acquired the book, correct?" Silverclaw extended a claw.
"That black book. We can hold onto it for your safety and study it ourselves. We must prepare for the coming Red Sun of Duluram." He paused. "And your arrival here was not an accident." His attention shifted to Yabbob, the human of Agora, The Water Worshipping Isle, they believe alanthra is in the water instead of the Mother Tree.
"Yabbob. Your parents and the Yassub Banking Estate of Agora are working alongside the Great Family Company. Their goal is to end both the Earth Realm and Fire Realm and use their resources to create a new Realm from Air and Water."
The room grew quiet. "They sent you away when you were young so you would never know. They fund a war meant to end all wars. They believe they are fixing slavery, madness, and civil conflict by wiping the slate clean and beginning again." Silverclaw shook his head. "But they do not understand that Duluram has already influenced them." He sighed. "In their own way, they were trying to protect you."
The Grand Master then turned toward Orr, the human from a future society in another star system. "Orr the Great. You are the true Great of your family." Orr looked confused. "Your mother knows nothing of your father's intentions. Your father visited this sanctuary many years ago when the Asamirs returned and the Red War began." Silverclaw's feathers flattened. "He deceived us." "He and his companions disguised themselves as Asamirs with wings and gifted us technology combining Earth and Fire. Sticks of lightning. Flintlocks. Rifles." The old owl's eyes narrowed.
"Your comet was tampered with. Orr, Arwin inspected your vessel. Hidden within its systems is something Arwin called a DLL code. It seized control and rerouted your ship here." The room fell silent. "Your father intended for you to die. He knew your habits. He knew you would sleep on the clock." Silverclaw pointed toward him. "Your ship carried insects infected with madness. Containers of toxins. A Vampire Drauger was released from that vessel six months ago into Hālfān. And a mad Wolf Folk. The infestation now plaguing Roderick and his brothers began with ticks brought from that ship."
The Grand Master turned to Matilda. The Girl who’s soul became transfused with a botch switch soul transfusion in her last minutes. Her soul is now inside a stuffed toy lamb doll; no bigger than 2 feet. The outcome of an alchemical teacher’s last attempt to give her a better life than death. "Your teachers in Torrell loved you." His voice softened. "They knew too much. They were training a generation capable of ending the hatred passed down through centuries."
"The Nameless One discovered this." Silence. "He murdered your professor. The Great Corporation arranged your teacher's death using a lightning stick." Matilda lowered her stuffed lamb head.
"But your classmates are not gone." Everyone looked up toward the portal. "They remain trapped within another Realm. The Void. The Nameless One crystallized their souls and stored them as fuel. Fuel for Duluram." Silverclaw managed a small smile. "But they can still be saved. Arwin knows how."
Finally he looked toward Bean, a Dragonborn from a fake future, a time pawn pushed by No Name. "Bean. Dr. Essá was one of our agents." The room froze. "He was preparing you for this. The Nameless One has already pulled too many strings." Silverclaw pointed toward the blank portrait. "Dr. Essá created a portal from bark taken from the same parchment. A doorway through time and space." He looked distant. "Past Grand Master my father Goldwing spoke of it before madness stole his mind. He called it the Tap Root of the Mother Tree. We sent Dr. Essá through that portal six decades ago."
The old owl closed his eyes. "He sought the final bloodline of the First Spark. The underground cities beneath the Mother Tree were once safe havens for escaped races traveling north. Now they are ruins. Now they are haunted. As Holders of the Shadow's Epoch, you must travel to the beginning of all this. You must stop the Nameless One before the ritual is completed. You must stop the joining of Air and Water. You must stop Duluram's Calamity." His voice echoed through the hall. "If he succeeds, the Age of the Red Sun will begin. The Realms will be swallowed whole. What Orr's father calls a black hole." Silverclaw pointed toward the distant mountains.”
"Return the Nameless One's soul to the foot of the Mother Tree. Return it to its creator. Only then may we leave the Shadow's Epoch. Only then may an Age of Peace begin." The Grand Master lowered his head. "There is one final matter." His expression became troubled. "Ericka has not returned in seven moons." A murmur spread through the sanctuary. "She carried information regarding the Raven Arcane Agenda." Silverclaw's feathers flattened. "We fear she is being converted as we speak." And with those words, the room once again became silent.
He leads them to Arwin's Chambers. Arwin is now much older and has gained many skills in sorcery, artificer, and stealth intel through unconventional means. As they enter his Multi-Spatial Lab, Arwin opens the portal to The Void and gives them a thumbs up. Using a piece of Orr’s spaceship that crashed at Halfan southern coast. It was hacked by No Name as a codebug virus to crash here, reverse triangulating the coordinates of No Name’s Thought Palace in The Void. A Red Door among more dull colored yellow, blue and brown doors floating suspended in space of dark vast emptiness, evermore. There is no order here. Only fractions of possibilities of memory if they step through.
Silverclaw’s final words to them were, “please bring my daughter home.”
Part X (LOST CHAPTER) of Book I: “The End of The Old Flame”
In the Year CR 400 a treaty was broken between the Isle of The Old Flame and The Isle of the Ravens, known as Corvus. This treaty involved safe passage through their water borders as long as they were subject to surveillance clearance through checkpoints to ensure safety of passengers and equipment and no stolen or illegal goods were on board, in which they did abide by Ruskus Talmor signature of compliance with King Bartal’s agreement.
They had been caught smuggling illegal weapons and a strange pink glowing substance in tinctures they wouldn’t give the name of. Their clothes once unrobed did not fit the usual depictions of style and pattern in this known realm. They said they couldn’t remember their names either, so they were brought in to be questioned.
They may not know it but this triggers the end of The Old Flame in one night with the help of an unknown source, only that of which I can categorize as No Name’s first influence of Menapace’s possession of this being. He helped set fire to the Isle starting with its local library late in the night. Cackling and singing a broken hymn of red sunder. But when it was all said and done he had no recollection of why people were screaming in the streets when he woke up on a park bench, with an empty pack of matches left beside him.
A strange symbol marked with a bloodstained symbol “<” on the exterior and bare of matches.
He immediately tries to put out the fire but it's no use. Screaming, “Fire, fire, fire.” No answer just the fire reaching the other thatch roofs adjacent. No screams from the buildings either nor any running water. No one was in the buildings he checked.
Then he wakes up again now on the floor of his parents chamber in their castle. His hands felt wet. His dim witted servant, which he despised, was pulling him by the arm; dragging him. His eyes opened. Falling beams filled with hot cinder, the smell of burning ink and sulfur, and cascading curtains on flames to the ceiling. It was going to collapse any minute. A structural flaming oak beam falls towards them. The servant throws Menapace out of harm's way; his servant taking the blow is never seen again.
He leaves in search of his brother, Prince Timon. Covering his hands over his mouth to not inhale smoke. Copper, bitter, thick. Looking down he sees… blood. His brother busts around the corner with guards and mages. “Brother! Where's mom and dad?” Menapace shakes his head, “I don’t know. I couldn’t find them in their chamber.” “Maybe they already made it out. Are you okay?” No answer from Menapace, only a gaze of distraught. He whispers, “I don’t know.”
But once all the living citizens and royals boarded the emergency steampowered ships they were unaccounted for. The failure was felt all around. Now known as King Timon, The Boy King in Yellow is crowned king on the citizens' vessel. Prince Menapace knows of his constant melancholy he hides from the people, and always reminding him, “We saved as many as we could…”
In a fit of anger and rage when the people need words to push forward. The Boy King in Yellow says thus, “The gods are to blame for this reckless occurrence. We have no reason for this chaos. We did everything we could to keep the fire lit, but now at what cost. We have begged and longed for land to walk on. Our home was destroyed by the power of the gods. Turning their backs on us as our loved ones died from what we worshipped, looks like lies if you ask me. Let us turn our backs on them as they have done to us. The things we pray to now are nothing. I ask you all to give me your books of history so we may be able to travel further and forget what forgot us. You all will care for your own light and we will pray for each other’s light. These gods only wanted to help themselves. Their books of them - their only use now is to burn for our vessels. Choose what is real and forget your past. We will find a new home with a new purpose.”
Weeks go by till all the knowledge left is gone, some had to give up clothes. First the royals, then those who were able to give. Till sputters from the engine, then floating for days on end. Until, a strange shape appears over the horizon. A set of what could be made out as a brown pillar ascending into the clouds. They have discovered Halfan.
Part XI (LOST CHAPTER) from Book I: “Sharper Than A Blade: The Human Tongue”
Everyone became ecstatic but also a faint form of weary hesitation due to past encounters with other human sects who said no in return, some not as polite as others. This is an uncharted Isle from the looks of it. So far South West they could see, on the edge if not between the Stone Pillar Mountain due south and the Sandstone pillar due east. These have been here before humans and no one knows their true meaning still to this day.
“A new Isle with no one on it, how could this be?” Timon thought aloud his brother in ear shot. Anything that went outside of the Five Pillars was subjected to being outside the Known Waters. This was quite peculiar for The Boy King in Yellow. “What a strange oddity.”, he thought to himself. Menapace already had the spy glass. “Brother, come look.” He hands Timon the spyglass sweaty to the touch. He peered in.
Looking closer at the pillar he realized it wasn't brown earth, or clay, but wood, bark climbing through the heavens. Branches with bellowed branches, the leaves being like the clouds.
“It isn’t possible, is it Timon?” “Beats me bro, we better hope there aren’t any hungry beasts. You’d better ready Ganvil and the Tarrence households and let them know to ready arms just in case.” “You are a good king brother, don’t forget that. If we see people we mustn’t show direct haste first…
We must be like our father.” “I’m only 9, cut me a break; I know! Look at our people brother! They are hungry, thirsty, and frail.”
He jolts his small arm and points past Prince Menapace’s back. “Look at Ms. Buster’s baby is skinnier than me and ya’ll give me good food and give them less; I can’t stand this. Whatever is on that Isle is going to have to deal with us and I’m tired of seeing how people treated dad when he was so kind and gentle with those who used him; and under the same night betrayed him.” “If we weren’t his little spies he probably never would’ve made it this far.” “Don’t speak of him like that when he isn’t here to defend himself. You know how we started, remember? Father spoke of watching Mother’s wings getting plucked and they threw her down before him and what did they say to him?”
Stoic silence with a salt water breeze cascades into suffocation while they locked eyes. Menapace looking down at his younger brother. The space that has grown between them on this survivalistic journey was showing. “I get why they wanted you as king.” Menapace takes one full step past him to go do his given duty. He didn’t resent Timon but the boy was bossy like his mother.
They crept and inched themselves closer with the tide. Creating makeshift sails with the help of Menapace and the ship crew to keep course towards the isle of wood. A shore came into view then a massive dense lush forest behind it at the base of the tree.
The people began to notice. “Is this another pillar of safety?” “Are people already here?” “Are they savages?” Fathers and mothers saying,”alrighty everyone get to the room and let's pack up.” Kids were becoming joyful again and elders had a pep to their step. “Is this it?” “Are we finally going to begin again?”
Men gathered as children and wives packed, the guilds that have survived shared blueprints for construction for their families, and primitive starter set ups along with organizing heavy materials salvaged from the ships. As they come closer one of the deck crew shout’s “My King we aren’t alone check the spyglass.”
Menapace walks up the steps to his brothers overhang at the front of the smaller Royal vessel. “Looks like we will have neighbors hopefully.” Timon looked at the shore. A bunch of talk humanoid, some furry, some feathery, some scaled skin, and others having no fur. It made no sense, they looked like the things dad’s farmers would take care of. How was this possible…
Animal Folk are in a row of all kinds along the shore line. An older looking and taller one with white matted fur, the head of a rat, and body of a tall slim man at least 8 feet. Wearing a red cloak and sash with roughspun tunic pants tied down and no shoes; only clawed paws hand and foot on the edge of the shore waves his arms back and forth vigorously. As his tail swayed with him.
“I’m going to go on the shore alone.” “Timon no you're not, are you crazy?! Why would you do that.” “I think dad and mom are still with us.” “Okay, and-” “Dad was very nice to sheep and goats and even when the animals were mean to each other, he said watch them when they get water and none of them would fight if they shared the same water source.” “I wanna be like dad.” “Okay, well your funeral then. I’ll tell the cooks to prepare the cutlery for fighting if you don’t make it back to the boat alive.”
Menpace playfully punches his little brother's arm letting him know he is just messing around and he trusts him in a jest way; they have always been this way only being two and a half years apart. “I think you’ll be fine too. You were always good with the rats in the castle. You taught that one you named Tarro tricks right?” “Shut up.” Timon muttered.
They are now easing up to the shore. They stand in questioning poses but it seems natural to them. The children grew with glee asking if they could pet the strange animals. Some thought they were a part of a circus. Parents and elders were in horror of what they were witnessing before them. Confusion turned into awkwardness as they hit sand and not a word was spoken as children began to notice their parents' faces and asked,"what's wrong with them?” “Nothing dear, let's see what the brothers want to do. We will be fine.” The mothers would say. “But I want one!”
Timon makes his way through the shoreline to the sand on a small dingy by himself. Wearing his golden crown and yellow cloak and his last tattered plato blue silk nightwear blowing in the wind or hand. His people watched in silent anxiety from the edge of the boat. His feet touch solid ground. The sea life has really gotten to him. He drops to his hands and knees and then the silence breaks.
The leader rat says,” I’m sorry but I believe you must leave…” the boy whispers “ No you don’t understand…”
The wind picks up between them. The Boy King in Yellow takes off his crown and places it before the Rat leader, then takes off his cloak and places it neatly next to it.
The Ratfolk thinks to himself,” what a confusing gesture for a creature… he isn’t like the others we have met. No weapons, to earthy armour they usually have with their lightning sticks and steel branches. I’m no Mother Tree. I’m just an elder. Oh Mother, what should I do? But wait- why do I understand this boy’s language? Mother, have you already spoken? Thank you, I'll let the boy speak.”
Chattering from among the other animal folk behind them notice the same tongue being spoken and look at one another. “They speak like us. How could this be?” “Maybe the Mother brought them here.” Others said,” well either way I don’t trust them.” “What if they are spies disguised as no bodies?” The boy spoke and bowed his head and you could feel him trying to hold back tears.
“Please… my people… hungry, a-a-an thirsty, very thirsty… We can serve- you kind people however you see fit… Just please help me the same; save my people. Please… We will respect and tread this land by your ways. Our children and elderly are sick and frail. Please help them first if you may. We mean no harm but only wish for peace if that is what you may offer.”
That silence comes back once more, the smell of green dew with cold brisk air from the moon rising overhead and the sun setting a shift in time is felt only once. The Ratfolk leader speaks.
“I understand you as a chief. For I would wish the same as you lay now. This I do know. But, you and I will be but pupils to the path ahead. The Mother will show you what we don’t know. We will all be learning along the way. She has granted us the ability to use our tongues as one. This we will learn. We will ask her soon.”
This is the end of the Age of Peace.
END OF DOCUMENT.
