Sora Brontarion
In the dark of the night, the colorful glowing specters bobbed like lanterns on an invisible wave.
Their translucent bodies illuminated the most important part of the city: the pyramid, revealing roots strangling its edges, vines flowing down from the terraces like a vegetative waterfall, and moss-covered steps climbing its sides.
"Are those what I think they are?" Voen said, turning toward Nerena and me.
"Yes, those are phantom echoes," Nerena said, looking forward.
"Are we sure we want to be here then?" Voen asked, stepping back behind us.
"Do you really want to go back into the jungle? Because I'd rather take my chances here in the city.' I grabbed his arm and pulled him along as I headed deeper into the city.
"Besides, phantom echoes aren't necessarily physically dangerous… right?" I said as Nerena grimmaced.
As we walked into the city, the sky lit up again, as though a new day had just begun. The sudden flood of light shocked my eyes, and it took a few seconds for them to adjust. When they finally did, the phantom echoes were harder to make out, but they were still there—conversing amongst themselves, laughing, bartering for items inside the stalls and sheds of merchants.
Strangely, they paid us no attention at all.
"Guy, is it just me, or is something off about them? Shouldn't they be, you know, antagonizing us? Getting under our skin? Voen asked as we slowly made our way through the city.
"You're not wrong; something is off. They seem to be pretending like they are living out real lives here."
"You're right. There have been recordings of echoes pretending they're still alive, trying to preserve their sanity. They believe that if the rift is eventually conquered, they'll still be able to make the journey to the underworld." Nerena said, her eyes unmoving from the sight of the echoes.
I tapped her shoulder.
She flinched.
"Is everything ok? Are you looking for something?"
"I'm just taking everything in; there is so much to absorb."
I nodded and slid my hand off her shoulder.
"Anything of note then?"
She paused.
"See over there? That echo has a robe made out of the spider silk that was popular here in Elyria during the Era of Man.
The echo next to him is wearing a battle kilt, which was consistent with most military uniforms during the Era of Kingdoms." Nerena said, continuing to point out different things that stood out to her.
"Our teachers told us rifts would take parts from all three eras of our history here on Valonara: the Era of Man, the Era of Kingdoms, and our Modern Era. I just never expected to be portrayed like this.
But based on the architecture of this gigantic pyramid at the heart of this city, it appears this rift has not incorporated many characteristics of our Modern Era, due to the lack of technology and metal structures.
Instead, it has hard clay roads and shacks made of damp wood. Reminiscent of the Era of Man, an era that lasted three thousand years and ended a little over two thousand years ago." Nerena said, pointing at several structures inside the city.
"But to get more information, I would need to scout the city."
Hearing Nerena's explanation, I couldn't help but wonder if there were any alters around. Based on what I'd learned from the coterie, they had been far more prevalent during this era.
I stopped the group and turned to face them.
"I think we should split up, cover more ground, and meet back here."
Nerena gave a nod and was eager; Voen not so much. I sensed deep worry coming from him.
"Do you really think that is the best idea?"
I pursed my lips at the thought.
"This area isn't large. If anything goes wrong, we'll fire some kind of signal high into the sky."
Voen's wary look diminished slightly as a sigh left his lips.
"Fine, I'll try and see if I can find some herbs I lost in the jungle."
"Alright, good. We will meet back here in fifteen minutes then."
Nerena and Voen nodded and went in opposite directions.
As I walked through the ancient city, I struggled to find an altar. Even listening in on the phantom echoes seemed useless. The only conversations I overheard were about mundane things, like a couple discussing a play they planned to see later.
Guess I have to use my last resort.
I walked through the city until I found a quiet corner. I pulled out my astral lots, which were smooth translucent pebbles made out of crystals carved out of the Storm Glass Spire back home. My grandmother gave them to me as a present after completing my first lightning divination.
These pebbles had a singular function: to tell a starbound which pantheons had the ability to answer prayers with this rift.
So I imbued the pebbles with cosmic energy, shook them a bit in my hand, and rolled them on the ground.
I just hope I get a pantheon that is receptive to a weilder of the Sango Mata constellation.
The pebbles gently skipped across the ground. After a brief pause, they began to change color and slowly lifted into the air, converging at a single point as they stacked upon one another.
The pebble that stood on top glowed orange. According to the teachings, this meant that the High Pantheons of the Telaveth, Proteon, and Zephyros constellations were most likely to answer my call.
Looking at the results, I knew I had at least some connection to the High Pantheon of the Zephyros, since my mother and her family were tied to that constellation. But after examining the surroundings of the rift, it was clear we were within Elyria territory.
So I chose to pray to the High Pantheon of the Telaveth constellation. For a diviner at my level, there was no guarantee they would answer. But at this point, I would take any answer I could get.
So I hurried and found small artifacts and loose wood lying around to build a small altar to conduct my divination.
I clasped my hands, closed my eyes, and began my prayer: Oh, the high pantheon of the Telaveth constellation and the protector of the Arkanos family, I am here in your home; I see the strength of your web and understand that no strand stands alone. I seek answers and guidance for the rift that we are in.
I opened my eyes and gave up some of my cosmic energy as an offering.
A few long moments passed.
Then four small leaves appeared on the altar.
Grandma said the first signal would be the allotment of questions I could ask.
"High Pantheon, why did the rift activate?"
Then all of a sudden, a small centipede climbed up on top of the altar.
Looking at the insect, I had no idea how to interpret it, besides the literal meaning that they destroyed the rift anchor.
I took a deep breath.
"High Pantheon, what was that voice that we heard blaring inside the rift?"
Minutes went by, and the centipede was gone, and nothing took its place.
Alright, I guess no answer.
"High Pantheon, how dangerous is this rift?"
An assortment of small insects crawled onto the altar. Moments later, the same centipede emerged. It tore through the other insects one by one, devouring them until nothing remained.
My stomach twisted.
"High Pantheon, may I ask that you provide us protection and guidance throughout the rest of our journey in trying to conquer this rift?"
A few more moments passed; the cannibalist centipede disappeared, leaving nothing on the altar.
Damn it.
"I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough to remain here to guide you." A familiar voice said, coming from behind me.
I slowly looked over my shoulder.
My breath caught.
An old woman stood behind me, hunched over, dozens of weapons piercing her back.
But I knew that face.
That old woman was my grandma.