The Y-Data: Lost Genesis CH2

[_moonstone_]

And Wilhelm's Lost Jerusalem story continues. ^-^



The Y-Data: Lost Genesis

by Moonstone 04

---

Chapter II

Softly howling winds were blowing through the trees that lined the city street. Aside from that, everything was silent on the dark road. During the day, the empty stalls that sat on dusty stone might be filled with wares and produce, but now there was nothing. No one had seen the giant, black wings descend. Nor did anyone see them disappear in gentle showers of light, revealing a youth in white robes, holding a girl.

The one who was called "Watcher", although that was hardly a proper name, looked down at the girl. She was huddled against his shoulder, and all he could see was her blue-black hair. Her arms were tight around him, and it was almost painful. That didn't matter though, because he felt absolutely elevated. Finally, he had managed to get her away from the Temple.

'Glorya...' He spoke gently in her mind. 'It's alright now. You can let go.'

There was a part of himself that didn't want to let go. His will, that made him feel things he couldn't afford to feel. Only minutes earlier, he had been beside himself with delight when she put her arms around him. Just thinking about his reaction filled him with disgust for himself and the universe. Staying objective was absolutely vital. But even as he affirmed himself, he couldn't help the sense of loss he felt as he slowly released his hold on her, lightly grasping her shoulders.

'Glorya.' He repeated with a little more firmness. 'Please, this isn't like you.'

With a deep breath and exhale, Glorya slowly let go and pulled back from him. When she looked up at him, there was a slightly accusing look in her brown eyes.

Ignoring this, Watcher straightened his robes. 'That was easier than I thought it would be.'

Suddenly, Glorya's eyes widened. 'You... You'd never done that before...'

'Of course not, it's not a very practical way of traveling. We risked being seen. But that was the safest way available to us.' He turned to look down the street. 'There's a large square further down the road. How about we go that way, and see what we find?'

Her normally olive complexion had paled, but Glorya agreed with a slow nod. 'Alright.'

The streets they traveled were little different from the one they had landed in. Street markets and shop buildings that showed no signs of life, except for the occasional light from within. Watcher knew that even these roads would normally have a minimal sign of nightlife, were it not for what lie further ahead...

Glorya was very quiet as she walked with her head down. Watcher could feel her trying to build her courage to say something, and he was very sure what it was. Although he was glad that she was coming into a greater awareness of the world around her, he didn't want to become the focus of her attention. But there was nothing he could do about that.

Finally, she spoke again. 'You're not human, are you.'

After a moment's pause, Watcher said, 'No. I'm not human. Not like everyone else. Does that bother you?'

Glorya was quiet again. Then she shook her head slowly and smiled over at him. 'I knew, I just wasn't ready to admit it until now. Somehow, it's a relief to hear you say it like that.'

'I've told you before. I wasn't direct about it, but I wasn't keeping it a secret.'

'I know... But there's still so much I don't understand.'

'That's normal. Understanding takes time.'

Glorya was quiet again in her thoughts. Then she turned to him again. 'Watcher...'

'We didn't come here to talk about me.' Watcher smiled gently. 'There will be plenty of time for that later.'

Watcher could feel her dissatisfaction, but she said nothing more of the matter.

'Are those Phoenix Crystals?' Glorya had noticed the stone columns that were set at intervals on the roadside. Atop each column, sat a pyramid-shaped purple crystal, glowing gently in the darkness.

'Yes. Those are the Ley Lines. They relay and transmit the power generated by the Towers. All of Mu is crossed by this grid, so the power reaches even into lands where there are no Towers.'

Glorya's face lit up. She had been told these things long ago, but he knew this was her first time encountering the grid beyond her isolated place within it. 'So even people beyond the city, in places far away, can benefit from what we do here. Isn't it wonderful?'

'You really think so?' Watcher looked away from her, clasping his wrist behind his back, and concentrated on the road ahead. 'Despite their hunger for it, power rarely makes people happy. The more power you have, the more trouble and responsibility that comes along with it. This power... It is too much for humans to control.'

'Every day, people are treated by medical devices that use that power; people who might otherwise suffer needlessly.' Glorya was walking with her head up. 'The trade routes, the lifeblood of the country, are traversed by vehicles that depend on that power to function. Every printed word and stitched shawl...nearly everything in our society is possible because of that power, Watcher.' She gave him a sidelong look. 'You know that. Besides, we've been using the Towers for generations, and there's never been any trouble in controlling the power.'

'In the greater flow, that time is fleeting.' Watcher said, his voice taking on that distant rumble.

She was so innocent and trusting. If she could see the world the way he did, what would it do to her? With the greatest of care, he had weighed every scenario, every possible outcome. It was something he was innately good at, but he had never acted on his abilities before. Everything was so delicate... If the flow was touched by a heavy hand, it could be just as disastrous as leaving it be. In all honesty, he didn't trust himself, not with the flow, or with her. There were always great risks.

Glorya's nose scrunched, as if she were going to make a retort -doubtlessly concerning the vagueness of his statement- but then she seemed to think better of it. She appeared to deflate, and shook her head wearily.

Watcher ignored this, removing his robe as they walked along. 'Here, put this on. It should keep people from paying too much attention to us.' He handed the hooded, white robe over to her.

'Oh... Right, my tunic...'

'The color associated with those of the Temple.' Watcher said, glancing down at her purple clothing. 'You'd be instantly recognizable as a Maiden to anyone we happen to run into.'

'I'm glad it isn't a warm evening.' Glorya pulled on Watcher's robes and lifted the hood over her head.

As they traveled down the road, they soon found other people walking the streets. The further down the road they went, the more people they came across. The chatter of people became louder as they went. Many people were gathering on the street corners before heading down the road together, and soon Watcher and Glorya were caught up in one of these crowds. As they were jostled along by the loud revelers, Glorya nervously held onto Watcher's arm.

After being pushed aside by a youth who was in a hurry to move onward, Watcher slowly pushed back his displaced hair with one hand. He was not happy to be pushed along by this hazardous tide of humans, but there was little to be done about it. Once he was done scowling at the crowd before them, he gave Glorya an encouraging smile. She returned the smile uneasily.

The crowd grew larger as they proceeded up the widening road, and so densely packed, it was like a living wall. Ahead of them, there was light and clamor, and music echoing in the distance. Even during the day, there would rarely be so many people gathered, but this was a special night. Just as Watcher had known it would be.

At last, the road ended, and the crowd dispersed onto the huge plaza. This was the city center, where every major street in Basso Narok came together. Framing the plaza were stepped stone foundations, on which sat glass and metal buildings of a similar design. Many people seeking a good view of the plaza were sitting on the stairways connecting the buildings to the plaza. These buildings of steps and stairs were engraved with glowing glyphs, just like those found throughout the Temple. Even the opaque glass of the buildings bore these markings, and the entire surface glowed with a soft bluish-white light that gave a misty illumination to the immediate area surrounding them. The inner plaza was darker, and only lit by moonlight.

'Watcher, what's happening? It's too crowded here.' Glorya's eyes made him think of a skittish animal.

It was time for a breather. He didn't want her to force them to leave too soon.

'Come with me, this way.' Watcher led them up the closest stairway. Away from the restless crowd, they sat together, taking in the scene stretched out before them. He crossed his arms over his knees and glanced over at her. 'It's a festival. The people on the outside are very different than what you're used to. Within the Temple, there must be strict order maintained, and for good reason. But out here, you will find that chaos rules.'

Glorya looked to the plaza thoughtfully. Now that they were at a distance, she seemed more herself. But she was still clinging to his arm. 'It's noisy, but they seem to be enjoying themselves.' For someone who spent most of her life in near silence, it was distressing, but she was taking it well.

From where they sat, they could see many people dancing, some wearing colorful costumes and scarves. There were also many musicians playing together at various points in the plaza, often accompanied by singers, and some of the flashier dancers. Impromptu booths spotted the crowds, selling food, drink, and other festive trinkets. The only places which were not full of merry-making people, were the central altar, and the impressive stepped pyramid that loomed over the end of the plaza.

There were only a few men standing along the edges of the altar. They weren't smiling, and their clothing and the swords at their sides were all business. On the altar itself, was a stone chair. Although the men may have been there to guard the chair, there seemed to be little need, as everyone else was giving the altar a wide berth. This was also true of the great stone pyramid, where guards were stationed on the stairs that ran up the middle of the jutting steps, all the way to the top, where there was a stone structure with a clear, crystal roof and a single doorway. Even from here, Watcher's sharp eyes could see a figure in a purple robe, standing in front of that doorway.

To Watcher's slight dismay, none of this concerned Glorya. Instead, the girl was transfixed by a pair of red-headed tumblers. They appeared to be twins, a man and a woman, both very young. They were spinning through the air in opalescent costumes. They might be dancing together one moment, and the next bouncing gracefully as though they had springs in their hands and feet. It was difficult to see them when they weren't flying through the air, as they were very popular with the crowd.

Before he knew it, Glorya had stood up and was heading towards them.

'Glorya, wait!' Watcher called after her, but she ignored him, continuing on her way. He wasn't about to run, but he did walk very briskly after her. Somehow, he managed to lose sight of her in the crowd surrounding the tumbling act. He scanned his surroundings, not only for her, but for any sign of purple. There would be trouble if anyone from the Temple recognized her. Finally, he spotted her through a small break in the crowd.

'Glorya...!' He was not pleased to find that she had drawn the attention of the two tumblers, who had finished their act. Or rather, she had the attention of the male half of the duo. He seemed to be trying to talk to her, but since Glorya couldn't respond, she was only smiling back at him.

Watcher made his way over to them. 'Glorya.' He took her shoulder, at last getting her attention. 'Please be more careful, what if you were seen by someone from the Temple?'

'Oh, Watcher. I was just-'

"Excuse me, but do you know her? She won't talk to me at all. I can't be that bad, right?" It was the male tumbler, his bright green eyes twinkling. His red hair was clipped short, and he was muscular, but very lean. Something about his speech was very measured, although to most ears it would sound smooth and flawless.

Watcher narrowed his eyes up at him for a moment, then smiled pleasantly. "Yes, she's my cousin. She can't speak, so don't take her silence the wrong way. Please excuse us, we'll just get out of your way..."

"You're an odd lookin' one!" The twin sister looked much like her brother, her red hair tied back in a short ponytail. However her green eyes were not twinkling. "You an albino, yeah?"

Glorya glanced from the girl to Watcher and back to the girl.

"Technically, no." Watcher said patiently, trying to turn Glorya away.

"Now hold on, don't run off so quick!" Pushing past her brother, the woman hopped in front of them. "I was just goin' ta ask if you've ever done any performin'? I mean, you would look stunnin' playin' a crowd, I betcha!"

Glorya glanced curiously at Watcher. His own face was still calm and smiling.

"I'm afraid not," he said, "I spend most of my time watching over my cousin. As you can see, she can be a handful."

'What?' Glorya frowned dangerously at him, but he concentrated on holding the attention of the tumblers.

"That so?" The redhead glanced over at Glorya with an appraising look. "No tongue, but she's a pretty thing, I betcha my brother could teach her a thing or two."

"Danu!" The brother had turned nearly as red as his hair.

"Hush, I'm speakin' here, boy." The sister, apparently named Danu, waved her arm at him dismissively.

Watcher was still smiling at them, still patient, but he knew Glorya had to be feeling his irritation with these two. He wanted to get away from there. Too many people were gathered around them, taking in everything being said. He found himself spinning the odds in his head, his vision altering to take in the flow of light around them. Which ones would come too close, which ones might know too many people, which ones would talk too much? How had they come to be before these twins, and what doors did they offer? The amount of information just from the people immediately surrounding them was astronomical, but he felt exhilarated as he calculated the risks, and made his move.

'Watcher? What are you doing...?'

At the sound of Glorya's voice, his vision snapped back to normal. "Danu, we're flattered, but this really isn't the right place to discuss this. Perhaps we can meet some other time?" Watcher smoothed back his hair on the one side. "You see, this is her first festival, and I just wanted to show her around."

Clearly delighted to have her way, Danu clapped her hands together with a grin. "Rightcha! How about tomorrow afternoon, at the South Market? I know a nice little-"

"Ah, no, that won't do." Watcher shook his head, ignoring the small, sharp tugs Glorya was giving his sleeve. He stepped closer and leaned up next to Danu's ear. "The Blue Bell, on the West Road. This time tomorrow night." Then he pulled back again and gave a small side nod. "I make no promises though."

Danu regarded him skeptically, then shrugged and put her hands on her hips. "You'll be there, you betcha. Only a completely stone-muddled fool would resist what I'm offerin'. I got the eye, and I know the goods when I sees 'em. Don't think I go and recruit every wanderin' soul I meet!"

At this, her brother stretched and folded his arms over his head. "Only the ones she's looking to collect, if you get my meaning."

Danu whipped her head around. "Shut it, Avalloc!"

Glorya pulled at Watcher's arm, yanking him to the side. Her brown eyes were almost a golden color when she was angry. 'What did you tell her? I'm only doing this one night, don't you forget that!'

He looked blankly at her, then smiled back at the twins with a slight lift of his eyebrows. "See what I mean? We had better go before she gets more upset. Have a good night." With a quick nod, he led Glorya away through the crowd before they could possibly change their minds.

'I don't know if I like this anymore.' Glorya said as they wandered towards the opposite side of the plaza. 'Did you forget what I said when I agreed to come here? Only this once. I knew this was a bad idea.'

They stopped underneath a small tree between two buildings at the plaza's edge. Watcher smiled gently at her, unlike the smooth smile he had given the twins. 'I didn't promise her anything. She wouldn't have let us go any sooner if I hadn't told her that. You risked being seen by someone from the Temple.' He looked towards the great pyramid, his expression becoming somber. 'That pyramid there is one of the Temple workshops. Most of the other buildings around here also do business with the Temple. As you have said, the technology made possible through the use of the Towers touches nearly every aspect of the lives of the people. There is no escaping the eye of that circle, not within the reaches of this city. So you must be extremely careful.'

Looking chastised, Glorya pulled lightly at the edges of her hood, shadowing her face further. 'I'm sorry, Watcher. I should have trusted you. This is all very strange to me, and I'm still not sure how I feel about having agreed to it. But it isn't your fault, this was entirely my decision.'

Leaning back against the shade of the tree trunk, Watcher looked down at the grass that was growing through the fractal cracks in the plaza floor. Glorya's words were making the self-revulsion rise in him again, and he couldn't bear to meet her face. She trusted him too easily, and as much as he needed it -wanted it- he couldn't stand it. He hadn't given Danu any promise, sure enough, but he had made the arrangement because of the doors he had seen, and the possibilities therein. He wanted to step through that door tomorrow, and take Glorya along with him. But by doing so, he risked walking further along the very path he was trying to avoid. There was no easy way out. His very nature, and the very universe, was driving him towards a clouded destiny, and what he could see, was something he didn't want. Unfortunately, the power he possessed, the ability that could guide him away from that destiny, was the same thing that was seducing him into the waiting arms of that fate.

'Come on. ...Are you listening to me?'

Watcher lifted his head to meet Glorya's large, questioning eyes.

The seduction of fate held so many forms. The universe was demanding, even for one like himself. His brows furrowed as he came out of his brooding. 'No. What is it?'

'I apologized, there's no need to act like that. Besides, this was your idea.' She half turned away from him. 'While you were pouting, I was listening to the music from over there.'

'I don't pout.' Watcher said, standing straight and running a hand back through his hair.

Glorya gave him an disbelieving glance, before turning back towards the musicians that were playing nearby. 'See, over there.' She pointed them out to him. 'And do you see the dancers?'

'You aren't going to run off again, are you?'

'No, but I don't see the point of being here if we're not going to do anything.'

Watcher's brows furrowed deeper. 'What's wrong with just watching the festivities? It's certainly more interesting than sitting on a giant rock every single day.'

'I should have known... Only you would come to a festival just to stare at it.' Glorya cracked a smile and shook her head. 'You're not going to make me do this alone, are you? It's embarrassing.'

'Do what?' Watcher knew what she was up to, and he wanted no part in it.

'Isn't it obvious? We might as well, right? We've got this whole entire tree to ourselves, and no one's going to pay attention when there's so much more going on over there.'

'Now you're just gibbering. You said yourself this is completely strange to you, wouldn't it be better to simply soak it in for a while?'

'How can I soak if I don't immerse myself?' Glorya threw back at him.

Watcher grimaced and crossed his arms resolutely.

Still, Glorya was not discouraged. Closing her eyes, she put out her arms and began swaying her body in a slow imitation of the dancers behind her. She wasn't as graceful as they were, but she had the notion and the rhythm. To Watcher, she was glowing, the heart of her like a sparkling star.

He turned away, trying to pay attention to what was happening in the plaza. He couldn't afford to be distracted. Lips pursed, he was so busy observing the rest of the crowd, he didn't even notice he had both hands buried in his hair, dragging it away from his face. With fingers locked behind his head, he appeared very casual.

Everything was calm now, under the tree, away from the crowd. There was only the music and the quiet wind rustling in the leaves above. At some point, his eyes moved back toward the beckoning light. His eyes narrowed, as if looking at her was painful. He unclasped his fingers and let his arms fall to his sides, his head turning as he gazed at her in serious contemplation.

How could he concentrate on anything else while she was doing that? He knew he should tell her to stop, but he couldn't bring himself to. He only watched her move, feeling the light, her wave. Somehow, the way she was dancing intensified the light. It was resonating deep within him, making his entire being feel restless. It had always been this way, as far back as he could remember. Her light fascinated him, pulled at him; it was a deeply entrenched compulsion he never tired of. He tried looking away, only to immediately turn back to look at her. With a half-step, he started to move towards her.

Just then, a heavy silence fell over the plaza. Watcher stopped, and Glorya went still. She opened her eyes, giving him a questioning look, then they both looked towards the crowd. Everyone in the crowd was facing the center of the plaza. After the abrupt silence, a murmur of whispering voices carried through the masses.

'What happened?' Glorya asked. 'Watcher?'

Without answering, Watcher moved forward, taking Glorya's hand as he went, leading them to the edge of the crowd. Even from where they were standing, they could see that everyone was looking at the altar. Due to the altar's elevation, it was easy to see what was happening there above the crowd.

The priest that Watcher had sighted on the pyramid was now standing beside the stone chair. One of the guards firmly placed a small wooden table next to him. The priest pulled a long, crimson case out from inside his robe, and placed it on the table. In the near silence, they could hear two loud clicks as he unlocked the case. Meanwhile, several more guards were chaining a man to the stone chair. The seated man's head was lolling onto his chest, and Watcher knew he had been sedated. Once they were done securing him to the chair, the guards moved away to stand along the perimeter of the altar.

'I've never seen that priest before,' Glorya said softly. 'What's he doing?'

'Most of the Tuaoi Order never set foot in their most sacred Temple.' Watcher said, his eyes never leaving the crimson case that the priest was now opening. 'Tuaoi... In our modern tongue, we call it the Phoenix Crystal.'

The red glow that emerged from the priest's case was both beautiful and frightening. The crowd came to life, and began shuffling around; the people nearest to the altar were pushing away from it. The priest lifted something out, revealing that the glow came from an egg-shaped, red crystal. The crystal was multi-faceted and ended in a sharp point. As the priest closed the case, they could see that the crystal was set atop a brass wand.

'That... That's a Phoenix Crystal?' Glorya squinted at the red glow.

'It's a form of Phoenix Crystal called Lapis Sophia.' Watcher said, still transfixed by the glow. 'It's the primary tool of the Tuaoi workshops.'

Carefully brandishing the wand, the priest stepped in front of the chair. His voice, cold and clear in the open air, echoed across the plaza. "This man," he said, "is Myxx. On this night, he sits before you, a traitor to the Enlightened Peoples of Mu. He has been judged by the Council of Basso Narok, by the laws of the High Council of Atlantis. For the crimes of releasing Lemurian prisoners, and possessing Lapis Ashmadia, he has been sentenced to Tsantsa, the most severe form of punishment that exists."

The prisoner, Myxx, was becoming aware of his surroundings, possibly due to the light of the crystal shining close to him. Once he focused on it, his eyes widened in terror, and he jerked in the seat, the chains clanking urgently. Unable to move, he began to scream and bellow, a pitiful sound, as he begged and pleaded with the priest, the guards, and the crowd to spare him. No one dared respond to him, and he broke into tears.

Glorya gripped Watcher's shoulder, but he didn't want to look at her.

There was a horrible shriek as the priest touched the Lapis Sophia to Myxx's forehead. A vibrant red gleam immolated his entire body like fire, and his cries died with a loud, grotesque cracking sound that caused many people, even some of the guards, to look away. Within moments, the red light faded away and there was a loud clattering onto the stone altar.

All that remained of Myxx was a skeleton composed of clear, quartz crystal. Some of the bones had fallen away to the altar, but most of it was still held in place by chains. Reflecting brightly, the jaw of the skull was hanging open, as though Myxx had never stopped screaming, even without a voice. The crowd's silence broke into a loud roar of excitement as cheering and music filled the air even louder than before.

'What happened? Watcher, what's happened?' Glorya was frightened.

Watcher observed as the priest placed the Lapis Sophia back into its case. 'The Tsantsa is a prison sentence. The body is destroyed, but the head remains intact, simply transmuted into crystal form. As long as the head is not destroyed, the soul is trapped within it for eternity. It is... a fate worse than death.'

The priest slipped the case back into his robe, and returned to stand beside what had once been a man named Myxx. He removed the entire skull and descended out of sight down the steps behind the altar. Almost as soon as he had descended, four more men in purple ascended the altar. The purple indicated they too were priests, but the armored uniforms they wore were very different from the man who had just left. They also carried large metal clubs. Surrounding the stone chair, they lifted those clubs into the air and brought them down upon Myxx's crystal remains. Glassy dust flew and sparkled in the night air.

Suddenly, Glorya was gone. Watcher turned just in time to see her disappear into the shadows of an alleyway. Closing his eyes with a mixed expression of satisfaction and pain, he turned away from the noise of the crowd, and followed her into the quiet of the lonely alleyway. He found her facing the empty street on the other side.

'You shouldn't run off by yourself. The streets can be dangerous at night.'

Glorya didn't turn to face him.

'Are you feeling alright?' Watcher asked, stopping beside her.

'That... That was the most horrible thing I've ever seen.' Glorya put her hands to her face. 'How could they celebrate something so awful? How could they use the Phoenix Crystal for that?'

Watcher said nothing, there was no need.

'I want to go back to the Temple. Please, Watcher.'

'If that's what you want.' Watcher said softly, placing his hand on her shoulder as a flurry of black wings surrounded them.