The Ruins [Outdated]

Amid this snowy wasteland stood four pillars of rock, each worn away by the hazards of time via harsh winds dried by the frigid environment here in the north. The frozen air had forced even the head of the royal guard, Lor’Lire, to don a warmer coat as they continued towards the ancient structures. The four pillars, arranged in the shape of a rhombus, stood a good distance apart from the next within the shape. The guardsman in charge of escorting Qyii, who had been silent for the entire trip, was given a hand signal from Lor’Lire. 

In response, the guardsman ceased walking and pushed Qyii forward- he stumbled to the compact snow below, his hands still tied behind his back.

The mage was not given a chance to recover, as Lor’Lire grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet, already leading him and the scientist towards the center. At some point just shy of the central point, Lor’lire released Qyii and moved forward alone. The scientist, her eyes hidden by the strange glasses she wore, stood beside the mage, her expression obscured by hat and scarf.

Qyii glanced upwards at the pillars, observing the few etchings that remained. 

What was this place…? And….why have they brought him here…?

Lor’Lire knelt down and brushed away a layer of snow to reveal more of the structure. He called over one of the two other guards to assist him in the process.

The scientist finally addressed the situation to Qyii, though her voice was muffled by her scarf, “There is a doorway underneath a layer of snow. You are to open it.”

“...Open it…?” He questioned weakly.

“Yes, that’s what I said, isn’t it? Askyr once opened once locked pathway in the palace at Jurrica. You too must be able to do the same.” She never once glanced at her captive.

“I’m not Askyr, he never-”

“You will open this door, Shaqeer.” He shuddered at his true name, immediately returning to silence.

How she had learned of his identifying name remained a tantalizing mystery...the effects, however, were all far too clear...With just a simple word she could easily break down any and all of his mental barriers...Not that she would. She has Lor’Lire to do that for her.

In time enough of the structure hidden by the snow was revealed. Sure enough, the decorative platform resembled a door. Even boasting symbols found on the entrance to the palace. The engravings were better preserved on the platform, but still not untouched by the harshness of nature and time.

The scientist undid the rope binding Qyii’s hands and forced upon him a crystal.

Already the second guardsman had his spear aimed in the mage’s direction- not that it would do anything if he so desired to lash out. Plasma was a difficult thing to defend yourself against.

“You will stay until the pathway is open.” With that said the scientist turned away, heading back towards the outskirts of the structure.

“I...I don't know how to open the door…” Qyii repeated, hesitantly walking over to the platform.

“Then figure it out, Dryfiir.” Lor’Lire demanded in his cold tone of voice. Adding the derogatory term for a mage only reminded of his dislike towards Qyii.

Who could blame him for his hatred...It was ingrained in most of the society, such a fear and hatred was incredibly difficult to rid oneself of, if not ultimately impossible…

Qyii simply stared down at the platform as he stepped onto it. He held the crystal in his gloved hand. No energy was attached to it, leaving only one other option- perhaps energy could be transferred to it.

Qyii held it up and tried, just as Soulska had taught.

It failed- the crystal was not viable.

Was it then, a key? This platform was described as a door, after all...It would certainly make sense to have a key.

He searched the entire platform, the three guardsmen watching his every movement carefully, one more nervous than the others.

The only structure on the door that even resembled the key was an indent in the center, only partially recognizable due to damage- it seemed that part of it has been chipped away by a tool.

Qyii proceeded to do the obvious thing- he placed the crystal onto the indention in the platform. Nothing happened. Of course, if it were this simple it wouldn't have taken Askyr to open the alleged door in the palace.

Qyii glanced around for a moment.

The two guards still had their weapons trained on him, while Lor’Lire and the royal scientist watched from a farther distance. They seemed to be talking quietly, but their voices simply did not carry.

He turned back to the platform, kneeling in front of the indentation and crystal.

Only one other thing crossed his mind, but by then he had lost all interest in attempting the task. Qyii didn’t want to open the door, he didn’t want to cooperate...but he also didn’t want to fight or injure Lor’Lire or the guardsman- The scientist could perhaps use a punch to the face-but of course, he had no choice. They have his name and could threaten him mentally. Or, they could threaten his family in Jurrica...Until now he had never realized just how corrupt the system was...or how little he really knew of Askyr’s work…

Qyii removed the gloves and placed them beside the crystal, then gently laid both hands upon it. He decided to try once again to transfer energy to the crystal, perhaps like his staff which without energy remained inert and useless, this key and door remained as such.

His conjecture seems to have gone somewhere. Energy flowed into the crystal, prompting it to glow a brilliant orange, as it if were housing a dancing fire.

Lor’Lire and the scientist ceased in their conversation, drawn to the change in lighting, heat, and flow of energy.

Luckily none of the guards fired their weapons in response, allowing Qyii to continue far beyond what this meager crystal should be able to handle.

The engravings on the platform began to share in this brilliant coloration, the warmth spreading outwards, even below the snow towards the pillars.

Qyii remained focused, staring down at the crystal, taking note of just how much of a toll this was taking. Something felt terribly wrong about this door- he couldn’t focus well enough on it to attempt to explain.

Unlike the simple to grasp mechanics of his staff, this door took far more to accomplish even less.

The fiery light began to reach upwards on the pillars, displaying images and shapes that were simply invisible to the naked eye.

The two guards lowered their weapons, glancing upwards, perhaps in awe, or perhaps out of fear as to what may occur next.

The light reached to the top of the pillar, creating a brilliant flash of light reaching upwards, nearly blinding the guard that had been watching the top carefully.

The very ground shook, nearly knocking the scientist off of her feet.

The engravings gave one final flash as the platform jerked, shaking the remaining layers of snow. This prompted both Lor’Lire and the scientist to run forward to investigate, though both guards took a step backward.

Qyii’s concentration was snatched from him as obscure images directly breached his mental barriers, delivering incomprehensible information.

Schematics of a strange building, symbols adding up to other symbols, strange machines, and this bland emotion that even he, a seasoned storyteller could not comprehend. It sapped away his remaining energy and strength, and when the images finally gave him peace he passed out, falling onto the platform before him.

The platform jerked for a second time, shaking the ground beneath them as a warning of mechanisms hidden below the surface activating.

Both authority figures met on the platform, though only Lor’Lire investigated Qyii to see if he was even still alive.

The scientist turned towards him, about to speak, when the platform jerked downward knocking both to the ground.

“Stay there!” Lor yelled to the other two guardsmen. They obediently followed the order, merely exchanging a worried glance amongst themselves.

The platform then continued to gradually lower beneath the surface down a vertical tunnel lit only by the fiery light triggered by the mage.

“It’s a lift…” The scientist murmured, spinning around in a slow circle to take in the sights.

Lor stood, silent. He was no explorer, nor a scientist- he was not cursed with the same sort of insatiable curiosity as she or the previous Ekhar were. He wished only to serve his society, whether it be defending against those that would wish to destroy it, or searching for ways to better it. 

The scientist finally registered Qyii’s condition, “Is he alright?”

“He’s alive.” Was Lor’Lire’s simple response.

The lift continued to move farther down, away from the softer lighting of Se’Loxus, and gradually the red light began to fade.

This observation visibly worried the scientist, and yet, she did not address it.

Finally, the lift stopped at an open doorway. The lighting died off with it, leaving them in total darkness.

“Take him and the key and follow closely.” The scientist ordered. To combat the cold darkness ahead she retrieved her lantern, which bathed the area in blue light.

It revealed even more engravings along the floors and walls, as well as a definite path forward.

She stepped out into the unknown, the guard following behind with Qyii slung on his shoulder, still unconscious.