The Ruins [Outdated]
An outdated take on Uurien's exploration of some mysterious ruins. Qyii, having been captured, is said to be the key to accessing the ruins; or so she claims.
Canonical changes: Either Uurien or Lor'Lire is replaced by Varris and Jesqii respectively, Feon is present, the ruins appear different, the guards would act differently, the identifying name stuff is removed, and Svatei's character and effects have been altered.
The Conversation
The two guards still on the surface stared at where the platform had once been. The brilliant fiery light was already beginning to fade, and yet, the strange machine was not finished- a platform in far better condition suddenly was thrust into the vertical corridor, then pushed upwards to take the place of the previous one.
The second younger guard regained his composure, stepping forward back to his original position, spear in hand.
The other however began sitting down.
“Relax. We will be here for a while.” His spear was laid beside him, inert.
The younger guard hesitated, “Are….are you sure? what if it…?”
“If it activates I’m sure that we will be the first to know. No one else is around- no one could be.”
The younger guard nodded, taking a seat similarly.
“...What do you think is down there…?” The younger one asked timidly from afar.
“Speak up.” They were still spaced out, so each had to raise their voice to be heard well.
“I said, what do you think is down there, below the surface?”
“Maybe tunnels, like those that branch off from Jurrica.”
“Then...why the lift? Why not something else?
“I wouldn't know. That’s why Uurien is exploring it.”
“...She should have brought others...it could be dangerous down there. I trust Lor’Lire’s judgment, but…”
“She says that it's abandoned, and they have kept the dryfiir in check thus far- I doubt that any trouble will come their way.”
“...What if the structure collapses, or the lift fails to-”
“This has been here for a long time and still works. I doubt that the lift will suddenly cease to work, or that the tunnels or caverns, or whatever is truly down there will collapse so suddenly... The odds simply work against such a thing occurring.”
“...What do you….do you think of the state of things now…”
“...I don't know.”
You must have an opinion of some kind; though if you do not wish to share it, I can understand…”
“In these troubling times, it is best to remain silent of one's beliefs and to simply follow instructions- even Lor’Lire has resorted to this strategy. Never before have I seen him so serious even in free times. Usually, he jokes, tells stories, and enjoys what he does...something has changed, and he knows it and has let everyone else know it so that we may follow his lead.”