#colossus project

[belated] Christmas Gift for @winterdeepelegy

"We live under a rock."

This had become a common observation among those living in the Orn Wild settlement, a place which still lacked a name after so much time had passed. The answer was returned equally: "We've lived under a rock for years, albeit some longer than others." The latter took into account the handful of Duskwights among them who likely began their lives in caverns and other underground dwellings. This was more spacious by far, and for those who found it unsettling there were natural caves among the crags into which they could retreat. "At least now it's a literal rock instead of metal with a bloody sword over our heads," came another reply.

Even the Goblins who lived alongside them had started referring to them, and themselves, as "Underlanders". Their manner of speaking was simplistic but completely logical, and not unlike how some of the former subjects described things. They had few metaphors for things. Jinglyshine, tongueflaps, handlending... Things were what they were, and it was easy enough to understand by the basic descriptors given. Glace found it endearing, in a way. It reminded him of how he used to refer to things that were new and unfamiliar when he was first sent out of Occidens to immerse in Eorzean society. Sometimes he even found himself falling back on it like an old habit when speaking with the Goblins.

"Understone..."

It was hard to know where the term first came about, or from who, but it was spoken time and again until it caught on. Their "nameless home" simply became "Understone" and it stuck.

Now that it had a name, Glace started to wonder if it was time to slowly start inviting others in. They could sustain themselves to a degree, but they would still benefit from the help of their neighbors.

Attention listed individual(s):

Victory was bittersweet, and the work was not yet finished. While a number of Glace's siblings had finally been saved, both from the Empire and from the aether-twisting grasp of the Telophoroi's hideous towers, too many had been lost. They were twisted too far beyond anyone's ability to save them, or their body's were entirely destroyed by time, elements, and neglect in addition to their aether being altered. There were now, perhaps, fewer than half their ilk remaining. The flight away from Yanxia was one of exhausted silence but a lack of tension, except for a few. Terra Shield's life still hung by a thread, and Mother - no, Lillium - hovered close at hand in case his status changed. Maker's Spark and Ceruleum Flower stayed close to a hesitantly dozing Glace, the former as much as from the grief of losing her birth twin as it was from spending so much of her power on helping Terra come back to some inkling of stability. Flower had seen some of the most terrifying things her innocent mind could ever begin to imagine and bravely stood up to help her Siblings recover.

As for the others, they were mixed between hard sleep and staring off into oblivion, trying to process everything that happened. Some were reluctant to sleep, too afraid that this was all a reprieve from a months' long nightmare that they would quickly find themselves immersed back into upon waking. It was a feeling Glace knew all too well, and he couldn't blame them for their restlessness. He only hoped that what awaited them after a few bells worth of flight in Caelric's airship would help to put them more at ease. By the time they were over the Dravanian Hinterlands, the first hues of morning light were rising over the mountain peaks. Their destination, however, was not Idyllshire but somewhere below, partially obscured in the rolling mists of the Orn Wild.

Untouched by many and unclaimed by any jurisdiction, the Orn Wild offered both freedom and security from those who might have survived the Empire and come hunting. The deep valley offered incredible potential and resources: Fresh water and air, fertile earth, sunlight and untainted rain, and plentiful prey for the hunting. There were trees for wood and craft, stone and metal for smithing.

The sanctuary itself was dotted with dwellings which were clearly inspired by those the Sharlayan's left behind in the Hinterlands. Glace found their design to be rather ingenious, and in the case of the sanctuary it was integrated as yet another layer of defense. The round shape allowed water to flow around them in case of flooding, and wind in case the gales became exceptionally strong. The curve meant less resistance against the force of elements where flatter walls could more easily be broken down. Too, if someone did come looking for them, the architecture might bear enough resemblance to the Sharlayans' to cast doubt on their quarry being present. The dwellings were all different sizes to take into account the variety of residents and their needs, but all were uniform in features to start with. Basic furnishings were present, supplies were stocked in each as soon as the Goblins knew the Colossus Project survivors were on their way, and water filtration and heat systems were activated. The occupants could modify their new homes in whatever way best suited them later. In the middle of all of this an empty space yet to be filled by what will eventually be an aetheryte of their own, built from the parts left in the abandoned aetheryte factory, above. Just as soon as the Goblins could find the proper schematics to make it happen... Upon landing, they were greeted by the very Goblins that had helped to build the place so accurately to the specifications they were given. Though a few of the Siblings expressed concern, these were quickly put to rest when their presence was explained and food was offered. This was where their new lives and freedom could finally begin, but their battles were not yet over.

The rules and opportunities for their new lives were something Glace had written well over a turn ago, only refining them over time as more came to mind. Having these things at hand was all a part of the foundation of the former Colossus Project subjects' new lives in hopes that they could find new paths for themselves without a sword hanging over their heads. Freedom had rules, alas, but opportunities were now abundant where they had had none before. The words were posted in a couple of places where they could be easily found; on the door of a one room school house intended to eventually educate the younglings and any of the adults who wished to sharpen their minds, on the door of the workshop, and lastly just outside the dining hall which was now unnecessarily large for however many of them remained.

Ciel was one of the first outside visitors to the settlement. It was strictly formality since Glace had asked her to perform some manner of funerary rite for his Siblings who died in the events leading up to the Final Days, and even though she was no priest of Thal, she agreed to do what she could.

Introductions were made to those survivors who were willing, and she maintained a respectful distance from those who wished to have nothing to do with her. She didn't belong among them. Most of these people had found themselves so distanced from the Twelve over the years that they barely knew Their names. Nonetheless, this was a gesture of closure for those who still kept some faith, and one that she hoped would grant both the living and the dead some peace.

She wore the green of her patron, Oschon, and skewed none of her wardrobe toward extravagance. Such a somber ritual had no place for expensive raiment or fancy jewels.

She approached the river bank with an urn enfolded by her arms, and this vessel contained the cremains of what flesh Glace was able to recovered of the lost ones. She knew them not at all, but for all she had learned of them they had known so little kindness in life that granting them comfort in their passage to their next lives was the very least she could do.

As Glace and a handful of others watch in silence, Ciel slipped her feet out of her boots on the river's edge and waded into the water. She stopped once she was knee deep and bowed her head, the urn held forth beneath mist-obscured streams of sunlight.

"Hear me, brothers and sisters beneath the divine - though I know you not, I have come forth as your guide. I am neither priestess nor god, but I am one who ferries the lost across the River."

She lifted her head but kept her eyes closed.

"I call upon the Twelve in Their mercy.

Nald'Thal - As it is unto Thine gate that they are soon to arrive, I pray that they are given comfort even though they had so little fortune in life. Take of my coin to pay their passage if it must be so, but fault them not for their lack of it.

Azeyma - I can ask only that Thou now lighteth their way, away from lives spent dwelling in so much pain and darkness.

Rhalgr - Though their bodies are no more, may what memories their souls carry be changed away from the fear and agony of their last moments.

Byergot - Grant their souls new strength in their coming rest that they may meet new futures with brilliant resolve.

Oschon - My beloved patron, I ask that Thou walketh beside them unto whatever new roads may lay before them for with Thee none are truly lost.

Llymlaen - Pray, guide them true and keep them safe on their journey.

Nymeia - Though their threads are severed from Thy wheel but for the moment, I beg Thee be gentle whence their fates return to Thy palm.

Thaliak - Here I stand amidst Thine waters unto which they will soon be given, to begin their journey.

Menphina - Bring them unto the comforts of home and wrap them in the silvery threads of Thy loving embrace.

Halone - Quell any fury that may remain in their souls. Their endings were not gentle or just, nor were they noble heroes fighting a just war. 'Twas a war and an ending not of their choosing, and though their rage be justified, it should not follow them hence.

Althyk - Pray grant them as much time as they need to rest and heal. Hasten them not unto their next lives if they are not ready.

And lastly, Nophica - In Thy bounty, I ask that their next lives be fruitful and lack for nothing."

Ciel removed the top of the urn and lowered the vessel toward the water to pour fourth the ashes. "Here and now do I commit thee to the River, unto freedom and peace long overdue. May it carry thee to the embrace of Aetherial Sea. May your next lives be kinder."