#event 06

      Two voices boom out over each wing of the mansion at much the same time. In the west that voice resounds as if it is ten in one, deep and otherworldly and somehow heard through the bones. “Councilors, come to me. Come to me in the Library.” This is not a voice they can refuse. The voice heard on the other end of the house crackles to life as if over a loudspeaker which does not exist in The Lair. It’s laced with subtle humor and quite human, though still intriguing. “Good afternoon Council folks. I hope this isn’t an inconvenience, but it is rather important that you congregate in the Council Chambers in a few minutes. Your haste is appreciated.”

      What is there to do but follow the voices and see what they have to say? 

      Several spaces around the grand circular table are filled in just a few minutes time, though each person in the room sees no one else, believing they are alone. The double doors burst open and a lean, towering figure strides through. The face that looks around at them is unfamiliar, angular, and… off. Lit with a debonair smile and sharp eyes, but somehow not quite right. He sees them all but addresses them as if they are alone with him, his arms held wide in greeting: “My child, it’s been so long. Not that you recall. That’s a shame.” He sits in Feiyan’s chair, leaning back and crossing his too-long legs, gentle laughter on his face. “I am Leviath, but Levi works just fine. What is it that we’re supposed to say? Do not be afeard? I might have some catching up to do around here. But, that’s no matter. I’ve asked you here because you’ve expressed an interest in learning the full extent of your power. Long ago, my kind appointed you to help lead your people to a better world.” His sigh is convincing, if a little overdone, in its regret. “We should have done better at that, instead of punishing you for following your own path.”

      When he next speaks, it is not with his voice. Each Councilor hears something different whispered in their ear. Do this for me, and I will reward you with your wildest dreams.

      In the library the scene is different; the small group which gathers is aware they are not alone, that they have each other through whatever is about to occur. Perhaps this is a kindness, but it doesn’t last long. A being appears before them in a flash of light. Her eyes are too large in her tight face, bright white as if lit from within her skull. Silvery ribbons of gossamer trail all around her, obscuring a gaunt form beneath them, moving idly as if caught in several tiny winds around her. Nothing else about her moves. She is not standing but hovering. Her eyes do not blink. When she speaks it is without moving her lipless mouth. “Humans… It has been a long time since we were last here to watch over you. I recall who you were many cycles ago, when you would have remembered us. You called us Ancients. It was one of few things you intuited correctly.” Her head turns, assessing each Councilor one by one, lingering on Strength and The High Priestess. “You have let fear keep you from true control over the gifts we gave you long ago. That is… a shame. Power such as yours belongs in the hands of those who know what to do with it.”

      Another glance around the room and the leathery skin of her neck seems to tighten. “One of you has run away entirely.” She raises a hand and sweeps it in front of her chest almost idly, as if it means nothing to her. Nothing happens in the library. In Nashville, lightning cuts through a clear blue sky and strikes the ground so hard it crumbles. Buildings quiver. Fires erupt. A mile-wide radius around anywhere The Devil sets foot is filled with the shrieking of people begging her to leave. “She will return,” the Ancient tells the library, as if unaware they do not see what she does. 

      “When you are all present, you have a decision to make. Kneel to me and retain your magic with my guidance, or succumb to your fear and perish.”

      now.

      Those in the library leave in a daze. Faced with such an ultimatum, what can any of them do but worry? 

      Death and Strength, at least, have other plans. The two of them head the same direction looking for somewhere to think, and end up discussing their misgivings about what they just witnessed. Neither is ready to cower, though this appearance does not bode well for anyone on the Council.

      More and more curious by the minute, The High Priestess seeks out Judgement, informing him of the events in the library. He in turn tells her of his apparent one-on-one with Levi, and the two set out to gather the facts as best they can. He has his own agenda, however; the task whispered to him is clear. Convince The Tower to be your loyal deputy, and I shall give you the power to answer any question you have ever had.

      The Tower considers his own task: The Chariot is a source of great strength, and also a liability. Make sure she is unwavering as your ally even if you assume control, and I shall ensure you finally take your rightful place on this Council. Without your guidance, how will you ever find The World?

      By comparison, The Chariot’s task seems simple. Use the new magic you were given. Prove that on your own you can put it to good use. Then I shall give you not just a book, but a treasure trove of power. Just as she is about to get started, she runs into The Lovers, still confused and frightened by the spectacle in the library.

      The Fool seeks out The Devil, who does not want to see or hear from any of them. The two discuss the possibility of leaving it all behind - if such a thing is at all possible now. Unbeknownst to them, The Empress is looking for them. Her task is two-fold. Impress upon them how vital it is that they stay and lend their support to you, and I will ensure that you are able to give them the happiness they deserve from your throne. On her way to them she comes across The Hierophant, who looks as if she could use a friendly face after the Ancient’s appearance.

      The Star is visited in his room by Levi, who saunters in and smiles that inscrutable smile. “You have too many questions for me to answer at once, so let me tell you this for now, before we are interrupted. The others will seek out your guidance. Let them know, if you believe in The Ancients of old and the power we gave you, that I want only good for you all.” He disappears without a trace the moment the door opens to reveal The Moon and The Hermit, each coming from a different direction, each clearly still rattled from what they have seen.

      Balfour called a meeting of as many Councilors as he could find, coaxing them to sit together at the grand circular table just long enough to listen to him. He insists he has found one of The World’s old journals, one that could help them navigate their treacherous waters.

      “She was researching the ley lines too.” With one claw he points to her tidy ink scrawl. The notes detail important locations, possible directional flows of magic, disruptions and their consequences - things the rest of the Council was still in the process of discovering for themselves. “Based on her notes, I think I could pinpoint a way to tap into magic beyond your own to find her. Or at least try to contact her. I want you to go to the ley line beneath this place and try to tap into its magic yourselves to find Feiyan. A searching spell, if you will, something that technically none of you should be able to do. I think I can figure out how to coach you through it, if it’s possible at all.”

       He looks around the table like a battle-hardened general and it is a testament to the severity of the situation, the pleasant shock of this hope, that no one laughs. “I need as many of you as possible to beat the odds of this failing. I also need you to agree. It is entirely possible this fails, backfires horribly, or alerts one of those- those whatever they are that you aren’t doing as you’re told.”

      The Council Chamber goes silent under the weight of those words. Balfour insists, “You all have to come to a decision. Put it to a vote or whatever, I don’t care how - I need as many of you as I can get for this, but I won’t force anyone’s hand. If you’re scared or you don’t care, then that’s that. Just know that this could find her. This could be the moment we figure out what the fuck is going on around here, and how to fix it so everything goes back to tolerable and we can get the hell on with our lives. Feiyan included.”