The Cave of shimmering silence
[Scene: A quiet forest near Lab Aetherion. Midnight. Eirlys and Eimi walk toward a hidden cave, led by a faint glow in the air.]
Eirlys
You sure this is the right direction?
Eimi
(hovering beside her) I can feel it. The twin stone reacts to mine… it's close.
Eirlys
(glancing around) This place was off-limits for testing. Too unstable. Nothing ever grew here.
They step into a narrow stone entrance. The walls begin to pulse faintly with ethereal blue light. The cave opens up into a wide chamber lush with glowing plants, violet vines, and crystalline flowers that spark when touched by moonlight.
Eirlys
Impossible... these aren’t from Earth.
Eimi
(softly) They’re remnants. Seeds left long ago... from the Etherverse. This cave is a gate-fragment. A bridge.
Eirlys
A gate to the Etherverse? You’re saying we’re standing on a crack between worlds?
Eimi doesn’t respond. He floats forward, his forehead gem glowing brighter.
Eimi
There beneath the shimmerleaf pool.
Eirlys kneels beside a pool surrounded by glowing leaves. The water is perfectly still, mirroring the stars. She hesitates, then reaches in. Her fingers close around something cool and smooth.
Eirlys
(pulling it out)...It’s the same. Same texture, same glow. This is it.
The moment the stone touches air, it vibrates in her hand—and her mind floods with someone else’s voice.
Luan (echoing, fading) I didn’t want to leave… Father… help me…
Eirlys gasps, falling back against the stone wall.
Eimi
(rushing to her side) You heard him. That means the gem has chosen you.
Eirlys
(shaken) What was that? I saw a boy... pale hair, starlit eyes. He was screaming.
Eimi
(quietly) That was Luan. His soul is echoing. He’s waiting.
Eirlys
This is way beyond science...
Eimi
And yet, you’re the one holding the key. The Etherverse awaits.
The cave begins to hum around them. The leaves shimmer faster. The pool’s surface twists into a spiral.
Eimi
(serious)Hold the gem tightly. Once we step through, there’s no turning back.
Eirlys
(clutching the gem, hesitant)...I said I’d help find the gem. That’s it.
They step into the shimmer, and vanish.
Comments
shora_ryuuka shoyo
Mind-blowing storyline!
2025-07-02
2