2018-01-22: The Darkest Hour

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  • Cutscene: The Darkest Hour...
  • Cast: Riesenlied
  • Where: Baskar Colony
  • Date: 23rd January 2018
  • Summary: Riesenlied finally takes the time to unwind after everything that has happened, after her meeting with Elder Halle... yet it is at that time when...

Night has fallen upon the Baskar Colony, priests returning from their duties to join their families in one of the many cliffside homes that have spawned atop the village. A great bonfire rests the natural plaza, a light of hope that shines forth brightly across the darkened wasteland.

Tonight, an unusual visitor stays with the Zoa. A visitor they call an ancient enemy. Anathema to Filgaia itself... a creature whose acceptance the planet cannot reconcile. No other Hyadean -- Metal Demon -- save Noeline could claim to have set foot in the Baskar Colony. And though it was nervy, she reached a hand in friendship... and found acceptance.

Silvery, iridescent vines sprawl throughout the grass, slithering as it pursues the visitor departing to the western flats. Razor-sharp leaves slither against her foot... and mercurial roots bind tight around her ankle--

Maybe we can be saved.

Riesenlied stares at the ground for a moment too long. She enters the flat, stepping into her assigned room.

It is small, but cozy; a nice rattan mat is laid on raised tiles, with a woven quilt with a box pillow to accomodation. There was even flatbread and an earthen jug of water to drink. The young maiden who cleaned the room was cordial enough... yet, it was impossible for her to miss the tells. The way her throat tightened, her lips pursed... the way she threw her gaze aside. She didn't need to be an empath to tell.

Elder Halle has granted her acceptance. But her will was not absolute.

It will take time for the Baskar to understand... for anyone to understand. Let alone accept and let her kin integrate with the rest of Filgaia. Longer than can be expressed in human lifespans. Longer than can be expressed in the time they have.

Perhaps too long.

It is too late to stop it, Miss Riesenlied.

She seats stiffly on the cot, her spine chilled. She undoes the stiff wraps that make for footwear, given her deformed foot.

She looks up and sees a man standing before her. His faceless helmet, reflects the light of the colony bonfire on its surface. His body armour concealed under his poncho.

He draws a revolver and holds it to Riesenlied's head--

-BANG-

The Hyadean convulses as she holds onto her side; Jacqueline had replaced the bandage on her gunshot wound and gave her a fresh dose of anaesthetic and restoratives... yet, still it hurts.

We both knew it would come to this someday.

She pulls the capelet of the Fereshte, her own tribe, away from her necklet and undoes the ribbon that ties her outfit together. The locket mounting the Dragon's Tear looses from her collar, and she places it on a small table beside her.

A moment later, a girl rests a viridian-plated hand atop hers.

She is of the Veruni, our ancient enemy. What will be must be.

Riesenlied gazes dimly, as the girl dressed in cream-and-green peers back towards her. She shoves her hand away -- and the Tear clatters against the floor, chipping as it strikes the hard surface.

The pump-action of a shotgun is heard. The girl holds it close... and takes aim at her--

Don't get involved, Mom.

-BANG-

She reels on the floor, fumbling for the Tear. She sags, collapsing her head to one side. She desperately feels around for it. It is dark. She can't see where it is.

She hits something small and metallic. She grasps it right away. Her tears drip onto the floor, her shoulders tightening as she lets out a strained, hoarse wail.

She crushes the object. Fear and anxiety fills her, snares every corner of her mind.

She desperately focuses her will into it, yet it refuses to shine.

Its light seems gone, bereft of all emotion and hope.

Her masks are spent. She has no more to wear.

Filgaia rejects you.

The Dragon's Tear shimmers gently, beneath a desk... a sorrowful blue hue that its owner cannot possibly perceive at present...