...

"Dear slumbering child, without home, without memory... Do you hear my voice? You must still remember the covenant we forged so long ago, do you not...? Regardless, you must rise now. It is time for you to reclaim what once belonged to us, now lost and forgotten..."

This soft voice echoed in the darkness, whispering sweetly, as though trying to coerce and sooth something that was afraid. Shortly after, a row of pale lights blinked on, each one belonging to a capsule built into the walls and floor. The faint glares revealed very little, but enough to outline the metal atrium that surrounded and protected the hundreds of people. The life laying dormant in the these marked containers began to stir, finally hearing their fateful calling. It was subtle and slow at first, a twitch behind close eyes or weak clench, as those within worked to overcome the numbness that rapidly bled away, their heart pumping fresh blood through their bodies once more. Who knows how long it has been since they were last awake? This was one of hundreds of such places, these 'Cradles', where the passengers were meant to bide the uneventful years, kept under the watchful eyes of the Caretaker. The controls and dials before these devices might seem foreign, but a deep instinct would direct their hands in freeing themselves from within. All that was needed really, was just a simple push against the hatch.

A low hiss soon sounded as the first were released, the compressed air rushing around them as greeting back to life.

@Heap241@Mag Lev@Cyrania@Light@AspenIvan@knighthawk@ravenDivinity

...

One such chamber stuttered open, a frail and short figure leaned forward in his seat. It appeared to be a little boy of sorts, his pale brown eyes staring out from underneath wavy bangs in confusion. As he took his first breath, he coughed, cuffing his mouth in surprise. The air smelled faintly of something he thought he knew, sweet and smooth, the unmistakable fragrant of a flower. Before he can get another whiff, wanting more of the bliss it allowed him, the scent had already withered. He was left alone with his emptiness again, staring out at the terrifying darkness. His mind raced for some kind of answer. But he could only grasp at wispy details hidden in the obscure grayness of his thoughts. What was his own name again? Yes, Daresso. He was fourteen years of age, born on the fourth day on the fourth month. And... there was another name too. No, not like those of the Perennial Staff, those he remembered clearly, like the Caretaker and the Grand Artisan... but of someone living. 'Alexander' -- But what did that have to do with him? It felt so important, but he didn't know why. That lingering question bothered him greatly.

Others were stirring too, but he stayed in his seat, unsure whether to move or wait.

He noticed out in the darkness of this room, other such devices already opened. They seemed undisturbed for quite some time. Others didn't stir at all, the inhabitants behind the dark glass laying still, as though they were meant to continue their hibernation. Daresso didn't remember much of himself, but he can recall vividly the ceremony before they all went to sleep. It was a bittersweet day. The speech was still fresh in his mind, of their 'waking destiny'. They were going to leave this sunlit haven and go back. To... The place below. But weren't they supposed to wake up together? Why had others awoken long before him, and others who were not roused?

...

The fog rested heavily over the teen girl's mind as her pale grey eyes first opened. She fluttered between waking and sleep but the voice was insistent, and so she sleepily rose her slender arms to the strange controls. As her hands instinctively flew over the machinery, she struggled to remember something, anything, about why she was here. She remembered her name was Gwendolyn, that was firmly in place. She vaguely thought that she was sixteen at least and her birthday was in the springtime, but there was nothing definite there. Then there were faint images of two people, maybe her parents, the women shared her hair. Then of a collar, metal and harsh, though that was more a feeling around her neck then an actual image.

The cradle opened and the svelte girl felt around her neck. The collar was gone, but the imprints and scars remained. When had the collar come out? How had it come off? Gwendolyn shook her head of the useless musings. Now was not the time to worry about that, she had to find out where she was, why she was here, and who were the others that she dimly recalled having to meet with to go wherever they were suppose to go. The blonde looked around and saw that there were other cradles, some opened already and others where their occupants were stirring. Then she exited her cradle and shivered in the cold air. She scouted around, making as little noise as possible, to see if the other occupants who left were still around the cradles and if there was anything besides cradles and people in here. She did though keep looking back to see when anyone else awoke so she could consult with someone and see if anyone else remembered more.

Beth opened her eyes slowly. The light was blinding though there wasn't much of it. Immediately her eyes began to water from air exposure and with an inhale she coughed. Every muscle in her body was sore, almost to a numbing point. She moved her eyes around the room trying to see something, anything. Faint lights seemed to glow all over the room but everything was a fog and she couldn't keep her eyes open for very long without feeling them burn.

There was a sound on the edge of her tongue. "Be.." What was it she was trying to remember. Her body hurts. "Bet, no that's not right." She said to herself. "Beth?" She remembered. She felt familiarity with it. "My Name?" Again came more coughing, her throat hurt with the air and the rattling of her long unused vocal cords. "Lets try opening my eyes again" her internal voice whispered. She peeked her eyes open again just a sliver, it hurt, it burned and she closed them again.

Beth lifted her arms slowly, her muscles ached and her joints popped with the movements. "A box?" She thought as she felt the sides of what she was laying in. She tried lifting her leg and lunging forward which resulted in her falling out of her capsule and landing on the cold ground. She lied there for a moment, the pain that shot through her body was fierce. "Lets try sitting" She thought. More coughs and gasps. She began slowly pulled her legs in and sitting up. This was as far as she could get. Her eyes were still closed, barely attempting to peak through them every so often.

EVERETT PRACHTER

A pact, forged in chaos. A memory, isolated in spirit.

As the young man discovered lead limbs and droopy eyelids, heavy as a midday nap. Coming to life again was a difficult task, a limbo between that dormancy which used to dominate and the activity which now came to fruition. The old world was long and lost by the time he chose to wake, and he felt the need to build new bearings from its ashes. So, he spun a thread of new knowledge from the ruins of his mind — the name, fashioned for him; the memory, filled with awe; the date, renewed by birth. In this, his name, Everett Prachter, came from the void, and Everett, born on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, remembered the pact of days gone by. The covenant which the voice implored Everett to fulfill now drew him to a state of awareness. The flow of life had resumed with an awful chill in his spine, and Everett sat upright without hurry in his cradle.

The 18-year-old eyed a fair-skinned, willowy girl while she had paced gently, oh, curiously across the dim chamber. He carefully stepped from his cradle, with which his hands could interface like an unused but unforgotten skill. And his aching muscles piloted a functioning body once more, and he took his time to silently make his way to the girl as he overcame the pains of ages of slumber. At the same moment, Everett's dark eyes traced the corners of the room, and he saw the other containment devices, with the now warm bodies inside. Others were awakening in their capsules just as Everett and the girl had. A clap to the hard floor spooked Everett. He jumped, his eyes darting to a fast movement in the chamber. Another girl had fallen, disoriented, from a capsule in the room. The realization slowed his breathing to normal again.

"Are you quite alright?" he asked the dazed one with concern in his voice. Everett then glanced at other girl, who seemed better aligned at the moment, and he stood more upright. "It seems we are awake now."

A fifth snapping of hinges and hissing of air gave way to a less than graceful thud in the far corner of this dry hall of pods. Against the wall in an equally elegant fashion slumped a man, who seemed to have collapsed much like the third awakened. In the poor lighting, the others could only see a black and grey clad figure hunched over on the floor, their face buried in the dust, and both hands hastily weaved through unkempt hair, cushioning his head against the metal floor. After several moments, anyone who continued looking would see him push himself onto his hands and knees, and eventually stand upright. The Cradle's preservation did a less than perfect job staving off atrophy, and his weak posture did even less to hide it.

He glared down the hall in sluggish confusion, clenching his eyes every so often to avoid the dull zombified lights as if they were blinding suns. His legs wobbled as he tried to step forward, and his hands shot out to the sides, looking for anything to hold him upright. After his first step however, he froze. That step. That soft clap against the floor, was that sound? Is that what something sounds like? All he could remember was shrouded in silence, the still faceless visages of people close to him, names and relevance now lost in time.

He shook off the trauma as best as he could, and pressed onward towards the group. With each inch closer, the lights over their pods stung his eyes more and more, but his posture had managed to right itself by the time he reached them. Now the could see him for all he was; a black wind-breaker, gloves, and boots accented a blank grey shirt and jeans. The only bit of color about him were his eyes, which shone with a stark contrast of blue against his otherwise dull attire and distressed expression.

It all hit her at once, the soft yet gentle voice fading away as it was replaced by a sharp, stinging pain in her forehead. It was a feeling she knew far too well for her own good, at least she believed it was. The headache stilled her breathing, slightly holding her breath and clenching her fists as it soothed slightly. The darkness of her… pod, at least that was the only word she could think of to describe her current situation, helped slightly but the light starting to penetrate through it brought the stinging to a low hum. Her mind struggled to remember details, finding the reason for why she was in there lost to her and everything else hidden and faded by the time that had likely passed.

It was her name that she was searching for most of all though. Her name, the one thing which brought her comfort and made her different from others. It was… Jessie? No, that wasn’t quite right. Jezzie was close but not quite there. It was Jezebel though which brought a buzz of remembrance to her mind. Her hands led her to step out of the pod and into the bright light, her head buzzing even more in pain as she staggered a bit to stand against her pod. Her legs felt weak and she wanted to sit down but her head felt more clear when standing.

“H-hello?” Her voice was weak, trembling from the lack of use and unsure as her focus finally came to on the group of people awake before her. Who were they? Had they been like her? Why were they all here?

Beth began slowing her breathes to allow her lungs to catch up to new air. How long had she been in there? Her fingers still stiff and atrophied felt along the base of her dress. She looked down at herself, blinking her eyes as they still burned and saw her white satin knee length dress. She couldn't remember why she was wearing it or wear she got it. Her feet were bare and cold.

As her eyes and ears began to adjust to the world that surrounded her she heard a faint male voice say, "okay?" voice in her direction. She now recalled the voice that summoned her back to life. To this voice she pondered. Why couldn't she remember anything? She wondered. "Why doesn't it feel odd that I don't remember anything?" she thought to herself. She brought her knees in close underneath her and began to stand, wobbling and shaking as she slowly rose. She began to pear around the room to find that there were others around her.

Finally she looked in the direction of the voice that came her way, her eyes could now stay open. They still burned and ached but not to the point of keeping them closed. She saw the man took a step towards him, stumbling a little before she caught her balance again. Beth glanced up and found the man's eyes then nodded. She had a sudden remembrance of a cottage but the soft feeling that came with it. Her hands found the walls of a capsule that wasn't open and she leaned herself against it.

Daresso watched from his pod, craning his neck over the sides to look at the others who crowded from around the dark space. He didn't feel safe, but it seemed he was not the only one confused by the strange amnesia. This was not how it was supposed to happen, from what he remembered, what little left of his blackened memories. It seemed Eden was still intact, for the most part. But where was anyone to greet them? It all seemed so absent, as if they were the only livings ones around. Why did a few remain sleeping? Were they dead? No, they were all kept frozen in stasis, so that wasn't possible. But why did they lose their memories? The cradles weren't supposed to do that, were they? At least, such a thing wouldn't make any sense. Though, none of this really fit into reason anyway. It felt like he just slept a night, but so much has happened. He didn't even know the day of the week, so he couldn't even imagine how many years transpired.

He wished he could remember more, but it was only these glimpses that provided any sense of clarity. Swallowing his fear, Daresso began pushing himself up from the comfort of his seat. He wasn't going to find answers just sitting around waiting for stuff to happen. Enough of that has already gone on.

The boy climbed out of his cradle with a cough as his wool shoes stamped softly into the dusty ground. He stood with an unease in his stance, his hands held firmly at his sides. There were so many strange, new faces.

"Do any of you have an idea what's going on...? I was called by the Caretaker too..." looking down, "But it seems I've forgotten a few things over the sleep..." he muttered in a quiet voice, looking around at the other already opened pods, "I may not know much, but I am certain there is something wrong here. M-my name is Daresso, by the way."

He stuck out his hand for anyone to grab it, putting up his best smile, how betraying to his true feelings it may be.

...

EVERETT PRACHTER

Everett's dark eyes strained as they surveyed the damages and took a headcount. Roughly every cradle in the room was now vacant at this point, and in a daze, the former occupants were now scattered about the room. They were there, nonetheless. Six people total, all in their youth. He counted them in the order which they had awoken: the fearful boy, the curious girl, the struggling girl, then Everett himself, the tall boy, and the timid girl. Another chill went up Everett's spine. He swore something wrong to this moment; this did not sit quite right with him. Why did they all have some sort of amnesia? The 18-year-old's boots made very solid steps against the floor while he took measured paces around the room.

Everett nodded his head thoughtfully to what the youngest boy had said. "Yes, it seems that something went wrong, but I've got no clue what." Everett confirmed what was likely on everyone's mind — or what should have been, if they were all in the right state. He paced some more, and he pondered the situation. There was a small gap of silence before Everett said anything else.

"Daresso, right?" He reached for the former's hand and gave a firm, warm handshake. "You can call me Everett." He brought himself to face the rest of the group and brought it upon himself to get acquainted with everyone. "Well, an introduction is in order. Hello, everyone. I'm Everett." He gave a curt bow. "And you all are?"

Beth was now finally coming to her senses. She felt like Sleeping Beauty, finally waking after so long of deep sleep and began to wonder if this is how she felt. She began to notice the people around the room and now attempted to take steps towards the two that had begun to speak. Her bare feet felt every texture in the floor beneath them. "Where are my shoes?" She thought to herself.

Beth looked straight on towards to two men, the older of the two was perhaps younger then her by two years. She made her way towards them, stiff at first but, with each step her walk became just a little more fluid and graceful. She shifted her eyes slowly back and forth between the two before she said in a soft, low, sultry voice, "If I may make your acquaintances, My name is Elizabeth Wilson." The name fell off her tongue before she even knew what she was saying. That was her name, she was right, but why did it take this long for her to realize it. She smiled gently then continued, "You may call be Beth if you'd like, though either is perfectly okay." Her light blue eyes glistened under her dark black lashes.

She thought for a moment about what had been said before introductions began. "Caretaker..." She began, "Yes, that would be his title wouldn't it. It seems I've forgotten quite a bit more then a realized. I do not remember much, please accept my apologies as it doesn't seem I will be much help in solving this riddle. My memory.. as you mentioned feeling similarly, is rather faint and lost at the moment, though it seems I'm remembering small details here and there and in no particular order."

"Name's Gwendolyn." The curious girl called out as she approached the group. May as well start this off well. "Can't really remember much else either. From what I've scouted, there's nothing much else in here except the cradles and us. No sign of the 'Caretaker' or anyone else."

She leaned against one of the the cradles by the gathering, hiding some remaining light-headedness in the gesture (she had to be strong, can't allow them to see her as weak), and took in the gathered. The one called Beth talked a bit too formally for her taste, but that might not be an accurate representation of skill. Everett seemed reliable, at least he was taking charge. Whether he was actually trustworthy or not was to be determined. The dark guy seemed like he could handle himself, though there was no good reading of his personality yet. The young boy though seemed too young as did the other girl, not the sorts that could handle whatever they were called to handle. Gwendolyn reflected then that some probably would say she was too young, but she'd show them.

When the dark-clad man spoke, it came out not as words, but a raspy series of coughs and wheezes. Unaccustomed to spending so much time in a stasis, it took him longer than expected to clear this throat. After a long moment, his dry voice resounded into the small hallway. "My name is Geno-" he began, but was cut off when he realized he had forgotten his surname. He scavenged his mind for the answer, but came up empty. He continued with a defeated sigh. "Just 'Geno' I suppose. This Caretaker must have malfunctioned; We weren't supposed to lose our memories." His voice trailed off rather than find a resolution in the end of this sentence, as he looked past the group for a door or any sort of way out of this chamber.

Daresso nodded to each person who came forth, his nervous face easing into the situation a little upon hearing their names. While they were still strangers, he felt more safe now having something personal to associate them. They were an interesting sort, some definitely more collected than others, but they had honest intentions for the most part. It would seem out of everyone, he might have suffered the least of this amnesiac affliction, retaining bits and pieces of the past. He was unsure of their origins based on clothing. It seemed a mixed bag. Seeing that one of them didn't even have a pair of sandals, it seemed they let just about anyone on Eden. Was the exodus from the dying world really that desperate? It was hard remembering what they were running from, other than the storms. He can't really judge anyone for their attire though, being that he wore a dusty old cap and brown pauper patch-stitched clothing. What really was his past? Or any of theirs? He supposed it didn't matter now.

Daresso stepped to the side, putting a hand on a dormant cradle and another, peering at the still faces behind the glass. Noting what Gwendolyn and Geno said, "Where do you suppose she is? There are others here who are still sleeping. Is this on purpose? But what..." the little boy squinted at the looming shadows all around. There was no telling how large the place they were in was, but by the lights of activated cradles distant and close, there must have been hundreds, maybe even thousands of them. "Sheesh, it is so dark. I can barely see a few feet ahead of myself..."

"Ignis."

He thrust out a hand upon stating the spell, but when nothing happened, he looked shocked. It was supposed to conjure a small flame. This was such a simple arcana from what he could remember, taught wide-spread in schools to little children. His eyes narrowed when he further realized something. It only struck him now. What used to be a warmth, where his soul burned bright deep inside his being, had turned hollow and cold.

"What is going on...? Where is my aether...?"

But before he, or anyone can infer further, a voice called out.
"Poor child, all of my beloved children... what dilapidated states you are in..."

Daresso turned wide-eyed towards this voice, one which they all should be familiar with. The feminine tone echoed across the room with an unnatural strength, as if it was being projected all around. A design of faint lights then began to rapidly pave between the rows of cradles in a path towards one end of the gigantic room. They stopped underneath an archway and illuminated a single figure standing beneath, whom was unusually taller than any normal human. At least a whole head or two worth, maybe even three, judging by the cradles lined on either side of them. As large as these machines were, they wouldn't be able to accommodate such a giant frame.

This woman seemed a model of elegance, albeit archaic, her lanky form adorned in a dark frilled dress and covered in a cloak-like shawl. A pair of unblinking teal eyes stared out at the party from underneath a ribboned touring hat, the faint glow reflecting off long and thick lashes. The lights below gave her pale skin and auburn colored hair a slight glow that only accented her against the gloomy background. If not for the listless expression on her otherwise sweet face, everything about her physical appearance seemed perfect, as though crafted meticulously, and there was a definite truth in that. She, as all of the Perennial Staff, were Forge-Born after all. Some might recognize who this was by glance, and others might only know from the words spoken earlier, still fresh in memory.

With a quick and curt bow, the Caretaker began to speak again.

"You all seem uneasy and confused. It must be because of the darkness, as is your nature towards the unknown. It is not my intention to leave such important places without light, but we needed to retain our core's power as long as possible... Some of you have expressed doubt about my functionality. I have not malfunctioned, I assure you. All decisions I make is for the betterment of you all, my ever fragile children, as is my life-task, one which I have kept diligent all this time..." moving a hand over one of the cradles, her eyes glimmering as she looked at the body housed within, "To preserve your precious lives for longer, I had to take some measure of sacrifice on the functioning of the cradles. Your tattered memories are a result of that. I hope you will understand..."

This particular pause seeming more uncomfortable than the others. A stark moment of silence passed before she acted again, turning on her heels and extending a hand to a now opened passage to a dimly lit hallway, a polished smile on her dark lips, "Nonetheless, welcome back to the waking world, my newly destined. I am sure you have many questions, but let us speak on our way to the Oracle. We wouldn't want to disturb the others..."

...

EVERETT PRACHTER

Everett nodded at each name in turn. Daresso, Gwendolyn, Elizabeth, Geno, and Jezebel. For the most part, they were a reticent lot, still with minds cloudy and dazed. Though obviously from very different walks of life, Everett could be comfortable with this crowd. Who knows what other comforts he could possibly have, given the state of things? Gwen interested him most of the group. Young she was, but Everett felt some force of cunning from her. Beth was so plainly formal, but he dare not overlook her ability either. Daresso and Jezebel appeared the most young and also the most incapable — not for knowledge, but for size. Last, Geno appeared in equal pressure as reliable as Gwen had and, in fact, seemed to presently consider the details in their situation as he trailed off mid-sentence.

Daresso, again addressing the elephant in the room, stood before the group and touched a cradle. Yes, as he stated it, Everett too noticed many an unopened, unawakened cradle. This was very, very bad. To see in front of himself, Daresso attempted something with his hand as he stated a commanding phrase. This act gave a familiar feeling to Everett, but for some reason, it was now like a distant and lost art to Prachter. When nothing occurred, Daresso looked most uneasy. Then, a voice thundered throughout as if omnipresent in the room. It was the same voice as before which was meant to comfort, but the Caretaker did next to nothing to calm anyone's nerves, especially this time around. The volume of her voice was itself so jarringly loud that Everett practically jumped at the sound! She mused about them as children in her care, but too much like a mother, the Caretaker in equal parts cared for them and concealed from them — perhaps for their own good or, worse yet, their own sanity. She promised them answers, that she would take them to the Oracle.

"That wasn't very helpful," Everett scoffed. "But I suppose we have no choice but to follow her."

Beth Watched as the two others approached the group as each of them introduced themselves she carefully met their eyes and smiled graciously at each as they announced themselves. "It is an absolute pleasure to meet you both." she remarked in her soft voice. Her bright eyes watched both of them. She stood one foot just behind the other, with her hands lightly clasped together in front of her as she spoke, her soft red lips moved just enough to form the words.



Beth watched as the younger boy, the one who went by Daresso spoke a foreign word. It seemed familiar to her somehow though she was not sure how or where she had heard it from. When nothing happened she smiled at him apologetically.

A light gasped caught her with the startling voice that consumed the room. It boomed through the space, echoing off capsules and floors and in turn seemed to captivate her mind. This is the voice that woke her, the one that summoned her forward, the "Caretaker." The name seemed to bounce off her lips in an almost trance, spoken barely audible to anyone not standing right beside her. Her blue eyes watched the creature is fascination and awe. This creature captivated her completely, like a power over her she could not explain.

As glows began to raise from the floor, moving in an aurora like pattern around the space glowing dimly but bright enough to be seen at a difference. The soft blue hue bounced off the capsules that lay next to them revealing the ever sleeping faces that lay beneath. Beth stared as each new face was revealed, "Am I acquainted with any of them?" she thought to herself was the lights illuminated the basic details of their faces, nose shapes, hair color, cheekbones, the shape of their lips. How peaceful they looked dreaming of everything and nothing that was, is and will be.

Beth drew her attention back to the elegant creature that approached them, as it dipped into a courteous bow, Beth found herself bending her knees and bowing her head in a reciprocating curtsey. She listened intently to every word that was spoken, memorizing this caretakers tone, depth, pitch and pronunciation. "She truly did care for us, what kindness." Beth thought to herself. "Thank you." She spoke again in that barely audible tone her voice escaping as barely a whisper.

As soon as this caretaker concluded her speech Beth watched her turn and walk along the path of lights that presented themselves earlier. She glanced at this others then turned and began walking in the direction of the caretaker. At the sound of Genos voice she stopped for a moment to look at him expectantly, then turned and continued to follow the path of lights. "I simply must know more." Beth thought to herself earnestly. Her bare feet tread gently with each step. She peered at each capsule illuminated by the lights, studying the faces briefly as she did hoping one would bring something to her lost memory. Though none did, she continued to do it with each slow and steady footprint she left behind her.

"To preserve your precious lives for longer, I had to take some measure of sacrifice on the functioning of the cradles. Your tattered memories are a result of that. I hope you will understand..."

Gwendolyn froze at those words. Had that level of sacrifice really been necessary? For everyone to forget who they had been? She could tell that the majority of her memories might not be pleasant, but there had to have been some others beside that one, more substantial memories of those two before the collar. Even the bad memories would illustrate what was going on now instead of having to blindly follow a Caretaker that she barely knew. But she really had no choice, but to follow her and she hated that. Beth was following the Caretaker without question. Daresso seemed like he trusted her and probably wouldn't hesitate to do what she said, even if she said to jump off a cliff. Everett at least had sense.

"No," the curious girl replied. "We really have no other choice. Our guards can at least be up, just in case." With that, she started following the strange lady, casting her gaze around while keeping the lady ahead. Her glance frequently fell on the unopened cradles, hoping that their contents had not passed on to the Great Unknown.

"Lady Caretaker," she called, "Why are they still asleep? Weren't we all suppose to wake up at the same time?"

"It is my pleasure to serve, as it will always be, dear children..."

The Caretaker hummed happily as watched the group move along her direted path, bowing her head down to look at each face. The others appeared like 'children' compared to her towering size, truly like what she so lovingly called them, herself like a giant porcelain doll, the lights reflecting off her skin in a sheen, what little of it her conservative outfit allowed anyone to see. This close to her, anyone would be able to tell her cheeks were glassy and hardened, only resembling skin from afar. She smiled at Elizabeth as she waited for all of them to leave the cradling chamber, turning her gaze down at the girl.

"Are you perhaps looking for someone? Did your memories compel you to this? Powerful feelings they encapture, so I've been told. I can look in the archives for a name if you have any, but I wouldn't count on that chance. Many have been lost..." her voice lowering a bit, "But I will try, little Elizabeth."

The Caretaker smiled once more before starting out into the hallway, the massive doors sliding close behind them. Daresso remained quiet as he followed his companions, glancing back at the previous room with a hint of worry. What peace they had was gone now, wasn't it? Again, they were welcomed by a foreign place that flowed with as much shadow as it did air. Of the faint yellow light all the way down at the end of the hall, and the few sparse light posts, of the hundreds there were, that were glowing alive with pale energy, this did little to provide the weary party clear vision to their surroundings. Even so, it was leagues more luminous than where they left. From what they can tell, the outside environment added a fresh touch of rust to the coat of dust. But nonetheless, it seemed Eden had retained much of the original beauty across the years. Sleek archways paved the way down, the little light bouncing across the smooth metal, and above, the ceiling rose high into the hull to darkness, no doubt hiding more chambers such as this one. It appeared the Caretaker has done as well a job as she could for but a single person tasked to such a tremendous place.

When the question of the previous plans were brought up, the large woman tilted her head in thought. A moment passed as she mused, but the Caretaker finally spoke.

"It was supposed to be that way, young Gwendolyn, but alas, no plan is foolproof..." she said, her smile fading somewhat as she addressed the topic with a sterness to her voice, "The initial calculations made years ago, prior to all of your slumber, had been wrong. The cataclysmic storms lasted longer than anyone had expected. Much longer. The other Perennials and I tried our best to lengthen the supply of power, as I have explained, but we can only cede so much before all that is left is to simply wait and hope. And waited long we all have..." she muttered, "Eventually, the Architect discovered a complication with the core that we could no longer overlook. As per protocol 'A-13' of the programmed statutes inscribed into my mind; in the event of a Class-5 emergency, I must override any previous master protocol I had been assigned and awake the council in priority to ascertain new orders. As for what transpired from that point on... Well, that explanation is better heard from the mouth of the Oracle herself."

She turned her head, "Sorry if I am not too clear, but this topic is not my prerogative. Please, I want to be of service. I will do my best to answer other questions any of you may have."

...

"Wait," Geno began, slowing almost to a standstill as he spoke behind the group. "Are you saying that we are this supposed council?" His tone mutated from inquiry to complaint quickly, continuing before the Caretaker could respond. "Because if so, don't you think our memories would be a bit more important? Was it truly impossible to maintain the mental health of a small group like us, even at the expense of those still sleeping?"

He quickened his pace again, marching to the center of the group to address this towering idol more directly. "And if not, what are we doing here? Why us in particular? And why not everyone else here?" His arms threw themselves out wide, gesturing with clothed hands at the many pods of still sleeping people that surrounded them as they walked.

The Caretaker smiled at this remark, giggling softly, "My, what a cute thing naivety can be... Oh, I wish all of you would stay this way forever, my dear children..."

She looked down at Geno with this adoring look for a while before turning back to the others, "But alas, as much as I would like to care for you all until the ends of time, we all have a duty that must be fulfilled. I'm afraid to say that none of you were part of the council, hence your late waking. But that does not mean you are not special." her eyes suddenly dulled as she looked upwards to the darkness of the vessel, "It seems to be a roll fate. Most of the others sleeping now... their memories have fared worse than yours. They probably don't even remember their own names, nor where they are. They would be helpless, truly like babies emerging from cradles. But all of you still have pieces of yourselves. I, and the Oracle, could hear it in your dreams. Which is why I chose you out of them. That alone allows you to do something the others cannot."

Her smile shifted once again, as though wanting to tell them something further, but instead scooted ahead with one last comment on the matter, "But I will not lie, you are not the first either. Others had been chosen too... for this task..."

The party was nearing the end of the grand hall now, the foreign presence of light almost blinding to the newly awoken, whom have been accustomed to the dark for so long. Glimmering shapes can be distinguished within the brilliant rays, but nothing short of silhouettes. Daresso gasped at the beauty it created, finding something familiar about this source of light that he cannot put a name to. It felt important to him somehow, and this feeling resided at the back of his mind, as though it tried to swim around in his lost memories. Was this tied in some way to some of them? His feet quickened as he seemed to be reeled toward it, driven by his personal curiosity.

...

Beth continued to watch the faces of those still within their capsules. The faint sound of the caretakers humming soothed her fluttering heart almost as a mothers lullaby would after a nightmare. With each face, Beth searched the depths of her mind for some sort of memory. At the sound of the caretakers voice, soft, gentle and ever so parental, Beth beamed her blue eyes up towards the elegant figures face.

She slid into a curtsey almost automatically when their eyes met. "Oh, I do beg your pardon, I didn't mean to.. forgive me if I disrupted you." Beth spoke quickly. "I feel as though I am attempting to locate someone. Deep within the recesses of my heart I am being pulled to glance at each face though, I could not tell you whom I am searching for or why my mind longs for them." After the first few words were spoken, Beth turned her head away towards another cradle and spoke the rest of the words as if speaking to herself, trying to pull a memory forward that would not break the surface.

She continued walking behind the caretaker shielding her eyes from the seemingly blinding light that grew ahead. As they crossed the delicately crafted archway revealing the vast area surrounding them, Beth blinked her eyes into focus. She gazed at the painted reddish brown lines that clasped the city along with the lighting dust that seemed more like snow to the unforgiving eye. "How handsome." she muttered to herself as she gazed on the valley of buildings and architecture. Her sultry voice given more room to escape in the open air began to sound more natural with each word spoken.

She stepped forward, touching the tips of her fingers to the edge of the window and leaning forward to get a better view. A small breeze tickled her ears and allowed her long black hair to flow gently beside her. Beth turned around with the echoing sounds of the footsteps of the others behind her, just as the Caretaker began to speak. She closed her eyes and listened intently to every word. That is, until the voice of Geno came forth.

She watched his expression as he spoke, the way his lips moved, the way his voice carried and rose with each of his words. She took note of the way he stood and came forward. After the response from the Caretaker she spoke again. "I must formally thank you for watching over us. Though I don't understand as well as I'd like to, I appreciate your care. What little memory I have I owe to you entirely. I am unsure of what you suppose of me but with my gratitude comes my fortitude and willingness to assist in any way I may. She spoke earnestly, clearly and affable. "If I may make one request. It seems I have misplaced my shoes. Could I perhaps be given a new pair? She smiled and blushed in a slight embarrassment at having to ask such a thing to so stately and illustrious a creature.