Under the Sea: Conclusion and aftermath

[voidtreckermods]

Ritual

The jellyfish is no more and as red team take stock of their injuries, or collapse from exhaustion the lights zip around them, singing their song of joy. They gather around the light that had been inside the jellyfish and now that it has been released it is obvious this light is different. Stronger. They surround it and the song gets even louder as they begin to move towards the plinth.

In the caverns where the purple and orange team are there is a stillness. For those in orange team still in the cavern they can only hope that the instructions they gave out had been followed. Luckily for them they have been, Purple team have done a remarkable job of defeating the crabs and cleaning the temple. The priests gather around the shell on the alter, arms linked together in prayer as they seek to re-sanctify their temple. As their prayer begins they will invite the voidtreckers to join them, though no one is forced into taking part in the ritual. They suggest that they use their strange wrist jewellery to open communication with their friends in Bui.

The monster on the beach is defeated and though the fight is still raging against the crabs, a beacon has been built and lit. The islanders who are not fighting gather around it, linking arms, drawing any voidtreckers who don't object to joining them into the circle.

The song begins hesitantly, almost as if everyone has forgotten the words and only half remembers the tune. The SCA translates, the prayer is simple, a blessing on the land and its people, deliverance from the darkness and hope for the future.

The light from the jellyfish reaches the plinth and is set upon it. The song heightens and the light shoots upwards, blinding in its brilliance.

Through the dark storm clouds a light streams towards the island, most of it towards the beacon on the island though there is a break away light that goes towards the train, where some of orange team have set up a second beacon. It swirls around those on the train roof, singing a song of happiness and bounces back towards the island.

The light reaches the main beacon and hits it with a strength that lights up the whole sky. The light splits more solidly into two and speeds off over the ocean. Light pours into the underground caverns, not caring about the ocean and rock in the way, the light pools into the shells, the caverns glow warmly.

Outside the storm calms, clouds roll back, the sun shines. The sea stills. The wind stops. The sun is rising, a beautiful dawn. Any monsters left scuttle away, vanishing into the ocean, away from Bui.

Those with any powers that they couldn't reach before find them returned in a rush. Those who can sense life find this world teeming with it. A song that dances between every plant and creature.

Some of red may have evacuated to the train but those who stayed to see the ritual through, the world around them seems to melt away and they find themselves back next to the rock pools. Among their number there are some confused looking islanders who intrinsically draw closer to those who helped free the lights.

Orange and Purple

Down underwater there's noise and a babble of voices as the citizens of Bui wake up. There's a shimmering around the city now, like a shield though they can pass through easily. Parents scramble to locate their children and all check on loved ones and friends.

The familiar voice of train announcements is heard through Orange team's SCAs. Orange return to the VoidTrecker Express. Once everyone is on board it flies low over the ocean, skimming the waves.

In the underwater temple the priests finish sealing the ritual and then it is time to begin the return trek. There are no monsters this time and after a few hours, as they emerge onto the first of the sandbanks they will find the VoidTrecker Express is waiting for them.

Red and Blue

The monsters gone, those of the island gather everyone from the rock pools and for a few hours everyone sleeps.

At about noon the islanders begin to stir, begin putting things to rights. Wood is moved from the strategic points to more communal campfires on the beach. Any dead monsters that haven't been gathered for food have been washed out to sea, disappeared into the depths. They begin to prepare food and won't turn away any helpers. Though those who have been fighting are encouraged to rest.

The islanders bring blankets and start to gather. Everyone is exhausted but the children, in the way of children find the energy to play in the sea and the sand.

Beach Day

Early afternoon the train lands on the beach and everyone gets a holographic message to their SCA.

Mission successful. Well done Voidtreckers. Enjoy the rest of your day. You will find suitable clothing in the dressing room. A new recipe has been added to the kitchen information points.

The dressing room is indeed open once more, this time it holds swimsuits of every style, shorts, t shirts, wraps and beach skirts. Sun hats and sunglasses can also be found. It's a bit of a mush mash but they should be able to cobble together something other than their uniform wet suits.

Time to laze around on the beach or for those who still have energy swim or play. A few hours later a ripple across the water brings some of those from Bui and they swim or lounge on rocks to talk.

Food and stories

Food is cooked and shared, the islanders will happily try the voidtreckers' offerings and share their own. As the sun begins to set they gather around the fires. Stories and songs are shared and there's even some dancing for the brave.

Voidtreckers can choose whether to sleep in their own beds or spend one last night on the island before the train flies off into the sunrise and into the void.

Comments

[marriedanidiot]

She laughs. "Well, I suppose I could do ones of the train folk, yes. Are you comissioning me, Edge?"

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"As if I could afford you!" Sure, maybe if he was at home and felt like emptying the coffers of Eblan, but here all he had to barter with was his good looks and charm. Which Nerdanel had proved consistently resistant to!

[marriedanidiot]

She laughs.

"Well, I suppose it would be difficult, here." She acknowledges, and resolves to make him a tiny statue of himself and Yuffie anyway, just for fun.

"And if I were to make you a statue in the Heroic Mode, where on Arda would we put it? There's not exactly a lot of space!"

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"Oh, that would be such a glorious treatment of a glorious subject that the entire train would let it stand anywhere we wanted!"

Okay, now he's just being silly.

[marriedanidiot]

"You would not say that if we put it in your bed!" She points out merrily.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"That's only true because I have no choice but to go back to it every morning!" Say, what WOULD happen if someone's bed was occupied entirely at that point in the day?

Ew. That could be gruesome.

[marriedanidiot]

Or extremely uncomfortable!

"I am sure your carriage-mates would also think so!"

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Edge waved that off. "Naw, a statue is quieter and less prone to make impassioned stands, so they'd prefer it."

[marriedanidiot]

Her eyes dance.

"It would depend on the size of the statue, no?"

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"If you're talking a giant statue, I'm definitely listening." Oh, that would annoy a lot of people!

[marriedanidiot]

"Well, we'd have to find the stone for it first." She says ruefully. "Tis good and well to talk, but raw materials are in short supply."

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"Well, there is that. You being without materials must be like me being without my swords. Just feels wrong, huh?" At least she had tools to work with, and he had one weapon.

[marriedanidiot]

"Well weapons at least is easily fixed! I am reluctant to ask for stone! We really have quite limited space after all."

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Edge huffed. "Hey, the shop says no weapons! If people have a way around that I want to know it!"

[marriedanidiot]

She smiles "Who said anything about buying them! My Feanaro and my Atarinke are both capable of making blades, and Tony too, although I think he prefers more technical weapons. And Findekano makes bows."

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"Oh, well, when you annoy almost everyone you cut down on your options." Edge waved a hand, dismissing all that as a bad deal. "And I have to admit I'm a bit spoiled by the Lunarian weapons I claimed from the moon."

[marriedanidiot]

"You will find Curufin and Feanaro are quite hard to annoy." She says dryly. "Normally, they are the ones doing the annoying!"

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"Even flirting with you won't manage it?" Edge winked playfully. "I think overall you underestimate the gift I possess!"

[marriedanidiot]

She laughs again. "Oh Edge, Feanaro and I have been wed for millions of years. He doesn't mind if other people look - he knows where my heart lies."

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"Well, that's for the best, since who could help looking?" He grinned at her, rather pleased with that setup.

[marriedanidiot]

She laughs.

"Well, perhaps for you humans! It does this old nis good to hear such flattery."

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"Please! You don't get to call yourself old when you aren't in mind or body!" Maybe a little less in mind than body, but still!

[marriedanidiot]

She smiles. "Ah, but I am, after all. Not so old as some, but far older than many."

Not old enough yet to be loosing hold of her body the way some of the first generation are, but getting there.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

"And so? I'm older than some here, and am I not in the prime of my life? Looks, strength, and incredibleness?" He laid a hand on his chest, the epitome of modesty.

[marriedanidiot]

She laughs. "For humans, I suppose you might be. I am no good judge there."