Zener

After the destruction laid upon the world, Zener had his eyes opened by the lack of responsibility wielded by the Gods. Together with other people who stayed behind, they would work towards stabilizing the chaos in the world and to rebuild that which was lost.
He and the companions who were left behind would then put in significant effort to help restore the world, cooperating tightly with Astoria. To ensure that everything would go smoothly.

--- 25 years later.
Zener realized that he was probably not going to survive to see the distant future, however. To see that the future he wished for would come to fruition. It is as such that he went to Astoria to ask for help. A magic he knew could be used to temporarily save his time. He had experienced it once before, however, it was at the cost of almost all of his tribe. Zener was not ready nor willing to pay such a steep price for his wish. That's why he went to Astoria. Hoping she would grant him the power necessary. He had been working on recovering and attempting to improve upon the wisdom of his ancestors. And finally he, with the cooperation of Astoria, managed to create a way for Zener to use her power to control the Ziirotte his ancestors had used. There were some conditions, however. Each time he uses it, when he awakes, his Zii would leak almost empty. It was also why he and Jamie had lost their memories previously. This will be the case this time around as well. Every time he goes to sleep, he will awake with no set of memories. For this reason, he began documenting much of his knowledge and life, so that the him who wakes, would be able to pick up his work. To document these things, very intricate and complex structures of Zii were necessary. Analysing them would be arduous and time-consuming. But at least he would be able to continue work eventually. It would take him 5 years to document the major parts of his knowledge. The second caveat, was that he will awaken a certain power that had been lying dormant within him as a result. She didn't say if it would be a good thing or a bad thing. That was for him to decide in the end. All he could surmise was that his visions may have been real after all - not just vivid imagination. And finally, because of coming in contact with immense magical energy, there may be various issues propping up related to it. Like an addiction, he might develop a dependency on high-density magic, and going off of it for longer than a year may have repercussions that are unforeseen.

--- 5 years later.
Preparations complete. With Astoria next to his bed, ready to push her magic into him. Zener closed his eyes and entered meditative state. The world around him turned into darkness as he closed off his sensory perceptions of it. Even disconnecting his Zii from it. The only thing he could feel was immense, bloating energy that cared for and soothed him. He imagined a poem, a Fen, in his mind and then, with empowered Zii directed the Zii through it. Thus giving life to his Fen. The Fenzii took quite some time to fully condense, but after 15 minutes, there was enough of it to begin. Slowly being engulfed in it, his body turned translucent. Almost as if it didn't exist. A projection of will. This was what he had worked on so hard for. To leave a contingency plan behind in case something happens. Of course, it was not a good thing to wake like this, but that's how far he was willing to go for that wish. If it were to fail, he would want to wake and do everything in his power to see it come through.
As such, he fell asleep for the first time.

After his reconvening with Zeymah, Zener felt his future was going to be way brighter.

If not for the gloomy overhead of a potentially dark future being a possibility, that is.

Having rested and recovered his Zii, he felt it was time to send an inquisitive message to Dec, who he had learned was in close relations to Fron.

[Dremyollok. It's been a while. Last time I saw you was a while ago when we had said our farewells to Jamie. I'm glad you came back then.]

[Now, the reason I am messaging you. I'm hoping you have some insights as to what has been going on with regards to the Sleeping One. Any info would be appreciated.]

[- Geinsemorahtaas Tiidalok]

With that done with, Zener resumed practicing.

There were so many new things to investigate.

The new discoveries regarding his coin, better use of the Ziistahduk and even Limbo.

However, with the passage of time, there was no response from Dec.

GGG had also not returned with any information regarding the matter.

As such, Zener decided to call.

"Oh? It connected?"

["Dremyollok, Dec. How have you been?"]

[“リ𝙹∴ ⍑ᒷ ╎ᓭ.”]

"..."

"What was that supposed to be?"

With no conclusive results, he could make one conjecture quite safely.

The issue is more severe than he had assumed.

He is unsure how deep it goes, but there are no constants in his mind anymore.

A sense of deja-vu jolts through his body at that moment.

His body convulsing, ligaments becoming uncontrollable as if not having any control over his nervous system.

He collapses down, and his vision becoming hazy, but he was completely aware of what was happening.

Struggling to regain control. In a few seconds, he recovered.

Though, he was rather shocked at the events happening thus far.

Why did my body react to this in such a drastic manner?

Have I fallen sick with something? - would run through his mind.

I must be overly stressed due to recent events.

He sits down cross-legged and meditates.

There are certain benefits to going to Limbo as he had realized during his last visit there.

It's certainly less noisy when I visit Zeymah.

Silently looking forward to it, he focuses.

This is it.

Countless days and hard work has gone into this.

It is time for the final act.

The Ziilot and Human, on the final stretch of the project.

Many things went exactly as planned, many others came unexpectedly.

The final result has come to be a lot more expensive to produce than initially thought, but the two have enough resources to finish it.

There were many things that went wrong initially.

Just getting it to float was hard enough as it was.

Even finding out there was a material to help with Zii retention was unexpected, but most welcome.

From the process of drawing blueprints and diagrams to the production of materials and careful handling of the unstable substances involved, it was a tricky thing to put together.

With this experience, Echelon Telecoms will be headed towards a bright future as a side-effect of their hard work.

But the main focus, still would be this: the completion of The Ziistahduk.

With the new Ziistahduk Lovaas as its heart.

Their pockets now dry and empty, they stare at it with eyes filled with some regret, but mostly glee.

This is definitely a masterpiece they would have never been able to produce if they were alone.

The Ziilit and Human shake hands and pull each other close to form a hug.

Their dead tired bodies and drained minds can finally let out steam and rest.

A small glint of light reflects back from golden trim, and engraved on it are both of their names: Tiidalok:Krusha

Back at it again. The Ziilit and Human are beginning to grow used to the working environment they are in. It hasn't been that long since they were just casually minding their own business working on separate projects.

The Ziilit writing into his notebook: "Improved version of the one above. By using chaining, it was possible to make this use appropriate Lovaasrei paths without making the Zii efficiency too low. Though, it does not have repeating sounds linked yet, which would be an appropriate upgrade to it."

The Human looks over the new blueprint: "This should be much easier to etch. The previous one was costly and required rather deep engravings."

"Indeed. Not only that, but it's going to be easier for me to use as well. So it's a win-win on all accounts. Though, I need to link the sounds still. However, I'd like to see if it actually works as I think it will, so before I make final adjustments we'd better check if it works."

"I see. Also, I worked up and tested the NSE circuit design. Come take a look."

"There is one weakness that I've yet to work out a solution to, though it should never enter that state, it could cause imbalance."

"Hmm... On Z-Comms we used a different base for the state engine, did you try that?"

"Yeah, in this case, it will still not fix the invalid state load. As you can see, the invalid state itself being possible is the issue. So changing base isn't actually fixing anything."

"Ah... I see now. Could it be possible to somehow ground it should it enter this state?"

"I mean, yes, but that would be... dangerous and very likely self-destructive."

"In that case, I have an idea. I didn't tell you about this part yet, but this is what this whole project is headed towards..."

Ceaseless work.

The heat of the furnaces.

The vapid and sour stench of acids.

Particles of obsidian powder in the air.

A Ziilit and a Human continue work.

This is already the seventh prototype they have made after they finish it.

The pathing has been etched into the stamp mold already.

The Human carries reagent agent and a slab of netherite to prepare the engraving.

He then allows the immense heat do its work.

As the reagent mixes and reacts, it begins to glow.

At this cue, he releases the press clamp and it slams directly down into the slab.

He then repeats the same process 3 times until the etched depth has reached deep enough.

Next up, he takes powdered obsidian and fills the etched engraving. 

"It's ready!" - he shouts. 

The Ziilit working at the second workspace pops up their head. Face, hands and clothes smudged with ink. 

"To the furnace?"

"Yeah!"

The two then carefully lift the slab from the etching press and wheel it to the Core Furnace.

The Ziilit exclaims: "I managed to figure out a couple extra things we could try to improve the etching process itself. Look."

"At the beginning it seems the Ziirotte requires less effort, so that's why it seemed to be overconsuming even though it wasn't doing anything. I also found that by connecting these two, I can actually lessen the consumption slightly. So once we have confirmed that this prototype test actually works, then this will be the last of this specific type and we can work on something more complicated."

"Sure, I'm dead tired though and my lungs feel like they're filled with crap." - he coughs and stares at the Ziilit with dead eyes. 

"I'll go wash up and catch some sleep. You should do the same."

"Hahah... Los. Hefhah, koraavnu ahrk honvu."

"I should have realized."

The Ziilit awakens at early dawn. Excited, as if having come to some great realization, the Ziilit runs downstairs and then outside. In their palm, a coin. They hold out their hand and announce: "Horit."

They smile in glee as to having understood the Nature of something more adeptly.

"Hoo, onto the next stage."

They take out their Rose Quartz Nyan Feline Edition Z-Comm and dials: 007.

[Still awake?]

[jah]

[Ok, good. That saves time.]

[Load up a ton of various metals and equipment. Bring them over to Point Zeta. We're going to be testing a little something. I'm sure you'll find it interesting.]

[Mis, discover something about NSE?]

[No, I put that on hold. But I'm pretty sure we will need it for this anyway.]

"Heh, while they are distractions, they are certainly very useful distractions."

[Okei, on my way.]

The Young Ziilit activates the wormhole function and arrives at Point Zeta immediately.

Silence.

Not a breeze, not a wave colliding with the rocks on the shore.

Not a bird in the surroundings chirping, nor a grasshopper singing.

Meditation.

A Ziilit is seated on their knees.

In front of them, a wooden slab.

On the slab a yellow fabric with a coin on top.

Behind the slab is a candle.

The candle unlit.

"Yol," exclaims The Ziilit.

Nothing.

The Ziilit breathes in and out.

Another attempt.

"Yol."

Still nothing.

The Ziilit, having learned of the fundamentals of Unknown had still thus far not succeeded in the second stage.

This was not unusual for them.

It was typical for them to be behind in progress compared to their peers.

However, the second stage was not something many would come to be able to acquire in the first place.

It is a delicate procedure that one ought to go through.

To guide and direct one's Zii.

Stage one was about moving Zii inside one's own body.

But this could only take one this far.

It would be difficult to advance beyond the seventh tail if one doesn't learn to dissect Zii

Still, one must never stop learning and trying.

"Yol."

Still nothing.

"Even though I have the most affinity with yolosse..." - they sigh in frustration.

Their eyes begin to glisten.

Tears welling up, the failures as of late reminding them once more that they haven't been working nearly hard enough.

Distractions everywhere in the form of curiosity towards various topics: communication devices, waystones, nether stars, netherite, redstone, dwinaar and more.

Distracting... from what is important.

Things they cared most about and took for granted.

Words echoing in their head: "I am done wishing farewells and goodbyes."

"YOL!" - they shout.

Images flash through their mind: Jennifer's fiery gaze, a campfire on a cold night, ruins aflame.

A blue glint appears in their eyes.

Another image: a Ziilit they couldn't recognize, clad in white robes and spear in one hand, holding white fire in the other hand.

The Ziilit in white, embellishes the tip of their spear in fire and thrusts forward.

The Young Ziilit, regaining focus, sees that it's still a failure. But, seeing Jennifer had filled them with some additional courage.

"Tomorrow again."

A Young Ziilit stares towards a foggy horizon from the balcony of a house made of white and gold. Their gaze unfocused. Visages of people from the past dancing in front of him. A smell of roast pork emanating in the air. Blue flame following the visages, laughter and people chatting in a jovial tone. 

Walking, a pair of twins comes closer. One headstrong and protective, the other kind and strong-spirited. The flame completely outshined by these two beacons. The Young Ziilit attempts to reach out for them, but their hand can't even reach them. What seems so close is a great distance away. A chasm of abyssal depth in-between. 

A third visage appears behind The Ziilit. It looks towards the two bright beings and puts something aside as it runs towards them - they dance. The girl switches between both of them as partners and everything around them begins to glow faintly until they become increasingly vibrant and saturated. Watching this scene, The Ziilit closes their eyes and sings: 

Mirodah pah fahin do lein, 

staavek ni geinan maldey. 

Pah lost niil staad het.

Enook noorend buld lovaaslid do un laas.

Koviriis oblaanvu dremhah do lok avok. 

Koraav tol pah los riilgaar, 

mindoraan tol hi 

ahk pel honvaas. 

A slight glint reflecting from the eyes of the Young Ziilit as they stare towards the dancing people, but notices that one of them is looking back. They walk towards The Young Ziilit and stop a meter away. The visage of a young boy looks straight in the eyes of the observing Ziilit. The Ziilit looks at the boy and senses as if they are sensing the same thing as they peer into each other's eyes. The boy reaches out their hand as if to test whether something is there. The Young Ziilit reaches out as well and makes contact with the boy's hand, but is caught startled by a visage of an older man reaching through him to hold the boy's hand instead to lead the boy elsewhere.

As they walk away, the boy looks back at the Young Ziilit and then the Ziilit notices something in their hand. 

"Huh. So that's where it was." 

A coin of nondescript origin in their hand. The Young Ziilit then looked at another figure looking towards their direction. A woman, looking like in her 20's, but The Ziilit knew better. 

"Can you see me?" - the Ziilit asked, only to think to themselves: 

"Oh that's a nonsensical question to ask..." 

The woman, as expected, had no response. The Ziilit then decided to study the coin closer. At first, it seemed ordinary, albeit a bit too well preserved. Until they noticed that the coin's appearance had changed. The text was now something readable. 

"Ziirotte?"

It has been weeks since Unknown lost his Zeymah.

But, it took time to rekindle his memories on how they used to do the send-off...

"I wonder if Ace will come... They were close... Even closer than I was... And I grew up with him..."

As he was thinking such, he pushed up the final pillar and dragged a brazier to the middle.

It had, perhaps odd looking to most, engravings carved and polished into it.

But they were very familiar to Unknown and his Zeymah.

When looking at the writings, he felt a myriad of sensations deep within, as if he could experience the meaning those words conveyed where he stood.

A scorching heat surrounding his body and the feeling of his tail fur charring.

It was... a nostalgic feeling.

Unknown was reminded of the many close calls he and Zeymah had had when their squad had to quickly kill the fire as hostiles were spotted.

When they had lit an old temple on fire to ward off the chasing undead.

The safety that he felt when they were sitting around a fireplace in the midst of a snowstorm.

The laughter of their Briinah when they were young and herding under the relentless sun.

"I'll see you soon, Zeymah."

--- Some time later...

Multiple figures walking, surrounded by the veil of darkness.

Headed down a path of glowing mushrooms, an underwater tunnel and volcanic soil.

A circular symbol, divided into two as shapes of a water droplet and two eyes of opposite colour.

One at the middle of both droplets.

There, on top of the eyes lie two unlit braziers.

Conversely, four braziers atop on pillars light the surroundings.

As if on a single axis, the unlit braziers direct to the directions of the sun and moon.

However, there is no sun in sight just yet for it is only before sunrise.

The figures surround the eyes in a semi-circular formation.

Contemplating.

Then, one of them stands in front of each of the standing figures and passes them a parchment.

Having received the parchment, they begin scribbling, drawing, writing, composing, illustrating and depicting.

By the time the horizon begins to glint in magenta, everyone has finished up with their parchment and join to hold in hands.

They join hands and begin chanting: "Gein-Se-Rovan-Taas!"

Between each chant, they breathe in deeply and purposefully.

As they keep going through this motion, suddenly, an incomprehensible reverberation of sound echoes through their surroundings and the eyes light on flame.

Some figures remained calm, others slightly shaken by the nature of it, but also calming in the next second.

Some of them look at others in affirmation and nod.

They seem to be speaking to something akin to an invisible force of nature that has appeared.

Thanking it for its arrival, and proceed by taking out the parchments they had worked on earlier.

In no particular order, they read out the contents of their parchment, some speaking about their general experiences prior.

And as they have their parchment lit on fire, the release it and it quickly combusts in the air.

Unknown's Talisman:

One of them, a vampire, goes last.

As they read out the contents of their parchment, a gust of wind brushes past them, agitating the flames in the braziers.

A light appears in the middle of the eyes.

Morphing, misshaping, rotating.

In the midst of its rotation, it splits into two.

Then, as if guided by some heavenly will, one side heads towards the vampire in a split second and pushes itself inside of the sword they had on their waist.

Shaken, the figures pause.

But as time passes, nothing seems to happen.

The other light is just continuing to float in the middle.

"'Tis a strange magical phenomenon indeed," - one of them murmurs thoughtfully.

Unsure whether everything went well, they continued on.

A few of them leave, others stay.

They discuss and reminisce.

Eat and drink, share their thoughts.

As the sun goes down, the remaining spheroid of light dissipates and what seemed to be fueling the eyes in the middle disappears.

Now, the braziers, only being fueled by what coals are left in them.

The figures then leave in the direction of yet another orange-magenta horizon, walking as the darkness creeps in, covering the grass in darkness, cooling the ground and releasing the dew and mist.

With his brother gone, Unknown sat down in the kitchen of his room in Unknown.

On the table the favourite dish of his brother's. Eating in solemn silence, he thinks back to his brother's smile in the end and a similar warmth to the smile itself filled his mouth.

"I suppose there is no point in staying here anymore."

"I am the only one who can send him off now..."

He recalled the painful memories of their sister being sent off when the tragedy had arrived upon her.

Back then the whole tribe would send her off with farewells and tried to do it with but a smile on their faces.

To send them off to see an even brighter future when they would open their eyes once more to a loving family, to a healthy body and hopefully an even longer life; filled with determination and strength to carry on despite the difficulties they may face.

"It was a good life you led, Zeymah. Albeit the end was sorrowful and I wish I had noticed... You still saw many days filled with laughter and had people who cared for you. I wish you the best of luck and to hold on for just a bit longer..."