Relica Surface
Mountain Cloister of Etheain, Meditation Chamber
21:02 - Relica Central Time
“Now lift the rock.” Demanded a human scientist. Once again, Talzoran reached out with mind and body towards the prayer stones standing in the middle of the meditation hall. Those massive rocks, untouched except for ages of weathering time, slowly rose from the ground as they were imbued with a combination of super-conductivity and psionic influence. Which manifested in a blue, glowing light around the rock. Harmless sparks connected the ground to the floating stone. All around him human scientists were tapping along on keys, monitoring his brainwaves and vitals in an attempt to find a key. A key to Geomancy, the sacred art of the Mountain.
But Talzoran knew they’d never uncover the truth if they did not simply reach out as well. Or maybe they couldn’t. He did not know whether or not the humans could tap the Higher Powers. But alas, he was a slave to their every whim. And when they said lift, he had to life. It was a life he chose only a century ago. As a Scholar-Warrior, he was still allowed to join certain sub-orders. If he agreed to the imprisonment. After many years he gained adequate skill in the art. Yet still, the humans could and would not comprehend.
One shook his head and Talzoran was allowed to lower the rock once more. Those ancient rocks stood in the chamber of meditation for eons now. The room dated back almost as long. There were no light made by the Relicants inside. Only the buzzing lamps the humans brought in. High up the mountain the Geomancers had carved their windows in such a way that the sun would light the room the entire day. “Tell me, Talzoran, how is it that we cannot pinpoint your psionic focal point?” a curious human asked. A female that only recently graduated from what humans called: university. Unlike most researchers, she wasn’t beaten down by little funding and even less success in their research. She seemed far more driven in uncovering the truths of the Relicants. In a strange way, Talzoran envied her novelty to their world.
“You humans, you always look at your screen. At your digital waves and motions. For some reason or another, you do not perceive the world as we do. You lack… insight. For a lack of better words.” But Talzoran was tired and was allowed to leave. Letting the human scientist ponder on his question. His feelings were dual. Relicants have perfected their craft, or so they assumed. But the interaction with the human scientists and their lack of perspective made him question his own species’ doctrine. Could they benefit from a different view? However, the open minded thinking swiftly got shattered when another human approached the female researcher. “Stay away from the Xeno, Tali. They can mess with your brain. Make you think things.” Talzoran let out a tired sigh. All the prejudice. All the wrongful thought. Talzoran never maimed or harmed anyone. Unlike some other, less “manageable” Geomancers.
Alas, the Relicant was awoken from his thoughts when he heard a loud explosion outside. Suddenly a group of EoM soldiers passed him, running towards the main entrance. He followed them, curious what all the commotion was about. Did a test go wrong? The humans took a side-door of the great Temple-Door and closed it behind them. Outside, the sounds got louder and harsher. After a while, Talzoran started recognizing the eerily sound. Gunshots. He took a step back as blood drew away from his face. An attack? On their Monastery?
From behind him, wise and venerable Master Torgah appeared. An ancient being, even according to Relicant terms. He may have been a master but he swore true to the Geomancers and mastered their art like none ever had. “Master Torgah!” Talzoran approached his master. “Master Torgah! We are being attacked! Outside! The humans are shooting something!” But the master only let out a sigh of relief. After an eerie pause he merely said: “Reckoning. Finally.” The hall was filling with curious Geomancers and slightly unnerved human researchers.
With closed eyes, Master Torgah reached out through rock and stone outside. Sensing the presence of the resistance fighters. They were outnumbered and severally outgunned. As the tanks that had stood sentinel on the mountain-side fired their cover to pieces. “We shall help.” He eventually determined and tapped the ground below him. The very rock shook slightly with a wave of power.
“The old priest! He’s going to do something!” Yelled one of the researchers. Suddenly all humans drew needles or any tool that could be used to attack. But they were swiftly blocked by a band of Geomancers. "Reckoning.” They started to chant. First a few, then other Geomancers joined in. The halls echoed with the word. Yet Talzoran remained silent. He didn’t want reckoning. He didn’t want war. He never did. But the others didn’t care. They, quite clearly, did desire the bloodshed to start anew.
With mind and implant, the venerable Master reached out to the massive, granite doors that once opened to welcome new students to their ancient hold. The very foundation of the temple shock and churned. Swiftly 3 more Geomancers joined their master at lifting the doors. The massive, carved stone started glowing blue and sparks flew out into its frame. Absorbing the charge generated. Eventually Torgah pushed out and both doors flew out of their frame. Flying into the air. One crushed an entrenched group of EoM soldiers, the other tumbled down onto a tank, destroying it whole. Out from the dark hall the Geomancers marched. Some EoM soldiers had not yet realized what happened. Yet they were swiftly warned as the Geomancers started throwing their rocks from atop the stairs leading up to the Monastery. Master Torgah himself, aided by the 3 Geomancers, started their work at a tank whose turret started to turn. Before the hulking piece of metal could fire, it was pushed off the cliff towards its falling death.
The battle was a short one and rather brutal. Despite the element of attack, some Geomancers did pay with their lives. A painful blow to an already diminished Order. Yet they prevailed. Swiftly a Shadowstalker made his presence known before Master Torgah. “Follow us. We have a hide-out prepared. The resistance is alive.” This seemed to be enough for Master Torgah. Who, with his walking stick ready, prepared to move. But he was stopped by Talzoran. “Master! Master, forgive me but… what about the humans?”
Torgah looked up at the capture scientists. Some had fought and paid with their lives. Though some never seized weapons. “Prisoners. Take some prisoner. Maybe we can exchange them for other, renegade members of our Order. If not… well… that is a thought for another time.” And thus, with a heavy heart, Talzoran took it upon him to guide a few human prisoners from their ancient hold in the mountains. Among the prisoners marched Tali, with equal dread and intrigue.
The Geomancers made sure to erase their traces through the mountains. When dropships from EoM did finally arrive, they only found their scientists, imprisoned in the Monastery.
Lord Zee,
Vec,
Donald Darf,
Rekkuza,
Iwannabeyours,
princess,
Cmmelody,
Necrodancer,
ActRaiserTheReturned,
Timemaster