The Light in Aquala

As Rivia threw the stick one more time for Jaxx, Lena scanned the horizon, stopping when she spotted the strangest outcropping of rocks.

She looked carefully and decided that it had to have been made since it seemed to have a definite design to it.

“Mara, come here quickly. I think I found something we should check out before we do anything else. It looks like someone has been here before us.”

Mara whipped her head up from a clump of iridescent ferns that were slowly curling and then uncurling their turquoise and green leaves. She ran over to join Lena and squinted as she peered off into the distance to where Lena was pointing.

“So unusual. I don’t think it’s a natural occurrence. It has structure to it, it looks like someone built it.” Lena continued, then paused as she looked around in a complete circle again. “It’s very interesting that it is the only structure I can see on the horizon. Nature is everywhere else, in every direction.”

Rivia had by this time joined them, excitedly adding her thoughts to the discussion when she saw the structure.

“Yes, that could be one of the ancient buildings I’ve heard about. According to legend, whenever the Queens of Neon would come together to discuss matters of importance, they met on a few select worlds where safety was assured.

They could harness the Neon threads and open portals directly to these worlds. It was in these worlds they had built meeting places that would offer them a vantage point of their surroundings.”

Her eyes lit up as she continued with even more enthusiasm.

“Copies of all their findings and the historical records about different worlds and the portals that connect them were made and hidden in carefully concealed areas in each of these buildings. That way, if a building was somehow compromised or destroyed on one of the worlds, the other worlds would still have up-to-date records of everything. I’ve heard that they even recorded their scientific findings on how to repair the Neon threads when they start to wear out or break.”

Rivia gazed at the building thoughtfully, remembering how her and Jaxx looked for these buildings in many different worlds, and now they had finally found one. At least, she hoped they had.

This time was different, and maybe it was because of Mara and Lena being with her. She wondered if all of their combined Neon was somehow affecting the portal, creating a much stronger gravitational pull which was redirecting the portals to the main worlds.

Mara's eyes twinkled when she looked at Lena, and Lena knew exactly what her sister was thinking. Here could be the source of the answers to so many questions they both had growing up, alone in their musings since they were the only ones with Neon.

Lena glanced back to the building and estimated it being only a few hours' trek from here.

“I think we should head there first. It doesn’t look too far and we should have enough water and food rations to last. If the Queens of Neon built it at that location, then likely we will find water and food sources nearby.”

Mara agreed immediately, nodding her head and securing her backpack.

“The scientific research they did…I just can’t imagine everything we could learn and I just…we have to go there next! “

Mara was so overwhelmed at the prospect of countless discoveries that she could barely speak. The thought of being able to add them to the research that was carefully documented and stored at the Academy quickened her pulse and she smiled even wider. She turned to look at Rivia who was now watching her with amusement. Mara suddenly wondered if she would be able to get back home to the Academy, but her concern passed quickly in light of the discoveries to be made.

Rivia also agreed to this plan. “Of course, I think that is an excellent idea. Knowing that the Queens of Neon picked the safest worlds to build on means we should be safe on the clear stretch of land in front of us.”

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to the others, Jaxx had wandered off and his eyes had started to glow a deep Neon yellow. Jaxx held his nose in the air, sniffing intently as he discovered a strange new smell, very faint, but it may mean some kind of creature was nearby.

He began to tense up, and started towards a large silver tree, moving stealthily.

His head whipped around as he suddenly heard a whistle from Rivia and realized that a new walk was about to begin. He quickly ran over to the group of women and they all started walking towards the building, with Jaxx completely forgetting about the strange smell.

The second of the red and purple Veywathi scouts was still watching them from behind one of the bigger silver trees. The blue lines in the tree had stopped flowing and had faded considerably as the porcupine-like creature rubbed its back against it. Satisfied with its discovery and the report it could take back, it blinked it's huge black eyes a few more times before turning and moving surprisingly fast through the long silver grasses in the same direction that the first creature had gone.