You exchange loooks with Haden, Alster and Talik and it confirms what you were thinking. You had all heard that Vvoek exchange and they were talking about things that only raised more questions for you all. You could tell by the looks on their faces that it had been profound and yet still too perplexing to satisfy your need for understanding. 

You follow the staircase upward again, your footsteeps echoing in the immense tower. When you reach the next room, your gaze falls upon more murals, this time depicting ancient, powerful Guardians.

"The Voek must have made these too," Haden says. "They must have been recording their observations when they came to the island and documented what my people were doing." 

As Haden steps up to the murals, herr breath catches at the sight before her. The murals, meticulously crafted by the Voek, span the entire length of the chamber, each panel a vivid testament to the lives of the Morian Guardians from at least two millennia ago.

One is titled The Dawn of the Guardians and it depicts the birth of the Morian Guardians. Against a backdrop of a lush, verdant forest, a group of Morians are shown emerging from the dense foliage, their expressions a mix of determination and wonder. The Guardians, adorned in simple yet elegant robes, stand tall, their eyes reflecting a deep connection to the natural world around them.  She moves to the next panel titled Training and Mastery where Haden sees a depiction of the rigorous training the Morian Guardians underwent. The mural is a whirlwind of activity, with Guardians practicing their combat skills, meditative poses, and use of tools. One Guardian is shown in mid-leap, a blur of motion as they dodge a series of flaming arrows, while another stands atop a rocky precipice, commanding a torrent of water to form intricate patterns in the air. The Voek artists have intricately detailed every muscle and expression, highllighting the Guardians' dedication and discipline. The third mural shifts to a serene scene, it is titled A Council of Wisdom. In it a council of the Morian Guardians gathered in a circle. They sit cross-legged around a glowing crystal, their faces calm and contemplative. The Voek have expertly rendered the nuances of each Guardian's expression, capturing a sense of deep thought and animated discussion. The background shows a panoramic view of their sacred meeting place the Great Clan Hall, a tranquil glade surrounded by towering ancient trees in what looks like a much smaller Ridoan. The next panel is called Defending the Realm and it is a stark contrast, portraying a fierce battle between the Morian Guardians as they clash amongst themselves. The Guardians, their faces etched with resolve, stand in differing clans, their animal powers unleashed in a dazzling display of animal-like movement. The Voek have used bold, dynamic strokes to convey the intensity and chaos of the battle, with vibrant colours lost to the blue hue but sharp contrasts that make the scene almost come alive. The last mural is called Bonds of Loove and Partnership. It is a softer, more intimate aspect of the Morian Guardians' lives. It depicts a pair of Guardians standing beneath a moonlit sky, their silhouettes framed by the delicate blossoms of a flowering tree. The scene is imbued with a sense of tranquillity and tenderness. The Voek artists have captured the subtle, loving glances exchanged between the two, their hands gently intertwined.

In the background, other pairs of Guardians are shown in various stages of courtship and companionship. Some are seen sharing quiet moments by a serene lake, the water reflecting the stars above, while others walk hand in hand along a forest path, their laughter captured in the gentle curve of their lips. There are also scenes of families, with Guardians teaching their children the ways of their kind, nurturing the next generation with the same love and wisdom.

Haden feels a profound sense of awe and respect as she takes in the murals. Each image, a window into the past, reveals not only the strength and skill of the Morian Guardians but also their humanity and the enduring impact of their legacy. Just after the last mural she sees another memory shard in a niche and says, "At least I know this won't kill me now." She aapproaches the shard, looking at you and the others for confirmation. You all nod and she reaches out, collects the shard and she takes the shard to the beam of light in the middle of the room. A hum and then a memory comes to life around you. You focus, watching and listening intently.

A Voek stands in a pristine room, next to a sibling of light you've never seen before. A man. Behind them, you see the top of a staircase. The architecture is familiar …

"My siblings in the other towers are ready," the man says. "Should instability occur, the safeguard can be activated to protect the islands."

"Good." The Voek scientist nods.

As the memory fades, you take a moment to process what you saw. Were the Voek worried about unstable lava affecting the islands? The towers, the siblings of light — were they some sort of safeguard to protect you? If that's true, then why did it fail here on Morian Islandd?

Your head buzzing, you confer with your companions. Those are the stairs end, and this is the last room before the light from the outside platform fills the stairwell. "This must be the top of this tower!" Talik observes, "The sibling of light has to be here."

If anyone can answer your questions, it's another one of the siblings of light. 

Using the added double letters solve the riddle of what caused the problem started by the Voek scientists.  Add your answer as an entry in Thy Quests below.

Next: E6Q2 A Dark Day