Cause for Concern

As is customary every spring, the Spectrel Prince and Princess made their way from the palace to Skytree Lake in the Faeveil region to preside over the festivities. Though the usually joyous occasion was this time mired in concern.

For the past few weeks, small rifts in the fabric of the veil had been appearing all across the hollow. At first it was just one, but slowly more and more of them had been found and reported. Since then the Royal Guard had been placed on high alert with many stationed at a safe distance around these rifts. While not exactly an easy secret to keep, everyone involved had been told to remain quiet about it to the public for the time being. The current situation, while uncertain, seemed to be under control.

“Everything is in order for when we arrive, stop with all the fretting Rhen,” Rhynne gently chided her brother, who hadn’t stopped anxiously looking out the window of their carriage since they started their journey.

“I know, it’s just…” Rhen sighed and turned his attention to his sister, for the first time looking at her for longer than a glance during this trip. “I can’t keep from worrying another rift will appear.”

“We have guards stationed at each rift that’s been discovered so far.” Rhynne stated. “If something goes awry, we’ll know right away. Worrying yourself over them isn’t going to solve anything.”

Rhen gave a small huff in response before turning back to the window once more. “I feel so helpless…” Rhen murmured, breaking the brief silence that had fallen over the carriage.

“Rhen…” Rhynne scooted a bit closer to put a sympathetic hand on her brother’s shoulder. “I know it’s difficult, but if we show up to the festival looking tense the people will begin to worry.”

“I’m still not so sure we should even be keeping this from them.” Rhen said, still looking out the window as if keeping an eye out for new rifts would change their current situation. “What if one appears and something does come through? Or even pulls someone in? I just feel like it would be better to address the public so that they may be more prepared should something worse come from it.”

“We should try to understand these rifts more before addressing it to them. I know you want them to be prepared but I’m sure you also don’t want them to work themselves into a panic.” She countered.

Silence fell over the carriage again and Rhynne moved back to her original position in her seat.

“Please just… try to relax.” Rhynne said softly to her brother. “There’s going to be much to enjoy when we reach the Great Tree. All the music, dancing, handcrafted wares from the local artisans. So try to look forward to that, okay?”

Rhen remained silent still, staring out the window.

“... And if those don’t interest you I know there’s always Branwen’s Sweet Berry Scones.” Rhynne shrugged with a sly smirk.

Rhen’s head whipped around so suddenly Rhynne burst into laughter.

“You’d almost forgotten about them, hadn’t you?” She giggled.

“I am going to eat so many scones…” Rhen muttered.

“And you’re going to make yourself sick again.”

Rhen gave his sister an indignant look.

“But luckily you have me to save you from yourself.” Rhynne patted her brother’s shoulder again, glad to see some of the tension leave her brother.

Rhen and Rhynne arrived on time at midday, the sun glistened through the branches high above, many hundreds of Spectrels gathered around the lake as the Prince and Princess ascended to the glittering glass platform in the great tree above.

“See? All is well.” Rhynne commented to her brother as they smiled and waved to the crowd below.

“I suppose,” Rhen replied, having been in much higher spirits since arriving, though there was still a hint of doubt in his voice.

Once they reached the platform they were greeted by a few royal aides as well as Spectre, the official Portal Master. Rhynne and Rhen were each handed a microphone then turned to address everyone who had gathered round the lake.

“Good Afternoon, everyone, thank you all for coming,” Rhynne spoke first. “We’re so happy to be here to partake in the final day of Faeveil’s great festival! I can see how hard everyone has worked to prepare.” She gestured all around, the Great Tree and Skytree Lake had been beautifully adorned with thousands of flowers and many colorful hanging vines were strung across the branches within the tree.

“We cannot be more grateful to the people of Faeveil for hosting this wonderful event, and to so many other’s of the Hollow who have joined us today here for this final celebration!” Rhen said his part now, with the crowd cheering loudly below.

“Today marks the 435th Anniversary of the Faeveil Spring Festival and is–'' but Rhynne didn’t get to finish. There were loud gasps followed by startled yelling, something was causing a commotion from the crowd at the base of the tree. Rhen moved to the edge of the platform to look at what was happening below. Spectre quickly portaled down to the disturbance to get a better look at the cause, but Rhen and Rhynne could see from where they stood. Several small rifts were opening around Skytree Lake.

“Everyone please remain calm while the Royal guards–” Rhynne began to try and calm the people as panic spread throughout the crowd. Spectrels screamed as the largest rift to have formed so far tore a hole at one of the Tree’s primary entrances. This tear seemed to be stronger than any other and was dragging people inside of it. Rhynne and Rhen could only watch in shock as everyone began to run away from the anomaly.

Suddenly the earth shook as roots which were buried deep beneath the lake sprung up through the water. Mud and stone erupted from the center to reveal a massive beast, Faeveil reared their head from within. Everyone had stopped to watch in awe as their God crossed the roots that had now created a path over the water and through the chaos to the largest rift.

As he reached forward with a massive clawed hand, roots, branches, and vines sprung forth to reach into the rift’s depths to retrieve the Spectrels who were trapped inside. His Spectra companion in the form of a hawk flew up and split off into many different creatures, rounding up the terrified Spectrels and escorting them away from the rifts to safety. Once the area around the largest rift was cleared and the lost Spectrels pulled back out, Faeveil dropped to all fours and dug his claws deep into the dirt as the ground trembled once more. The God’s eyes and Spectra glowed bright green as giant crystals rose from the earth to surround the rift, covering it completely. More formed to encompass the smaller rifts as well. Rifts that were farther from the forest floor were cocooned in tree branches and leaves. With the rifts sealed off Faeveil straightened back up to his full height as his companion merged back into a single hawk and sailed back down to perch on his shoulder.

The crowd was left in awestruck silence as they stared up at the imposing figure. It didn’t take long, however, for the silence to be broken by the Prince and Princess, who had just stepped out of a portal with Spectre at their heels and approached Faeveil.

“You’re–” Rhen started.

“Lord Faeveil,” Rhynne bowed deeply to him, the surrounding crowd of Spectrels following suit to kneel in reverence.

Faeveil responded with a huff and waved a hand dismissively. “No need for that.”

“My Lord…” Rhen spoke, who had remained standing, due to either lingering shock from the event or uncertainty over the apparent appearance of a God. “You’ve sealed the rifts… but what are the rifts? And why have they appeared here?”

Rhynne had straightened up to look at Faeveil for an answer as well.

Faeveil turned his head from the two royals to look over to the largest rift, now encased in a massive crystal formation. “The rifts are an unnatural force, keep your distance from them.” With that he began to walk back to the lake’s edge to bridge of roots he had created.

Rhen and Rhynne glanced at each other before chasing after the God.

“With all due respect, my lord, that explains nothing.” Rhen’s voice had hardened, frustration leaking into his tone over the vague response they were given.

“Please, there must be something more you can tell us,” Rhynne pleaded as they continued to follow Faeveil across the bridge to the lake’s center and well out of earshot of the public.

Faeveil paused at the entrance to his abode, hesitant to explain further. “Unfortunately, I’ve already told you all I know.” He said as he turned to face them once more, genuinely apologetic instead of aloof. It seemed even Gods put on a brave front at times.

Rhen and Rhynne stared up at Faeviel, now even more uncertain than they were before. The cause may still be unknown but if even one of their Gods had appeared to deal with things personally then this did not bode well for any of them.

“Do your best to protect the people,” Faeveil continued. “And I will do what I can to discover the cause of these rifts. If you are lucky, it will all be resolved without the need for further action from you.” And before either royal could get another word in Faeveil vanished back beneath the roots of the great tree.

“Well…” Rhen said after a long moment of silence. “That certainly was ominous.”

Rhynne sighed. “I suppose he’s right, there’s not much else we can really do for now. But I don’t exactly feel any better about it…”

Rhen nodded and the pair simply walked back to the murmuring crowd of Spectrels gathered at the lake’s edge, waiting for an answer from their leaders.