Azure Epoch: The Attempted Novel, pt. 4
More secrets are revealed...and a nursery rhyme is recited.
Author’s Note: We got one last chapter left before I hit a creative wall. Again, for reasons discussed behind the scenes, I have to put a paywall for most of this entry.
Stones of power, stones of light
Glittering gems have taken flight
A stone for darkness, a stone for pain
A stone for coming home again
One to challenge, one to release
Two will bring a gentle peace
Heart and soul, flesh and bone
A miracle for every stone…
Dr. Tadashi rose slowly from his chair and watched the city from the window, now dark and cold as the sun set. A lone yellow taxi cruised through the streets, a red light lit up a building. Tadashi walked over to a nearby bookshelf, reaching into the back and accessing a secret compartment. The compartment had a tight fit. Dash and Remy leaned to get a better look and saw Tadashi reaching into what looked to be an ornate bird's mouth. When he pulled it open, the carved bird’s beak clamped into the opening and pulled open a drawer.
He reached in the drawer and pulled out an ancient journal with a beaten leather cover and yellowing pages. "This," he said solemnly, "was your father's."
Dash and Remy exchanged glances in surprise; it was a memory so vivid, it was as if it happened yesterday. Their father had been researching something for some time, in between his experiments on the twins, but neither of them knew what it was; he kept everything locked up tight. He loved to read and write more than anything else in the world, just like Dash & Remy did.
One day, when they were alone with their father, Dash picked up one of his journals and tried to read it while his father wasn't paying attention—that's when Dr. Rumble grabbed him by the wrist and swatted his hand like a bullwhip. The sting on the back of his hand seemed to move right into Dash's heart and spread outward from there. This was the journal their father had been researching when he first disappeared all those years ago, and soon his disappearances grew rampant.
“Hey Rem, remember the nursery rhyme?” Dash asked.
Remy nodded and crossed her arms. “How could I forget? He recited it like it was holy writ every night before he locked us in capsules.”
The twins recited:
Stones of power, stones of light
Glittering gems have taken flight
A stone for darkness, a stone for pain
A stone for coming home again
One to challenge, one to release
Two will bring a gentle peace
Heart and soul, flesh and bone
A miracle for every stone…
Dr. Tadashi opened the aged book, and a cloud of dust billowed out, forcing a heavy cough from the doctor and a stifled sneeze from the twins. He pulled out several pieces of paper that were yellowed with age, some handwritten in elegant cursive script, others illustrated as if to be part of a map. One piece was torn cleanly, with singed and blackened edges, while two other sections were crumpled and charred.
Dash and Remy looked to the doctor for an explanation. He cleared his throat and began. "Your father was researching Azul energy, pitching that it could be used for untold power if harnessed correctly. I believe he was on the right track - he might've been trying to stop the Negative Spiral like you."
He went on to explain that their father had been researching ancient texts from all over the world, wherever he found remnants of Etherenian culture, attempting to uncover a power so great it would be able to bring peace and prosperity to all nations.
But Dash and Remy knew that wasn't the case. They knew their father was no altruist looking for a way to stop the Negative Spiral; he’d been seeking something much more sinister: weaponizing Azul energy. The reason why remained a mystery to the twins; they knew the Neo-Genius Project, Dr. Rumble's experiments that made them who they are, was a part of his plan.
The two shook their heads in disbelief—how could their own father have such selfish intentions? "No," Remy spoke up, her voice shaking with anger and confusion. "Our father’s not a hero—he's in it for himself. Why do you think the war lasted as long as it did? All because of him!"
She slammed the journal shut, feeling anger deep within her stomach that threatened to boil over. But then she realized something else—her family's legacy didn't have to be tied up in this darkness; they could still do great things with Azul energy without resorting to violence or oppression.
"Maybe we can make sure our father's research isn't used for evil, and keep it out of the GSA's hands," Dash said, his voice filled with lingering hope. "We can use it to create something good, something that will help people. We can't change what he did, but we can change the future."
Remy nodded, feeling the anger slowly dissipating. "You're right, Dash. We have to use what we have to make a difference. We have to stop the Negative Spiral and create a better future for everyone. Gaia's already hanging by a thread."
Dr. Tadashi smiled, his eyes reflecting the hope he saw in the twins. "I believe in you two. I don't know what to say about your father, but you have the power to make things right."
The three sat in silence for a moment, each lost in their own thoughts about the future, and the legacy they wanted to leave behind. Dash put the Azure gem back into its container and settled into his chair while Remy reopened the journal.
Her eyes widened as she looked at the map, seeing an image of Gaia as clear as a painting in her thoughts. She grabbed a pencil and started to sketch on scratch paper, connecting the dots like a jigsaw puzzle. Dash could see Remy's face lit up with the prospect of answers, her eyes shining like she had discovered a treasure chest - each wrinkle on her face could be seen as she took in the information, her mind processing like a computer, each bit of data taking its place in the greater whole.
Meanwhile, Dash shifted uncomfortably in his seat - his mind wandered back to the girl Sylvie and the warning she had given, wondering what other secrets their father had kept hidden from them. He vowed to himself that he would find out the truth about her, no matter the cost.
As Remy continued her work, Dr. Tadashi stood up and made his way over to the window, his eyes fixed on the city below. "The world needs heroes like you two," he said quietly. "Heroes who aren't afraid to do what's right, even when it's not easy."
Dash and Remy glanced up at him, both feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the kind words. They turned back to their work, each lost in their own thoughts as they planned for the near-future. The ancient journal lay open on the table, its yellowed pages filled with secrets and possibilities.
As the night wore on, the three continued to work in silence, decoding more of the journal. Finally, as the sun began to rise over the city, Remy set down her pencil and leaned back in her chair. A smile spread across her face.
"Yep," she said, gesturing to her work. "I think I've got it." In front of her was a sketched map, copied down to the most minute detail, the pieces sectioned together like brand new.
"It took me a while but the burned edges were focused on places we've found Ragnarium shards before - places where Etherenians settled. The Neolan Jungle, the Southern Desert, even near Shipwreck Cove. I started connecting the dots. See? Easy."
Dash and Dr. Tadashi crowded around Remy, their eyes wide as they studied the map. As Remy pointed out each of the locations marked on the page, they confirmed her hypothesis.
Remy then went on to explain that the shards were not just located in these areas, but scattered all over the world in various hidden caches and deposits. If they could locate enough of them, it might be possible, alongside the Azure gems, to synthesize a new energy source.
Dr. Tadashi nodded with approval at Remy's work, then turned to Dash and smiled with encouragement. "I have full faith in you both," he said warmly. "You can do this."
The two returned to work with renewed fervor, sifting through Dr. Rumble's notes, books, and journal one by one in search of solutions. They diligently compared the pages they had accumulated across the floor, connecting the dots and formulating strategies until they felt confident enough to put their plan into action...