The Cycles of Revelation Series
Artifact of the Dawn: Discovery (A Queer Sci-Fi Adventure)
Episode 6: Jevan and Ardyn discover a mysterious structure deep in the forbidden woods, which leads to more questions than answers.
The next morning dawned with sunny skies, and the pair opted to eat rations to break their fast before packing up and resuming the search for more clues within the Aria’una. The pair spoke little, focusing on the surrounding landscape. They weren’t sure what they were looking for, but they kept scanning the ground for something that might resemble the object Ardyn had found.
Jevan was staring at the ground ahead, looking for some sign, when he tripped over a tree root and nearly fell. He berated himself for being so clumsy. As he stumbled back to his feet, he looked up to get his bearings when a metallic glint caught his eye. Over to his right, the sun was filtering through the trees onto a small hill, glinting off something. Making his way toward it, he soon realized there was a small structure, partially buried in the hillside and almost completely hidden beneath an overgrowth of brush and vines.
“Ardyn!” he called. “Look at this!”
“What is it?” Ardyn wondered aloud as the two of them pulled away some of the vines, revealing a smooth metallic wall.
“I don’t know,” Jevan replied. “Help me clear away more of these vines.”
Hacking away at the overgrowth, they slowly uncovered the small rectangular structure.
“How does this metal not rust?” Jevan remarked as he kept working at cutting away more vines. “This structure has been exposed to the elements for who knows how long. It should have at least some signs of rust by now.”
“What is rust?” Ardyn asked.
“If you leave forged metal lying around without cleaning it regularly, it decays as rust forms on the surface,” Jevan explained. “The metal changes color, breaks down, and becomes very brittle. We think it’s related to how air or water affects the metal.”
Running his hand along the side of the structure, Ardyn nodded in understanding. “That sounds like what happens to the wood we build settlements from. Over time the wood changes color and decays. Yet this metal shows no signs of such decay. Do all metals rust?”
Jevan nodded. “All metals we’ve been able to forge eventually turn to rust. Some turn green, others red, but all decay if not properly cared for.”
***
Despite it being forbidden, Ardyn accepted one of Jevan’s knives to help with cutting down the tough vines. He wouldn’t have made much progress with his own stone tools, and he figured if he was in for one stone, he might as well be in for a dozen.
While Jevan worked to cut away vines around one edge of the structure, Ardyn focused on the front. After he’d slashed away a portion of the vines, he stood back to look at his progress when he saw what looked like a door.
“Jevan, look. There might be a way inside this thing,” Ardyn said, stepping back farther to point at the strange-looking portal with a solid metal door. “How does it open?”
Jevan helped him remove the rest of the vines from around the doorway, revealing a small panel to the side of it. “There’s more of the same ancient Athla’naa script here,” Ardyn said, pointing to the panel.
What did this mean? Were these the remains of an ancient elven settlement? Had elves once built their homes on the ground? The questions swirled in Ardyn’s mind as he reached out to trace the words with his finger. As soon as he touched them, they glowed like the ones on the object, making Ardyn flinch away. He wasn’t sure he’d ever get used to that.
Below the script was a small slot. “What do you make of this?” Ardyn asked.
Looking over, Jevan looked at what Ardyn was pointing at. His brow furrowed in concentration for a moment. “Where’s the object?”
Retrieving the object from his pack, he handed it to Jevan. Studying it and the slot for a moment, Jevan turned the artifact around a few times, trying to slide it into the slot. The reddish metal side fit into the slot perfectly, but nothing happened.
Looking at Ardyn, Jevan removed the object and handed it back to him. “You try it; it only lights up when you touch it, so maybe only you can make it work?”
Taking it, he copied how Jevan had slid the now glowing artifact into the slot. As soon as it slid into place, they heard the metal doors groan and the hiss of released air. When the strange doorway opened, they both backed away slowly.
“I was right!” Jevan exclaimed. “As soon as I saw that slot, I had a feeling that our little artifact here was a key.”
Looking at Jevan, Ardyn felt even more confused. “None of this makes any sense. A metal… hut? That requires a key? They must be of athla’maakh construction. Athla’naa don’t need doors with locks, and we don’t build things with metal or whatever all this is. Yet, they have ancient Athla’naa words on them, and why does it take someone like me to… to… open it?”
“All of this is beyond my understanding, too. You’re right, none of this makes sense,” Jevan agreed.
Ardyn looked toward the open doorway. “Let’s see what’s inside.”
Jevan ventured in first. Beyond the light filtering in through the doorway, it was completely dark until Ardyn crossed the threshold. They both startled when suddenly the entire interior became illuminated. There were no obvious flames, and the light had an eerie, cold quality.
“What kind of structure is this?” Jevan asked in wonder. “There’s no rust, and this light? Where is it coming from? How does it even work? Medellans didn’t build this. I’ve seen nothing like this before.”
It equally mystified Ardyn. “Like this… key? The interior began to glow when I entered. I never believed in magic or sorcery, but what else could it be?”
“No, I don’t think this is sorcery. It must be very advanced technology, but whatever this is, it is extraordinary. That makes it even more strange, considering how old it must be,” Jevan said.
The interior space was small, not much bigger than Ardyn’s treetop hut. On the opposite wall there was another doorway, with a larger panel beside it. Even more archaic script surrounded the now familiar slot.
Taking the key, Ardyn slid it into this slot like he had before. They heard a loud metallic groan for a moment before a light above the slot blinked red, but the door remained closed.
“What would a red light mean?” Ardyn wondered.
“I’m not sure,” Jevan replied with a shrug. “Maybe it means it’s broken? Or maybe this lock requires a different key?”
Ardyn sat down in the middle of the floor, trying to take it all in. Jevan sat down beside him.
“I have to wonder why this is here, in the heart of the Aria’una,” Ardyn mused. “Is this why the entire area is forbidden? There must be more structures. Perhaps an entire settlement of them?”
Shaking his head, Jevan replied. “I have as many questions as you. At least finding this structure answered the question of what that artifact is for.”
“Yes, but answering one mystery has led to many more questions,” Ardyn said with a frustrated sigh. “It goes against everything my elders taught me. The evidence so far tells me one of two things. Either my ancestors were more technologically advanced than they had led me to believe, or both of our ancestors once worked more closely together. That would suggest that perhaps your ancestors were also more advanced in the past.”
“That second option doesn’t make sense, either. As far as I know, my ancestors came to this land centuries ago on great wooden ships. I have seen many artifacts that were preserved from those days, and none of it looks anything like this,” Jevan said, gesturing around them.
“Then that leaves only the option of my people being more advanced in the past.” Ardyn frowned. “It makes me wonder, do the elders know of this? If they do, then they have been lying to my people for generations. For what purpose?”
“I suspect the answers we seek lie beyond that door,” Jevan suggested. “Although I fear there may also be many more questions as well.”
Ardyn nodded in agreement.
“What do you suggest we do now?” Jevan asked. “Since this lies in the heart of your people’s forbidden area, I think it’s your call.”
We’ve been in the Aria’una for nearly three days now. Would the elders send a hunting party after us if we stay much longer? That would be a direct violation, so probably not. They’ll certainly be waiting for us when we do finally leave. Well, let them wait.
“Let’s make camp here for the night. This place will provide sufficient shelter,” Ardyn decided. “Then I think we should search for more structures tomorrow. I cannot go back with so many unanswered questions. I need more evidence before I confront the Elder Triumvirate.”
Giving him a smile of encouragement, Jevan nodded in agreement. “That seems wise. Also, if they don’t kill me instantly, I can confirm everything you find. They can’t ignore both of us, can they?”
The reminder of the danger to Jevan formed a knot of worry in Ardyn’s throat. “I had nearly forgotten about that. I could leave the Aria’una first and let them capture me. Then you might have a chance to get back to your village. I… I do not want you to be killed.”
“I’ll risk it,” Jevan said with a shrug. “I’ve talked my way out of tighter spots than this. Anyway, you said it yourself, I’m officially marked for death, right? At least I can make it count for something.”
Ardyn regarded the athla’maakh. The man was full of brash self-confidence. He was amiable when most of his people were standoffish, or worse. Jevan’s eyes, that were so full of merriment and mischief, had never made him feel threatened.
That made Ardyn realize he was growing fonder of Jevan than perhaps was wise. He worried over the prospect of Jevan meeting his death at the hands of his people. Perhaps the fact that Jevan had saved the life of an Athla’naa would help him, but Ardyn doubted it. The elders were very rigid in interpreting their laws, and they rarely showed mercy. Especially with any athla’maakh that violated them.
Taking a deep breath, Ardyn sighed and stood up. “I’ll go hunt for some food for our evening meal while you set up camp.”
“Good idea. You proved yesterday that you’re a better hunter than I am,” Jevan said with a smirk as he stood, stashing his pack.
With bow and quiver in hand, Ardyn made his way out into the forest. Turning, he regarded their unusual shelter for a moment. Inside the structure there was plenty of room and it still was mostly hidden, tucked into a hillside, beneath the overgrowth they hadn’t removed. At least we’ll both be able to get a good night’s sleep tonight. We may need it, not knowing what else we may find tomorrow.
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