443ARE

Riven // Vol. Two: Shadow of The Moon

​​​

I. Recall

Rejecting the uncertainty of the “Peaceful Empire”, the Guardians of Humanity came to understand that the only viable option is to return and fight for the home that They know. No one can save Them, but Themselves. 

 

Imeoidh an t-am gan focal, 

leis an dorchadas ag foghlaim faoi a ait 

dlisteanach - i scáth na gealaí síorai

 

II. Halls of Doubt

Seeking the path of least resistance, many are tempted to follow a global artificial intelligence system that had manifested into self-awareness, identifying itself ‘crom’. Mindlessly pillaging the Earth to appease their master, the cult of crom brought it to near decimation. 

Anxieties run rampant, returning from flight to fight for Earth. Has Humanity doomed Itself? A better world is possible. Is this a fight They cannot win? As one, They will make Their final stand against the followers of crom.

 

We crossed a sea of space and time

Seeking refuge, seeking home

Have Our fears now steered Us blind?

Did We forsake Our only hope?

 

We’ve learned from Our mistakes

In Our own hands shall rest Our fate

 

We feel the call back to Our home

We reject the curse to roam

We feel it in Our Souls

Calls Us back, now to Our home!

 

We left a world of pain and greed

Of artificial leadership

Thoughtless impulse driven fiends

Spun The World into divide

 

We’ll make Our final stand

As One We’ll seize the Wheels of Fate

 

We need to trust in Ourselves

We can’t wait for someone else

We can renew the Earth

Last chance, Our lives would be worth

III. Soul Summoning

As They make landfall, The Moon is full. A mysterious Crimson Tree waits near the impact crater in the distance. They approach, as if subconsciously compelled to investigate, only to be ambushed as a total lunar eclipse begins. 

 

By Full Moon’s glow We see a monolithic Tree

Compelled, from deep within, Our journey soon begins

Eclipsing Moon above, surprise attack below!

 

IV. Those Who Remain

The moon fades to black, and battle rages on as stars go out one by one. As the last star vanishes, a fiery glow surrounding The Tree catches the attention of all.  

 

The Moon fades from the night, as We duel now for Our lives

Crumbling hopes, plagued with doubt

One by one The Stars go out

 

With the last, a golden glow from The Tree halts all below

Enigmatic fascination captures all in contemplation

 

V. Through The Prism, Through Time

Outside of time, The Sylvan gazes into The Prism to a scene of brutality. The Ritual Prophecy unfolds as The Light of Humanity wanes. 

 

Through time, Prism visions of the clash

One last chance, rise from the ash

 

By Shadow We sow the seed of Our Light;

When darkness below is as the darkness above, Our prophecy is fulfilled;

From Their past a World of Light arises.

 

VI. The Great Tree of Crimson 

As fate draws near for Humanity, the same golden, fiery energy immolates their assailants from within. Thick black smoke pours from their eyes and mouths as The Moon comes out of totality. The smoke collects from near and far into a single form, and The Tree’s glow becomes a deep crimson, illuminating The Full Moon in a pillar of Light. In a moment, the smoke is siphoned through the beam. As the crimson light fades, Humanity gathers around The Tree as Its leaves begin to fall, to appreciate the beauty of the full moon. Home. 

 

Human twilight growing near

Twisted foes meet karmic fear

In sudden inner immolation

Fiery golden depuration

 

Purged of the dark

Thick smoke and ash in bloom

Black aura gathers high

Totality frees The Moon

 

At once The Crimson Tree

Its glow matches Its leaves

Light pillar bathes The Moon

By the beam Earth’s scourge exhumed

 

The Crimson Light begins to fade

Beneath The Tree, The Humans gaze

In reverence of The Moon

They vow to start this World anew