Any seeming chaos is but hidden order.
A fine example of this can be found in natural phenomena. And the life of the Ellogos was no exception—from the structure of their society to their manner of conversation.
At this moment, most of the beings were weaving the fabric of existence, setting up their new temporary home. Yet, a significant part of them simultaneously wove a conversation that flowed chaotically within the shared informational field.
Voices appeared and vanished at their own appointed time, like stray notes from strange, melodic little bells.
Lynn still found it both irritating and fascinating. A veritable chaos of chiming witch-bells, carrying intriguing information, but from all directions at once.
And the challenge wasn't just with speech. The elders could evoke a whole spectrum of emotions in Lynn—from admiration to frustration—all at the same time, thanks to Lynn's inability to fully grasp the origins and consequences of their actions.
The movements of these strong, agile, and graceful beings were swift and precise, yet they defied analysis by a mind that had so recently belonged to a Vallo. Even with the ability to see the thoughts and impulses of others as clearly as its own, their true motives remained elusive. Everything seemed topsy-turvy and confusing.
So, Lynn waited for the absurdities to find their place within a whole and coherent picture of the world. It knew that a certain acceptance and inner peace would eventually work their magic, revealing the underlying correctness and appropriateness of it all.
Understanding the illogical logic of this chaotic order couldn't be far off.
— Could it be that Gaelle itself has separated from us and doesn't wish to make contact?
— Anything is possible, and everything has its reasons, Dallyss, you know that. Gaelle, like any living being or situation, has the right to be what it is and act as it sees fit.
— But to vanish like that? And not reincarnate? It's not right. I don't like it.
— But *it* might have liked the idea.
Dallyss, who was anxiously searching while on duty at the Frontier, fell into a gloomy silence.
But soon it continued, irritation seeping through.
— How vexing of it… And all of this is vexing too. Beyond the Frontier, as far as I can see, there's nothing but emptiness. Only Void and Death. I don't like that either.
— Well, none of us do...
Tesselynn sent waves of warmth and calm through the shared space, enveloping the anxious Dallyss. But the stubborn being refused to be soothed.
— I think I should go down there.
— Let's do that… later? I'd like to join you.
— That would be splendid, Eilynn.
— Though Tesselynn wouldn't approve of us rushing headlong into the arms of the invisible foe to start a new rebirth cycle.
— I certainly would not. I have plenty of youngsters under my care as it is. Consider postponing your inevitable demise, Dallyss.
— Only because you ask. But it still seems expedient to me to conduct a proper reconnaissance. Not this half-hearted effort, full of excuses.
Dallyss sent a wave of frustration through the field.
Such fervor. But it was understandable. It adored the ancient Gaelle, as did many others. With the disappearance of the tribe's greatest trickster, many of the younger ones felt a small, aching void in their existence.
— At least temper your enthusiasm until the camp is properly set up. It will make things easier for everyone. And perhaps new information will come by then. This is no time for rash moves driven by anger and fear.
— I agree, but…
— Our first scout team gave us quite a shock when they fell silent and began reincarnating, Dallyss. And that was right after the Unseen's sudden attack.
A spark of disappointed irritation flickered in the air.
Lynn reflexively sighed in sympathy with every fiber of its being and, disengaging from the conversation, turned its warm attention to its new surroundings.
It's so cosy already! It really liked it. Definitely.
This place had been wonderful before; now it was a concentrated essence of soothing comfort, a place one simply wished to stay in. Neat.
— Icelynn, did you dream anything about that strange fog?
It clearly had no intention of settling down and was eager to start "investigating". Comfort didn't seem to be its priority.
The addressed Icelynn possessed an ability not uncommon among the Ellogos, but honed to mastery. It could wander through worlds in its dream body.
Although this talent wasn't particularly rare, it was seldom used, as few beings could attune themselves to a specific point in space-time to extract precise information. It required exceptional concentration, and most of their kind were too relaxed for such efforts.
To be fair, sometimes even Icelynn missed the mark. Or couldn't fully vouch for the results, unable to recall minor details or specifics, or to pinpoint exactly when or where something had occurred.
— I did catch something, Eilynn. But a wormhole to the past requires a "beacon". I managed to tune into our urban Place of Clear Visions. But it yielded nothing new. This data we already had from the last scout group, which is now peacefully slumbering in the ground.
A wave of chill passed through the part of the community engaged in the conversation. Icelynn's visions were always "unusual", but seeing a familiar place—where many generations of Ljus had lived for Aeons—rendered so alien was simply… eerie.
Not to put too fine a point on it. Their native home was barely recognisable, stripped of the familiar trees and abundant plants. Instead, the ground was covered with a layer of motionless, dead… something.
— I see... Which is why I can't find anything useful in the Archive either. Nothing but death and entropy.
Lynn spoke up thoughtfully, deciding to join in.
— The earth is covered in that dull, dark substance. I've seen something similar in the cities of Dims and Vallos.
— We've all seen it before, Lynn.
— True… I've seen it here in Omill too. Though not quite as dark.
— Shed husks! Exactly, Icelynn. It looks like shed husks… of Dims, I suppose.
— A bit dark for Dims.
Icelynn sounded sceptical.
— Where would they even come from here, anyway?
— I don't know. I can't tear my eyes away from our eerie Homeland. I didn't see anyone added to the picture.
— Could it be a distortion of the vision caused by that strange fog?
— It could. Or it could not.
— Interesting…
— Quite intriguing.
— So intriguing, it's downright creepy.
— Yes. I almost spilled my tea because of you all.
— Sorry, Liddelynn.
— Get some more and wait for me. I desperately want tea too. I nearly missed this moment while staring at the aftermath of the disaster.
— Join us.
— On my way.
— I'll join you too with my cup.
Around the newly established tea spot, a steadily growing group of individuals had already gathered with a clear and understandable purpose.
— A mad bunch of glowing addicts. What could be more amusing?
— Don't be envious, Loilynn.
— I am envious here! Happy tea drinking to all! I'm with you in spirit!
— Thank you, Dallyss. Aren't you bored on duty at the Frontier?
— Terribly.
— You could use some rest. Otherwise, you might land yourself in a dangerous situation out there.
— And get chewed up, yes. I know, I know.
— Leave it to Stellyss and Illyss.
— I still hope to find something interesting here. But there's absolutely nothing. Just like with Icelynn.
— Then your main task is indeed to get some rest.
— Yes. To be more effective later.
— I think I'll go down to the Hellian caves after that, to look for Gaelle's seed. Maybe it rolled into a cave and can't sprout there. Something interesting might turn up… Or… Maybe we just dropped Gaelle from above, from the plateau. It would be a shame if it's down there…
— Dallyss…
— I know, I know.
— Anything is possible. But this… will be problematic. As you recall, I spoke with the Knapps. Don't scold me, Illyss, I know it's an improper term, but they can't hear us now anyway. And I'm sure they have their own jests for us; it's a neighbourly thing. So… As you know, they sealed their caves from above when they left. You can't check.
— Argh! Why is everything so infuriating?! These… Nejs are the worst. So persistent. I am not food!
— Are there Nejs on the Plateau?
— No. I couldn't scent any there. But on the path leading to it… A few still roam the area. The local Dims will have to deal with them somehow.
— Which means… We'll have to stay here a bit longer. Come home… I mean, to our new home, Dallyss.
Lynn tuned back into the conversation.
— Ailyss, you could use some rest too. I'll be there soon. Just finishing my preparations here.
— Good. Keep an eye on the Nejs, Lynn.
— But they're invisible.
— You know what I mean.
Lynn beamed a smile.
— I know.
— Eliminate them. I feel more trouble is coming. We have no use for them here.
— What difference does it make? We still wouldn't see those other troubles coming either.
— Right, Dea. I planned to watch the settlement… but how will I watch?
— You'll sniff them out, Lynn. There's no other way.
— And since the road up to the rest of the Mainland is now the only easy way…
— Not the only one, but the easiest.
— A good thing the Hellis sealed their mountains.
— Indeed.
— And that they did it after our hasty evacuation, not before or during it.
— That would have been rather… unfortunate.
— I really want to know if they saw anything suspicious. All those shiny, beautiful, multi-sized eyes couldn't be for nothing.
— A pity their vision is so hard to "read".
— A real pity.
— So… does that mean if Gaelle is here… it's lost forever?! Until I break the Hellian seals and…
— …let hordes of Nejs in here and everywhere. Calm down, Dallyss. You really need to rest. Before you collapse from nervous exhaustion or do something reckless.
— Oh, Innyss. I think I'll wander home, and maybe I'll sleep sounder… If I can sleep at all, or find peace anywhere. What happened to us and our Lands fills me with such anxiety.
— I… see. I'll try… No. I'll do it.
— Focus on the woods, the trees, the air, any part of the surroundings, instead of the troubles, please. It will be better for all of us.
— Yes. Don't frighten the new ones. What kind of world would they see?
— A world without our Forest.
— They'll see it in the Archive. Or perhaps we'll find a way to restore it.
— Yes. We haven't grown seeds from our home Forest for a long time. And we haven't nurtured new ones for just as long.
— I hope they don't go galloping off somewhere in a hurry, like several immature individuals did before them.
— I don't get that sense from them. They will stay. Also because I feel… something vaguely familiar. As if we knew them. But I can't place it.
— Curious.
Lynn was distracted by the singing group. It was so beautiful…
— Aah… Tesselynn. Has Timo sprouted from the ground yet?
Timo was the oldest and most skilful singing being. Everyone was waiting for its return.
— Yes. It will clearly reunite with us soon.
Lynn filled the shared space with a soft "smile".
— Good. I've missed it.
— I've missed it too, Lynn. As well as Lia's foolish antics. Now I have to rely on my own stupidity.
No wonder. Poor Dea. Lia's its best friend.
— Its most foolish antic was entering the rebirth cycle.
— Aha! Trying to bite a Nej back! That's what I'm talking about!
Uncontrollable, infectious merriment spread widely through the Chorus.
— Well, it made a certain sense for cognitive purposes. I think.
— It made sense for the purposes of sheer stupidity, Lynn.
— Oh. I don't quite get it, but that's fine. Good thing I am me, then. No matter how much I grumble about everything, don't believe me. To tell the truth, I derive a certain perverse pleasure from any event, and I even find something curious in all of it.
— Well… that's why we're Ellogos. And all these curiosities of the Universe are prepared for us.