6.1 - Aaraxa’s Light

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For many fruitful years, the Seasons had stayed in Ambal, providing protection, peace, and counsel frequently to its peoples.

Yet, after several centuries, the years at last began to wear upon the Seasons, and they felt a deep desire to see the prospering of life and energy beyond Ambal, across all of Erra itself. Eventually, these feelings became too strong to ignore, so after much deliberation, the seasons decided among themselves to leave Ambal, confident that the land could now take care of itself.

It would be a sorrowful and difficult parting. The Seasons had created a strong bond with the humans whom they had watched and advised for so long. And so, before they departed, and as a last and fitting gift to the humans, the Seasons built a special monument as tribute to stand in each of the five main cities of the land.

By the warm Southern reaches of the land stood the sublime city of Aaraxa, overseeing Ambal from atop the Bay Crag. There, Autumn and Summer, who had been closest to the city and its people, built together a wondrous and majestic lighthouse at the tip of the cliff, on the eastern end of the city. Slowly but surely, assisted by the gentle strength of the great tiger of Autumn, the lighthouse ascended, level by level, and brick by pale brick, to the skies of Ambal.

When it was completed at last, the lighthouse stood as a wonder for all the land – a slender, many-storied structure that was tall, pale and beautiful, shining like the moon itself. Inside the tower, high at the top of the innermost and highest level, was a space which was open to both the wind and air of the land. Here was set a light that shone out bright and clear across a wide swathe of the surrounding land. This light came from an eternal flame sparked by a flap of Summer’s brilliant red wings. From that swish of energy was created an inexhaustible fire — a fire that was placed by Summer and Autumn inside a somber yet graceful dark stone brazier.

The creation of the lighthouse took much toil and time from both the great Tiger and Bird, who worked in tandem to create the structure, supported also by the spirit and sweat of the people of Aaraxa themselves.

The work was difficult, and often wearisome, yet it was all worth it in the end, and all who witnessed it stood in awe of its majesty and purity.

One of those present at the lighthouse’s completion was none other than Mara Sunfrond, the respected commander of Aaraxa’s army, as well as of the temporary joint army during Shinkai’s struggle. When the tower was done, Mara approached the great beasts to thank them not only for their wondrous gift, but also for everything they had done to help and protect the humans for so long across the years. Mara also conveyed messages of gratitude and love from many other Aaraxans to the two Seasons for all they had done – from defeating powerful spirits to shaping the land, and also shared their fears and worries now that the Seasons would be departing.

Surprised and moved at this gesture from the humans, Summer met the clear, piercing eyes of Mara Sunfrond and realized that the humans of this time were not the same in either attitude or temperament as the humans of the distant past. With dawning pride, Summer realized that the humans had grown in stature from seeds to vigorous trees, empowered by her teachings and those of the other Seasons.

Autumn, too, was profoundly affected by the grace and humility of the humans in these final moments before them. Less fiery or demonstrative than Summer, the great Tiger spoke softly. “We will always be here,” said Autumn, gesturing with a great paw toward Mara’s heart.

“You will indeed,” said Mara. “For all of us.” And she placed her own hand over her heart. Summer and Autumn then stepped closer to her, to give her their final messages and warnings.

“Protect your people,” said Summer. “Never lose the fire that inspires you, and that flows from you to your people.”

“I will do my best,” replied Mara.

“Be brave and strong,” said Autumn. “Be the bedrock of your people, the foundation upon which they can build and thrive.”

“I will try,” said Mara.

“We must depart now,” said Summer. “But we have one final gift for you, young one.” Then Summer drew her wingtips delicately before her and the air shimmered with heat between them, and then there was a new and different glow – a mysterious stone.  Mara reached out and took the object tentatively.

“Is this a Soulstone?” she asked.