The Orbs of Aeol

Summer Camp 2021 Article - Under Construction

Thías stared in confusion at the Librarian. "What do you mean? How can I talk to someone who is on the other side of the world at this very moment?"
The old man hesitated for a moment. "It is not my decision to show you this device boy." He said. "For me, the risk is far too great. Yet She, She believes in you. And I trust Her. But you know you can reveal none of this to anyone else. If you do, you and whoever you told will be killed. You know you can hide nothing from Her."
"And you know very well I can perfectly keep secrets old man." Thías replied, feeling a bit insulted.
The Librarian nodded and sighed. "Very well. Follow me."
Thías had never been to this part of the Tower before. It was a secret staircase, much like others he knew about. But instead of leading them to known parts of the Tower, it led them to a single room, higher than he had ever been. Light fell in through tall windows, blinding him for a moment as he stepped through the door. When his eyes had finally adjusted, he saw a sparsely decorated room with a pedestal in the middle. On top of the pedestal lay a round object covered by a cloth. Movement to his right caught his attention. It was then that he noticed She was standing there. Her white hair aglow in the sunlight. She smiled at him, her blind eyes somehow fixated on him as if she could see him standing there. "Thías. I am so glad you accepted our offer."

A secret well kept

The Orbs of Aeol are one of the best-kept secrets on Ealdwyll. There are seven orbs scattered all over the world in strategic places. Each orb is owned by a member from an ancient organization once known as The Chosen Ones. This organization is so old it has long been erased from human memory. Because these orbs are vital to the secret work this organisation does, it is very rare for anyone outside their group to learn about their existence. Even the loss of one orb would make their work far more difficult. It could put many lives, and not to mention the world, at risk. Secrecy is their best defence.

The Orbs are vital to our work. No one but us can ever know they exist. Should they fall into the wrong hands, the result would be devastating.

— Excerpt from a journal written by the Librarian

"What is it?" Thías asked with a look at the covered object.
The Oracle walked over to the pedestal. With one swift motion, she pulled the cloth from the dark-blue orb beneath it. The fabric floated through the air until it nestled on the floor. "It is an Orb of Aeol. An artefact so old your human brain can't even comprehend. But that is not important. I want you to be well, Thías."
"But I never ... ." He started, and then he sighed. What a ridiculous thought. Of course she knew.
Achala simply smiled and continued as if he had never interrupted her. "We both know a regular healer can not help you. And you can not heal yourself. I know you tried. Many times. So we need someone who can give you the knowledge you need to get well."
Thías did not know what to say. No one had ever cared about him. Even though she had been the one who had saved him, and looked after him the past few years, he never thought she would care enough to reveal this secret to him. He guessed the orb was some sort of device for communication. Or perhaps transportation? He had never heard of anything like it.
"Come closer." She beckoned him.
After a brief hesitation, Thías walked closer to the orb. He was vaguely aware of the Librarian standing at the door. His eyes were fixated on Achala though. She was turning a series of discs on the pedestal.
"What are you doing?" Thías whispered.
"I am dialing the correct person." She smiled, then chuckled. "We wouldn't want to bother the wrong person now would we?"
For some reason that sentence send shivers down his spine. With a soft click the last disc fell into place. A soft crackling noise came from the orb, at the same time it seemed as if the opaque orb became translucent, and he could see fog twirling inside of it. A few moments later, a face appeared out of the fog. Followed by a deep voice. "Achala, what a surprise. Everything alright on your side of the planet?"
A scream made both the unknown man and Achala look up at Thías. It took him a few moments before he realised he had been the one that screamed.

~ ~ ~ ~

Thías quietly followed the Librarian back through the secret corridors. His mind was trying to understand what had just happened. The knowledge he had gained.
"Are you alright boy?" the Librarian asked, looking over his shoulder.
He nodded. "A little shaken up I guess."
The old man nodded. "Understandable."
"You are like her, aren't you?" He blurted out.
The Librarian stood still and turned around to look him in the eye. For a moment the man looked extremely tired. As if the weight of centuries pressed down on him. Then he smiled and turned back around continuing their descent. Thías did not expect an answer until he heard the old man's voice.
"Some knowledge, my boy, is better left untouched."