Ancient Dark Memory

Ancient Memory

Two figures stand before what appears to be a primitive altar of a large humanoid crudely carved into into a stone pillar over 5 meters tall; the stone figure is bound in chains which glimmer with a complex metallic sheen, belying their crude construction.

On the left stands a human man with an armored vest over grey robes, a sword which resonates to force senses slung across his back. On the right, a woman with white face paint in elaborate pale green robes and copper ornamentation. After a long moment regarding the statue, the man speaks.

???: Are you sure this is the best course Zalkeen?
Zalkeen: Of course not. I simply have no better option, nor do you.
???: The power he wielded--
Zalkeem: He WIELDED nothing! {She turns to him angrily.} I EARN the Fanged God's blessings, you channel your 'Bogan' by mastering your rage. He was nothing more than a vessel, the corruption wielded him. It will not allow it to spread any further.
???: But his spirit will never stop trying to reform, we should find more actual caretakers for the fragments...
Zalkeem: And now you will conjure some new option we have not already discussed, tesed, or killed? who can we trust with such power? You'd sooner kill me than let me keep one, and I'd do the same to you.
{She pauses as the man nods; she continues in a tired impatient tone}
Zalkeem: Your world would be wrecked by storms,.. your brethren are fools, and my daughters... They are not ready. {After holding his gaze for a long moment, he finally looks away. she sighs, turning back to the statue} The primitives of this world will have no means to free him, and their crude prayers will keep him placated.{She gives him a thoughtful, arrogant look} Unless you're willing to reconsider destruction?
???: Absolutely not! Master Tokare was one of our wisest, and even he became a blight that nearly destroyed us. Three living worlds consumed, hundreds of Je'daii killed before he was destroyed; I won't unleash that upon the galaxy 6 more times.
Zalkeem: The deaths could be harvested, made useful. But if you still refuse, then accept my cages, imperfect though they may be.
???: And the final fragments? You remain set on your choices?
Zalkeem: {She nods more calmly} The Killik hive will overwhelm even his immense will, he will be suppressed there; And the Necropolis at Pesegam will be comforting to him, the spirits will never cease their war for his influence, but none of them shall ever leave the planet.
???: {The man nods again, more calamly} I know and... I apologize. I just wish there was an answer I didn't hate this much. We both know all our best has managed is to delay the inevitable. Hopefully for centuries, but still. One day one of the fragments will find a willing host and when that happens this all starts again.
Zalkeem: A problem for future generations, Master Ketu. Train you acolytes well, and I will teach my daughters. Theirs will be the task of cleansing the life stream if it is re-corrupted. Perhaps they will even surpass us and destroy it.
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The vision fades away to darkness.