The Unknown Path

Waking with a start Katelin grips the edge of the table in front of her, breath coming in shallow gasps and eyes wide. Falling asleep in the middle of her work wasn’t exactly unusual, but the circumstances were. End of Days and war was coming.

Unfolding her body stiffly from the chair Kate crosses the short distance to the coffee pot on the kitchen counter. Pouring the black sludge into her favorite Mr. Squeaky cup, a quick sip reveals that it is still hot and smoky tasting. Perfect.

Returning to the table with her cup clutched in her hands she looks over her work. Small notes lay out across the table, each graced with a name or place penned in neat handwriting. Ideas crawl through her mind as she lays the last slip of paper in place with a frown.

Her expression sharpens as she opens up access to the gridfeed:

There is a time for secrets. This is not that time.

The Diviners and Prophets of the Shadowlands have crossed their borders to whisper in the ears of those they want to influence. Nar Van of the Unredeemed with his warnings of death and the Obsidian One. Kelesar of the Redeemed arrives with riddles to call for protection of Jobe and to prevent an irreparable breach brought by the Obsidian Army.

For all their time and wisdom on their side of the gate, they suffer the folly of their world rending apart. Blaming one another for the dire ends and holding on to what scraps of territory they can as they make their war within the Shadowlands. Using us to further their agendas.

Their schemes and visions haven’t taught them what is important. They don’t understand that people, when given the chance, can do what is right. Some of us could also use that lesson, setting aside attempts to gain the upper hand while posing as heroes to our causes.

The Obsidian Army is reforming and rebuilding their Cyborg Queen. There is some key to that process hidden within Jobe or the Shadowlands that they seek to complete their mission. All the secrets and schemes reinforce the division. Pointing fingers and spreading rumor about who is to blame does nothing but grease the wheels of war.

Bringing war to Jobe will ensure the destruction that was fought so hard to prevent, by all sides, comes to pass. Repell them and the floating city will not fall. Answer Jobe’s call when it comes, and maybe we can teach the children of the Xan something about what humanity can do.

Jobe is not defenseless. The people of RubiKa are not defenseless. We can all stand together to protect the floating city, and each other.

-Katelin Phare

Disconnecting from the gridfeed she swallows, listening to the playback of the message as it speeds out into the ether. She brushes her hand across the table in defiance before storming to the bedroom to find her gear.

Slips of paper littering the floor at her feet.