Calan - The Immortality Paradox

Chapter Twelve: The Reaper of Sylfaenydd, Part Three

Tir Gwerin was a levelled plain stretching between Prifddinas and Coedwig. Filaments of deincodyn carpeted the landscape; millions of thin, purple canes of silicate growing across every parcel of the planet's surface. Frail tendrils barely centimetres in diameter zig-zagged their way into the sky to capture the light of Tanwen. They even sprouted up the embankment of a southern mountainside that obscured the capital city from view. Any other species might have perceived it a barren wasteland, but the Calan valued its beauty and true function. Deep into this territory - only visible by the keen sensitivity of the Calan's quantum gaze - a segment of the energy cultivation bore evidence of a visitor. Brittle fragments of the deincodyn were strewn across the landscape, some flattened and pulverised by a weighted object. The interstellar vessel had been powerful enough to scorch the land, leaving a blackened trail through the field; telling a tale of its departure. A queer gathering of individuals observed the debris. Unable to express anger or distress, they resorted to quantifying the damage and deducing the events that occurred.

A large ehedydd swooped above, periodically casting shadows on the scene as its cerrated, aerodynamic body glided across particles in the atmosphere. Its sensors observed the Llywydd at the centre of the group of Calan as they examined the imprint of the Human spaceship. The gathering were not ghostly apparitions, transmitting their corporeal anatomies across the planet; they were present and whole. In the Llywydd's company there was Pendant Cynorthwy, Cysgod Tywysydd, Gobeithiol Ysbryd, Cyfaill Natur and Awyr Ceidwad. The majority were Ystyrtwr, but the others had their purposes. The continuous thrumming of an Alawcloch in the background provided enough energy for Cyfaill Natur to attract Trychfilynod to the surface. Thousands of Byzantium-encrusted creatures spilled from a fissure like an erupting volcano from where the Calan's limb speared the soil. The mass of insects organised their army along the ground in definite shapes as they gradually reenacted a memory. The ehedydd watched proceedings with a ferocious appetite, but it dared not disturb the Gardeners' work.

Awyr Ceidwad traversed the quantum web tentatively from their position at the perimeter of the landing zone. Although it remained unconfirmed, it was Ceidwad who was responsible for this catastrophe. They were the guardian of Sylfaenydd; the watcher of the skies. The purpose of Y Porth was to avoid the sudden arrival of unwanted visitors; restrict them if necessary. But they had let someone through. And that someone had committed an act of universal condemnation that had never occurred on Sylfaenydd before. Every Calan knew it, because every one had felt it. Unaccustomed as they were to death.

Godkiller. The quantum voice of Llywydd Tywysydd was blunt, like a stroke of lightning. Does the device continue to dim your visibility, Cymydog?

Agreeing with the Llywydd would mean confessing to their mistake. But if they were already aware of Godkiller's blinding power, then the Llywydd had already deduced an oversight. Yes. It required minimal effort to reply.

It has dampened our cumulative ability. The moment it entered our atmosphere, the device has made our power vulnerable. Hafan has developed a strange blight; energy has not flowed so slowly before. As keeper of our home, Awyr, you have evolved an acute sensitivity to the surroundings over millions of years; it is only natural that your ability is suppressed to a greater extent than others. Sylfaenydd screams, and its pain prevails within your Enaid.

Members of the Ystyrtwr were silent, but their watchful presence revealed that this conclusion had already been dissected many times. Manwl Arolygydd perceived a terrifying energy within its design. What has conjured it, Llywydd?

Examinations continue. An element of frustration transformed the communicative wavefunction into a lazy, uninspired quiver. The Gwirioneddwyr have unlocked some of its secrets, but explanations remain elusive. Its origin and spatial pathways are as incoherent as the quantum web it invades.