Calan - The Immortality Paradox

Chapter Seventeen: The Secrets of Castell, Part One

Location: Castell, Canol System

Date: 402, OA19,655

Castell was unlike any planet, space station or celestial habitation Kalet Steale had seen before. Chambers stretched and compressed, walls changed facade - sometimes a simple fluorescent purple, other times carvings of Leonian beasts and fauna emerged from the Craigfywyd like living replicants - and the very air could reform its temperature and aroma. At one point, as the Leonian delegates congregated in the central part of their segment in Castell to enjoy the leisure facilities, the space around them expanded as if it was aware of their presence and adjusted proportions accordingly. Early reactions from the assortment of politicians was mostly positive, but the Professor did find amusement in the Administrator's blatant aversion, as if he was afraid the very walls were about to engulf him permanently in a cocoon. Kalet wished they would.

It was the personal touches that charmed the Professor the most. His chamber changed shape each day, but it regularly depicted effigies of memories in his past. Two satellites in perfect orbit around a white planet; the towers of the Starrise Academy reflected in the Infinite Sea; and the jagged skyline of the Blanc mountain range, as if his thoughts were projected into the Calan material. Sometimes - especially when he slept - he thought he could hear a familiar melody emitted by the silicone, but he could not remember where he'd heard it before, let alone understand how the walls themselves could emulate such buried memories. It was everything he believed the Calan to be; architects of tranquility.

After many days awakening in this realm of creative power, Kalet did not think anything else could surprise him. However, one day his logical mind was dealt a further challenge. He awoke after a short sleep to find a part of his chamber partitioned by an archway of branches, like those formed by unmanageable ivy over the damp surface of a building. There was no sign of the outlined exit that led to the rest of the Leonian company. Instead the archway led to a tunnel that stretched as far as he could see.

Bemused by its appearance, it was only in the midst of lazily undressing and redressing in a more formal attire did he recall a message he'd received upon arrival. The Coeden will extend its branch when you are required. This was Llywydd Tywysydd's signal.

Rapidly gathering his necessary possessions together and taking a few sips of a cup of vanilla and banana-flavoured beverage, which tasted strikingly similar to his favourite drink, he headed for the tunnel. The Llywydd had finally decided to welcome him. He hoped above anything else that this meeting would provide some much-needed clarity on his part to play in the Gathering.

The tunnel was long, and in walking the distance, Kalet felt a dizzying sensation that he was being guided along a winding route through the entirety of Castell. Just as the muscles in his thighs were about to succumb to tiredness, he found the pathway emerging into a larger chamber where the light from the Craigfywyd glowed with intensite, yet optimism. However, what Kalet anticipated to be a private consultation was in fact a conference in itself.

Four other Humans were already seated in temporary chairs fashioned by the helix contortions of the Craigfywyd. From behind, he could not tell who they were. He suddenly realised that his throat was dry and cursed himself for not bringing his beverage along for the meeting. As he properly entered the chamber, he was greeted by a familiar resonating.

Thank you for attending, Professor. Welcome to the Ffynon. Your insight will alleviate our partiality. Please be seated.

Llywydd Tywysydd resided opposite the seated Humans. A magnificent figure, standing at over nine-feet tall, a richly powerful midnight-blue body tethered like an anchored sapling between floor and ceiling. Offshoots of sinewy silicate dispersed in all directions around the Llywydd like the convoluted neural nexus of a Human brain. The light surrounding them appeared brighter still, mimicking the thriving core of a star. The other Humans did not move to address the Professor's appearance as if they were all transfixed by the Calan's natural beauty.