Time Rift

[hasbeendispatched]

All irregularities will be handled by the forces controlling each dimension. Transuranic heavy elements may not be used where there is life. Medium atomic weights are available: Gold, Lead, Copper, Jet, Diamond, Radium, Sapphire, Silver and Steel. Sapphire and Steel have been assigned.

The two Elements resolve themselves in a span of verdant forest. In one direction, waves crash against a shoreline which is too much a line to be natural. In another, a jagged rift of oily black and red absolutely reeks time disturbance, mayhem creeping through it like tentacles -- Sapphire can feel the fabric of time tugged in that direction as it whizzes like a spindle out of control, tugging a thread to unravel.

Bizarre, Sapphire comments. We are very far from home. This is a young place.

This is out of control. Operatives should have been sent much sooner, Steel replies, striding towards the monstrosity.

The earth shakes, suddenly, making the trees sway and creak. Steel remains stock-still, feet firmly planted, but Sapphire stumbles and nearly falls before Steel extends a hand to catch her.

It's very strong, Steel, she sends, pressed against his side. We must find the source of the disturbance.

Comments

[sturdycoldsteel]

It's hard to understand how a world could not have Fates. Ten minutes? What?

[hasbeendispatched]

Since you used the first cooling crystal. It should have recharged now.

[sturdycoldsteel]

That was an estimate. She looks at the crystals. A few more minutes. We should go to the next rift now, though.

[hasbeendispatched]

Sapphire makes the face of someone who deeply disapproves of time estimates.

Steel, are you ready to move on?

[steelyglance]

Of course.

[hasbeendispatched]

Good.

To Mountain: Lead the way.

[sturdycoldsteel]

Mountain: Leads the way.

This rift between some kind of swamp or marshland and a flat plain has similar Time Problems to the first one, though less intense and powerful.

[hasbeendispatched]

Then Sapphire can probably fix it without the whole extended rigamarole.

Staring. Weird reverberations.

Time starts behaving itself.

[sturdycoldsteel]

And mountain lets out a slow breath as the local terrain transforms into a mountain, and the rift closes. She sits down on the ground afterward.

"Thanks, you two. That was much faster and easier than I'm used to."

[hasbeendispatched]

"It's no trouble. I'm grateful you've been able to help us find what needs fixing."

[sturdycoldsteel]

"It would probably be a good idea to close some more rifts. There are more that are at time nonsense stage on this continent, and the others near here might still be that bad. But I need to rest my terrain power now, so it'd only be a temporary patch if I led you there."

[hasbeendispatched]

Sapphire confers briefly and telepathically with Steel.

"Given that this is ... clearly outside our usual range, I'm not sure we'll be able to return if we leave. It might be best if we stay here for the immediate future. How long do you estimate it will take to fix all of the time problems?"

[sturdycoldsteel]

"In the entire world? Forever. Someone will always be stupid or negligent enough to let more form. On this particular continent, perhaps a week. Ugh, rifts are nasty."

[hasbeendispatched]

"A week, at least, we can do. And then we can go back and speak to the Council about it, and see if they have any idea what's happening."

[sturdycoldsteel]

"I'm convinced the world is a bigger place than either of us imagined until just now... What would you like to do until my terrain power returns?"

[hasbeendispatched]

"It would be interesting to meet the other Fates. If nothing else, the Council will want to know about the practicality of coordinating with them."

[sturdycoldsteel]

"There are many other Fates. Probably thousands, the world over. The other ones on this continent in descending order of my esteem in them are: Bale of coral reefs, Einria of lava slopes, Ludo of the swamp, Tenno of forests, and Ysender of deserts. It's traditional to call Fates by their name and 'of associated terrain'. I'm strange since I simply call myself 'mountain'."

[hasbeendispatched]

"I'm willing to go off your estimation of their abilities. And I have to say, I find your own naming choice more natural. We call ourselves after our Elements in the same way."

[sturdycoldsteel]

"The problem in that is that there is more than one mountain-ocean Fate. I'm the only one here, at least. I would just fall back on Jean if it ever becomes a problem."

[hasbeendispatched]

"Inelegant," Sapphire sniffs.

[sturdycoldsteel]

"Well I don't know the mechanism for how Fates come to be, just the process, or I might well try and change it to make more sense."

[hasbeendispatched]

Nod. "Not everything is known about the origins of Elements, either. It's a complex field -- I think it starts to impinge on quantum mechanics, but it's not my area."

[sturdycoldsteel]

"Quantum..." What an interesting concept. "I'd like to mull that over for a while. Telepathy is distracting."

[hasbeendispatched]

"It does take a while to get used to, doesn't it? Do you have somewhere Steel can rest for a while? He'll deny it, but the supercooling wears him out like nothing else."

[sturdycoldsteel]

"I can fly you to my [temple/home]. It'd take two hours or so. Or I could buy you two a hotel room, or I could build a simple shelter right here."