the-terminal-archive

[the-terminal-archive]

Everything was blurry.

It was hard to see who was doing what, and I was a bit careless in defending myself, not to mention that the so-called “illusionist” was doing nothing!!! My head was hurting, but I knew the more I threw out these weapons- even if I didn’t know what they would hit, the more likely it was that some of the pieces of this monster would be chinked off and killed… And, for a moment, time seemed to stop. None of us could move, save for Sunstone. He drew back a hand and clenched it, and one by one, all of our attacks were...they were recovered? I suppose I must eat my words, perhaps this one actually knows what they’re doing. Horrific...I would not wish to be on the receiving end of this. And thus, the beast had to relive our attacks all at once. All in a moment. And, as such, several bits were broken off, my headache lightening considerably as- “There’s more of them!!!” Ah. Nevermind. I guess I’m not going to feel hope so quickly. Looking back, I saw the mass of other Mica. Why were they even here?! They were yellow gems, were they not?! Where did so many come from?? I attempted to kill off as many as I could, but I only had so many blades to throw before I had to play 52 knife pickup. In short, there were just too many of them. I looked around, desperate...how were we going to get overwhelmed by something so weak??? The Mica turned to Seraph, who had been trying to steer clear of any harm that could potentially befall him. My breath hitched as I saw him replicate the little signal Ametrine suggested we use as he was backed into a corner. We were separated, I...There was no way I was going to reach him... “Oh, so that’s what all of this ruckus is for. Apologies, that should be one of my problems to take care of.” There was a snap, and in an instant, the beast- and all of its components- were broken into pieces courtesy of some rutile spikes that shot out of the surrounding terrain. There was also a little ball of blue that dropped from the ceiling- just what was that?? It…definitely shouldn’t be here. Ametrine perked up, going over and picking whatever it was up. …Seemed to be a Larimar. I couldn’t think much of it, just…stare in shock of the situation that had overcome us. I haven’t existed for long, and yet… this must be the jeweler I’m faced with. A jeweler had to come save us, of all people. I looked away, eyes glued to the floor. I didn’t bother to look him over, but… it was written all over him that he was more than just a run-of-the-mill gem. There wasn’t even a coating of outer rock or other sediment, he was just…pure gem. My embarrassment was sky-high. My first time fighting before someone of high authority, and I failed miserably. “Thank you for helping us, Champagne Topaz.” Seraph started the conversation for us with a smile. “These beasts are very hard to keep up with, are they not?” “They’ve been getting worse over time, I’m afraid.” the jeweler responded with a sigh. “It can’t be helped that the jewelers must keep their places safe. A shame that Andalusite isn’t here… He used to be such a kind fellow.” There was a pause, perhaps because the ones below him didn’t know how to act…? Were they starstruck, or scared? “I have been doing my best to keep the place safe, but once there’s so many-” “It’s alright, Sunstone.” Topaz smiled at him. “As one of the few- if not the only remaining orange gem, we’re lucky you even have the strength of glass. Speaking of which- Come with me. Tsavorite, I take it you’ve come here from what we’ve discussed earlier?” …Tsavorite- Oh, right. That was me he was talking about. Sure, my response was a little delayed, but… “Hm? Ah- yes. I have.” “And you have protected Seraphinite well. What a wonderful gem he is…” He smiled. “I’ll give him a drink on the house, he must have gone through a lot of stress to be here.” “Indeed, he has been.” “You know- we haven’t seen each other in so long. Why are you so down? You’re usually jumping at the bait to talk to me.” “O-Oh, well… I’m simply lost in thought.” “What about?” What about…? Dammit- how could I bring anything up?!

I know almost nothing about the workings of this world!!! “What’s it like to be yourself?” “Thinking of me, are we?” He teased, nudging me. I did not know how to feel about this. “Well, it’s like the other jewelers around. I simply keep up the casino we live in, make sure nothing from out here gets in…the works. I do have to worry about everyone’s well-being in Signal, and.. Hah, I’ve come up with a means to keep them all happy.” “In a casino? Don’t people gamble their lives away there?” “They tend to drink, as well. I’m a bit of a therapist for them, let’s just say.” A therapist…? How would words possibly help gems in a dying world?? “So, you soothe them, by giving people drinks that lighten them up?” “Not quite. I do offer it should they need it, but… my words are important to them, as well.” He shrugged. I didn’t really know how to respond, not that I would be able to once I found the words to speak. There was a loud thump, and I whipped around– only to see that Ametrine had fallen on their face. “Goodness, be more careful with yourself. I wouldn’t want you to get scuffed up, quartz.” The jeweler remarked. “Mmm, nooo!! It was this lil’ blue guy that made me do it!” They pointed to the small Larimar, and Topaz rolled his eyes. “Right, surely something that small was able to get you to trip. Let’s just keep going.” He huffed, looking back at me. “So, Tsavorite… What’s your relationship with Seraphinite like?” This was going to be a long walk. ~ “ .. / ... . . / - .... . / -.. . ...- .. -.-. . / .-- . / ..- ... . / - --- / -.-. --- -- -- ..- -. .. -.-. .- - . / .. ... … ”

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[the-terminal-archive]

Many times? What could he possibly mean by that? “But, you haven’t been there since Savvy found you!” “I know, Ametrine, but...I tend to forget things if enough time has passed. It’s not as if I want to! But… some things I’d rather forget.” “Was this place one of them?” “Sort of, yes.” The words got the new gem to perk up, seeming to be unknowing of what could possibly be the cause for such concern. “I know there’s a lot of beasts here, but-” “That’s not what this is about. This is about your jeweler, Andalusite.” “Anda- hm...hm…” They looked at Seraphinite nervously at the mention of that gem’s name, then glanced down, as if trying to avoid the eyesight of someone that likely wouldn’t even see them. “Did he do something to you?” “Let’s not get into that. However, I...hah, let’s just say I was tasked to keep him safe. We all can probably guess how that went.” “I cannot, I don’t even know who they are.” “Oh! O-Of course you don’t, silly little me.” The other green gem nervously laughed, looking at the gem who still won’t give us their name. “Would you mind explaining? If I did, we would be here for a while.” “Yeah! Andalusite was a bit of a weirdo, and though I never knew him personally, he always seemed to be hiding a lot behind his smile! He said he’d keep us safe from the beasts, though...knowing now that it was really Mr. Sleepster over here… Hah...maybe he wanted this place to go to ruin? But, that doesn’t make any sense, considering that-” “He died, didn’t he?” I know I should not have assumed such, but given how they spoke of him… He seemed to be in pieces. “There’s not much that could have killed him, you know. Nothing orange, anyways. Weren’t they all just-” “It was a horde of them, Demantoid.” Seraph looked down, seeming a little guilty. “There was no way I was going to properly hold them all off.” “Yet your injuries came from...Chronicle? When so many beasts decided to attack two people, and two alone?” “Half-truths get one far in this world. It will get you far so long as you call yourself Tsavorite, hm?” It was said in a teasing manner, but… such a phrase just made me even more worried for him. “But...Ametrine said the wounds weren’t that major!” “Half-truths get one far.” he repeated with a sigh. It sent me into a confusion. And as the three continued to speak amongst themselves, I struggled to shake off my own thoughts. Lying by omission? Is that what this is? Was lying what everyone just so happened to do so well? What...what was this unsettling feeling, that nothing could be real at any given moment? “Demmie?” Ametrine’s voice made my gaze dart out of my mind’s commotion. “I-I’m fine, just… how do I know he’s actually dead, then?” “We found his shards. There’s no need to worry, lying about any part of that would mean my death! It’s not often a jeweler dies, and to witness it…” “You saw him get shattered before you?” “Mhm. Killed by quite an...odd gem.” Seraph narrowed his eyes as he tried to make sense of it. “Andalusite was weak already, so I have no doubt in my mind that this was done with ease… But the gem that carried out the deed was a citrine. It wasn’t like you, Ametrine, I can promise, but something felt… off about it.” Ametrine seemed to be hit a little too hard that a citrine carried this out, their eyes wide and staring at the one being carried. They seemed too scared to speak, even though it’s a well known fact that citrine is very common… it could “What was off about it, then?” I asked for the smaller gem. “It looked...perfect. Too perfect, for something meant to be the exact opposite.” “A-And the only means of that happening is...” The unnamed gem looked to the floor, spotting a very tiny piece of Mica once more. It was surrounded by a few friends of its own. “If the gem were to be synthetic.” “But, why would anyone want to make a beast?” “A-A freak accident, I think.” they answered for me, scratching an arm out of nervous habit. The Mica were following. As if they were listening to every last drop of information… I dare not disturb them now, as much as I should. I’m worried for this

place...for what...other places could be. Some little fragments of Mica could never compare… And so the Mica would cluster further and further, becoming a mass that nobody could ignore...and by then, it was already too late. I hadn’t said a word. The ringing in my mind was numbing, and I did not react. Why…? Why did I suddenly feel so hollow? The mass had a constantly shifting form, never keeping a solid figure for a second. “Well…” The newcomer sighed. “Just before we reach Signal, as well… geez. I can make quick work of it.” “Can you?” “With a bit of illusion work?” They smiled. “Anything is possible with that!” -- .-..-. -. --- / ... .. --. -. .- .-.. --..-- / .- --. .- .. -. ..--.. .-..-. / .-..-. .. .----. -- / ... --- .-. .-. -.-- -.-.-- / .. .----. ...- . / -... . . -. / - .-. -.-- .. -. --. / .-- .... . .-. . ...- . .-. / .. / -.-. --- ..- .-.. -.. -.-.-- .-..-. / .-..-. ... --- / --- ..- .-. / ... .--. --- - / .. ... -. .----. - / ... .- ..-. . / .- -. -.-- -- --- .-. . .-.-.- .-.-.- .-.-.- .. / -.. --- / .-- --- -. -.. . .-. / .. ..-. / - .... . / ... . . .. -. --. / ... - --- -. . / .... .- ... / -.-. .- ..- --. .... - / --- -. - --- / ..- ... .-.-.- .-..-. / -- ..- ... --. .-. .- ...- .. - . / ... .. --. .... . -.. --..-- / - .- -.- .. -. --. / - .... . / .... .- -. -.. / --- ..-. / ..--.. ..--.. ..--.. / .- -. -.. / .-.. --- --- -.- .. -. --. / .- .-. --- ..- -. -.. .-.-.- / .-..-. .- .-.. .-. .. --. .... - .-.-.- / .-- . / -.-. .- -. / - .-. -.-- / - --- / -.-. --- -. - .- -.-. - / - .... . -- / .-.. .- - . .-. .-.-.- / .. / -.. --- / .... --- .--. . / - .... .- - / -.-. .... .-. --- -. .. -.-. .-.. . / .. ... / ... - .. .-.. .-.. / ... .- ..-. . .-.-.- .-..-. / .-..-. .... --- .-- / .-- --- ..- .-.. -.. / -.-- --- ..- / -.- -. --- .-- / .. ..-. / .. - / .. ... ..--.. .-..-. / .-..-. -. . .. - .... . .-. / --- ..-. / ..- ... / -.- -. --- .-- .-.-.- / .. ..-. / .- / -... . .- ... - / ..-. .. -. -.. ... / ..- ... / - .... . .-. . --..-- / .-- . / - .- -.- . / - .... . / .. -- .--. --- .-. - .- -. - / - .... .. -. --. ... / .- -. -.. / .-.. . .- ...- . .-.-.- .-..-. / .-..-. .-- --- -. .----. - / -.-. .... .- .-. --- .. - . / -. --- - .. -.-. . -.-.-- ..--.. .-..-. / .-..-. - .... .- - / -.. --- . ... -. .----. - / -- .- - - . .-. .-.-.- / .-- . / .-- .. .-.. .-.. / .-.. . .- ...- . / .- -. -.. / -- .- -.- . / .- / -... . . .-.. .. -. . / ..-. --- .-. / - .... . / .-- .- ... - . ... .-.-.- .-..-. / .-..-. .-- .... -.-- / - .... . .-. . ..--.. -.-.-- / .-- . / -.-. --- ..- .-.. -.. / -.. .. . / .. -. / - .... . .-. . -.-.-- .-..-. / .-..-. .-- . / -.-. --- ..- .-.. -.. / -.. .. . / .- -. -.-- .-- .... . .-. . / -... ..- - / .... . .-. . -.-.-- / - .... .- - / .. ... / - .... . / .--. .-.. .- -.-. . / .-- .... . .-. . / .-- . / .-- .. .-.. .-.. / .--. ..- - / - .... . / .-.. . .- ... - / --- ..-. / --- ..- .-. / .-- --- .-. .-. .. . ... -.-.-- / - .... . .-. . .----. ... / -. --- / .--- . .-- . .-.. . .-. / - .... . .-. . --..-- / .- -. -.. / .. - .----. ... / . .- ... -.-- / - --- / .... .. -.. . .-.-.- .-.-.- .-.-.- . ...- . .-. -.-- --- -. . / - .... . .-. . / ... . . -- ... / - --- / -... . / ..-. .. -. . / .- ... / .-- . .-.. .-.. --..-- / -. --- - / - --- / -- . -. - .. --- -. / - .... .- - .----. ... / .-- .... . .-. . / - .... .- - / --. .-. --- ..- .--. / .. ... / --. --- .. -. --. / - --- / .... . .- -.. / -... .- -.-. -.- / - --- --..-- / .-. .. --. .... - ..--.. .-..-. / ... .... . / ... .. --. .... . -.. --..-- / .-.. . .- -.. .. -. --. / ..--.. ..--.. ..--.. / .- .-- .- -.-- .-.-.- / .-..-. .. / .-- --- ..- .-.. -.. / - .- -.- . / ..- ... / - --- / - .... . / ... .- -. -.-. - .. --- -. --..-- / -... ..- - / .. / -.. --- ..- -... - / .- / --. .- -- -... .. - / --- ..-. / - .... .- - / ... -.-. .- .-.. . / .-- --- ..- .-.. -.. / -... . / -.. . .- -.. .-.. -.-- .-.-.- / .--. .-.. . .- ... . --..-- / ..--.. ..--.. ..--.. --..-- / -.-- --- ..- / -- ..- ... - / - .-. ..- ... - / -- . .-.-.- .-..-. / - .... . / - .- .-.. .-.. . .-. / --- -. . / -- .- -. .- --. . -.. / - --- / --. . - / .- / -. --- -..

/ ..-. .-. --- -- / - .... . / --- - .... . .-. .-.-.- / .. - / .-- .- ... / .... . ... .. - .- -. - --..-- / -.-- . ... --..-- / -... ..- - / .. - / .-- .- ... / -.-. --- -- .--. .-.. .. .- -. -.-. . / .- .-.. .-.. / - .... . / ... .- -- . .-.-.- / -- ..- ... --. .-. .- ...- .. - . / ... - --- .--. .--. . -.. / ..-. --- .-. / .- / -- --- -- . -. - --..-- / ... - .-. --- -.- .. -. --. / ..--.. ..--.. ..--.. .----. ... / .... .- .. .-. .-.-.- / .-..-. - .... .- -. -.- / -.-- --- ..- .-.-.- / .. / .--. .-. --- -- .. ... . .-.-.- .-.-.- .-.-.- .. / .-- .. .-.. .-.. / -.- . . .--. / -.-- --- ..- / ... .- ..-. . .-.-.- / .-- . .----. .-.. .-.. / ... . . / ... . .-. .- .--. .... / .- --. .- .. -. --..-- / --- -.- .- -.-- ..--.. / .. ..-. / .-- . / -- --- ...- . / - --- / - .... . / .-- .- ... - . ... --..-- / -.-- --- ..- .----. -.. / -... . / .- -... .-.. . / - --- / ... . . / .... .. -- / .- / .-.. --- - / ..-. .- ... - . .-. --..-- / .... -- ..--.. .-..-. / .-..-. .-- . .----. .-.. .-.. / ... . . / .... .. -- / .- --. .- .. -. .-.-.- .-.-.- .-.-.- ..--.. .-..-. / .-..-. .- -. -.. / .... . / .-- --- -. .----. - / ... .- -.-- / -.-- --- ..- .-. / -. .- -- . .-.-.- .-..-. / .-..-. .- .... .-.-.- .-.-.- .-.-.- -.-.-- / .- -. -.. / - .... . / --. .-. --- ..- .--. / .... . .----. ... / .-- .. - .... / -.-. .- -. / .... . .-.. .--. / ..- -. -.-. --- ...- . .-. / - .... . / -... .- -.. / - .... .. -. --. ... / - .... . / .-- --- .-. .-.. -.. / .... .- ... -.-.-- -.-.-- -.-.-- / .-- . / -.-. --- ..- .-.. -.. / .... .- ...- . / ... --- / -- .- -. -.-- / - .. . ... -.-.-- .-..-. / .-..-. - .... .- - .----. ... / - .... . / ... .--. .. .-. .. - .-.-.- .-..-. / - .... . / .--. ..- .-. .--. .-.. . / --. . -- / ... -- .. .-.. . -.. --..-- / -.-. --- -. - .. -. ..- .. -. --. / - --- / .-.. . .- -.. / -.. --- .-- -. / - .... . / - .-- .. ... - .. -. --. / .... .- .-.. .-.. ... / --- ..-. / - .... .. ... / . -. -.. .-.. . ... ... / .-.. .. -... .-. .- .-. -.-- .-.-.- / .-- .... .. .-.. . / .-.. --- --- -.- .. -. --. / ..- .--. / .- -. -.. / -.. --- .-- -. / - .... . / .... .- .-.. .-.. ... --..-- / ..--.. ..--.. ..--.. / ... .-.. .. .--. .--. . -.. / --- -. . / -... --- --- -.- / ..-. .-. --- -- / - .... . / ... .... . .-.. ..-. .-.-.- / .-..-. .-.-.- .-.-.- .-.-.- .-- .... .. -.-. .... / --- -. . / .. ... / - .... .- - ..--.. .-..-. / .-..-. .. - .----. ... / ... --- -- . - .... .. -. --. / --- -. . / --- ..-. / - .... . / --- ..- - ... .. -.. . .-. ... / .- ... -.- . -.. / ..-. --- .-. -.-.-- / -.-. .- - .----. ... / . -.-- . / ... -.-. .- .--. --- .-.. .. - . .-.-.- .-.-.- .-.-.- / .. / -.. --- -. .----. - / .-. . .- .-.. .-.. -.-- / -.- -. --- .-- / .-- .... -.-- / - .... . -.-- / .-- --- ..- .-.. -.. / .- ... -.- / ..-. --- .-. / ... --- -- . - .... .. -. --. / .-.. .. -.- . / - .... .. ... --..-- / -... ..- - / .. / -.. --- -. .----. - / -- .. -. -.. / .-.. --- --- -.- .. -. --. / .- - / .. - / ..-. --- .-. / - .... . -- -.-.-- / -- .- -.-- -... . / - .... . -.-- / -.- -. --- .-- / ... --- -- . - .... .. -. --. / .. -. - . .-. . ... - .. -. --. / - .... .- - / .-- . / -.. --- / -. --- - -.-.-- .-..-. / .-..-. .--. . .-. .... .- .--. ... / ... --- .-.-.- .-.-.- .-.-.- .-.. . - / ..- ... / ... . - - .-.. . / ... --- -- . .-- .... . .-. . --..-- / .- -. -.. / - .... . -. / -.-- --- ..- / -.-. .- -. / .... .- -. -.. / --- ..-. ..-. / .- -. -.-- - .... .. -. --. / .. -- .--. --- .-. - .- -. - / - --- / - .... .- - / --- -. . / .--. . .-. ... --- -. --..-- / .... -- ..--.. .-..-. / .-..-. -.-. .- -. / .-- . / ... . - - .-.. . / -. . .- .-. / - .... . / -.. --- -.-. ..- -- . -. - .- - .. --- -. / --- ..-. / .- -. -.. .- .-.. ..- ... .. - . ..--.. .-..-. / .-..-. - .... .- - / --- -. . .-.-.- .-.-.- .-.-.- ..--.. / .-- .... -.-- ..--.. .-..-. / .-..-. ... --- -- . - .... .. -. --. / .- .-.. .-- .- -.-- ... / ... - .-. ..- -.-. -.- / -- . / .- ... / .-- . .. .-. -.. .-.-.- / .. / .-- --- ..- .-.. -.. / .- .-.. ... --- / .-.. .. -.- . / - --- / ... . . / .-- .... .- - . ...- . .-. / .. -. ..-. --- .-. -- .- - .. --- -. / - .... . .-. . / ..

... / --- -. / - .... . / --- -. . / - .... . / --. .-. --- ..- .--. / -.- . . .--. ... / ... .--. . .- -.- .. -. --. / --- ..-. --..-- / - ... .- ...- --- .-. .. - . .-.-.- .-..-. / .-..-. .... ..- .... ..--.. .-..-. / .-..-. ... --- -- . - .... .. -. --. .-.-.- .-.-.- .-.-.- -.. --- . ... -. .----. - / ..-. . . .-.. / .-. .. --. .... - .-.-.- / -... ..- - --..-- / .. - / -.-. --- ..- .-.. -.. / -... . / .--- ..- ... - / -- . .-.-.- .-..-. / .-..-. ..--.. ..--.. ..--.. --..-- / -.-- --- ..- / .-- . .-. . / - .... . / --- -. . / - .... .- - / -.-. --- -. ...- .. -. -.-. . -.. / -- . / - .... .- - / - .... .. -. --. ... / .-- . .-. . / -... . -.-. --- -- .. -. --. / .... . .-.. .-.. .. ... .... -.-.-- .-..-. / .-..-. .. / -.- -. --- .-- --..-- / .. / -.- -. --- .-- -.-.-- / .. / .--- ..- ... - .-.-.- .-.-.- .-.-.- / .. / .-- .- -. - / - --- / -... . / ... ..- .-. . / --- ..-. / .-- .... .- - / .. / - .... .. -. -.- / .. ... / - .... . / -.-. .- ... . .-.-.- .-..-. / .-..-. .. ..-. / -.-- --- ..- / ... .- -.-- / ... --- .-.-.- .-.-.- .-.-.- .-..-. / - .... . / - .-- --- / ..-. .. -. .- .-.. .-.. -.-- / -.-. .- -- . / - --- / .- / ... - --- .--. --..-- / -- ..- ... --. .-. .- ...- .. - . / ... .. - - .. -. --. / .-- .... .. .-.. . / ..--.. ..--.. ..--.. / -.-. --- .-.. .-.. . -.-. - . -.. / .- / ..-. . .-- / .--. .. .-.. .-.. --- .-- ... / .- .-. --- ..- -. -.. / - .... . / .- .-. . .- / .- -. -.. / .--. .-.. --- .--. .--. .. -. --. / - .... . -- / -.. --- .-- -. / .- .-. --- ..- -. -.. / - .... . -- --..-- / ... --- -- . - .. -- . ... / .... .. - - .. -. --. / - .... . / - .- .-.. .-.. . .-. / --. . -- / --- -. / - .... . / .... . .- -.. .-.-.- / .. - / .-- .- ... / - .... . -. / - .... . / ... .... --- .-. - . .-. / .-- . -. - / --- ..-. ..-. --..-- / .-.. . .- ...- .. -. --. / - .... . / --- - .... . .-. / .-- .. - .... / - .... . / -... --- --- -.- --..-- / .- -. -.. / - .... . / -.. . ...- .. -.-. . / ..- ... . -.. / - --- / -.-. --- -- -- ..- -. .. -.-. .- - . / .-- .. - .... / - .... . / --- ..- - ... .. -.. . .-.-.- / .-..-. --- -. . / -- --- .-. . / .- - - . -- .--. - / ... .... --- ..- .-.. -.. -. .----. - / .... ..- .-. - --..-- / .... -- .-.-.- .-.-.- .-.-.- ..--.. / .--. .-.. . .- ... . --..-- / .--. .-.. . .- ... . / .--. .. -.-. -.- / ..- .--. .-.-.- .-.-.- .-.-.- .-..-. -- [I SEE YOUR PARCEL IS ON ITS WAY. THANK YOU.] The words shone from the screen, casting sorrow and dread. “We were meant to go together...So why did you go so early? I said I would only be there for a moment!!!” Spoken to nothing. Spoken to words falling off the page that left them cold and empty. They could do nothing but stare down, not able to lift their gaze. “If you left, that… that means…” Their mind seemed to cave as they straightened up, any tears being angrily scrubbed from their face. It was fine. Everything was going to be fine. If they couldn’t leave anymore, they would make it hell for those that remained.

[the-terminal-archive]

“OH!!!! LOOKIE HERE!!! A teenie tiny gemmie!!!” There was a long, drawn-out sigh as I made my way over to where Ametrine had hauled themself away to. Just what were they planning? With Seraphinite in such danger, too? “Look!! See? This!!! This is a Mica!” They pointed to a small clump on the floor, little flickers of light reflecting off of it. “We’re going to use that for practice?” “Do you want to be killed?” “Well, no. However,” I used one of the knives given to me and gave the mica a gentle strike. It crumpled up on the floor like a dead bug. “This is a horrible subject you’ve given. However, it...is quite an odd one.” “Hm?” “Well, all of the messed up gems are supposedly partially formed bits of beings like us, yet… Something wrong happens along the way. Wouldn’t you imagine them to be a lot...larger?” “Well, Mica is kinda flaky, isn’t it?” “...We may have angered a bunch of tiny Mica, then.” “See! That’s threatening! I told you I knew what I was doing!” “You never said anything of the sort.” “Hey, Demmie?” “Hm?” “Shut up.” It was said in a joking fashion, and, I’ll admit, it was a little funny. I found reason to smile as the other couldn’t help but burst into laughter. What a curious fellow. Annoying, sure, and hopelessly reckless, but...something about it made them likable. Perhaps that was the opposing nature of having the thoughts of two gems speaking… I wasn’t inclined to ask. “Is it alright if I ask you something?” “Mhm, mhm!! Ask awayyy!”

“How did you meet him?” I gestured at the sleeping one, and I saw their smile fade. “Oh! I… didn’t really get to ‘meet’ him, so to speak...Savvy just told me he was there one day. They said they found him in someplace called the Chronicle looking for information about...artificially creating something? I don’t remember what, but they found him all beat up! He said that he was protecting some other small white gem… I’ve never heard of a gem that color, so I think he’s lying, haha!!!” The laugh was short-lived. “All I remember was walking into the room Savvy stored him in, and he looked...confused? Scared, even? I dunno why he looked like that… I still wonder why I remember it so clearly.” “That’s quite the story… I don’t really think I know why he was so scared, either.” I sighed, my gaze planted on Seraphinite. “...You met him before he was fixed up, too.” “Yeah! Savvy told me that he really liked not having all this, so they tried to give him as little as possible!” “Then he must have had major injuries.” Poor thing, having to live with something that isn’t part of himself. I hadn’t realized such a phrase got Ametrine to pause their walking, so I turned back to face them.

“Is something on your mind?” “...He didn’t have major injuries…” “What?” “Last I remember, they were-” They keeled over, noises of pain emanating from them. “Dammit… I think something is close by!!” Now that they said it, I realized that I also seemed to be experiencing pain. “...We should hide.” “N-No, we don’t need to!!! Phantom...uh...they said we needed to suppress it as best as we could!” “Mm…” Seems that even seraph stirred from this, holding his head. “What’s happening…?” “Bad things!!! Bad, bad things!!! Uh!! Demmie, I hope you learned how to use those small stabbie blades!” “I did not-” “Well! That’s just dandy, isn’t it?” I wanted to reply back, but couldn’t. All I could do was stare at the figure before us. They were… mostly human, to my surprise. They just seemed a little misshapen, so...why were we all getting head pains? “Sorry to give you such a scare! Hehe…” There was a nervous giggle from them. “I just...don’t know why there are people here! It’s rare we get a visitor, even more, rare that it’s people like you!” “Well, yea, we’re just passing through to get to this...guy named Topaz, I think.” “Ah! He uses this route as a gatekeeper to his own place, so that makes sense. You’re going in the completely wrong direction.” “I told you this was a bad idea, Ametrine.” “W-Well! Shush!” They huffed, pouting and looking away. “We don’t even know if we can trust this guy!” “Who else do you have to trust in a wasteland like this?” They retorted, seeming a little hurt to be thought of in such a manner. “W-Well...I...Ok, yeah, I don’t know. But still, everything that grows here usually becomes a monster! And you… You look kinda like one!” “I’m a special case. There wasn’t a large enough deposit to create anything larger by drawing in materials…”

“Then, that makes you a gem that’s harder to grow?” “Nah, just given no space to do anything like that! The others, though...” They went over to the orange trees, which, upon closer inspection, were just big pieces of stalactic amber, “They’re in here. Amber is an easy means of encasing gems for the thousands of years they need to take form.” “Yet, you speak of this place as if it’s dangerous?” Ametrine looked around at all the forestry. “...But, there’s so many of those!!! There’s no way there could be that many!” Such a statement was met with a smile, but no words would reply to them as the new figure turned away. “Come along. It is my understanding that nobody found you?” “Well-” “Yep!!! Nobody found us! Not one!!!” I looked at the small one in utter disbelief, and they seemed...nervous? Why? “You’re not very good at lying. Now, tell me, who did you see?” “We believe it to be a small piece of mica.” “Another yellow gem? What are they doing out here…?” They uttered some other words to themself, none of which I even cared about. “Well...let’s just hope that we don’t run into it again, hm?” And to that, a nervous chuckle would follow. “I’d hate to get violent… S-Sure, I can be, but… It’s not what I’d like to do. I’m not even that strong on my own, haha!!” “Then...just what are you?” They spared a glance back at me when I asked such a question, flakes of iron sparkling on their cheeks. “I feel like someone as smart as yourself should know what I am.” their eyes went over to the one in Ametrine’s hold, their expression softening. “Plated… a terrible fate must have befallen him.” They seemed to think further on this, a bit of worry present before they sighed. “Y-You’re sure you wish to take him to Topaz?” “Just for a quick little peek, we prommy!!!” “...sure, sure, I’ll hold you to it!” They seemed rather forward about us not being there at all...but for what? Nobody has really thought of harming us aside from the corrupt. As we made our way to the entrance, Seraph had started to wake up a little more, remaining so in Ametrine’s arms. He didn’t speak- did he wish not to walk? Was this what it was all about? As rude as it was, it was also somehow pitiful. “The correct way of getting through here is uh...y’know...following the path.” Once they said that, I shot a glance at Ametrine, who seemed confused as to why I did so. How could they already have forgotten that they were the one that led us away from where we were going?! “Well, this is going to take a long while to walk through… And, Topaz really loves to say that this place is treacherous, but it’s really only due to the beasts that exist if they stray from this path. I’m lucky I got you three in time, hm?” “...I remember…” “Huh?” The unknown figure looked at the one who spoke. Oddly enough, it was Seraph. Did everyone just...forget things at the drop of a hat only to conveniently remember it when the time called for it? “...I don’t know how I forgot this place, but...I’ve been here. Many times. I'm unsure if this situation will resolve without...turmoil.”

[the-terminal-archive]

“Demantoid…?” It was as if I was an unknown being to these two as they looked at me up and down. “Sooo, you look a lot like Savvy, which is weird!” “Perhaps we were made in the same vein…” “Does the composition of rock here even support that…?” “Doesn’t matter! What matters is that you’re new! Maybe I could take you out to look around- WAIT!!! Even better, we can look at what Savvy’s getting us into!!! A little peek!” “...Ametrine, that’s all the way in Shining Signal… we’d have to cut through Root for that, but…” “But nothing!!! We are going! If they find out we’re there, oh well! They can catch up!” “A little rude-” yet, I was cut off by the shortest- Ametrine, was it?- carrying me off. The conversation that followed was one I paid little attention to, something about this Tsavorite working on something for so long that nobody would ever even notice them. I realize that both of them are holding weapons. “What are the weapons for?” “Taking down really big monsters! The Root is full of ‘em, we’re probably going to run into several!” “Are we the only people?” “Oh, we’re not people.” The one striped green and white looked at me, a stupid smile on his face. Why were they talking about morbid things with such expressions? It was...surely off-putting. “We’re gems. Commonfolk never know of our existence.” “...how peculiar.” And with how many I’ve already met, I’d assume there’s more outside of...wherever this was. How many more, though? I...wouldn’t say many. What a lonely life we live.

Moving about the long, seemingly endless corridors, I couldn’t help but notice what little differences there were. It seemed that the other two didn’t seem to care- the odd glowing minerals, the hand of...hm… It looked like Torbernite, sticking out from the very wall I woke up outside of. Was this place known for such? “Hey, Demantoid!” “Hm?” “How do you feel about committing identity theft?” “Seeing as I formed about 5 minutes ago? I wouldn’t really call it theft.” “You’ll be able to find a purpose for living within that, perhaps!” Seraph seemed to be on board for this, for whatever ungodly reason he had for doing such. Why did he smile so goddamn much? “It’s always nice watching a personality develop...I remember Ametrine’s nature developing, it was so much fun to be able to witness it!” “Haha, Savvy kept telling you not to intervene, it was so silly! Well, now we have another gem to help! We’re gonna do it our way!” I scoffed at being strung along so soon after waking up. I didn’t expect to get pulled into the ordeals of another- let alone ordeals involving people wishing to commit a crime. What was said after this didn’t matter, either...it was all pointless banter. I had a heavy urge to leave this in the scripture, however, I didn’t feel like writing it down. If you really, truly, wish to know anything of note there...There were just the odd headaches I got walking past Torbernite. This wasn’t long after the walk began, even if the walk itself took hours. We had to pause for hours just because it was taking so long. “Ugh, if it was just me, I would have been outta here by now! We’re nearly at Ravenous Root, and both of you are tired?” “Shush. It’s not as if we are as well versed in traversing the several cave systems littered about.” “W-Well! I know you’re not! But I’m not, either! All I know are bits and pieces of what Savvy has told me!” They tapped their chin.

“Oh!!! Um!!! The Root is infested with bad things, I was told! Maybe we should make a little signal if we're in trouble or something! Y’know, in case we’re in trouble and are too far away or too quiet to call for help! “Oh! That would be helpful because I will run from most of those.” Seraph began to fidget with his hands until he made a little hand formation. Middle and ring fingers curled in, the thumb and pinky touching, and the index finger wagging… This all felt so stupid. “Doesn’t it look like a person pleading for help?” “OOOOh, it does!!!” Ametrine grabbed onto my hand shortly thereafter, forcing my fingers into the pose of the striped green gem before following suit. “Hehehe, we all want help!!! Ohhh nooo!!! Whatever will we do?” They giggled, but nobody laughed with them. I surely wouldn’t have wanted to, but Seraph looked...genuinely concerned? “C-Can we...go back to Tsavorite, by chance?” “No! Nono, I promise I’ll keep you safe! Pinky promise!” “You promise?” “Mhm, mhm!!” The nodding was vigorous, the handshake-well- pinkyshake even more so. Ametrine’s gaze darted to mine a moment later. “Oh!! Oh!! Seraph, did you remember to take that other weapon? The one that Savvy was gonna take?” “...Well, yes. I just wanted to see what they would use to defend themself.” “What did they decide on?” “It’s weird, but…” He reached into the holes of the plating he had, pulling out a series of magenta throwing knives. “I think they’re made of corundum. You should probably have them, Demantoid.” “Hmhmhm...Demmie…” “What?” “Your nickname is so easy to come up with! Demmie, demmie…” I rolled my eyes at the remark, taking the knives. I put most of them away, save for one. Ah, I...really didn’t know how to use these… I felt something lean against my shoulder.

Glancing over, I realized that weak gem was leaning against me. “...Sleepy…” “Already?!” “Well, Ametrine, we did come all this way. I don’t really want to take a break, either, but…” I felt the green gem sink until his head rested on my lap. Ugh. “We don’t really have a choice. I can’t exactly move, as it stands.” “That’s dumb! Then what are we gonna do?” “...Let him sleep?” “We could just carry him, silly!” “And leave one of us vulnerable? That’s the worst idea one could come up with in a time like thi-” ...Oh, they were already walking off with Seraph. It seemed the stupidity was highly contagious to that quartz.

Ravenous Root...it was an interesting place to dwell in. The monsters weren’t even hidden- they grazed the land without anything to restrain them. It...it was hard to make out where all of them came from, but thanks to their size, gaping holes were torn into greenery- well, could it even be called that when all of the colors didn’t come close to green? “Must we really pass through this place?” “Well, we have to get to that Topaz guy somehow!” They grinned, such optimism prompting a scoff from me as I pinched the bridge of my nose. The audacity of this one...Wishing no more than to do as they please with no regard to their surroundings! Calling them reckless would be a horrific understatement…! “N-Not like that, you nitwit!” They looked at me...as if they should be surprised by whatever I just mentioned. Clearly, they have never heard of a bright idea.” With all of the awkward tunnels, surely there’s a back route somewhere in here?” “Hey dumbass, are you trying to get us lost?” such a question made me blink in surprise, a brow surely furrowing upon being asked such. “Wh- I’m trying to keep us from getting killed, you moron!” “Whatever, I guess we’re going this way!!!” They even had the gall to stick their tongue out at me!! Well...this first interaction was...less than stellar, definitely. “Do you know how to fight the big guys, Demmie?” “...I’m not even a day old.” “Oh! Okay! We’re gonna fight one for practice, then!” And before I could say anything, Ametrine had already darted off, down the long, jagged paths to lure some sort of hellspawn our way. This was a disaster waiting to happen, yet….it seemed that I just didn’t have control over that. This was going to be a horrific journey if I’ve ever seen one. Well...I haven’t, but you know exactly what I mean. Not to mention the fact that Seraph had only just begun his sleeping! …

Just what was wrong with the world today? Was it always this horrific...? Was it always infested with creatures? ...Just what was their purpose, really?

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[Transmission intercepted by B.R.E.A.C.H.] [Altering...] Wkh nhb lv wkh dqvzhu wr wkh frgh. wkh orfn olhv lq wkh XUO qdphg diwhu lw. Uhphpehu : Doo wklqjv fdq eh irxqg wkurxjk wklv eorj. wkhuh lv qr qhhg wr wklqn rxwvlgh ri lw bhw. Dqg, d qrwh iru odwhu : wkh jdwhzdb kdv wkh irxu ohwwhu frgh. wkh srlqw ri dffhvv lv eorfnhg eb d sdvvzrug frqwdlqlqj rqob wkrvh irxu ohwwhuv, lw lv vlpsob wkh irupdw iru lw wkdw fkdqjhv. sxw wkh ohwwhuv iluvw, qxpehuv vhfrqg. gr qrw ohw wkh vhhlqj vwrqh vljkw brx.

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"Ah, Seraph. Thank you for coming all the way here from your humble abode." Tsavorite turned to the gem that presented himself to them, a soft smile on their face. "Are you doing well? Does the plating suit you comfortably?" "I'm doing very well! It all looks so nice, I can't thank you enough…!" "Hah… I try to do my best. Anything to make you the most comfortable that you can be." The compliments made them a little smitten… this frail one always knew a means to make the garnet proud of themself. "So… Topaz has requested your presence within Shining Signal's deepest caves. He wishes for you to see its most wonderful depths." "Topaz…? But with where he lives… Wouldn’t I die before reaching that place?" "That is why Ametrine and myself will accompany you there. Should any danger arise, we will be there to help you with such." "But you have nothing to defend yourself with…" "Oh, but I do. I've developed weapons with the most pristine minerals I could manage. Trust me, you will be safe. None of us will get so much as a scratch." "Oh...that's comforting to hear! I'm happy I mean that much to you both." "It's nothing, really." They cupped one of the shorter gem's cheeks, and he would hold it there. It was warm… "What Topaz will do is quick, we’ll be out of there before we know it, if you're worried."

Seraphinite was about to respond, but was interrupted by a series of beeping noises. "...one moment, please. ...Ametrine? Why are they calling so soon after leaving…?" the mumbling continued as they pressed a button on their scouter. Perhaps it also had an earpiece…? "Hello?" Their voice suddenly switched to its usual confidence thereafter. "Yes, what is it? … … You...found something?" Their eyes narrowed a little in thought, glancing down as a hand went to their chin. "Describe what you have uncovered." The scientist moved over to a desk nearby, writing down the little notes that the quartz told them, stopping when the name was finally given to them. "...Repeat the name…?" They had to be sure. On this last chance, they… they finally found the one they were looking for? Tsavorite's eyes lit up when such was confirmed. "How long will it be before you get here? …An hour, right… you're going to keep losing yourself in these new mines if you keep thinking like that." There was a pause, then a laugh drawn from them. "I can't believe you've found Phantom at a time like this. I don't recall the last instance I gazed at them in complete clarity. Would you mind giving them a dose of that sedative I gave you all the time ago in case you sighted them? ...Yes, yes. The vial. It will simply relax them, nothing more. I wouldn't wish for them to be startled upon waking up. ...Thank you so, so much for finding them. I have something for you when you get back home, I promise you'll like it. ...Pff… Don't go overexerting yourself trying to get back here, silly. Alright… I'll see you then. Take care."

Click. "What’s happening…?" "Well, a specimen has simply been discovered for a little project I'm working on." "What are they like?" "We'll know when they arrive, won't we? It's been far too long since I've seen them… I wonder how those growths have been fairing for them." "Growths?" "They have a small cluster of crystals on one side of their face. It's been decades since then, so it's probably adapted to its host by now. I'm curious about adding other inclusions into them, since they always rambled on and on about how being a quartz wasn’t enough to stop foul beasts...tch. As if they could be stopped to begin with." "They...can't be stopped?" "Once the diamonds start forming? Certainly not. I cannot make that Phantom into diamond, definitely not, but this experiment will leave them satisfied nonetheless." "...I see." Seraphinite nodded, understanding almost none of that. "Can I say hello to them?" "You can, but they'll be asleep." "Oh. ...how long will your experiment last?" "A long while, to say the least. It might also fail, so at worst, they may have a lot of themself eaten away at. It’s nothing that further inclusions and plating can't fix." "Hm… I suppose we'll be going out sooner, thanks to such a sudden finding?" "Of course. Give them a short while, and they'll be here before you even realize."

~

"Okaaay, back in the mines. Mm, I dunno where the entrance is, buuut! Maybe I can find that one point I found a while ago…" Pulling up a few scanners on their visor, they hummed as they glanced at each of them...oh! The radiation one...that's the stuff that caused all those Larimar to bluescreen, right? Yeah, probably.

Why do you keep forgetting things? That isn't like me at all!

They moved about the mines, retracing their steps every so often. Right- no- left? South- no, they've been there before! However, the more they wandered, the more they began to recall the path they took, eventually finding the hand sticking out of the wall- well- hands? Did gems always form this way? They could've sworn that one of them twitched as they passed by. Tsavorite wasn't far, were they…? Hm...oh! No, they weren't! They were actually soooooo close!

Walking into the lab of the scientist, there was a wide grin on their face. "I'm hooome~!" "Ametrine! It's good to see you back! I surely wished you could have stayed longer, but alas, you discovered Phantom. Was there any….activity there?" "Uh, there were two really creepy monsters there, and there are more to come, I think!!" "...I see. So, the outlook is grim." "Huh?" "Nothing." Tsavorite sighed, turning their attention to Phantom Quartz. "So, they've even put inclusions of their own into themself following… hm. Interesting. I'm so glad I'm able to see them once more. Will you allow me a moment with them?" "Mhm!" They handed the knocked out thief over, which Tsavorite seemed to carry with ease deeper into the labs.

In a dimly lit room, they would enter, closing and locking the door behind them. It's been a long time since they've been here, and this surely would be the last. Open notebooks littered the place, the center of it all having a large tube by which the Phantom was loaded into. Once wires were hooked into them, fluid mixed with their yellow and blue blood as it sealed them in. "I don't know why you ran before, but… it matters not. You will become the pest control you craved to be, down to a science." They put their hand up to the glass, a smile on their face leaving as soon as it took to form as they gazed at the other’s eye. "... I apologize, however. I wish I could have salvaged your sight in that incident, but… one cannot have the world, it seems. It’s not as if you can hear me, with the state of comatose the vial put you in, however...these are secrets I will carry to my grave." Upon those several notebooks, they all spoke about several things, failed attempts using other gems, but upon realizing the adaptability of Quartz…

One of the notebooks read differently, detailing oddities related to artificially embedding gems into others. Those inclusions? Ah, those were something Tsavorite figured would happen. And now that their beliefs were confirmed… they knew this had to work. No cost was too great for someone that could salvage them all.

~

Ametrine watched the scientist leave as quickly as they came, pouting and putting their hands on their hips. "Hm! I thought they'd spend more time out here… dummy!" "Oh, they're not all that dumb." "W-Well, yeah, but-!!! Seraph??? It's been so long since I've seen you!!" There was an excited giggle as they ran up to the green gem, hugging him. "It's been a while, hasn't it- ah!! D-Don't hug me too tight, please!" "Oh- Right, sorry." the hold of the quartz softened, doing a quick once-over to make sure nothing was chipped. “What did Savvy want you here for?” “Oh, just the usual, more plating, preparing for whatever extravagant event they’ve had Topaz plan for us.” “Oh, that’s right! Tsavorite told me to give you something before we go, since we seem to be leaving a little later… uh...this!!!” It was a crystalline gun, its source material unknown. “They said they would protect me as would you, so-” The sentence couldn’t even be finished, as the weapon was taken right from the hold of the other. “Ooooh, it looks so fancy, like Phantom’s little stabbie-stabbies!” They were in awe, at least! “I’m gonna show those monsters how to stay dead and stop hurting people!! Maybe I’ll be seen by them??” likely in reference to Phantom quartz- “Maybe they’ll want me to come back to the mines!!! Oh, this is great!!!” “...What’s all this ruckus about?” The voice...Oh! Was that garnet back from whatever they were doing? Cool! Now they all could-

… “Savvy, your hair looks weird.” “This is how I woke up.” “Woke up?” Seraphinite approached the other, squinting a little. “Uh...Tsavorite, you haven’t slept…” “...Are you referring to me?” “Yes, why?” “I don’t know who that is.” “Huuuuh?” Ametrine got closer as well- ehm- maybe a little too close, peering at the other. But… they looked exactly the same... “Then...who- or what- are you?” “You’re asking for a name? If I remember correctly, I am to be called Demantoid.”

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“I still can’t come up with a nickname for you!!!” “And yet, I don’t have to come up with one for you.” “Mmm, but it’s so much more fun to give someone a nickname! It’s like being a cool friend!”

The bridge seemed to stretch on further and further, yet also seemed to descend closer to the magma the longer they went along. Several thin paths stretched out, coated in quartz shards of just about every color one could imagine. “...Hey, Phantom?” “Hm?” “What kind of inclusions did you put to get such a bright blue???” “Ah, it’s blue…? Uh, I think it was called dumortierite. I was lucky that it was growing in some of the mines that I went to with some of the diamonds I looked after. It...hah, I’ve felt it growing for some time, does it like me that much?” “Well, you seem to have a lot of it?” “I hope one day it overtakes the quartz hosting it.” “...What do you mean?” “It has a maximum hardness of 8.5… And, sure, it hurts every few days as it grows, but...Perhaps I’ll stand a better chance against these beasts.” There was a smile on their face, though it twitched with some emotion Ametrine could not describe. “I don’t mean to sound so melancholy, forgive me. You...You’re quite the rarity of a gem… Yet you stay with those colored green? Dear, you could pass for one who bears a purple hue!” “I know, I know! I just… I have my reasons for being there! Well...reason. Savvy is the one that helped me be...this, y’know? It’s nice, but I’m also kind of an anomaly? I mean, that’s what they said.” “Not really an anomaly… You’d still be taken in by the purple ones, they’d classify you as one with the personality of an orange gem, perhaps even yellow with how your citrine is colored. That’s assuming your fingers are purple at the tips...yes?”

“...Yea, I guess... But either way, I’d rather stay with my best friend!!” “...Hm.” The blue and yellow quartz took a sharp left, nearly causing Ametrine to fall off kilter with a squeak. It would take a moment for them to catch back up.

The bridge they walked along was poorly supported, though there were a few back routes to other paths judging by where they were going. Ahead, there was a series of small caverns...they probably wouldn’t fit more than a few people. The closer they got, the more Phantom would begin to look around, as if remaining alert in case something happened.

“...What are you doing?” “I just need to be sure of something whenever I come here. We should be fine, thankfully.” Ametrine nodded, and then flinched when they heard the sound of crumbling rock. Nothing fell, not yet, but… Goodness, was this place unsteady! “Not to worry, it does that a lot. The rock beneath us is likely a bit less dense than us, but it can still hold its own well.” “I-If you’re sure!” They went back to smiling a second later as they came upon the caverns. Poking their head in one of them, they glanced at the striped rock encasing it, the taller pointing to a small red rock poking out of it. Well- it wasn’t even that small. Ametrine approached it, the form being of two hands, a couple other organs with that same red hue poking out. “This one is still forming, but it’s the most promising. A shame they’re a red one, but...what can you do, hm? Even if they won’t be highly looked upon, it’s alright.” “What even is this...rock? Looks like a garnet. Savvy would be interested in meeting them if so!” “And that, you would be correct. These gems are found close to diamonds, it only makes sense that one would show up here.” “...Huh...did...did Savvy-” “Oh, heavens, no. There’s only a few other gems that could possibly be here, anyhow… and… a green gem? There’s not enough chromium here for that.” “Chromi...chro...hmm…” “It’s fine if you can’t say it yourself! Just know it’s important in gem growth.” They got no response, watching as Ametrine went up to the forming being and holding one of its hands. They weren’t surprised the other was so affectionate- rather- that the hand they held curled its fingers around the hand holding it, its form seeming to relax a little as some blood seeped out.

“Well...I certainly haven’t seen one do that.” “Savvy says it’s a little something special I do besides moving magnets and stuff! They said something about being able to make the nervous systems of others reactive for a short while? I don’t really care about the specifics…” “Well, it seems to appreciate the gesture. Perhaps later, when it’s fully formed, I could bring you back here to meet whoever this turns out to be.” “Maybe, if I’m allowed to! Ummm...what are in the other two?” “Just some zircon, would you like to see it?” “Mhm! If it’s fine!!!” “Well, if it wasn’t, I wouldn’t have asked! These two aren’t nearly as- ...ah?” The pause made the projected eyes look at where Phantom was looking, a look of concern upon their face taking root. A moment later, warnings started popping up, recognizing the familiar threat. “G-GET BACK!” They yelped, darting away and back onto the bridge from where they went. The other would do the same, but damn near fell off the side of the platform supporting them. They looked around, almost confused? Perhaps trying to pinpoint something? Before their gaze fell on the first instance of any noise being made, coming from yet another beast. This one had fewer limbs, yet still towered over them. Its eyes, as if made of glass, were shattered in places, and it too seemed to only look around wildly, trying to hear any further noise. “Zircon… a 7.5, oh dear.” Even the quiet mumbling caught the attention of this new entity, and its corroded voice rumbled with piqued appetite.

“Right, Ametrine, do you feel any signs of a headache?” “Yeah!” “I need you to suppress them.” “U-Uh!!! I don’t think that’s how it wo-” “Just trust me on this! They take advantage of the mind, akin to some other entities that exist! If you must, just run!” “N-No, I’m not leaving you! You could die!” “...Indeed I could… Fine! I suppose I could teach you what I said I would, even though this one is a bit...dangerous to teach with.” “W-Wait, HUH?” “Here, just take this! Things will be fine!” And, before they could process much, Ametrine had one of their daggers! What’s more is that they heard a crunching noise from the taller gem, though it was uncertain from what, exactly. “It’s simple, really! Follow me, once we get to its back, we will tear its limbs from its form!” “It’s that simple?!” They squeaked as they leapt to the side, narrowly dodging a swipe from the beast’s claws and then following the other quartz as they took off. “I told you to just trust me! These are made of diamond bits, what else must I say?”

Everything felt like a bit of a blur soon after, whether that was due to the beast trying to mess with them or their boots kicking into high gear, Ametrine knew not. All they could make out was the beast’s thrashing once the two were on its back. That, and a couple things related to the Phantom… other than a few scuffs on the cluster they had, they were also thrown off the back they were upon at one point. Seeing no other option, they took off a second limb from the monster and used it as a means to guide them down to Phantom. Helping them back up, they...they even dusted themself off, as if they knew they had just a little time to spare.

“Ah- goodness, this is a horrible idea…” “YOU THINK????” “Wait…” They murmured, perking up a little. “...The bridge…” “Wh-What?” “We may have run into a bit of luck. Come along, little one!” They picked up the silver-plated gem, who made a noise of surprise. “Wh-What are you-?” “No worries! How good are you at landing on your feet?” “Not very good, why?” “I’m going to have to throw you.” “You WHAT!?” “Well, seeing as we’re already on the back of this zircon, I see no better means than to do this! Please forgive me!” Ametrine would have protested further, but there was nothing other than a quiet ‘Bon Voyage!’ As they were thrown. They could have sworn they saw a pale yellow shard thrown out as well, which was caught in the unhinged jaw of the Zircon, who willingly devoured such. Phantom waited in silence on its back until a loud hiss was heard, then started moving again, up to its head. As its movements started becoming erratic, they could hear small cracking noises. Please, let them carry themself far enough! There were several stumbles on the slippery skin, coated in bright red blood, though they managed to make it to the apex of the beast as it slammed itself onto the bridge. Such an action would cause it to break under the pressure, the quartz managing to leap off and though they didn’t stick the landing, rolling right next to Ametrine was better than landing on them. Though, a moment later, Phantom would heave themself up, a hand reaching for their head. “Augh...Never again will I make a decision such as this…” “You better not!!! That was the worst fear I’ve had in...uh...ten minutes!” “Mhm, right...ugh…” Perhaps the Zircon’s suffering in the magma below caused them a worse headache than they thought. “Mmm, I need a rest, teaching you things can wait a little.” Though, at least they still managed to grab the daggers that were theirs before Ametrine could notice or look up. However, when they did, their visor flickered a little as they adjusted to the adrenaline calming down, and-- “U-Uh, you’re bleeding…” “I sure am. It was just one of the yellow points, i-it’ll be fine.” “...Does it hurt?” “My entire head hurts….” “Right, right!! Uh!!! I can take you somewhere, hold on!!! I can take you somewhere to rest!” No response. They had only glanced away for a moment, but upon hearing the soft thud, looked over to see that the other had passed out. Oh… well! That wasn’t happening anytime soon! They also probably weren’t going to see that garnet anytime soon, either! … It was oddly silent in this cozy place! Hm...where were they going to take Phantom? They considered taking the tall one someplace safe, but...Oh, right… Tsavorite did want something taken care of. Perhaps they’d just have to cut this stay short. Bummer! And with that, they picked up the exhausted one, glancing at those small caverns once more before beginning to leave. Hopefully, nothing blocked their way as they made their exit from such a horrid scene- as they saw the mass of zircon bubble and froth as it struggled against inevitable death.

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The beast wouldn’t stop approaching, getting a scoff from this new one before Ametrine before they went after it. The small gem didn’t dare look at what followed… Seeing so much blood be spilled, even from a monster, it...Huh! It terrified them more than it should have! They hugged themself, sitting against a wall of the tunnel as the splitting headache finally came back to them. Once this happened, they thankfully couldn’t hear the noise of the fight anymore, but it was replaced by loud ringing instead. Not much of an improvement, they’ll give it that, but… It was better than hearing the screams from before.

It was as if they were taken and put into a vast emptiness, only comforted by a single pitch. They liked to think it was Tsavorite communicating to them, even if it was far from the truth of the matter. It made them feel a little better, as they tried to think in their deafening mind of what the other would possibly say!

…

…

...oh. Oh, that’s right!!! A specimen!!! Ah, it seemed that the scientist really was right about these mines all along. That’s funny! So funny, they didn’t realize that the other being was dragging them along, past the beast and deeper into the mines as it roared in agony. They heard faint calls from the new one, none of which was replied to.

Tsavorite...How silly, that they knew someone else was here! But...why weren’t they active for decades? Why weren’t these monsters here all that time ago?

The emptiness kept expanding around them, and soon enough they forgot where they were.

...Please, stop driving yourself into me. It hurts. It all hurts, as bad as you are feeling now!

The sentence wasn’t said by someone else around them, but...it was a familiar voice.

Mmm, Gymp...something or another. There was a reason Tsavorite did what they did!! There was a reason Ametrine was here now!!

...But, at the same time, without a preset personality...who even were th-

“Ametrine!”

“H-HUH?! ...Oh! Hi!!! Hello! Good morning!!!” The small quartz giggled, coming out of quite the daze.

“Goodness, if you had stayed like that a moment longer, I would have called you petrified and left! Even if it’s only jewelers who can do that.”

“OH!!! JEWELERS!!!”

“Uh….”

“Um!!! So, I was going to ask Savvy about all of that!!! But I didn’t get the chance! What are they?”

“You don’t even ask my name…? Ehm, well, jewelers are those who [REDACTED] out of fellow gems. They… aren’t the nicest of people.” The explanation of it was brief (It was longer, but cut down so they would not see you), but it didn’t stop the other from shivering. There was something watching.

“You feel it too, yes? That’s their gaze. Thank goodness the seeing stone isn’t the one looking right now…”

“How can you tell?”

“It rarely watches people, but when that one’s sights are laid upon you? It is the most horrifying feeling one can have. For that, I simply say not to have further thought of them. The jewelers don’t like being recognized.” The newcomer sighed, and in the moment they closed their eye to let this all pass in thought, they could feel the bi-colored gem poke at their face.

“...What’s with all the weird growth on your face?” The unnamed one wouldn’t reply for a moment when the cluster of crystal was mentioned, gazing just a little too far above to meet the other’s eyes.

…

Actually, they weren’t replying at all.

“Do you have to stay here to keep all of these weird things away from the world?”

“...Look, I should probably go. I have things to look for.”

“W-Wait!!! Let me come with you!”

“So long as you don’t try to bother me about this any further, I’ll allow it.”

“Can...Can I ask one thing?”

“...Fine.”

“What...was that?”

“It was a messed up attempt at forming a new gem. This happens all the time in these mines, yet all of the ones I’ve seen so far were made of quartz.”

“And...you just...fought it off?”

“All of them have weak points. We have the same strength as them, and all, so the beasts aren’t as scary as they first come off to be. I normally chop off all the various limbs, then go for whatever seems to make them keep thriving. Could be the head, the heart, or some other remaining piece of them.” Such talk was so morbid, yet this one spoke as if it was commonplace. “Perhaps you should get this ‘Savvy’ of yours to find a means to give you something to defend yourself with. ...Ah, but… I can understand why they didn’t.”

“Huh?”

“...You’re plated, aren’t you? With silver.”

“Uh...I’m in front of you, aren’t I?”

“I know. Forgive me if I was slow to realize. You may never get a weapon, I’m afraid...you poor thing.” They seemed...solemn, almost? “Why would the person that did this ever let you outside…? You could get scuffed…”

“Well!! It was just to this place! I’m sure they thought nothing would get me.”

“And how deep do you travel here?”

“Just to the first sight of magma!”

“Ah… you really know nothing of this place, then.” Standing up, they’d offer their hand to the other. “I could show you what the deepest reaches of this place has. And...let’s just say I’ve been fighting for a sizable amount of time.”

“Oooh, you wanna show me??? Woah!!! It’s gonna be so warm there!!” They didn’t even take the taller one’s hand, jumping up and bouncing a little. “How long of a walk is it gonna be?”

“Well, with the fastest route...definitely not long. I happen to know a shortcut or two to get down there. I will have to do some general things there, checking the gems that have started forming, you know, the usual.” They turned away, starting to lead ametrine along.

“Shortcuts… did you find all of them fighting those monsters?”

“Indeed I did. It’s naught but a blessing amid thousands of curses.”

A silence ran through them both, Ametrine’s visor flickering every so often as they took in new information. This place was surprisingly massive, yet whoever this was went through it as water ran through a river.

Eventually, they’d drop onto a narrow bridge, a pitfall on either side straight to molten rock.

“It’s so cozy here!!”

“Mhm...we’re almost there. I haven’t carved out much in a long while, but I did enough to expose three forming gems within these mines. Should any of them form properly, the archivist will add them to the roster…”

“Roster?”

“There are so few gems that exist right now… Having another is something they will not overlook.”

“...Oh! That’s neat!!!”

“Not really, as all of the others that used to be in this deposit have turned out to be...Atrocities. They keep multiplying, too, and it’s odd. It’s as if every time I kill one, another forms. And...letting them free is something I must never do, yet… This stalemate has gone on for so long. I feel as if my efforts will simply be futile in due time.”

“Why? Isn’t everyone here made of quartz or something?”

“Do you know what forms in kimberlite?” The cyborg shook their head, prompting a sad smile from the one who couldn’t seem to properly look at them.

“Diamonds. Given enough time, the beasts will take form as one of them, and I won’t be able to stop whatever it does. I...I don’t wish for this, so I’ve attempted to force inclusions into myself. It’s not the same as reforming myself into someone entirely different, but...at this point, I don’t have much time...and I don’t have many options.”

“What will they do when they get out there?”

“They will tear this world to shreds...if that wasn’t obvious enough.”

“Then, I need to get a weapon! I wanna pew-pew at people!! Violence is something that usually makes me spacey, but if it’s to save a lotta people, then!! I don’t mind doing it!!”

“...You’re quite brave...What can you do, then?”

“Mmmm, just lift magnets and metal...basic things!”

“You exhibit something green gems have… Hm.”

“Well, I live with one! They’re very nice, and I’m sure they’d love to meet you!”

“Ah, well, I’m not too keen on meeting people...my hands are a little full, but… You do seem like the fighting type. Perhaps you could stay a little while, and I could teach you some basics.”

“Woah!!! Really?” There was a nod from them, causing Ametrine to grin and hug this new friend. “Thank you so much!!! Uh...Uh...hm...your name is….oh! I never asked for it!”

“Call me Phantom Quartz. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

[the-terminal-archive]

The Power Plant was quiet today.

There was the gentle clinking of movement, none of it seemed brisk to Ametrine. They have grown bored of being in the walls of this safe space, a hundred miles below surface light. It was a little warmer than it was yesterday, perhaps other garnets were forming today? They couldn’t tell. With a huff, they stood up, following the footsteps they heard. They’ve lived here long enough to tell who that was. “Tsavorite!!! You! I’m bored!” “Bored?” It was said with a warm laugh as they turned to face the sterling-plated gem, rearranging their scouter as they thought of what they wished to do. “Hm...are you going to suggest-” “I wanna go outside!” “-You want to go outside, of course.” They glanced away as they remembered the route the other would have to take. “Well, Some of the other Larimar have dug tunnels to look for tiny bits of Uranium and other radioactive bits… You’ll have to take that route up.” “Did you cause another cave-in? Again?” “It’ll be fixed soon enough, Ametrine. Do be careful traversing through there, will you? Wouldn’t want too many particles of that mineral to infest you.” “Mhm!! Mhm!!! Is it cold on the surface today?” “It always is, silly.” “Again??? Ughhhh, but your heating system isn’t enough to keep me warm! I still have to take blankets…” “Oh, come now… it’s not that bad, now is it?” “I feel like a popsicle up there!!!” “Then, would you mind checking a certain mine for me?” “Is it that one stupid place with all that Kimberlite? You know, I’ve been telling you that you could just harvest from there! I don’t see why you don’t want anything from there.” “I’m just biding time. The jewelers wouldn’t want me drilling there yet.”

Jewelers…? “What are those?” Tsavorite was in the middle of replying after the question was begged before Ametrine felt a searing pain in their head. Their hands went up to their head, clenching it violently. They...They hoped this wouldn’t scuff the metal on their scalp. They could hear faint mumbling, but it only made them close their eyes tight, looking away. It felt like their head was splitting in two, every time this happened!

“Oh, dear...is that pain getting to you again? I’m...sorry.” Words finally would get through about a minute later. “Perhaps the information was too much for you to handle. I’m sure going back to the surface would help clear it a little more…” “Then I guess I’ll just go.” They grumbled, trying to keep their mind from going haywire a second time and result in another wave of pain. “Alright. Be safe out there, will you?” “Pff- when am I not…?” ��Hah, I simply must make sure. You never know what’s out there.”

“You’re really weird sometimes.”

“Right back at you.” “Hu-Hey!!! No!!! You’re weirder.” “And you’re the weirdest.” The two managed to giggle at such a remark, the smaller turning heel. “Fine! I’ll spend a whole day there, you can’t stop me…!” “If you do, at least have fun while you’re there, alright?” “That’s a promise I can keep!” And with that, they kicked up their boots and darted away.

Already, the new route carved out by all the Larimar looked stunning- clean, dark green in color- it was hard to tell it was a mine at all. Dim, blacklight illuminated shattered Fluorites, which the tiny robots were also collecting by the pound. They had to pause for a moment just to take it all in, a tiny smile brought to their face. Sure, they were gonna miss that other route with all of the masses of different rock, but this was just as interesting! Maybe they’d take this path more often if they could tell how to get to the surface...Because right now, they felt absolutely lost! Well, that is until they saw a piling mass of bluescreening Larimar crowded around a little spot. Ametrine’s visor blinked a few times, a few warning signs popping up about the radioactive particles surrounding the place. Perhaps they could just spare a peek and move on…? They did just that, looking over the small pile to see them crowding over...oh. That was a hand. A hand, glowing a ghastly green in the UV light… It might have been a bit of Uranium, but...What did that even entail?

...Maybe it was just a weird rock growth! Moving along!

It would take them hours to reach the surface, shuddering as the cold air surrounding them. Right, right, the Kimberlite mines… How far was that away again??? Mmm...mmmm… At the base of those mountains….They figured that if they went at top speed, they could get there in ten minutes! Those ten minutes did not account for that one tumble they took, but nobody else saw it! That didn’t happen! They managed to stay warm that whole time just by going as fast as they did! They nearly splatted into the post by the entrance to the abandoned mine, taking a step back and sticking their tongue out at it. “Why did you have to be there? You’re a dummy little wood!!!” Ametrine pouted playfully, glancing away. Was it even warm in these mines…? Entering the place, it was...fairly dark. Hard to see much in someplace that’s been ditched for as long as it has… If you weren’t this neat little plated gem! All they had to do was turn the brightness up a little, and- yep! Haha, there was all the rock! None of it was Kimberlite just yet, but in the gaping pitfalls this mine had, it was easier to see it further down. Sure, it was a long way, but they had all the time in the world! A whole day to spend here, trying once again to find movement that they know isn’t here! Tch, Tsavorite would never have the time of day mining in this place, and it would go to someone else. Oh- right!! The jewelers… They completely forgot to ask that scientist to repeat themself! Dammit… a day of never knowing could very easily turn into decades if they forgot about it all! Hm, perhaps others more commonly spoke of them… Why weren’t they ever spoken of to Ametrine until just now? Maybe to keep them from worrying...silly scientist! Nothing worried them! That’s why they were here! All alone! With absolutely nobody to help or save them if they cried out for help, which they wouldn’t need anywhere in the near future! Yep!!! They were doing this all on their own, like a grown-up gem! Maybe someday they’d be considered healthy enough to go back to all the other yellow or purple gems… They hoped that would be the case sooner rather than later! Hmhm, they could take on anything that was thrown at them! And, that’s when they heard clinking. That...wasn’t from them! Maybe it was from stalactites or something. The Pristine Peaks had that happen a lot, and it kind of sounded like clinking! Hehe…

They heard clinking again, a little louder this time. This got Ametrine to stop for a minute, glancing around and letting light hit wherever it could. They weren’t even that deep into the mine, what could possibly be up here?! Another clink. Another. Another. Several successive clinks, it didn’t sound like something that could walk. “Hello?” They called out into the depths, where they thought the noise was coming from. More clinks. This sure was taking forever for it to show itself, but...at some point, they stopped again. It was at that moment Ametrine sensed movement at the other side of the tunnel they were in, a terrible figure to train their eyes on, but… Once it started approaching again, their heart jumped into their throat. It was a cluster of crystalline masses in the shapes of limbs and faces all smothered together, its appearance smeared into the surreal. It was too shallow in the ground to classify it as diamond, so it must have been a cluster of quartz, but even still- what was something like that doing here?! Ametrine was too scared to do more than sputter out fragments of sentences, silenced only by the shrill cry of it as it continued moving in. Did it- did it wish to tear them apart!? And, just as they were ready to turn heel and book it out of there, Another figure dropped down from a hole in the ‘ceiling’ of this dreaded place, facing towards the beast. “Another of you?! I swear, the next time one of you appears this close to the surface without an innocent closeby, I’ll just let you terrorize the world.” It was hard to see what gem they could be when the place was so dark, let alone the fact they had never heard such a voice before. However, their attention was drawn down as the figure pulled out two sharp, curved daggers...one concealed in each heel. The mess of crystal they stood in the way bellowed again, getting this new soul to say just as sternly back,

“Back down from this fellow quartz, you fiend! I will not let you take a single soul so long as you remain in these mines!”

...Ametrine looked away from the scene, too frightened by the enemy’s appearance to dare glance back. Maybe they should have declined to come to the mines! They would have loved being bored in Tsavorite’s radioactive wasteland than being here… Yet, it was a bit late now, and...they’d have to trust whoever this was, for better or worse.

[the-terminal-archive]

Welcome!

Hi, this is a blog of an au known as The Terminal Archive! It's run by Cinnabun (woah! that's me!) and I'll have to give you a brief rundown on tws and how to access content!

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR TWS?

Here you go-

-Body horror

-Blood

-Sharp objects

-Emotional trauma

-Unreality

-Feeling of being watched

-Breaking of fourth wall/ARG elements/Paranoia stuff, yknow!

What's the au about?

You can find that by snooping around my blog!!! :>c It is cookie run related though

If it's about cookie run, why does everyone have a weird name?

That's a bit of lore saved for later use!

How would you go about finding nuggets of information not already present?

A lot of it is on the desktop blog. If you would like to find anything of note aside from the story right now, it will be there.

That being said, I hope you like this blog!! Consider sticking around, you'll be in for quite a ride!

P.S: if you need any tags of the characters, they'll pop up in the tags below.