Completely intact, she observed an almost unconscius Quartzone, surrounded by his friends and being held by Scarlet. Her beloved children, filled by the wounds of a battle she always tried to evade. The people of Crystallia were looking silently. Madre finally understood. 

She was mistaken, the kingdom was not the priority. Not when you have a family to protect. She remembered the joyful moments she spent raising Quartzone and Scarlet alongside her husband, a monarch who was too worried about the fate of his land. Madre became a monster, and she knew an apology would not be enough to kill the remorse of her acts. She dropped the Royal Sword and, in tears, she started talking.

- I-I am proud of you. - Quartzone looked weakly at her, Scarlet did the same. - Look who you have become, my precious children... - Madre fell to her knees. - And I, instead... - Her voice was cracking. She didn't want to live anymore. Not like this. She looked at Quartzone and began to explain, just as if she already knew he had lost his memories.

- Your father's obsession with keeping Crystallia safe weakened him, and his soul got corrupted. "He" was trying to come back through his body. - Madre stopped and Quartzone started remembering. He nodded and his mother went on. - When he began to cause trouble in Mooth and set the kingdom in flames, you knew the only solution was to seal his soul in your own, but when you did it, the 13 Spectral Swords your dad was carrying were also plunged into you, causing your memory loss. - Madre stopped and Quartzone nodded again. - After the battle, you fell unconscious, and I carried you to Gaia, the sacred place you woke up in. 

Having heard the conversation, Amesynth thought to herself: "Exactly Thirteen Swords? Interesting." 

- With your body corrupted by the soul you sealed, my fate as the Queen was to end the problem from the source. I was so blinded by your dad's will... I forgot who I was.- Madre felt silver tears going down her face.

Quartzone apporached her mother and stared at her. Madre looked back at him, broken inside. The Scarf Hero smiled and gently hugged her. Chalcelle looked at them, she was surprised. Cyan and Pinkee remained silent. It was hard to know what they were thinking. Amesynth looked away.

During the hug, the Queen's mind was filled by memories of the siblings' childhood, and the love she would always give them.

Scarlet moved slowly towards them to join yhem.

- Look how strong you have become, Scarlet. I am proud of you, and your decissions. - Madre smiled. She proceeded to step back and look at her two children.

- Thank you. Quartzone. Scarlet.

- Thank you. Mom. - They replied.

Madre's body started to disintegrate in beautiful radiant silver shards from bottom to top. Quartzone and Scarlet were still hugging each other, looking at the glowy lights of the shards.  Before completely disappearing, the Queen said:

"I love you."

𝒮𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝑔𝒾𝓋𝑒𝓃.

The Queen's Lament

"Henia, Fairy Dust Forest, Year AYX9"


- Everybody climb up the trees and pick a bow! - the major shouted at the squirrels in the plaza.

Bubbles stared at her peers, completely shocked and unable to move. Even though she was gifted, how would they expect a 5 year old girl to react in a weird situation like that? She remembered hearing that her home was one of the most peaceful lands in Crystallia. Why were the people she has known for years picking "scary" objects? Why were her happiness and comfort feelings being replaced by an unknown one? She suddenly came back to reality when she saw her mother approach her, visibly exhausted.

- Hurry Bub, hide in the Sacred Temple! Run! - Bubbles' mother sounded like her only will was to save her daughter.

- Mom, I am scared! - Bubbles cried, still too shocked to move. Her mother sighed and hurried to pick her up and carried her in arms until they got in the entrance of the Temple. According to the legends spread during decades in the Squirrel Village, the Sacred Temple was thought to be a place completely safe from any evil energy. Its walls were filled with plants and moss, which revealed their ancient nature. They were also decorated with the Emblem of Crystallia, sculpted with golden materials that resemble citrine.

Bubbles' mother ran across the main aisle for a few meters and left her daughter on the ground, placed her hands in her shoulders and gave her a worried smile.

- Everything is going to be okay. - She said while giving her daughter her brown scarf. She then kissed Bubbles in the head and spun around to run back to the entrance. Once there, she glanced back at her to give her a last look, completely ignoring the shadow behind her.

Bubbles widely opened her eyes, staring at the spear piercing her mother's body. The shadow that had just snatched her life looked at the tiny squirrel with his dreadful red eyes. His round ears and pointy nose. He was a bear, and he had a creepy emblem tattooed in his forehead.

- Run. - Bubbles' mother whispered before irreversibly closing her eyes.

This time, Bubbles obeyed and started running deep into the temple, with tears in her eyes. She reached a room and headed to the nearest corner, just to sit down, hugging her knees, hoping that the scary noises in the village disappeared. 

After what felt like years, she stopped hearing them, and she got up and ran back to the entrance of the sanctuary so she could get back to the village, hoping to find the peace she loved.

Arriving at her home, everything was quiet. Hundreds of squirrels laying on the floor, without moving. The village was completely silent, empty and filled with strange gadgets from the bears' weapons. Bubbles got down on her knees, trying to assimilate the situation.


"Emerald Temple, Year AYZ9"


- See? That's why I am doing all this. - Bubbles told her Child. - Rebuilding the peace I always loved, even if it is artificial. But I can't live my dream if you keep treating me like your master...

- Don't you want to take revenge of the bears? - the Child asked.

- That's weird of you, considering your face is shaped like one of them... But no, that's not my goal. I do want to bring people the happiness that was stolen from me. Nobody should suffer my fate. But I'm not gonna lie to you, I am selfish enough to bring that happiness to myself before helping others. I think I deserve it after surviving completely alone all these years. - She then playfully threw a bubble to her Child's nose.

- I understand that. - The Child replied.

- I guess it's time to get back to work. Henia isn't going to be rebuilt with only the two of us.

Bubbles moved out to continue working.

Bubbles' Theme

Naturally

"Unknown Plaza, Year AYZ6"

Another day of torture. The priest slowly approached the center of the circle, to reach the little bat-child that ignorantly sinned. How old was that poor creature? Five? He could be no older than that.

Every bat was witnessing the ceremony that was about to start. The priest fondly grabbed the child and laid him in a table, with both his arms and legs tied. He then proceeded to pick his red blade and point to the kid's chest.

- For the Prophet of Destruction! - He shouted, before stabbing the little sinner in the chest.

All the tribe celebrated, except one of them. A bat girl.

Vicho remained silent.

"Cave of the Chalices, Year AYZ9"

She was laying there, in complete silence, sticking her feet out the cup of the biggest chalice, looking at the stalactites. Next to her, a little doll and a melting green sword. The doll was her best friend. She used to tell it stories of the life she lived as part of the most dreadful and violent tribe in the lands that the Others wanted to know as "Crystallia".

- Footsteps. - She whispered after hearing noises at the entrance of the cave. Her ears allowed her to listen to sounds from a great distance.

- Wait right here. - She said to the doll. She then picked up the sword and extended her wings, to leave where she was laying on.

Quartzone was in one of his walks, as usual. This cave was impressive, the giant structures were not just standing tall from the floor, but also hanging from the stalactites above him. However, something felt odd. He felt like he was not alone.

He noticed a girl with wings flying above him. - A bat... I thought they were no more. - He whispered and grabbed his Citrine Blades, getting ready for her attack. But there was no attack. Instead, she elegantly landed a few steps ahead, looking at him with anger. The bear looked back at her, visibly worried.

- W-who are you? - He asked, holding his Citrine Blades firmly.

Vicho looked at him and raised an eyebrow. She noticed his concern and frowned. "Another one like the rest..." She thought.

- Yeah, yeah, am I not beautiful? - She replied, widely extending her wings for him to see. Quartzone looked at her, starting to sweat.

- Y-you didn't attack me... - Quartzone replied.

- Oh! I am so sorry... I am afraid the little bear won't get that from me... - Vicho playfully said. - I guess you could ask the others to do it, okay?- She smiled at him in a mocking way.

- Wait, you are alone? Where are the "ones like you"? - Quartzone asked. Vicho sighed. She was really tired of this.

- There are no "ones like me", dumbass. I am alone. - She waited to see if the bear showed any kind of reaction. She grunted when she saw he didn't. Her look became much more agressive, but she didn't attack him.

- I HATE people like you! You think we are all the same, don't you?! That's why I am alone... You think we are MONSTERS! - She screamed, and started crying black tears. She looked very frustrated.

- I- I am s... - He couldn't finish his sentence because Vicho gave him a loud scream.

- LEAVE! - She shouted and quickly flied back into the cave, crying with frustration.

Quartzone looked at her and suddenly remembered his own past. The looks people used to give him. Bears were not that different from bats in Crystallia's society.

The Scarf Bear hurried inside the cave hoping to see the bat girl anywhere. He still felt her eyes looking at him from some corner of the cave.

- I AM SORRY! - He screamed with all his strength. - I'VE BEEN INSENSIBLE BUT IT'S NOT BEEN EASY FOR BEARS EITHER! - He screamed. - Please... Please, forgive me... - He said in tears. He didn't expect her to react.

After a sigh, he headed back to the entrance to leave the cave. He then heard her wings again. She was behind him. Quartzone looked back.

Vicho fell to her knees and allowed the Scarf Bear to see her crying.

- How long have you been alone...? - He extended his hand at her.

Vicho looked at him, her eyes sogged by tears.

Vicho's Black Tears

"Royal Palace, Mooth, Year AYY9"

Another day of training. Scarlet got up and put on her white armor. Her brown hair falling down her back and her determined look made her look mature.

Her talent in combat and strategic mind made the King, his dad, make the decission of setting her as her brother's instructor when she was ten. Now that she was seventeen, she already had experience with it. She did not understand the reasons, but neither questioned them.

She picked up her trident and got out her room. The walls of the palace hall were decorated with the Emblem of Crystallia. She approached the door leading to the yard.

Her brother was waiting for her, with a smile on top of his white scarf, typical of a twelve year-old who expected to learn something new every day. He was holding his citrine blades firmly.

- Good morning, Scar! - Quartzone shouted, holding a blade above his head and waving it.

- Uhh where have you been? You are dirty... Scarlet looked at him and frowned.

- Heh heh... - Quartzone smiled at her, making Scarlet laugh a bit. - Today is finally the day I beat you!

- Huh? You'll try, I guess. - She was aware of her brother's prodigious skill. It always made her feel a bit jealous. Maybe that was the reason she felt their parents loved the bear more than her?

En garde! - Quartzone shouted and began to run towards her. Scarlet raised the trident to stop the bear's attack. She dodged all the attacks and glanced at him, pointing her trident at the bear. To her surprise, he managed to run back and evade the weapon.

- You got faster! - She said.

- Heh... - Quartzone smiled.

Scarlet realized that her brother was no longer holding the left blade. He smiled and raised his left hand. Scarlet felt the blade getting from down her legs and hitting her trident, breaking it in half.

- What?! - She began to sweat.

- Told you I'd win this time! - He looked really excited. Scarlet on her hand ignored her brother, she growled and got back to her room without saying anything.

How did she lose against the boy she'd been training for this long? Was she useless now? What would their parents think of her now that she lost against her younger brother?

The days passed by and she lost against the bear day, after day, feeling more desperate each time. The King and Queen would feel disappointed. She loved her brother, but she started hating him at the same time.

"Palace Yard, Mooth, Year AYY9"

Last day of the Second Fall. They were training as usual, and the gray bear won again. 

Scarlet looked at him angrily, and started approaching him. 

- Scar? - Quartzone asked.

The girl grabbed him by the neck and began to squeeze it. Her brother looked at her with fear and noticed her tears. He could barely breathe. Still, he managed to raise his arm and caress Scarlet's arm, the one who was holding his neck.

Scarlet realized what she was doing and instantly dropped Quartzone on the floor, just to quickly get a few steps away from him.

- Oh god, I am sorry... - She whispered.

- S-Scar? Cough, a-are you okay? - The bear asked.

- Leave me alone! I, I HATE you! - She screamed in tears.

Quartzone did not reply. He understood.

"Edge of the Eenah Volcano, Year AYY9"

- What are you doing here, young one? - The volcano asked.

- They say you can erase hatred.

- Hmm, I see… I can turn hatred into something else...

- I hate my brother, but I love him. I don't want to hurt him...

- Despite your feelings... That's very brave.

- Will you help me? - Scarlet asked.

The volcano did not reply.

Scarlet began to float and got dragged to the center of the volcano's circle. Velvet flames surrounded her. Her brown hair turned to orange and her white armor turned to gray. A golden trident appeared on her left hand.

She felt stronger than ever, and no hatred.

- I shall protect you now, oh, mighty lord of Eenah.

The volcano growled and a path of sparks leading to a city in the base of the volcano was revealed.

Scarlet had found her new home.

Warriors Of Eenah

Scarlet's Velvet Flames

They were both sitting under a tree, illuminated by the glowy vegetation of the forest. It made it look magical, especially during the night. Next to him, Chalcelle noticed Quartzone had a lost look, as if he was thinking in silence. She looked at him.

- Uhh, are you okay?- She asked him, and Quartzone looked back at her.

- Haha, why wouldn't I?- He replied with a smile. A smile that he tried to provide in the most natural way he could, yet Chalcelle couldn't be fooled by it.

- I don't know, why wouldn't you? You kind of look like you are overthinking...

- Just... Don't worry about it. - Quartzone said before looking away.

Chalcelle frowned and softly punched the Scarf Bear in the shoulder. Seeing he didn't react made her frown even more.

- Idiot... We've been through a lot of stuff together. You can't fool me anymore.- Chalcelle said. Quartzone then got a bit closer to her.

- Haha, it still seems surreal how much everything has changed, to think we didn't get along at first...- Quartzone laughed.- Well, I was just thinking about how my life has changed over the years.

- For the better?- Chalcelle asked him.

- For the better, essentially. It's just different- He replied. -I grew up as part of a royal family that no longer exists, under responsibilities which I did not understand, and looks from people I did not know. I spent all my childhood training with my sister to reach a goal that I did not know if I would like, neither did I know if my parents even cared about if I liked it...

He took a breath and looked at the stars in the sky. Chalcelle was listening in silence. After thinking for a bit, he continued. 

- I was basically living in a world they built for me, hiding the truth purposefully so I did not ask. But strangely enough, I had the luck of liking it.  So, as the competitive freak I am, when I was given the Citrine Blades I fought hard to become the best. And still...

As he didn't finish the last sentence, Chalcelle looked up at him, expecting him to go on. She saw a smile in his face.

- Still?- the white bear asked.

- Still I am no one compared to you- Quartzone whispered. Chalcelle opened her eyes and Quartzone continued. -I admire you so much... Do you have any idea of what I felt when I first heard you play the Pentaphone? The first time I heard one of your melodies? I honestly don't understand how someone like you found someone like me interesting...

Quartzone was still sitting under the tree, but Chalcelle got up and walked to stand right in front of him. She then looked down at him.

- You feel you don't deserve me? Is that the problem?- She had a serious look, the look that always makes the Scarf Bear's heart race.

The Scarf Hero looked away, avoiding eye contact.

- You are no one to decide that- the white bear said firmly. -You are really facing life the wrong way. I can't believe you have such low self-steem. Look at you... The Scarf Hero, who carries the Holy Blades, hurting himself...

- Then... what did you see in me that I myself can't?- Quartzone asked, looking up at her girlfriend.

Chalcelle grabbed Quartzone's head by the chin to make him look at her. - I refuse to tell you- she then smiled and playfully kissed his nose. - What I do want you to understand, is that there is no "better" or "worse" people. Forget about that kind of comparison.

Quartzone smiled at her, and got up as well. Chalcelle looked at him and smirked.

- I can tell you more of what I feel for you... With my pentaphone. But only if you play with me. Grab your cellette and come to the concert hall, I will be waiting- She winked at him and then quickly turned Quartzone's back, heading to the hall.

He blushed as he finally understood.

This were the moments that mattered.

Story Of A Misunderstood

TRACKLIST DOWN HERE AFTER THE RANDOM INFO

I only break character once a year, and it is during showcases, so taking that in count, I (Ivan) want to give you all some fun facts about the lore I've been building in the descriptions of my tunes.

1. Each bear represents a variety of crystal (Quartzone being citrine, Chalcelle being chalcedony, or Amesynth being amethyst).

2. They say Amesynth knows where the rest of bears live, but I am afraid you will have to wait to find out.

3. Apparently this year you will also be able to discover how the Kingdom was founded, and by who!

4. You may also be able to start understanding the story better as I start tying it up altogether!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRACKLIST:

First Part:

1. Quartzone & Simulcats - ID (0:41)
2. Quartzone & KERO - ID (1:21)
3. Quartzone - ID (2:02)
4. Quartzone - ID (2:30)

Second Part:

5. Quartzone - ID (3:55)
6. Quartzone - ID (5:21)
7. Quartzone - ID (5:52)
8. Quartzone - ID (7:01)
9: Quartzone - ID (7:51)
10. Quartzone - ID (8:19)
11. Quartzone - ID (8:50)
12. Quartzone - ID (9:05)
13. Quartzone - ID (9:53)

Quartzone 2024 Showcase

Quartzone tried to get up, but the arrow had hit him on a weak spot. Chalcelle looked at him with disgust. "Pathetic...", she thought. Nervously, Eco helped the grey bear using magic, which made the girl giggle a bit.

They walked through the forest until their goal village. The houses made use of the trees. Most of them were treehouses. Quartzone was surprised by a big building with a clock tower in the center of the town.

- This is our hometown, we have lived here for generations. - Eco said to Quartzone. Chalcelle frowned.

- Can I go? - Chalcelle asked Eco, annoyed by the situation.

- Yes, I'll handle it now.

Eco lifted Quartzone through the stairs upon a house in a tree. The old elf laid Quartzone on a leaf bed.

- Why is she so rude? - Quartzone asked. Eco sighed.

- She's been here since she was a baby. We raised her like one of us, but the obvious difference made her want to protect the village when she grew up. She never got out of the forest, so she doesn't trust anybody outside our town.

Quartzone sighed and nodded, but Eco continued.

- Don't bear a grudge against her... She's a good girl.

- She laughed at me! - Quartzone angrily said.

- She's always been playful... And she definitely is rude with those she doesn't know.

Quartzone looked away, now focused on his Citrine Blades leaning on a corner of the house. He didn't bother to ask about why Eco is helping him. He started to accept that he maybe just lost his memories.

- Get comfortable, you'll stay here until you heal. The elves in the village will help you, trust me. - Eco said.

Quartzone buried his face in his scarf and closed his eyes. - Thanks.

Weeks passed, and Quartzone could already walk around the village. By that time, he was on good terms with the elves. His main focus everyday was helping everyone, so everybody in the village loved him. However, Chalcelle still looked at him with disdain, avoiding speech but giving him dominance and fierce looks. 

One night, Quartzone was going for a walk in the village and heard a pleasant sound. It felt like… A melody? It was coming from the building he saw when he arrived. Once in front of the door of the building, which was half-closed, he got inside and was revealed a hallway to an elegant door. The sweet sound was right ahead.

Quartzone cautiously opened the door and arrived at a large auditorium venue. Empty seats were facing a stage. He then understood the source of the sound. A Pentaphone, one of the most complex musical instruments of Crystallia, was being played. Chalcelle was at the keys, with her eyes closed, playing a sweet Nocturne with breathtaking majesty. Quartzone felt his heart starting to race. 

The girl stopped playing. When seeing Quartzone, she gave him a disgusted look.

- Leave. - she said firmly.

- Your playing is beautiful… - Quartzone told her.

Chalcelle blushed, but instantly looked away to hide it.

- None of your business… - She said. - Go away.

- We don’t have to get along badly anymore… Everyone in the village has… - Quartzone could not finish the sentence.

- GO. AWAY. - she shouted.

At that same moment, Eco entered the door.

- Calm down, Chalcelle.

- Oh, Eco… - She said.

- It’s finally time to tell you.

Chalcelle looked at him confused.

- I want you to go with Quartzone on his journey.

- WHAT?

- Don’t let the trees hide you from the forest, Chal… He is a great guy. Didn’t you see him helping everybody? - Chalcelle didn’t reply. - You need to grow up and accept the fact that not everybody wants to hurt us… You won’t learn that here.

She knew Eco was right.

- What about the village? - She asked.

- We can protect ourselves. - Eco smiled.

The idea of exploring the world beyond Fairy Dust Forest amazed her, but still, she didn’t trust Quartzone.

- Alright.

- Nice! - Eco looked at Quartzone. - Go to Eenah. You will probably find answers.

Quartzone nodded. Chalcelle looked at him with dominance once again. 

She wanted to let him know they were not friends.

Glassy Elves

do you feel my lazy brain

Monks sing secret psalms, preserving precious knowledge across the long unlit night

The Forbidden Monastery

a/k/a CHRIS CYPHER
[FUTURE_WITCH\TRICK]
author of 'LANTERNGLASS'
and
'an UNASSEMBLED VERSE'
verseweld.substack.com

Placed among twinkles, colours and magic.
FKA "Ivivarelus"

Released on:
@antithesysmusic
@circusrecords
@circuselectric
@echoescollective
@exobolt
@ifnmusic
@ledgecollective
@mystic-tunes
@neoluminum
@wearenova
@railbreakers
@reinelexrecs
@rushdownrecs
@scanrecs
@wearesilkenwood

My trashbin: https://soundcloud.com/quartzone_extras

New tracks tagged #Lorestep