Aftermath

XIX.

Tiesa was cast into Shadow. The Light that had emanated over the entire city was now scattered, shining on certain areas, but leaving much in darkness. No longer were all evenly impacted by the Light, but each had to fend for themselves, with the Light serving a more immediate personal purpose. The change was abrupt and the vision was altered drastically. Beams of light shot up from the ground, serving as beacons, illuminating paths nearby, but simultaneously casting shadows where there had been Light. The people began to regain their sight after the blinding flashes that corresponded with the explosions that rocked the foundation of the Radiant Tower bringing it crashing to the earth. As people began to regain their vision, they noticed that each crystal seemed to provide a consistent stream of light that could prove useful. There would never be a need for darkness; the crystal would simply shine the Light and show the way that should be followed.

A disorienting peace reigned over Tiesa, with Light coming from the ground and in small bursts, while the people and armies tried to regain their bearings to further their crusade. As most struggled to understand what had happened and the effect that it would have on them, a few shrewd women understood the power that holding the Light would have and grabbed some of the fallen crystals for themselves. As others noticed the Light dimming slightly, they saw what was happening and soon everyone was scrambling to grab a crystal of their own, to provide the light directly for them. Mayhem resulted, with more violence as people fought for their lives for the right to hold a crystal. In the resulting mayhem, many of the original Light Police retreated from the scene of battle going to a safe place to regroup and understand what had happened and what their plan of attack should be to protect the Lighthouse, or if they even had a purpose, as the Lighthouse had been almost completely decimated, with only the corner towers remaining. Without the Radiant Tower, the Lighthouse really served no purpose. Did they have a responsibility to defend it? Would they be held accountable for its destruction?

They ran with their supporters outside the city, as their actions had effectively alienated the entire city, leaving them to fend for themselves. The most superior officers within the Light Police had been given crystals, similar to the ones given the Keepers, which functioned essentially the same as the crystals that were found within the Radiant Tower and now were scattered all across Tiesa.

As the Light Police reached what appeared to be a secure location they settled down, to create a plan of action. They needed to survive and fulfill their duty to the Lighthouse, which may or may not still be in force. Were any of the Keepers still alive? Was Bartholomew living, or would he have been killed already, leaving no successor within the Keepers and no competition for The Glare that had the prestige and power that came with having a more or less public office.

The Light Police debated fiercely amongst themselves searching for an answer. Some thought it was hopeless that they might as well give up and move on to other places where they could start anew, without the stain of the fallen Lighthouse that would likely lead to their deaths if they remained in Tiesa. The Glare was ruthless and hundreds of Light Police and Keepers had already died at his hand, it seemed foolish to hope for anything different now.

On the other hand, if some Keepers remained, if Bartholomew remained alive, there was a chance that they could rescue them and regain control of the Light, somehow gather it back and return it, once again shining light on all of Tiesa, from above, the way things were meant to be. If they were alive and they abandoned them, then the fall of Tiesa would be their fault. The hope would be there and they would douse the flame themselves by their inaction.

A vote was taken counting not only the Light Police, but all that were with them. As the votes were counted, it was clear what the course of action would be. They would return to save Tiesa, at least what was left of it. The only question that needed to be answered now was how. They planned and plotted striving to find the best way to save the lives of their friends and allies. The considered sending a scout to determine where everyone was held, but were worried that they would blow the one chance they had at entering on finding out if they were there, alerting The Glare to their efforts and drawing unwanted attention that would likely result in their failure to rescue the other Keepers as well as the loss of their own lives.

How? How could they sneak in unnoticed and save the keys to salvaging Tiesa?

As the Light Police plotted a jailbreak, The Glare rejoiced in their victory. They were overjoyed at the departure of the Light Police and the crystals that they had harvested, glorying in the Light that they know held in the palms of their hands. Many kept the Light to themselves, further bringing darkness and Shadow upon Tiesa. Others used their Light to guide and assist the people of Tiesa, helping them salvage items of use and find their way to somewhere safe and sheltered. They had not only conquered the Lighthouse, but they had succeeded in bringing the Light to all. No longer was the Light locked away in a tower, only used at the direction of the Chief Keeper. Now the Light was in the hands of the people for them to decide how it should be used. The power and responsibility was staggering and missed most, who grabbed a crystal and ran.

As The Glare celebrated their victory, casting odd shadows and making ghastly faces in the Light, fully enjoying the range of possibilities that direct access to the Light crystals provided, a green-cloaked figure walked towards them, from the outskirts.

*

The Glare looked out over the city as the tower fell and the crystals hit the earth and scattered everywhere. Victory. The Light had been returned to the people. The rapid shadow and darkness that fell over Tiesa caused some discomfort for The Glare, as he watched the results of his actions. Now he would find the truth, if the Light really was better served by being among all, not limited to any one person. The darkness that smothered Tiesa after the collapse of the Radiant Tower was thick, so thick that you could feel it pressing in around you. As the top of the tower hit the ground shattering the crystal’s casing and sending the crystals all over the streets of Tiesa.

He stood by as the battle ceased, first due to the blinding flashes and second to watch the slow, inevitable fall of the Tower. Watching, he saw the chaos that was introduced as the Light disappeared and then reappeared in drastically altered form, shining light upward and illuminating a little bit to the side of each beam, leaving the other sides of Tiesa in darkness, except for the edges that received some of the Light from the beams scattered the farthest from the tower.

Looking out, The Glare began to question the correctness of his course. It had seemed the only option. Dialogue had broken down and failed over and over again, while the Lighthouse had only grown stronger and less tolerant of those that disagreed. What was the solution, if not to remove the Lighthouse from control and give the Light back to the people? That was what Fairfax had wanted wasn’t it? That was the natural progression of the League, the only way to ensure that the Light was untainted and true to what it needed to be was to give the Light straight to the people, no intermediaries. Yet, the words of Bartholomew troubled him, as he saw the results of his decision, “The Light needs community to function. Without the Light collected, it is not nearly as powerful. Scattering the Light will simply leave all of Tiesa in darkness.”

Could Bartholomew be right? The darkness seemed to be more pervasive than usual, but that could be a simple trick of the Light, and adjusting to the new position of the beams that gave the Light that brings life. The Glare stared on as the Light Police fled from the scene, rushing to regroup and find safety elsewhere. As they fled the others gathered up the crystals, some hording the Light. As The Glare saw this, he began to worry, afraid that the Light would not belong to all, but only to the strong. Perhaps that was the way it was meant to be. The Light could only be truly understood and appreciated by those that had the strength to keep it. The test was gaining the Light and that brought a certain privilege that suggested a right to the Light. If that was the case, what separated them from the Lighthouse? The Glare thought, puzzled, struggling to determine how the Light could belong to all, and not only the strong.

Thaddeus was brought before The Glare and thrown to the ground. The Glare turned, disturbed from his meditative, introspective state by the interruption and clattering of the restraints as Thaddeus was thrown to the ground.

“Here he is sir. We had to rough him up a bit for his cooperation, but other than that, he should be in tip-top shape. For his age of course.”

“Thank you. You may leave now,” The Glare responded, tempted to snarkily comment, but held his tongue, unsure what his course of action should be. The certainty that had steeled The Glare and allowed him to do whatever was necessary for his army to do to achieve the peace and unity that can only be achieved by hard work and diligence. His resolve was waning as the city seemed intent on destroying itself. The process was likely to happen once more as a The Glare became aware of the true impact of his decision and how it seemed to give strength to the strong and leave most of Tiesa in the darkness.

“So, Thaddeus- we meet again. You have seen the work that we have done. “

“Oh, Patrick, you cannot simply give the Light to everyone. Each of the crystals use the light to represent something.”

The Glare made a disapproving noise, showing his disbelief in Thaddeus’ warning and unwillingness to change. He knew what path he had chosen and could not back down now.

“Thaddeus, you can still join us. The Lighthouse is no more, but you can be on the right of history, becoming a voice for victory. You can help all of Tiesa transition from the closed doors of he Lighthouse to the openness of all being able to use the Light and appreciate what it can do.”

“No, Patrick. My answer remains the same. I cannot betray the Lighthouse, regardless of what you offer and what may come. My loyalty remains to the Lighthouse, regardless of the state of the walls and the building as a whole.”

“Thaddeus, you could help save Tiesa. If you join with us, the transition will be more smooth. You know the inner workings of the Light and how it all comes together. You could be the one to finally heal the Schism.”