Official Lore: The End of Kiwike 2.0

geckosquid · 03-29-2012, 03:12,

Before the flames came, Kiwike was at peace.

A rusty automaton walks through the streets of the town he christened Bludwick so long ago. In those days, there was hope. Now, there is satisfaction. A nation in his grasp. Legions of loyal followers at his disposal. He is untouchable. The sands of the desert grate against his metallic frame, swirling about him as if robes befitting a king. Today, the Android is calm. Tranquility rests over the land like a thick fog.

A rugged man with a smile on his face sits on a hill and gazes into the distance. Beneath him lies his life’s pride: The Bludwick Farm. Its sprawling face is a monument to the man’s work. As the sun beats down on his back, he closes his eyes and sighs the sigh of one who has worked to his limit. It was all worth it, he thinks. This is the life.

The pleasant Nosaka sun bathes the Geckosquid in warm sunlight as he basks in the grass. His eyes are closed, for today is a day of remembrance. Remembrance of Bamboo City and its mayor with whom he formed an unbreakable friendship, despite the tracts of land that separated them. Remembrance of the town called Blackrock and its unfailingly loyal and courageous creator with the intent of leading a nation. Remembrance of the ideas turned towns, which all turned into ruins. Remembrance of Stug the Master, his closest friend for so long, and André Ashdown, the leader of the humble Roadbuilders who kindly took him in when there was nowhere else to go. Remembrance of the wars fought with The Grand, whom he had hated so thoroughly. Now, though, he feels hate towards no one, for he finds comfort in the thought that every living being on the good ground of Kiwike was a piece of the puzzle, a means to an end. For reasons that the reptilian can not quite grasp, the word "end" echoes through his mind. His closest friend by the name of Cell walks up to him and sits in the grass as well, taking in the glory of life. The past was full of hardships for both of these creatures, but today, the past matters not. Today is a day to be remembered.

A cloaked man stands within the glass dome of New Hope. The Roadbuilders are a mere shell of what they used to be. The streets are devoid of life, and the gates gape open like mouths without a tongue. Yet his goal has been accomplished. André Ashdown knows that he has done his duty to the best of his abilities. As a Roadbuilder, he has succeeded.

The sound of creaking wood and contracting rope lace the air around the Shipbuilders. Their labors of love sway gently in the wind, monuments standing as testaments to the time-honored philosophy of great rewards for hard work. The winds are kind today, a perfect match for the clear skies that allow the sun to extend its rays through the cracks between the wooden docks, creating a dazzling display of golden beams dancing over those standing beneath them. Perfection seems an apt description for the day that lies before the builders of ships.

A lone man stands within the gleaming palace of profit called The Diamond. The streets below are his, but they have not always been. He looks straight ahead, and through the glass he can see the entire city of The Perfect, built so long ago by he who left in search of new beginnings. Staring back through the glass is a pair of eyes; his own. These are not simply the eyes of a thief, but the eyes of a man who is quick, cunning, convincing, intelligent, and willing to risk it all to attain his every goal. A smile crosses his face. He has come a long way from the anonymous, petty thief in the fallen city of Cencus. Now, he sits atop a throne of gold. This is what he wanted. This is who he wanted to be. Not unlike the machine on the other side of the world, the man who was once called The Black Sun is content. There is no danger. There is only tranquility and peace.

A robed man stands on a cliff overlooking the sea. He smiles as he ponders over his accomplishments: King of Azure, High Mage... He is brought still more satisfaction when he realizes that he never gave up. He never backed down. He fought for what he believed in. He held his kingdom dear. And this moment was his reward. The perfect moment. Atop this cliff, with the salty sea breeze ruffling his robe, the High Mage experiences something that very few are fortunate enough feel. He realizes that he has fulfilled his purpose in life.

A weathered king stands upon the roof of his castle. His crown is off-center, and his beard has begun to turn gray. Around him lie dozens of books, volumes that contain his life between their covers. The kingdom he had wanted was torn apart by the human tendency to avoid strict forms of government. Perhaps Kiwike would be a very different place were it not for this atrocity. Yet, here he stands. Visionary. Friend. Enemy. Believer.

King.

In the heavens, a force beyond Kiwikean comprehension makes a decision. Balance must be restored, and He is the only one with the power to do so. Some things must be done for the good of all.

The earth cracks, and a wall of fire erupts forth from within the bowels of Kiwike. It destroys everything in its path, leaving behind a molten heap of shattered dreams.

The king's eyes turn skyward. The flames approach, a screaming wall of white-hot decimation. His eyes widen, scanning his handiwork. He steps back and says with a shaking voice, "But... It was so artistically done!"

And Cerce Eugene Tentones is gone.

The horizon races towards the High Mage as the torrential fire advances through the sea. Mist clouds his vision, for the sea is evaporating. No amount of magic can save the man now, and it is with this knowledge that his fate is sealed within ashes.

Behind the eyes reflected in the glass wall that stands before the thief, another reflection appears. It is of dancing flames that draw closer by the second. They say that diamonds are forever. But The Diamond and its owner are now cast into oblivion.

Preceding the wall of fire is a hellish wasteland of flaming brush. It is this phenomenon that now approaches Lakeville Cove. The town is built mostly of wood. The residents flee in a desperate attempt to survive, but the town lies on stilts. The last image many of them see is a ceiling of blazing charcoal descending towards them, much like the rays of sunlight that shone down just minutes before.

One ship remains. At its bow stands a female Dragonoid, her husband at her side. They cast a meaningful sideways look at each other, squeeze hands, close their eyes, smile ever so slightly, and face forward.

The sound of roaring flames approaches, and the tired leader of the Roadbuilders places his hand on the only known Travel Stone. He can see the flames coming from over the walls of New Hope. As he watches them come ever closer, he mutters, “Kubrick... my task is done.” The fire in his heart is ignited.

And extinguished.

The walls of Nosaka were built to last. But permanence is loosely interpreted by those with the power to eliminate it. The man called Cell is the first to see their doom advance. His life is suddenly so clear to him, and he realizes his ultimate purpose: to die here, at the center of his existence on Kiwike. As the stone walls turn to rubble and fire rushes through, the man reaches down and pulls the reptilian lying beside him to his feet. They look to each other, souls sinking. Once, they nod. Once, they turn. Once, they shout: “KIWIKE WILL NEVER DIE!” And once...

They die.

Wheat burns. As his work bursts into flame, the man’s heart sinks. He swallows back tears, but one escapes. It quickly evaporates as the fire takes his life.

Untouchable. Some titles are not meant to last. As the hot desert air becomes even higher in temperature, metallic feet clank to a halt. The wall of fire descends upon the capital of Helvanthar, engulfing the Android in flames. He screams and falls to his knees. His metal frame begins to morph and glow as the intensity of the heat rises. Fire relentlessly billows past and through him. There is no end in sight, for sight is a luxury not afforded the machine as melting metal blocks his vision. He mutters with a weak voice, “My master… He would’ve been pleased…” Finally, the wall of fire passes. There is silence as a tiny metallic figure falls into nothingness.

After the flames came, Kiwike was in pieces.

squiggley1 · 03-29-2012, 03:21,

why must all good things come to an end Sad

Cell · 03-29-2012, 03:32,

Fantastic Gecko. You did an amazing job.

iDieForEXP · 03-29-2012, 03:49,

This is really good! I've read through some stuff from 2.0 and actually know what these places are, and you've done a great job of portraying the hard work and satisfaction with each location.