Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Being born a Skeksis, you are expected to find your place and purpose amount the council. Either you serve a purpose or your considered useless, redundant to the empire. Sometimes even having a minuscule job around the castle is better than having others look down upon you.

Deep inside the castle, down in the Scientists' laboratory, a young skeksis by the name of SkekTil, sat at an easel, a thin paint brush held in her long nimble hand. With careful strokes, she created a gentle masterpiece of the scene that lay before her; her father, SkekTek, expirementin on different chemicals.

SkekTil dipped her brush into a vial of green paint, only to realise that she had run out completely. She grumbled in frustration. Grabbing her now empty glass, she stood up and walked out of the laboratory.

"SkekTil? Where are you going?"

She poked her head back in. "Oh- I'm just going down to the library to get more paint-" she pointed at the empty vial in her hands. "-just ran out."

SkekTeks lips curled in a gentle calming smile he only showed around his daughter. "Alriht then, go on."

SkekTil smiled. "Love you father!" She called before she whisked down the halls.

Today was an unusually sunny day; instead of the dismal grey clouds taking up the sky, sunlight managed to find its way inside, illuminating the many carvings along the wall. The castle itself was as busy as usual, gelfling guards were patrolling, other fellow skeksis wandering around... Just another normal day, and SkekTil enjoyed it. While she couldn't help but admit living a lavish life was enjoyable; she enjoyed knowing that as 'Lords of the Crystal', they were protecting the people of Thra.

After wandering the halls, she reached the library doors which were guarded by two gelfling.

The two guards quickly opened the doors and bowed deeply. SkekTil nodded and thanked them before stepping inside. The library as always smelt like musty old paper. A light breeze coming from higher windows blew around old scraps and scrolls.

"SkekTil? Is that you?" A creaky old voice called from a particularly cluttered corner.

SkekOk the Scroll-keeper stepped forward, squinting through his spectacles.

"Yes it's me, I just came looking for more green paint."

"I believe SkekLunne has the paints, she's up in the astronomy tower, as usual."

SkekTil nodded her thanks and set off to the highest point of the library.

"SkekLunne? Are you up there?" SkekTil called as she climbed up the ladder. She got no response.

"SkekLunne?" She tried once again.

Upon reaching the top, she found a frazzled SkekLunne running between the large telescope and the desk, continuously muttering under her breath.

"Uhmm... 'Lunne?"

No response again, the only thing SkekTil could understand was something about the three moons.

"SkekLunne!" SkekTil tried again, this time raising her voice.

"AH! Oh, SkekTil, sorry I didn't hear you, I was just going over charts-" SkekLunne grabbed multiple scrolls and shoved them aside to make space for a much bigger sheet of paper.

SkekTil couldn't help but chuckle. "Charts for what? I'm not even sure your father works this hard."

"I know I know- but I just want to prove to the Emperor that I can be just as helpful as my father- and he might see that and give me the title of something that involves working in the library-"

While SkekLunne continued to ramble on, SkekTil remembered that the 'Title Ceremony' was tomorrow. That was when younger skeksis earn their titles and their place among the council. It was definitely a stressful time, he could see why SkekLunne was so scatterbrained.

"-And I just don't want to disappoint my parents... But anyway! Uh... Did you need anything?" SkekLunne asked, smoothing out her hair.

"Yes Uhm, I just needed some green paint-" she pulled out her empty paint glass. "-I just ran out and I need more to finish a painting.

"Oh, sure! Just one second" SkekLunne rushed over to another corner and pulled out a small dusty box.

"Here, you can take them- them- ACHOO! They were taking up space and- ACHOO! -Irritating my allergies." SkekLunne wiped her beak with her sleeve.

"Thanks 'Lunne," SkekTil stepped back down the ladder. "I'll see you later at dinner, right?"

But SkekLunne didn't respond, once again she had her head buried in scrolls and papers.

SkekTil rolled her eyes as she climbed down, and walked back to the laboratory.

---

SkekTil, we must hurry! We're already late."

"Sorry! Just one more minute!"

SkekTil aggressively scrubbed at her sleeves, which had bright blue stains on them.

"One minute is up, now hurry along." SkekTek grasped his daughter's arm and pulled her along.

SkekTil followed behind, adjusting her sleeve so they were tucked at an angle where hopefully they wouldn't be visible when presenting herself in front of the Emperor.

Even on the lower levels of the castle, the loud echoing laughter and chatter could be heard from above. Podling servants shuffled past with carts filled with food, the aroma of the sweets, meats and other scents made SkekTil's mouth water. Two Gelfling guards suddenly rounded the corner, a Vapran and a Stonewood from the looks of it. They both bowed and held their spears steadily at their sides.

SkekTek shooed them aside as they both stepped into the banquet hall, the two long tables that were normally separated for the younger and older skeksis were pushed together to create a large crescent moon shape. Two seats were empty.

"Ah! SkekTil, Scientist! So glad you could finally join us," Emperor SkekSo rested his beak on his jeweled hands, his cold grey eyes carried a certain annoyance that dripped into his words. His gaze always made SkekTil freeze.

SkekTek, however, managed to speak up. "I'm sorry my emperor. We- I didn't realize how late it was."

SkekTil started to cower behind her father, all eyes were on the two of them, and it was starting to make her uncomfortable. Most of the other lords were starting and muttering, she even heard someone giggle.

"Enough excuses-" the Emperor gestured to the table with two empty seats. "-Now sit down."

SkekTil awkwardly sat down at her seat and attempted to distract herself from the stares and whispers by eating a handful of cooked seaweed.

"Hey, you alright?"

SkekTil turned to see her friend SkekGee give her a sympathetic look. She nodded and swallowed the food in her mouth.

"Yeah, I'm okay. We uhm- didn't miss much right?" She asked.

SkekGee shook his head. "Nope, the only thing that happened was some gelfling guards welcoming the Hunter and the Mariner."

SkekTil took a quick glance at both tables. The masked Hunter sat next to the Singer, shoveling food in his mouth as if he hadn't eaten in months. The Mariner was seated next to the Ritual Master, her hands resting a-top her parent's. She laughed loudly at something else.

"Wow- I've hardly seen them both here together. Does it have something to do with the title ceremony tomorrow?" SkekTil asked.

SkekGee only shrugged in response. "Maybe? Would make sense as to why everyone who's had kids are here-" he paused to finish eating. "How do you feel about the ceremony? What do you hope your title will be?"

Before SkekTil could respond, she was interrupted by a chuckle.

"I'd be surprised if you'd get any sort of title!"

SkekTil groaned. The last thing she wanted was for SkekLil to put a damper on her mood.

"She didn't ask you, SkekLil-"

"And I didn't ask you! Don't be a suck-up for your girlfriend, SkekGee!"

SkekGee blushed and hid his head in his food. "She- she's not my girlfriend..." He muttered under his breath.

SkekTil's brow furrowed. "Even if he was my boyfriend, at least he would want to be with me, unlike yours!"

A nearby Skeksis who was listening in on the conversation spewed out the wine they were drinking as they attempted to stop laughing.

SkekLils nails gripped the table and made small gouges in the woodwork, her jaw tightened as she spoke through gritted teeth. "What did you just say to me?"

I. Uh-" SkekTil stuttered.

SkekLil stood up and pushed her chair out. "Well? Speak up 'Experiment'!"

SkekTil cringed, she hated the 'nick-name' the other Skeksis would give her from time to time. Since she wasn't created naturally like the other children, she often received odd looks and whispers from other skeksis around the halls.

"ENOUGH!"

Every Skeksis in the room went silent and stared at the Emperor, who was now standing up from his chair. He face pulled tight into a fierce scowl.

"The both of you are scawbling like chidlings! I'm starting to wonder if you both deserve to be part of the council..."

SkekLils face fell. "N-no Emperor! It wasn't my fault I-"

"Quiet- I will not hear anymore of your blabbering!"

SkekLil shut her beak and sat down, an angry, flustered expression plastered across her face. She fired a furious glare at SkekTil before returning to her food. SkekTil glanced at the tables, every single Skeksis and podling servant in the room was staring at her, even the music had stopped playing.

"I... Apoligize Emperor," she whispered to herself.

SkekSo simply huffed and sat down back at his seat and continued eating. The other followed suite and went back to their business. SkekTil felt so embarrassed that she didn't feel like eating anymore, but she didn't want to get up and leave after having caused such a scene in front of the Emperor.

"Hey, are you gonna be okay?"

SkekTil only nodded her head in response, she didn't feel like talking.

"...Alriht, but uhm- if you wanna talk later, I'm here you know that right?"

"...I know. Thanks SkekGee."

---

After the feast was over, SkekTil quickly retired to her art studio and turned to her paints to distract her from the embarrassing night. She hardly payed attention to what she was actually painting and only made small shapes in the canvas, sometimes a little to aggressively as the bristles in her brush were starting to fan out from her pushing it into the picture.

"SkekTil? Are you in here?"

It was SkekTek, her father. SkekTil rolled her eyes and sighed. "I'm here."

She heard her father enter the room. "Are you alright?" He asked, putting his hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah. I just- I'm sorry I created such a scene during the feast." She didn't turn to look at her father.

SkekTek chuckled to himself. "You're not the first Skeksis to anger the Emperor-" he landed forward and talked in a hushed voice. "-in my opinion, SkekLil needed to be put in her place."

SkekTil managed to smile and let a huff of laughter escape her beak. "Yeah... But I-I should try and keep my composure. I'll be a 'Lord of the Crystal' tomorrow! Of course that'll only happen if I even get a place at the council in the first place- but I'm more worried that I--"

"SkekTil! SkekTil wait, please!" SkekTek gripped his daughters shoulders and spun her around so she could face him.

"SkekTil... My little Miracle. You have no reason to worry. You will be getting a title tomorrow. You are a talented Skeksis who will benefit our kind. I know you will," SkekTek pulled his daughter into a gentle hu.

SkekTil couldn't help but smile and hug her father back. "You're just saying that because you're my father," she laughed.

The Scientist chuckled and stood back up, reached inside the sleeve of his robes. He pulled out a small box. "I may be your father, but I'm obligated to make sure my daughter is the happiest she can be."

SkekTek opened the box and pulled out a moonstone pendent.

"Is- that for me?" SkekTil gasped, admiring the stones shiny surface.

"Yes, consider it a gift for your becoming of the Skeksis council," SkekTek dropped the pendent over his daughters neck, letting it drop against her chest.

SkekTol fondled the jewel and smiled. "But I haven't--"

"Shshshs! You will SkekTil... You will..."

Chapter Text

Today was the day, the 'Title Ceremony' was finally here. SkekTil gently ran a brush through her hair, ensuring no strand of hair was out of place. Everything had to be perfect. She had to be perfect.

'Be strong...' She reached down to the pendant her father had given her the other night. She thought about what he had said.

'You will earn your place. You will be part of the council.'

SkekTil continued to say the same sentence in her head over again, attempting to calm her nerves. Taking a few more minutes to put her mind at ease, she stepped out of her room.

Her father was waiting outside. Upon turning around, he smiled and quickly embraced his daughter.

"Oof- father I--"

"My little daughter, all grown up! You look so beautiful."

SkekTil smiled and hugged her father back. "Father, you're squeezing me too hard!"

SkekTek stepped back and smoothed out her dress. "Sorry about that, you should head up with the others."

SkekTil nodded, she gave her father one last quick hug before setting off to join the other younger skeksis.

---

Unfortunately, SkekTil was the last one to join the others. A few of the chidlings gave her glares. Not wanting to get into a confrontation, she went up to her own group of things; SkekGee, SkekLunne, and SkekThu. All three of them were wearing white gowns which reached down to the floor, the gowns themselves had numerous ruffles that were itchy and bothersome. They seemed to bother SkekThu the most.

"Gah- As soon as I get my title I'm taking this stupid dress off!" He complained, scratching at his wrists.

"Oh stop complaining, it won't be for long," SkekLunne bumped his shoulder playfully.

"Yeah but for much longer do we have to wait? Its been almost half an hour!"

"It's actually been about ten minutes," SkekGee corrected.

SkekTil chuckled, SkekThu was normally a complainer, but he was never truly serious about them, except when they involved his father or SkekLil.

"What does it matter? My father always takes his sweet time with his 'rituals', we could be here all day before the ceremony starts."

A tall figure emerged from the throne room, it was the Ritual Master, and he did not seem happy.

"You must learn to be patient if you ever wish to have your place among the castle." SkekZok smoothed down SkekThu's feather tufts which caused the latter to grumble in annoyance.

SkekZok turned to SkekTil and the others, who had now gathered around curiously.

"Follow me to the throne room, you will a line. When I call your name, you will step forward and the Emperor will announce your title, then you will join your parents."

Without waiting for any responses, the Ritual Master turned around and walked ahead. The others followed the rest of the group, there was no time to get nervous.

The throne room was adorned with many curtains, tapestries, and candles galore. There were a few Gelfling guards posted at a few corners, and the Podling musicians played a multitude of string instruments, creating an echoing melody across the entire chamber. All the older Skeksis stood around the room looking upon her and the others, not as childlings... But as fellow future council members... It was nerve-wracking, but not as worrisome as the Emperor.

He sat on his throne, looking more bored than anything else. His staff lay t his side as he played with the encrusted jewels along the side. Standing beside him was Prince SkekThekt, the Emperor's son. He was wearing many fabrics and extensive jewelry, he looked more like a decorative stand than a royalty figure. While he stood tall and confident SkekTil could see a small hint of worry and doubt.

Even though SkekThekt was known to be as harsh and as cold as his father, SkekTil could always sense the pressure he held on his shoulders. Being the Emperor's son was definitely not easy.

Bringing her attention back to the present, SkekTil straightened herself, if she wanted to become part of the council, she needed to prove that she could belong.

"The Tittle Ceremony shall now begin, when your name is called step forward and the Emperor shall give you your new title."

Everyone stood to attention, waiting anxiously for what was going to happen, who was going to be called first?"

The Emperor clanged his staff against the stone floor, causing most of the childlings to flinch.

"SkekEl! Step forward."

Everyone glanced at the Hunter's daughter, who walked up to the Emperor without faltering.

"You have proved yourself to the Skeksis Empire, and to me. I hereby give you the title of 'Emperor's Guardian."

Everyone in the throne room was shocked, SkekEl herself even seemed surprised but she still remained her composure and bowed deeply.

"Thank you, my Emperor," she walked over to her parents, and an aura of confidence now surrounded her.

SkekSo turned back to look at the few remaining younger Skeksis, all looking around expectantly and nervously to receive their title. Wondering who would be called next.

"SkekLunne! Step forward."

Surprised, SkekLunne faltered in her steps before making her way toward the Emperor's throne.

"Your title shall be Astronomer, you will aid your father in the library."

A huge smile came across, SkekLunnes's face and her whole body tensed up as she tried not to jump for joy.

"Thank you, Emperor! Thank you!" She rushed over to join her parents and pulled her father into a tight hug.

Now, there were four left.

---

Only SkekGee and SkekTil remained, the Emperor glanced between the both of them. The tense silence was overwhelming to the point where SkekTil thought she would pass out from the anxiety.

"SkekTil, step forward."

SkekTil glanced around before walking nervously toward the Emperor's throne.

"I hereby give you the title of 'Artist'."

She was in minor disbelief for a brief moment, before a huge smile came across her face. "I thank you, my Emperor!"

SkekTil rushed to join her father, who embraced her in a tight hug. She had done it! She was officially part of the Skeksis Empire, and she had also gotten a title that she enjoyed! SkekTil the Artist. No longer SkekTil the Scientists daughter, or SkekTil the Experiment. But SkekTil the Artist! She'll be known all across Thra for her talents.

(Five trine later)

The last few trines have been both tiring and stressful. SkekTil had been especially busy. Her status as the castle resident artist has had her all over Thra day and night creating art pieces. Mostly for the castle residents and for a few of the Gelfling clans.

But things have been strange lately, parts of Thra had become...sick. She and the other Skeksis knew that something was happening, but they just didn't know what. SkekTil had tried to figure it out by herself but to no avail. Her father wouldn't help much either and she knew for a fact that the Emperor wouldn't say anything no matter what.

So for the time being, she kept to herself about her suspicions and only stuck to her job. Currently, she sat in her studio working on a landscape portrait of the castle. Until she was interrupted by someone grabbing her shoulder.

"Agh! Oh, father, you frightened me-"

"Sorry SkekTil, I didn't mean to. But I- have to ask you to leave your studio."

SkekTil raised her brow in confusion. "What do you mean?"

SkekTek seemed... worried. He was hardly ever worried. "I just need the laboratory. The Emperor needs me to conduct some experiments, and... you can't see them."

This confused SkekTil immensely. Why was her father acting so strange? And what sort of experiment was he conducting that she couldn't see?

"But... Why do you need me out of my studio? I'll just-"

"SkekTil! You need to leave your studio!"

SkekTil was shocked, her father very rarely raised his voice at anyone, especially her. Now she was a little worried, what was going on? SkekTek hardly acted like this.

"I- fine... Okay," she got up and hurriedly left the laboratory, leaving her art supplies behind. she no longer felt the ability and motivation to continue working. She needed to find out what it was her father doing.

---

Watching from the sidelines, SkekTil noticed several of the older Skeksis wander into her father's laboratory, which was in itself. Hardly anyone aside from her and the Emperor would be the ones to venture into that section of the castle.

As carefully as she could, she snuck behind everyone else, keeping to the darker areas of the laboratory so she wouldn't be discovered. Thankfully all the creatures that her father had kept in the cages were hollering and yelping, so the chances of her being heard were slim.

"Get on with it SkekTek!" The Emperor demanded making SkekTil jump. What could her father be showing him?

"Right, of course, my Emperor. Allow me to invite our guest. Come on out! Don't be shy!"

SkekTil froze, what was -or who- he talking about?

Taking a small glance into the laboratory, she noticed a Vapran Gelfling walking amongst the other Skeksis. And she looked... Scared. What was happening? But that wasn't the only thing SkekTil noticed. Slowly, lowering down into the laboratory was the crystal of truth... But- it was cracked and... Purple? Did it always look like that? She had never seen the crystal herself in person, but it couldn't have looked like this all the time right? Something was wrong. It looked sick.

A crackle of electricity made SkekTil nearly exclaim in surprise. Her father's machine shot beams of lighting at the crystal, causing starbursts of cracks to appear across the heart of Thra. Tears started to well up in SkekTils eyes, they were hurting the crystal! This was why the land of Thra was dying!

"Give the crystal everything, give it your fear, give it your very ESSENCE!" SkekTek yelled before jamming two metal rods into the Gelflings back.

This time, SkekTil couldn't contain her screams. She covered her mouth and hid behind the wall. All her life was a lie! How long has this been going on? Has her father been murdering Gelfling all along? She couldn't stop herself from crying, all this time she had thought that they were protecting Gelflin, but here she witnessed a murder, and her father was the one orchestrating it.

"GELFLING!"

She heard someone shout, and she didn't know who. The first scream was followed by other furious voices. She couldn't hear much of what was said, and she didn't want to stick around so she could be caught. Before she left, however, she heard someone mention a name. Rian.

Rian? Rian! That was the son of the guards' captain! Could he have seen what had happened as well? She had to help him, he'd most likely get killed before he could spread the word. She'd help him, and she could help the other Gelfling too! She would protect them no matter what. But she had to hurry.

Chapter Text

The entire castle was in chaos. The Gelfling guard was on edge after hearing about how a Stonewood murdered a Vapran. They were all shocked, how could one of their own murder a fellow guard? Were the lords telling them the truth? There was no way they would lie to them right?

Only two knew the truth, and that was Rian, and SkekTil the Artist. Both of them had witnessed the Skeksis murder Mira. SkekTil was now determined to help Rian escape with his life, she knew that he would be killed so that he couldn't escape with the truth. If SkekTil could help him escape the castle, maybe he would be safe. But first, she had to find him.

'He could be anywhere, maybe he escaped already. I hope he did... Even if I did try to help him would he let me? Or would he try to kill me? Maybe this is a mistake...'

Upon her journey around the castle, she arrived in the Crystal Chamber. The room was completely silent and empty. When she was younger, she often gazed upon the crystal with a sense of awe and wonder, thinking it was the most beautiful thin she had ever seen. Seeing it now, all she could think about was what she had witnessed. Was Mira in the crystal now? Could she feel anything? Could she see anything?

Reaching her hand forward, her talons gently caressed the crystal. Despite the fire raging below, the crystal was cool to the touch.

"I promise. I promise your truth will be revealed soon," SkekTil whispered.

Suddenly a warm shocking feeling ran through her body, along with it came a flash of... something. She couldn't quite see it, it looked like just a blurry flash. She didn't quite know what it meant, but she couldn't give it much thought; as she hard two people enter the chamber. She kept herself hidden behind the crystal and listened closely.

"-The Skeksis posined it."

The voice wasn't that of someone she knew, so it wasn't a Skeksis. Taking a glance around the crystal, she saw two Gelfling, and one of them was Rian. The other she didn't recognize.

Without thinking, she came out from her hiding spot and rushed toward Rian with her arms outstrecthed to grab him.

"Rian! You're alive!"

"Stay back murderer!" Rian pulled out his sword and nearly chopped off SkekTils hand in one swish!

"YIPE! No no wait! I don't want to hurt you!"

'Maybe jumping out randomly like that wasn't the smartest idea-'

The second Gelfling pulled a knife from a sheath on his hip. "Why should we trust you? I know what you did!"

"But I wasn't a part of it! I--"

"If you weren't a part of it why didn't you do anything to stop it?" Rian demanded, pointing his sword towards SkekTils chest.

"I-I..." SkekTil stopped. Could she have prevented the Gelflings death? If she did, what would have happened to her? Could she have suffered a fate worse then the Gelfling for having witnessed what had been done?

She sighed. "Yes, I admit I could have done something. But I can help you now, I can help you get out of here alive. If we're wuick you can escape the castle and-"

"No! I'm not leaving."

SkekTil was confused, was Rian dulosinal? "What do you mean? If you stay here you'll die!"

"I'm not leaving until I have evidence of the Skeksis crimes, I have to get Miras esscence-" Rian paused, a thought seemingly building up in his head. "-Are you sure you want to help us?"

"Rian no! She's a Skeksis!"

That comment hurt SkekTil, was that all she was now? Just a Skeksis?

She may be a Skeksis Gurjin, but she might be able to help us." He turned back to SkekTil. "You're the Scientests daughter aren't you?"

She nodded.

"Then you can help us get into the labratory, but if you betray us... I won't hesitate to kill you."

---

'Just rab the vial, give it to Rian, and help him escape the castle... Shouldn't be that hard, right?"

SkekTil was worrying the whole way to her fathers labratory. She hoped he wouldn't be there, partially because it would be easier for her to grab the vial of esscence, but she also couldn't stand the idea of running into her father. After seeing what he had done... He didn't seem like the same kind, loving Skeksis that she grew up around? Cruel and meanicing? It made her feel sick to know that someone she loved and thought she knew so well, turned out to be a monster.

"SkekTil?"

The Artist jumped, her thoughts causing her to become distracted.

She looked over to see... SkekTek.

"F-father! I--" SkekTil stepped back in surprise and fear.

"Are you alright? You seem worried," SkekTek slowly approched, reaching out to gently caresses her face.

SkekTil reeled back, suddenly more terrified of him. Then she noticed the hurt look on her fathers face.

"Sorry..." She uttered in a quick attmept to keep her fathers suspicons low. "I've just been really tired and stressed lately. I was just going to my studio. If I'm allowed to now."

There was a hint of hesitence in SkekTeks face before he nodded. "Yes, you may. I'm sorry I was so harsh yesterday but-"

"No I understand- it's alright," SkekTil started to walk away. "I'm just going to my studio."

SkekTil continued on without waiting for a response from SkekTek. She still couldn't bear to see her father after having witnessed him stabbing that Gelfling... How could he act so calm and unknowing about it? Did it even cross his mind how horrendous it was that he had done?

'It doesn't matter- I just need to get that vial and...'

SkekTil never thought much about what she would do after she helped Rian escape? Would she just contiue to live in the castle? Or would she escape along with him?

'I'll think about that later-' she thought to herself.

Normally, SkekTil would be happy to be around her fathers labratory. Except now; she was only reminded of the horrow of what she witnessed. She felt a cold shiver run down her spine, it felt so wrong for her to stand here, almost like she didn't belong.

"Shut up! Just get the damn vial!" She yelled to herself.

At the same time, she noticed Rian and Gurjin climbing down the firey shaft where the crystal hung.

"Did you find the vial?" Rian asked.

"I just got here- I didn't--"

Without waiting for a response, Rian shoved past SkekTil and made a beeline for a gilded cabinet tucked away in the stone wall. SkekTil kept close to him, glancing around in a panic, worried that someone would walk in.

Her suspicons came true when she heard feet shuffling and an oh-so familar whimper.

She gasped and pulled Rian away.

"Hey! What are you--"

"Ssh! You and Gurjin have to hide, the Chamberlain's coming," she shoved the both of them under a table. "Stay here and be quiet, I'll try to distract him."

Just as she stood up, SkekTil entered the room.

"Lord Chamberlain, my father isn't here at the moment but-"

"I not look for Scientest... Chamberlain seek... Something else," SkekSil didn't turn to look at SkekTil, and instead headed to the locked cabinet with the Gelflings essence.

"Wha- what are you doing?" She asked, making sure to keep her eyes on him.

With a quick snatch and flick of his wrist, the Chamberlain grabbed the locksnake that SkekTil hadn't even noticed before, and he wasted no time in chomping it down. SkekTil cringed in disgust, but her disgust quickly turned to worry as she saw Chamberlain take the vial of essence.

"Hey! You can't take that-"

"And whose to stop me? Hmmm?"

"I can."

Both Skeksis turned to see the Scientest standing in the doorway, and he didn't look happy.

"Father! The Chamberlain--"

"-Was trying to stop Artist from stealing vial-" SkekSil interjected. "Sheh was trying to steal for herself.

"No! Father he's lying!"

"I know," SkekTek gripped SkekSils arm and wrenched the vial from his talons.

"I should've known you would try to steal this. It doesn't belong to you!"

"And it doesn't belong to you!"

Without thinking, SkekTil grabbed the essence and jumped back, sheilding it. "This belongs to the Gelfling that YOU murdered!"

A look of shock and horrow came across SkekTeks face. "How- how do you know what-"

"I saw you! All of you! We're supposed to be protecting Gelfling."

SkekSil lunged toward SkekTil in an attempt to take back the vial. Until he shrekied and reeled back, Gurjin had struck Chamberlain with a knife causing his hand to bleed.

"Come on! Run!" Rian cam beside SkekTil and grabbed her hand, pulling her along.

SkekTil wasted no time in following, keeping a tight grip on the vial. Behind her; she heard her father shout something, but she couldn't hear him. All that was going through her head now was that she needed to leave... And fast.

Chapter Text

SkekTils heart pounded, her breathing short as she tried to calm herself. But there was no way she could be calm, not when she was running for her life.

Beside her, two fugitive Gelfling were also running, one of the Gelfling trailed behind, making sure no one was following them. The other had a tight grip on SkekTils hand as he pulled her along, in her other hand; she held a glowing vial, a vial of Gelfling essence.

"If we hurry, we can take the exit in the catacombs!" Rian called.

As they rounded the corner, their path was blocked by SkekTek the Scientist.

"You won't be going anywhere! SkekTil, give me the vial!" He demanded, holding out his hand.

SkekTil used both of her hands to shield the vial.

"No! I won't let you-" her speech was cut short when a hand grabbed her hair and pulled. Hard.

She screamed in pain, trying to attack back. But in doing so, she dropped the vial. It clinked and rattled across the floor, coming to rest in the middle of the hall.

"Grab it, Rian!" SkekTil yelled, still trying to pull away from her attacker.

Thankfully, Rain managed to grab the vial. Except now, he was cornered. SkekTek blocked one hallway, wielding a rather gruesome, and sharp tool, And in the opposite direction SkekSil held Gurjin and SkekTil in his claws.

"Do not be stupid Gelfling! Just hand over the vial and your life will be spared."

SkekTil still struggled, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get away.

"Don't listen to him, Rian-"

Using his other hand, Chamberlain covered the Artists mouth, to keep her from yelling.

A gleaming light came from behind her. They had to be in from of the window. If she could distract SkekSil long enough, Rian would be able to escape and tell others about what happened to the Vapran Gelfling! Not wanting to waste time, she bit down as hard as she could, causing the Chamberlain to loosen his grip and yell in pain.

"Rian run! The window!"

He took the hint and quickly dashed away from SkekTek, and managed to dodge an attempted grab from SkekSil. Then he jumped from the window and plummeted to the moat below.

SkekTil shoved the Chamberlain away and raced to the window, hoping to not see a dead Rian floating in the murky water below. Thankfully, she saw the small Gelfling swimming to the shore. She sighed, he had made it. He was safe... For now.

A hand gripped SkekTils shoulder roughly. She was no longer safe. She was most certainly in trouble.

"You'll answer to the Emperor for this!" SkekSil snarled.

---

There were so many eyes on her, but she couldn't bring herself to look back at them. Whispers and mutters circled her head like flies, only the Emperor was silent. But SkekTil still wouldn't look at him.

Finally, the Emperor spoke.

"SkekTil, you have been accused by the Chamberlain of treason against the Skeksis-" He leaned forward. "How do you plead to this... accusations?"

He was oddly calm. That was never a good sign.

SkekTil kept her head lowered, but her teeth were gritted and her fists clenched at her side. If she had been in this situation a few trine ago, she would have been begging and groveling at the Emperor's feet for forgiveness. Except now, she was done. Everything that she had witnessed was pushing her to the breaking point, she felt like crying, screaming, and just locking herself away to forget everything.

"I plead guilty. I know what I did, and I won't be scared to admit it. Especially when the truth is that you MURDERED an innocent Gelfling!"

Shocked gasps echoed across the room, but she didn't turn to face them. She kept her gaze on SkekSo, she wasn't going to back down now. And yet still; the Emperor's face still remained still as if he wasn't at all phased by what she had said.

The Emperor only made a hum of... Understanding? Annoyance? SkekTil couldn't tell what expression he was displaying. But the way he was drumming his talons against the throne was telling her he was trying to contain his anger until the last possible second.

"She's fully confessed, my lord! May I please be the one to spill her traitorous blood?" SkekEl asked, with too much enthusiasm for SkekTils liking.

In SkekEls hand, she held a gleaming blade, dragging her index finger across it as if she were testing its sharpness, all while staring deep into SkekTils soul.

The Emperor waved a hand in her direction. "Not yet SkekEl, perhaps the Artist deserves a more... Permanent punishment."

SkekSo looked in SkekZoks direction.

"Ritual Master! Do we still have the Peeper Beetle?"

Everyone in the room gasped.

"The Peeper Beetle?"

"That hasn't been used in many trine!"

"This should be fun."

SkekTek, who remained silent this entire time suddenly came forward in hysterics.

"My Emperor! Please not my daughter! If anything I should be the one punished! The vial was my responsibility!" He begged, shielding his daughter. SkekTil herself was surprised. Even after what he did, he still deeply cared for her. He still had some goodness inside.

"Step aside Scientist. The Artists fate has already been decided," The Emperor hit his staff against the stone floor.

It all happened so fast, one moment Skektil and her father were surrounded by Skeksis, until she felt a firm grip on her wrist, and she was pulled away forcefully by SkekTek.

"You won't hurt her!" She heard him yell as they rushed through the darkened halls of the castle.

The Emperor shouted something after them, but SkekTil couldn't hear whatever it was he had said.

Finally; after what felt like hours of running, SkekTil finally felt the courage to speak up.

"F-father! Where are we-"

"I'm helping you escape with your life!" He responded, not turning back to face her.

SkekTil was then pulled into a much smaller hallway that had enough room to fit her and SkekTek comfortably. At the end of the small hallway was a grate.

"The entrance to the catacombs? But--"

SkekTek shushed her and used all his strength to push the grate aside, exposing the darkness below.

"Listen to me, you need to get out of the castle, follow the tunnel on your right. It will lead you straight out of the castle, do you understand me?"

SkekTils head was filled with so much confusion and fear.

"But I--"

"I said 'do you understand?'" SkekTek gripped SkekTils shoulders, to which she nodded her head aggressively, not wanting to argue.

"Yes."

"Good- now go! Before they find us." SkekTek kept glancing behind making sure nobody saw them.

As SkekTil climbed into the dark, damp tunnel; she took one last look at her father.

"Father wait!"

"What is it?" He demanded, looking rather frazzled.

"I love you."

SkekTek looked shocked for a moment, then SkekTil noticed tears forming in his eyes.

"I love you too... My little miracle," SkekTek took his daughter's hand and gently held it close to his chest.

"I love you too..."

SkekTil withdrew her hand, gave one last look to her father, and climbed the rest of the way into the catacombs.

---

SkekTek watched as his precious daughter disappeared into the darkness. She was safe... At least for now.

'Please get out safely my little miracle,' he thought to himself.

Now, he had to make sure he would survive. Yet something in the back of his mind told him he would, but not unscathed. The same feeling that his daughter would leave the catacombs alive. Carefully; he snuck back into the main hallway. If he could distract the other for long enough, SkekTil would be safe.

'I just hope I'm right.'

Chapter Text

The pain was searing, the longer the gaping hole where his eye once remained exposed to the air, the more it burned and sent shockwaves of pain throughout his body. Holding his hand up to it didn't help either, the blood soaked through his fingers and dripped everywhere, making things sticky and slick. His screams scratched at his throat like razorblades, saliva, and snot dripping from his beak as he continued to thrash about and wail.

Around him, he could hear others laughing with gruesome glee, mocking his pain and suffrage. The uneven clanging of metal staffs against the floor added to the puling pain that SkekTek could feel all over his body. He couldn't even attempt to get words out, the only sound that did leave his mouth were screams and cries.

Suddenly, a rough grip and pull on his arm caused him to falter and collapse on the ground. But this didn't stop whoever had grabbed him as they continued to drag him across the floor. SkekTek struggled in vain, using his available hand to claw at the air around him, hoping to grab onto something. All while whimpering and crying out in pain.

"Let him go."

The grip was released and SkekTek flopped onto the floor like a dead fish. Still gripping his wound and shaking with pain and fear. What other sort of torture was he about to endure? Hadn't he suffered enough?

He didn't know who was talking, but he could sense someone -or rather multiple someones- watching him.

Again, a strong grip took hold of his head and lifted him up like he was just a slab of meat. He yelped in pain and was forced to look. Through his remaining eye, he could see the Ritual Master and the Emperor standing before him.

"Tell us- where is the Artist?" The General demanded, tightening his grip on the Scientist's head.

SkekTek coughed and spat out what little saliva he could that was pooling in his mouth, along with a bit of blood. "I...Don't... K-know-"

"LIAR!"

SkekTeks head was then smashed into the nearest wall, which caused a lightning bolt of firey agony to stab through his whole body. Another scream of pain erupted from his mouth, this time much louder than before. He crumbled to the floor in a heap.

"I'm t-telling the-the truth... P-p-please Emperor I-"

Someone other than the General gripped SkekTek by the throat and lifted him up. It was Ritual Master. A twisted smile plastered across his face.

"You helped that traitor daughter of yours escape, so where is she?" The Ritual Master asked in a calming, yet threatening tone. In his opposite hand, he held a sharp ornate dagger, which he made no attempt to hide.

"I only... t-took her to the lab... then she ran! I pro-promise you!"

Blood dripped down from the wound onto the floor and SkekZoks hand, which he paid no mind to. He almost seemed to enjoy it.

The time, the Emperor stepped forward. His scepter gently pushed up SkekTeks head so he was forced to look into his stone gray eyes.

"If you will tell us where your daughter is... Then we will find her, and we will give her a full pardon and she won't be harmed. But only if you tell us."

SkekTek knew that even if he did tell, they would still kill her anyway... His little miracle.. His precious daughter.. Even if he did know where she ran off to. He could-- NO! He would never tell anyone where she was! He would protect her no matter what. Even if it meant he would die. He could slowly feel himself grow more and more lightheaded, the blood loss was finally getting to him. His vision was becoming more and more blurry and swirly, colors were blending and molding into a dark disgusting color that made SkekTek want to vomit. Yet he still had the strength to lift his head to face the Emperor.

"I'll...Never tell...You... Anything."

With the last of his energy depleted, SkekTeks body finally went limp as he slowly became unconscious. He was dropped to the floor, but the pain finally became numb to him. All he felt was nothing... The last thing he could make out were only small snippets of a conversation.

"-spread out across Thra-"

"-call the Hunter?"

"-find the Artist-"

"She will die!"

Chapter Text

Riding in a carriage for over a day would anyone be on edge, especially if you were stuck with your older sibling who happened to use you as a holder for all the expensive clothes and fabrics they had bought. Who needs this much fabric anyway?

"Are you coming out or what?" SkekLil demanded, her hands folded across her chest.

"Well maybe if I wasn't being suffocated in fabrics I could get out more easily!" SkekGee argued back, trying his best to shimmy out of the carriage.

Once he was free, he noticed SkekLil sauntering away, a mirror in her hand as she admired the makeup she had bought back in Ha'rar.

"Aren't you going to get your fabrics?" He asked.

SkekLil turned and scoffed. "As a lord, I don't have to such... tasks, seeing as you don't have a title of your own, you could bring them to my chambers yourself," without another word, she turned and left, still admiring herself.

SkekGee sighed, ever since the 'Title Ceremony' he had been pretty much shunned by almost everyone in the castle, except his father. He stood in place, quietly fuming to himself.

"I'm not some stupid servant..." he grumbled.

He turned to the two Podlings standing in confusion, unsure what to do.

"Take the fabrics to the Jewelers room." He demanded, before walking off into the castle.

SkekGee was tired. Too tired to be sad or angry. All he wanted to do was to sleep in something that wasn't jostling all the place. His back was incredibly sore from sitting upright, not to mention his feet hurt from standing for the last day when he, SkekLil, and SkekEkt had to view the Gelfling tithes for the season. Was even the point of him coming along in the first place? Or was he brought along just to be another carrier for everything they brought back?

He sighed as he trudged his way back to his chambers. Along his way, however; he noted something. There seemed to be more Gelfling guards posted than there were before. Could there have been this many before and he hadn't noticed? Maybe. But in some areas -especially near open balconies and windows- there seemed to be two or three Gelfling as opposed to one. It seemed a bit overkill in his opinion. Had something happened while he was away?

'I could ask SkekTil. Maybe she would know,' he thought.

Turning down a darkened stairwell, he made his was quick to the laboratory. Here there were less gelfling but an odd feeling hung in the air. SkekGee was often scared of this place not only because of the constant screeching and noises from the animals but just from the look of the place… Tools and other sharp miscellaneous objects that looked deadly enough to leave him severely wounded. It definitely wasn't a happy place to hang out in.

'I don't know how SkekTil could be used to this place.'

SkekGee found the Scientist hard at work on a machine, muttering silently to himself. He didn't know what said the machine was for but knew that if he asked he would be either shooed away or told to not ask questions.

"Uhm- Sc-Scientist?"

SkekTeks head shot upright, making SkekGee jump.

"SkekTil? Is that you?" He asked, turning around.

SkekGee couldn't stop himself from yelping in surprise and mild fear. The Scientist's once pristine amber eye had been… replaced with a strange robotic, glowing eye. It twitched around as if it were trying to figure out SkekGees exact location, while his other normal eye squinted as he had difficulty seeing through it.

SkekTil? Why would he be asking for SkekTil? Was he expecting her to bring him something?

"Uh- no. It's SkekGee… I was looking for SkekTil though! Is she in her studio?" SkekGee asked, still not looking away from the Scientist's new… addition. What had happened to him? Did he somehow injure his eye? Even the rest of him looked so much more roughed up than usual. What had happened in the three days that he had been gone?

SkekTeks face fell, and the frown turned into a tight scowl. He turned back to his task at hand not saying another word.

SkekGee turned around awkwardly, shuffling on his feet and glancing around the dark and damp laboratory.

"So…. Is she here?" He asked again, slowly and hesitantly.

The Scientist didn't turn around, but stopped working on his machine and looked up in an almost ashamed way. But SkekGee couldn't quite tell.

"She's… not here… right now."

Well, that didn't quite help.

"Uhh… thanks, okay Uhm- I think I'll just go- actually," SkekGee muttered, increasingly becoming more and more uncomfortable.

The Scientists didn't turn around and instead went back to working on his machine. And SkekGee wasn't sure, but he was certain he heard SkekTek silently weeping.

—

'Okay… that was definitely weird- maybe I should check with someone else instead,'

SkekGee didn't waste any time retreating from the Dark laboratory, in fact, he ran as fast as his tired legs could carry him. Everything just seemed to strange now.

'Maybe I should go and see SkekLunne. She'll hopefully have a better idea of what was going on.’ He thought to himself.

—

The library -as usual was filled with scrolls overflowing from the cupboards and shelves that held them. The air was musty, heavy, and smelt of old paper, giving the already overcrowded library a more cramped feeling. SkekGee was having a hard time navigating through it, trying to squeeze through without making multiple towers of scrolls topple over was hard enough. SkekGee was not in a mood to get lectured by the Scroll Keeper, should he accidentally knock something important over.

“SkekLunne? SkekLunne where are you?” He asked, ducking under a low-hanging shelf.

“Over here!” A bare arm reached up from behind a large stack of scrolls, the light-colored skin giving the hint that it was indeed SkekLunne. “Just give me one moment!”

After a moment of struggle, the Astronomer finally made her way from behind the ‘scroll fortress’. Her silver hair was out of its usual ponytail and was flowing over her shoulders, it was frazzled and stuck out all over the place. She looked hurried, almost as if she had been working non-stop for days.

“Hello, SkekGee. Sorry for the mess, SkekOk and I are re-organizing most of the scrolls, and I’ve been working on a special project given to me by the Emperor so I was busy searching through–”

“It’s fine SkekLunne, I can come back later if you’re to busy…” SkekGee cut SkekLunne off, he knew that whenever she was stressed she had a tendency to ramble. If he let her continue on, they would both be stuck here until Thra itself shriveled up and died.

“Oh no! No no no it’s fine! I wouldn’t mind a distraction anyway-” She leaned closer to whisper. “-this project has been eating away at my mind for weeks, ha!” She chuckled quite loudly, making SkekGee jump.

SkekGee chuckled awkwardly in response, it seemed SkekLunne was going a little… crazy.

“I won’t be distracting you for long, but… Have you seen SkekTil? I wanted to visit her after I got back from Ha’rar, but when I went down to the Laboratory she wasn’t there. And to top it off; the Scientist was acting weird. Scary even.”

SkekLunnes face went from confused to sorrowful. “Oh… You weren’t here when she…” She trailed off and looked around, checking to see if anyone was listening. “We aren’t supposed to talk about it.”

Now SkekGee was worried. He thought something odd was going on already, but now SkekLunne -and possibly everyone- wasn’t allowed to talk about SkekTil? What was happening?

“She… What? What happened to her? Is she… Has she been killed?” SkekGee tried to contain the tears and rising panic. SkekTil couldn’t be dead, could she? He was only gone for two weeks! And the last he saw her she seemed like her usual happy self. What could’ve changed in that short amount of time?

“Well, I.. We… We don’t know, all we’ve heard is that she attempted to kill someone, a fellow Skeksis. Before she could be punished she ran away. As far as I know; they’re searching for her to make her pay for her crimes.”

SkekLunne noticed SkekGee’s expression and quickly stuttered together a sentence to hopefully make him feel the slightest bit better.

“B-but this is only what I know! I could be wrong of course, I have been before. This is only what the Chamberlain has told us-”

“SkekTil? A murderer? No. That’s not her, I’m sure it was a misunderstanding!” SkekGee argued, holding his hands to his head. He just couldn’t believe it. He wouldn’t believe it!

SkekLunne, rested her hand on SkekGee’s shoulder in an attempt to calm him. “I’m sorry SkekGee… But we can’t argue with the Emperor's words, I’m sure that if they do find SkekTil; everything will be answered.”

Chapter Text

She had been walking for what felt like days. Her feet ached, her throat was as dry as the crystal desert, and her eyes stung with tears and sweat. But she couldn't stop. She had to keep moving. Or risk being captured by the Skeksis. She knew that her father would only be able to hold them off for so long before they tried to interrogate him, or worse…

She took a glance back and still; the castle stood tall, towering over the land like a massive shadow that could swallow anything in its path. She shivered and continued her way through the forest.

'The closest clan is the Stonewood, I have to warn them first. Hopefully, I can meet Rian there or find him along the way.' She thought.

The humidity of the Endless woods, and the blazing sun's from above didn't help SkekTils predicament either. Sweat poured down her neck and back, she gasped and panted, she needed something to drink.

'If only I had some sort of map with me. Then I could tell where I'm actually going. I feel like I'm going in circles.'

Pushing aside a moss-covered branch, she took a glance at her surroundings. A rotting tree, a gigantic bug with too many legs for her liking, and a huge mossy boulder. Other than that? Nothing. No signs of a village being anywhere nearby.

'I can't just stand here and do nothing… I just have to keep-'

"WAUGH!"

She tripped over a hidden root and tumbled down a steep muddy slope. Stones and sharp sticks smacked her body as she rolled and rolled until coming to a stop at a shallow river, which she splashed into, causing a cascade of water to spray everywhere and making the surrounding wildlife scurry or fly away in all directions.

Now was SkekTil not only lost, but her clothes were soaking wet.

"Perfect… Just perfect!" She grumbled as she climbed out of the river, her clothes now heavy with water sopped along with her.

As she continued on her journey, she started to feel more hungry. Her stomach continued to grumble demands as she searched for something to soothe her hunger.

"I knew I shouldn't have skipped my breakfast this morning-" she sighed. "I could really go for a bowl of Lefar worms right now.”

A strong odor suddenly hit her, and she recognized it immediately. Peachberries. She instantly covered her nose and gagged.

“Ugh! Gross!”

She spotted the bush over by a small brook, the red berries hung in bunches and swayed slightly against the breeze. The stench from the berries seemed to still find its way into her nostrils and it caused her eyes to water.

She huffed. “I’m not that desperate!”

She was about to turn and continue on before her noisy stomach rumbled again, this time louder than before. She paused and looked behind her. How likely would she be to find food elsewhere?

“Maybe I am that desperate-” she sighed and walked over to the bush, still covering her nose.

She reached for a large cluster and pulled them free from the branches. Some of the berries squished in her claws, causing the red sticky insides to leak through her fingers and onto her palm. The resulting aroma was not pleasant either.

It took everything in her to not gag and throw the berries out of her sight and rush to the nearest stream to clean her hands. But her stomach once again demanded food, and she groaned loudly.

"To hell with this-" she said, and popped the berries into her mouth.

After chewing for several seconds, she finally swallowed. The berries were…not as bad as she thought. Aside from their abhorrent smell; they were actually quite tasty.

Her eyes brightened as she grasped more berries and shoved them into her mouth, feasting on them like a rabid animal left to starve. Now if only she had something to quench her thirst. The berries only provided some liquid, but her throat was still dry.

She licked her lips and wiped the remnants of her snack on her dress, which was already dirty with mud.

"No use standing around here anymore. I just need to find Stone-In-The-Wood. Then I can rest there for the night. Then I can figure out my next move."

—

Back in the dark labyrinthian castle, SkekTek was hard at work trying to repair the essence harvesting machine. And so far there seemed to be little progress; sparks flew everywhere, cascading like a star shower all over the ground and The Scientist's hands, which didn't seem to bother him.

He groaned in exhaustion and annoyance, clearly, this wasn't going to get finished today. Sure the Emperor would surely be furious; but what else could he do? He couldn't kill him, the Emperor needs the Scientist and they both knew that. He'd simply endure his abuse, like he always did.

He carelessly flung his tools onto the worktable, a few of them clattered to the floor but he didn't even acknowledge them. Instead, he turned his gaze to the crystal. It hung over the pit of fire, the orange hot glow caused the crystal to light up in a terrifying beauty. The harsh light reveals multiple cracks and lines around it. Had it… always been this damaged? SkekTek knew that the use of his machine had caused more damage to it already, but why did it seem like it had cracked even more?

He pulled a lever that brought the crystal closer to him, if he wanted to continue his experiments on it; he needed to examine it to make sure that it wouldn't suddenly break on him. Then the Emperor would really have his head.

As he reached his hand out, he felt himself hesitate. The last time he had attempted to touch the crystal it had almost killed him! If it hadn't been for the Chamberlain he would've been nothing but ashes. Still; for the sake of research, he knew he had to press forward.

Gently, his talons grazed the smooth edge of the crystal, it was cool to the touch, despite the fire raging below it.

Suddenly his vision was engulfed in white. A high-pitched ringing noise began to swirl in his head, causing him to feel nauseated. Flashes of images started appearing along with snippets of voices and conversations.

'-show them the truth-'

'-kill-'

'Find her!'

SkekTil- riding a landstrider. A small village could be seen in the distance. A monstrous creature, looming overhead. Its eyes blazing purple as it screams in agony.

'You don't have to do this.'

'I WILL NEVER BE DUST!'

A final image. A dagger and a fiery pit. The sounds of screaming became louder and louder, and louder. It felt like his head would explode.

'No! No, I promise I'm loyal! NO PLEASE NO-'

Just as soon as the jarring sensation began; it was over. Silence once again filled SkekTeks head, but a pounding headache still remained. He gasped and panted, trying to regain his composure. Those… images- and sounds… those feelings.

He'd never felt anything like that, so many emotions hitting him at once. He felt fear, anger, sadness, terror, and pain. It was something he never wanted to feel again. Yet something else lingered in his mind.

What he saw didn't look like anything he'd seen before. It was almost like he was viewing something from a different person entirely. It couldn't have been from his past, he knew that for sure. But it couldn't have been from the future… could it?

Chapter Text

So far; SkekTils journey had been far from what she had hoped. She was covered in muck, thirsty, and extremely hungry. While the peachberries had subsided her hunger for only a moment; she was starting to feel that nagging hunger eating away at her. And to add insult to injury; she was still lost. Soon night would come and she was not keen to stay out in the woods.

She wanted to stop, she wanted to rest. She wanted to be back in the castle, feasting away and painting to her heart's content. She wished it could go back to how it was… she wished she never even knew… she wished she never even saw…

The thoughts and memories started to come back to her, voices were bouncing all around like a hyper fizzgig. She clenched her eyes shut and held onto her head attempting to drown out the noise but it didn't help her rising panic. The sound of people speaking and bustling around was enough to make her go mad! But wait… something about it was different. It all sounded natural.

She opened her eyes and slowly moved her hands away, breathing in deeply in an attempt to calm herself. She listened carefully, could the voices have just been in her head? No. She could definitely hear many voices overlapping in the distance, just beyond a small summit.

"Stone-In-The-Wood?" She asked herself.

Gathering herself up, she ran as fast as her tired legs could carry her to the top of the summit. Down at the bottom, settled in a small clearing was Stonewood village.

SkekTil stood, dumbfounded. She finally made it. Now, she needed to find the Stonewood Maudra. She knew it wouldn't be long before the Skeksis would send out search parties to look for her if they haven't already. And she knew that Stone-In-The-Wood would be the first place they would look.

So far no had taken notice of her yet, perhaps she could just slink in and get out without many taking notice of her. It would certainly take longer, but the last thing she needed was having so much attention on her. SkekTil pulled up her hood and walked into the village.

The Gelfling village was full of hustle and bustle, many Gelfling were tending to their homes, or going around to various shops. Children were laughing and playing without a care in the world.

'If only they knew…' SkekTil thought, carefully making her way through the crowds. There were surprisingly a lot more Gelfling in one village than she would've thought.

She walked up behind a couple at a shop who seemed to be selling some kind of crystals. She was hoping they would know where to find Maudra Fara.

"Excuse me? Would you two know where I can speak to Maudra Fara?" She asked as politely as she could, bending down to their level.

"Oh! Maudra Fara is-" the Gelfing woman gasped. "A lord of the crystal! I-I didn't know we'd be receiving them tonight in the–"

"Shshsh! Please… keep you voice down ma'am… there's no need to address me like that-" SkekTil hushed her, looking around ro make sure no one else heard her.

The male Gelfling spoke up, coming to what she assumed was his wifes side."B-but we are to address you by your true title… which is 'lord'."

SkekTil sighed. So this is what the Skeksis have done, shoving the idea that they should only be addressed as 'lords' to the Gelfling, as if they are nothing more to them than lowly servants.

"I know that's what the other may have told you to say… but with me, you can simply refer to me as SkekTil," She smiled as sweetly as she could behind her hood.

Both Gelfling looked at one another suspiciously, before they both nodded. "Very well my lo- er- SkekTil. Us there anything we can assist you with?"

"I need to speak with Maudra Fara, I'm afraid it's quit urgent. Do you know where I can find her?"

"Certainly! She's in the main building by the stone memorial at the center of town, you can't miss it!" The male Gelfling pointed down a busy street, leading to a more open area where many Gelfling gathered.

SkekTil nodded. "Thank you for your help."

As she walked off, she saw a series of small images in her head. The same two Gelfling that she just spoke to, only this time they were carrying a child with them. The child was crying as the mother tried desperately to shush it. A creature- standing over both of them, blood covering its mouth as the father tried desperately to fight back and protect his family.

SkekTil gripped her head, a nauseating headache growing as the images contiuned.

"What is- happening… to me?" She whispered to herself through gritted teeth.

The sickening sensation and images stopped. And all that was left was the memories. The memories and thoughts of those Gelfling. What was going to happen to them?

'Did I do something wrong? Has something I said changed them somehow? Should I warn them?'

Don't

The sudden, pulsing thought ran through her brain, but it didn't sound like her internal voice… It sounded like someone entirely different. Like a female voice she had never before.

'Who are you?'

There was no answer… SkekTil was left more concerned and confused than before.

——

Sneaking through the crowds was easier said than done, in an attempt to keep herself hidden; he drew the hood back over her head and tucked her tail under her dress. Many Gelfing ran past her attending to their own business, some bumped into her threatening to knock her over.

‘Okay… main building by the central memorial…’ she looked around but was confused. What memorial? She was suddenly pushed from behind by a small group of children that ran past. This startled her enough to make her pitch forward and fall head first. Instead of meeting dirt, her face slammed into a large stone.

The sudden hit made her head rattle and it took her a second to gather her thoughts. By the time she stood back up and gathered her thoughts, she realized she had drawn a crowd of onlookers. So much for not making herself noticeable…

"Its a Lord of the Crystal-"

"Is it the Artist?"

"Why is she alone?"

SkekTil heard many people talking in hushed voices, she then realized that she was not as well hidden as she was before. Her hood had fallen from her head during her fall, and now all eyes were on her. She attempted to cover herself up, but it wasn't going to do her much good now.

“Are you alright?”

SkekTil turned and saw Maudra Fara standing before her, along with two other guards.

“Ma-Maudra Fara!” SkekTil got up and dusted herself off, attempting to make herself look presentable. “I’ve been wanting to speak with you!”

Maudra Fara nodded, her once confused expression changed to one of strength and seriousness, she bowed before SkekTil as did the guards beside her. "My lord, your visit is unexpected but welcomed."

SkekTil once again became uncomfortable with the fact of a Gelfling bowing before her, when she herself no longer considered herself a lord. Despite wanting to speak up about it, she decided that it would be better not to speak up. If she wanted to remain inconspicuous, she had to put up the act as being 'Lord'.

“I apologize for the intrusion, and I understand that you may be busy; but I have an urgent manner to discuss with you.”

Maudra Fara stood and nodded. “Of course My Lord, please follow me.”

---

The great hall of the Stonewood was beautiful, the room was illuminated by dozens of glass bulbs containing tiny creatures resembling fireflies, giving the room a moddy orange glow. The mossy stone walls held axes and swords, shining against the light revealing their sharpness, ready for battle. At the center wall, facing the enterity of the room was the Maudras throne, made entirely of stone with the clan sigil carved above it. A Fizzgig with an eyepatch sat upon it, snoring as its tail twitched.

“I must say your throne room is beautiful,” SkekTil said, in an attempt to hopefully lighten the mood. She had hardly spoken to Gelfling back at the castle and had never once spoken to a Maudra. SkekTil had no idea what the proper or polite thing to do was.

Maudra Fara seemed to hesiate slightly at SkekTils words, taken aback by the compliment. A curious, yet polite smile came to the Maudras face.

“Thank you My lord, though I’m sure the throne at your castle is much more exquisite.”

SkekTil paused, unsure what to say next. All she responded was with a simple quiet ‘yeah'.

Silence filled the room briefly, until Maudra Fara spoke again.

“You mentioned you had something important to discuss, does it have anything to do with the traitor Rian?”

SkekTils eyes widened. “Traitor?” She uttered meekly, how had word spread so fast so soon? Had the Skeksis already been here? Was she too late?
Maudra Fara sat staring at SkekTil, waiting for a response. SkekTil suddenly felt small in her presence, almost how she would under the Emperors gaze back at the castle. Once she found her voice, she spoke up.

"Yes... I wish I could do anything to expalin why Rian did the things he did. Do trust me my lord that when I find him he shall recieve punishment."

"But he-" SkekTil tried to speak but no words came out, it was as if something was preventing her from speaking. She coughed and rubbed at her throat to remove the feeling.

"Is... Eveything alright my Lord?" Fara asked, her eyebrow raised in suspicion, and of confusion.

“No Maudra-" SkekTil cleared her throat once again, the feeling of tightness in her throat dissapting. Maybe she shouldn't mention Rians innocence just yet.

"-I’m afraid I have no information about Rian. I actually came to speak to about a different manner.”

“Oh? I see... What else is thre?" Maudra Fara asked, leaning forward ever so slightly.

Before SkekTil could tell the Maudra everything, she felt a twinge in the back of her head and her throat constricted again.

“I-I...” She stuttered before she stopped speaking all together.

A flash of white. Gelfling yelling and reaching for weapons. Rian; lying in a pool of his blood. Maudra Fara, weeping before a burning village while she griped a bloody weapon. Screams… so many screams.

“My lord! My lord! Are you alright?”

Once SkekTil came to again, and the images and screams stopped, she realized that Maudra Fara and several other guards were gathered around her. She had fallen onto the floor and her limbs were stiff. Her head ached and her voice was hoarse like she had been screaming.

"I do not wish to pry my Lord, but you- you were convulsing! And... And you screamed so loud!" One of the guards proclaimed, a look of shock and terror on his face. "-Should we send notice to the castle for them to retrive you? Or perhaps we could ride you back on our Landstriders?"

"NO! Not the catsle!" SkekTil yelled, sitting upright quickly. Her head throbbed in protest as she hissed in pain, the nausea was intense she felt like she was going to be sick.

The gaurds and the Maudra jumped back at SkekTils sudden outburst and SkekTil felt guilty for yelling. She could see the fear and confusion on their faces. SkekTil wanted to explain but she felt as if she did the Gelflings would think that she was insane, and with the way she was feeling right now, it didn't seem like the best idea at the moment.

“I’m- terribly sorry Maudra Fara, I'm fine I just... I would wish to retire for the night... Is there any place that I can stay?"

“Of- of course, we have multiple rooms that can accommodate you- but my Lord... Are you certain you're alright? I can have my healers look over you-”

SkekTil shook her head which she regretted as her headache came back stronger and she nearly threw up.

"I-I appreciate the offer but really- I am fine. I just-I just need to rest.

Fara didn't look convinced but she nodded. "Very well, as you wish, my Lord." She gestured to a guard who came to her side instantly. “Clain will show you the way.”

The guard in question nodded and turned towards SkekTil. “Please, follow me, m’lord.”

SkekTil nodded and followed, hobbling slightly as her legs wobbled. She tried not to puke as the guard lead her out of the throne room. She did however, hear Fara say one last thing before she got out of earshot.

"Send a messenger to the other Lords, something is not right."
—

SkekTil lay still in her bed staring at the ceiling, her head still throbbing from the previous experience but she at least felt a little better, but not by much. Why was this happening to her? First, after she talked to the two Gelfling at the market stall, but when she tried to speak with the Maudra; she was screaming and convulsing. She had never experienced anything like this before. It felt like she was possessed.

“Great Thra what is wrong with me?” SkekTil muttered as she rubbed her hands across her face.

You can’t tell them the truth.

SkekTil sat bolt upright, her heart racing. Was there someone in her room? She looked around frantically for anyone, but there was no one there… that she could see at least-

Don’t be frightened, I’m not going to hurt you-

“Then who are you? Where are you!?” SkekTil demanded, still searching around the room.

…

There was a long pause before SkekTil asked the question again, maybe she was going crazy and hearing voices.

“Who are you?”

…That doesn’t matter now; what matters is that you listen to me. You cannot tell the Stonewood of the Skeksis draining Gelfling.

“Why? The clan needs to know.”

Surely you already know why, what you saw will happen should the Stonewood know of the Skeksis crimes.

SkekTil went silent when she remembered what she saw, all the screams and the death of many Gelfling. Would that really happen should she told Maudra Fara?

“So.. if I don’t tell Maudra Fara; does that mean the Stonewood live?”

For now; yes.

The answer didn’t give SkekTil much hope. “Then- who can I tell? Someone needs to know of what the Skeksis are doing.”

The Drenchen.

“The Drenchen? But- that’s all the way on the otherside of Thra, and I don’t even have a map, I don’t know where to go!”

Tomorrow, Maudra Fara will come to you; she will aks about what you were meaning to tell her. Tell her that you need a map, and that you wish to travel to Sog.

“And… That will work?” SkekTil asked, feeling quite unsure about this mysterious voices ‘plan’. “Why am I even listening to you- who are you?”

…

There was another long pause before the voice spoke again.

I am Thra, the Crystal of Truth

SkekTil gasped audibly. “The… Crystal- you… You can talk?”

Not directly, no- only to those who truly open their eyes to Thra, those who truly listen to my song. Very few have heard me speak, in thousands upon thousands of trine… Except for Mother Aughra.

“Mother Aughra?” SkekTil had heard the name before, sometimes from her father or from some other Skeksis. The scrolls in the library only told her so much since SkekOk would usually restrict her from reading most of them. What she knew was that Aughra was the one who had entrusted the Crystal to the Skeksis. Most of the other entries of her were either in the restricted section of the library, or simply ereased, and crossed out.

“But… Why me? What makes me so special compared to Mother Aughra? I mean- I’m just a Skeksis- maybe not even that-” SkekTil sighed, sitting on her bed, staring at the ground.

No SkekTil… You are much more than that. I see many paths that lie before you. Many of which are good. Do as I say, and travel to Sog, speak to Maudra Lasesid, and she will grant you safe harbor.

“And you’re certain she’ll listen?”

...

“Hello?”

There was no reply, the Crystal had gone quiet.

Feeling a wave of exhaustion hit her, SkekTil layed back in her bed. Resting her head gently onto the pillow and pulling the blankets up close to her.

“Ask Maudra Fara for a map… and travel to Sog,” she muttered the instructions to herself. “Alright Thra… I’ll do as you say.”

—-

“Lord SkekTil? Lord SkekTil are you awake?”

SkekTil rolled over, blinking her eyes open. “H-huh? What?” She asked in a groggy tone, wiping the crust from her eyes.

A Stonewood guard stood in the doorframe. "Apologies for waking you my Lord, but- Maudra Fara wanted me to check up on you to make sure you were okay after- after yesterday."

SkekTil didn't respond for a minute, trying to come up with a convincing response.

“Yes. Yes I'm fine- I'm better now thank you," she sat on the edge of her bed and groaned as she felt her body betray her. Her back ached, and so did most of her limbs.

"Is she awake? I would like to speak with her actually."

The guard nodded. "Yes my Lord, she's in the throne room as we speak."

SkekTil nodded. "Tell her I will be there shortly."

The guard nodded and turned to leave.

SkekTil walked over to a mirror in the bedroom, looking at her appearance. She looked like a mess- Her hair was strewn about and resembled a bird's nest, her eyes were bloodshot and had a few small cuts here and there, probably from her journey through the woods and her many trips and tumbles.

“Yikes-“ she muttered to herself. “I can’t see the Maudra like this…”

After spending some time to make herself appear decent, she stepped out of her room. Outside, a guard greeted her.

“This way my lord, Maudra Fara is waiting for us in the great hall.”

SkekTil nodded. “Thank you, and uhm… y-you don’t have to refer to me as lord.”

The guard appeared shocked. “Uhm… w-whatever you say my lo- uhm,.. yes-“

The two continued in silence down the hall, with the occasional slither of SkekTils tail or the scrape of the guard's spear. Part of SkekTil hated the awkward silence as they walked to the Maudra quarters, she wanted to make conversation with the Gelfling but was unsure what exactly to say.

“Uhm- Pardon the question but uh- has there been any news about Rian?” The guard asked, their voice faltering slightly.

Before SkekTil could respond, she heard the Crystals voice.

Lie.

“Would you stop that!” SkekTil demanded.

“A-Aplogies my lord! I didn’t mean to upset you-“

SkekTil gasped, realizing that she had just spoken aloud instead of in her head.

“No! No no not you- I just- uh…” She struggled to come up with an excuse, meanwhile the guard gave SkekTil a rather concerned look.

“I’m sorry, I just… have a lot on my mind today.”

The guard slowly nodded their head, a look of fear crossed their face as they turned around and continued to lead SkekTil to the Stonewood Maudra.
‘You need to stop doing that,’ SkekTil thought to herself.

Surprisingly; the crystal responded.

You must lie to protect the Gelfling.

‘But they deserve to know-’

They must not know! You’ve seen what will happen if they do…

A slight tickle of a headache rang through SkekTils head, causing her to falter in her steps slightly.

‘Fine…’

Remember what I told you; ‘Tell Maudra Fara that you require a map and you wish to travel to Sog’. That is all she needs to know.

SkekTil nodded to herself. She may not like the idea of leaving the Stonewood in the dark, but she knew that to save the clan, to save Thra, she needed to listen to the crystal. Mostly because she was scared of what would happen if she didn’t. She knew that Stonewood clan would fall, but what else could happen?

Maudra Fara sat in her throne, her Fizzgig sat patiently beside her, and in front stood SkekTil. It was strange, SkekTil could feel her former Emperors cold eyes on her through the Maudras. It made her feel like she was about to be interrogated.

“Lord SkekTil, what is it you wish to discuss with me? Has there been any news of Rian?”

SkekTil jumped slightly upon hearing the Maudras voice, she nearly corrected Fara on her title but managed to stay quiet. If she wanted to remain inconspicuous, she had to keep up her ‘status’ as a lord.

“I’m afraid that there is no word about Rian at the moment, however, there is something else I wish to speak to you about.”

“And what might that be my lord? The Stonewood are forever in your aid,” Maudra Fara bowed her head, which made SkekTil cringe.

“I- we- the Skeksis-” SkekTil fumbled over her words, a wave of nervousness washed over her, she hadn’t exactly come up with a good excuse or lie for Maudra Fara to give her a map.

She noticed Fara giving her an odd glance, and she knew she had to act quickly.

“We believe Rian will attempt to travel to the farthest point of Thra, while the maps in the castle are expansive; they do not account for smaller Gelfling villages. I hope that you can give me a map to aid in the search for the traitor.” SkekTil held her breath and prayed that this would earn the Maudras approval.

“But of course! I have quite a few maps in my possession, I can retrieve them for you."

SkekTil breathed a sigh of relief and stepped closer to Maudra Fara who was shifting through a small trunk full of maps and random papers.

“Thank you. A map to Sog would work the best.”

The Maudra paused.

“Sog? You’re really sure Rian would travel… There?” A look of confusion and mild disgust crossed Faras face.

SkekTil paused, she had to come up with another excuse.

“Y-yes! Sog is the most desolate and far out place in all of Thra, if anyone wanted to hide out there, it would offer the best refuge.”

SkekTil realized why the Crystal told her to travel to Sog. All of what she said was true, the Skeksis rarely traveled there and the environment was damp and gross. No one would think to search for her there.

“Well I suppose you’re correct my lord- however, the Stonewood have no maps of Sog.”

SkekTils heart sank.

“However- I do have a map that will guide you to the Spriton village of Sami Thicket, I’m quite certain Maudra Mera will have what you need.” Fara handed SkekTil a wrinkled, rolled-up map, which hadn’t been used in years due to the layer of dust that covered it.

“Thank you, Maudra Fara,” SkekTil nodded, showing her respect to the Gelfling leader.

“Of course, my lord,” Fara bowed low, and a few other guards in the room followed suit.

Again, SkekTil cringed at the sight. Seeing these Gelfling bow before her felt so wrong. She hoped that she would be able to fix this, to make it so the Gelfling did not to live like peasents.

‘I wish I could tell you the truth,’ She thought. “If I could, Maudra, I would wish to leave immediately.”

“Of course Lord SkekTil, we have a few Landstriders you may borrow to make your journey easier.”

SkekTil almost declined the offer but the idea of walking across Thra was daunting, and she would most likely get caught more easily. Instead, she smiled in Maudras Fara's direction.

“A Landstrider would be perfect.”