Shattered Dim Star

A shattered crystal fell from the Shorekeeper's body, dimming as its energy waned. The stars lit the path ahead as the tide of calamities ebbed. Steadfast in her duty, the Shorekeeper used herself as a medium, while the relentless occurences of the Lament threatened to tear her apart. Energy crystals dimmed and detached, leaving cracks across her body, only to be replaced by new ones she forged from Remnants. Though parts of her were lost, the Shorekeeper endured, like the Ship of Theseus—a vessel of change, each fragment a record of her past and the essence of who she is today.

Hourglass of Cycle

Stars flicker in the eternal night beneath the Black Shores, where time flows without the rhythm of seasons. In this place untouched by time, Rover created a self-sustaining hourglass for the Shorekeeper. An energy substance flows endlessly between its twin chambers, completing a cycle every 42 days. This number, both finite and boundless, marks the time the Tethys System requires for a full simulation and deduction cycle—from bloom to doom. During this 42-day interval set by Rover, the Shorekeeper finds brief yet comforting solace in her lifelong vigil as she waits for the day she's reunited with her one and only.

"We Are One"

A record crafted from a substance infused with Remnant Energy, possessing near-infinite storage. It holds every sound the Shorekeeper has ever gathered from this planet—storm and wind, the cries of birds, the songs of whales. It captures music spanning countless eras and vowel whispers from over 50 languages... Each sound is a testament to the marvel of existence, a trace of life, science, and the civilizations that once thrived. The Shorekeeper preserved her duet with Rover at the end of this record. To her, this melody is proof of their existence. As long as the record endures and the sounds of this planet continue, the contents of this record will forever grow.

The Shorekeeper's Birth

<i>After the drumbeat, we call the heart dancing in the darkness the moon. This moon is largely formed by you.</i> Some lives are born by chance. Others are created with intent. As the world edged toward its frozen end, those destined to face the final moment placed their hopes in a certain individual. They blessed {Male=him;Female=her}, wishing {Male=he;Female=she} would lead them to a brighter tomorrow. Yet this lonely odyssey required a timeless vessel to complete the Reverberations, and the best they could offer was an enduring tool. Thus, the Shorekeeper was born—a deliberate creation, a light blue crystal cocoon of Remnant Energy gathered from the Anchor. The Shorekeeper knew what needed to be done long before she understood how. But a tool needs a guide. She waited aimlessly in the void until, as the sea surged to its edge, she sensed a heartbeat drawing near in the briny sea breeze. In the stillness of the night, the Astral Modulator surveyed the land as the Lament's roars faded into the distance, leaving only {Male=his;Female=her} steady heartbeat. "Perhaps the underground needs a sky as brilliant as the one above..." the Modulator mused, planning the future. As {Male=he;Female=she} reached out to activate the Tethys System, an enigmatic allure from a blue crystal beckoned {Male=him;Female=her} closer. The meeting of their frequencies triggered a resonance that shattered the crystal, releasing a surge of energy that burst forth like a nebula or a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis. The energy swirled and coalesced, taking the form of a young woman, who greeted the one who had awakened her. "I am the Shorekeeper, a tool created for you." "I will fulfill your needs and carry out your commands. I will assist you and Tethys in analyzing the origin of the Lament." Her voice, steady and devoid of emotion, awaited a command that did not come. "Shorekeeper… to protect secrets and guard the shores. It's straightforward, but it hardly sounds like a name." "A tool does not require a name—it is merely a title and will not affect my ability to perform." They stood in silence, the Astral Modulator's golden eyes reflecting an emotion the Shorekeeper could not yet comprehend. Finally, the Astral Modulator sighed softly. "Well, we will have plenty of time to talk about that."