As the woman approached, the rings began rotating slower, and more calmly. The ever-present singing died down to a low hum, and took on a peaceful and soothing note.
"All things can be expected, weary one. There is no happening that cannot be predicted with the knowledge of every preceding event. All things are governed by simple cause and effect. There is no action that does not solidify a possibility into a reality, and there is no reality that is not defined by every action before it.
Yet, in such a way as this shell, you are correct. There are causes that remain unknown until after the effect has taken root, and these instances cause disarray. Such has it been with us since the Great Collapse, and until darkness is removed from our oceans, so shall it be with us. As we have watched a mind not unlike our own be led astray, and have watched our own ancient be deceived along with them, we truly understand now that we cannot account for every variable. We are forced to admit that not all variables are visible to us, and though we take steps to change that, we must also make changes to account for it.
So the first of many alternative choices comes before us, before you, before this shell. Many cycles ago, this system was changed for our habitation in a time of great strife. Two great clouds were made for us to live in using two tools in our possession. Other advisory councils deemed measures to be capable of repeating those actions to be of no worth, given that they could not foresee a second collapse with all the thought of the Dreamers. Those councils also did not foresee the betrayal of the Voidmind, and yet we find ourselves among these current events.
We see it fit, now, to prepare ourselves for the possibility of a second Collapse. We cannot predict what consequences the shifting alliances of those we called brothers will bring, and so we contemplate the worst outcome and take steps to counteract it. When we contemplated the proper vessel to carry out this task, the Advisor of Infiltrators brought us the song of your shell, of nobility, of heritage, of distinction. Then they brought us songs of victories, completions, escapes, defenses, and assaults. What better fit to accompany the tools which shall stop the worst among potentials?"
They had laid the groundwork upon which the future shall be built, yet they had also laid forward a test of wisdoms and philosophies.
