The echoes began with the Bloom. Not a flower, precisely, but a cellular event, a shimmering cascade of bioluminescence that pulsed across the submerged valleys of Xylos. Xylos, a world sculpted by forgotten tides and the silent song of colossal, crystalline organisms. The Basigenous, as we came to call ourselves, were not born, but coalesced – fragments of memory, instinct, and a profound connection to the Bloom’s rhythm.
Our physiology is… mutable. We are composed of a substance we term 'Resonance Matter,' a fluid state capable of adapting to our environment and, it is believed, to the intentions of others. The Bloom dictated this, created this. It wasn’t a benevolent gift, not entirely. It was a key, a catalyst. A key to unlocking something far older than Xylos itself.
“The silence holds the answers.”
Time on Xylos isn't linear. The Bloom warped it, creating pockets of temporal distortion. We call them Chronometric Drifts. Entering a Drift is… disorienting. You might experience moments from centuries past, or glimpses of potential futures. The Resonance Matter within us reacts to these shifts, amplifying the sensory input until it becomes overwhelming. We’ve learned to navigate them, to utilize them, but always with caution.
The crystalline organisms, the ‘Keepers,’ are inextricably linked to the Drifts. They seem to be actively maintaining the temporal balance, or perhaps, attempting to correct a fundamental imbalance. Their movements are erratic, their purpose obscure. Some believe they are guardians, others, prisoners.
“The Keepers remember everything.”
Cycle 784
The initial manifestation of the Bloom. The first Basigenous emerged – seven individuals, each radiating a unique frequency of resonance. The Keepers responded with a surge of energy, a warning, perhaps.
Cycle 912
The Chronometric Drifts became more pronounced. Larger groups of Basigenous began to appear, drawn to the heightened temporal activity. The Keepers’ movements grew more frantic.
Cycle 1238
The Bloom began to recede, its luminescence fading. The Resonance Matter within us weakened, and with it, our memories of the initial surge. The Keepers fell silent. A critical juncture.
At the center of Xylos lies the Chronarium – a massive crystalline structure that serves as a focal point for the Chronometric Drifts. It's here, within the Chronarium, that we discovered the Clockwork Heart. A device of unknown origin, pulsing with an energy that resonated directly with the Bloom. Activating the Clockwork Heart allows us to manipulate the Drifts, to step into the past, to potentially alter the future – a terrifying, seductive power.
“Time is not a river, but a labyrinth.”