The Spine of Night 2021

The tale begins with the enigmatic witch-queen Tzod (Tzod) embarking on a perilous ascent up a snow-capped mountain, driven by an unyielding determination to confront the mystic forces that lie at its peak. Her ultimate destination is a colossal skull, where she encounters the formidable guardian of the coveted Bloom - a radiant flower said to hold the secrets of the universe. Initially, the guardian proves unforgiving, threatening Tzod and attempting to repel her from their sacred territory. However, she deftly counters by producing an identical Bloom, revealing that her people had discovered the seed it was said to have cast centuries ago.

As Tzod begins to recount the events that led her to this pivotal moment, the narrative takes a dark turn, revolving around the rogue scholar Ghal-Sur (Ghal-Sur). After both he and Tzod find themselves imprisoned by a ruthless young tyrant, she employs the mystical energies of the Bloom to facilitate their escape. Tragically, Ghal-Sur’s gratitude is short-lived, as he soon turns against Tzod, slaying her and absconding with the precious Bloom. Following his imprisonment, Ghal-Sur manages to manipulate a select group of scholars into assisting him in unlocking the full potential of the Bloom through a perilous ritual. As he exploits its limitless power, he evolves into a tyrannical force, commanding armies and constructing formidable war machines to expand his dominion.

The passage of time, shrouded in mystery, ultimately yields a trio of skilled assassins who attempt to bring Ghal-Sur’s reign of terror to an end. Although they succeed in incinerating the majority of the Bloom, the last vestige of its essence is swept downstream until it reaches the lifeless form of Tzod, resurrecting her and imbuing her with a burning desire for vengeance as she had initially sought out the guardian of the Bloom.

As The Guardian’s narrative unfolds, it delves into the mystical realm of the Bloom itself: an ancient relic nestled within the confines of a gargantuan skull, once the lair of a long-extinguished deity. This cyclical tale reveals that even this last god was born from the severed head of a greater being, whose own demise gave rise to the world we inhabit today. The Bloom, imbued with an otherworldly essence, communicates its profound truths to those who bear it, imparting knowledge that has driven countless Guardians to madness and despair.

Each Guardian, having unraveled the mysteries of the Bloom, has subsequently dedicated their existence to defending this sacred relic from those seeking to exploit its power. As they succumb to the crushing weight of their newfound understanding, a new seeker emerges, driven by an insatiable hunger for knowledge. This individual learns the universe’s most profound secrets and, burdened by the unbearable truth, elects to conceal it, ultimately ascending to become the next Guardian.

The present-day narrative sees Tzod, a seasoned warrior, beckoning Ghal-Sur to the sacred mountain peak where the Bloom resides. As her soldiers swiftly deliver mortal blows, Ghal-Sur seizes the opportunity to harness the Bloom’s power, resurrecting the spectral forms of her predecessors. The vengeful spirits of the fallen Guardians then turn their wrath upon Tzod’s loyal troops, clearing a path for the Guardian herself to exact a deadly vengeance upon Ghal-Sur.

In a cataclysmic release of energy, Ghal-Sur meets her demise, her skull hurtling into the cosmos like that of the ancient deity who spawned our world. The seeds of the Bloom, scattered on the wind, carry forth the cycle anew, as Tzod’s legacy gives rise to a new era of seekers and Guardians, forever bound to the eternal dance of discovery and despair.