The following is a journal excerpt, the calligraphy in neat loops, the page obviously aged. Unfortunately, this was the only piece recovered.
How fortunate was I to have wandered onto Apoy during Kinigoh’s grand celebration? The Apoyans are quite hospitable, and are a lovely people, if quite simple. Through their generosity, even I was allowed to celebrate with the tribe. No words could describe the beauty of the music, the atmosphere of joy, nor the bountiful feast leaving nothing to desire. While the party will hold many memories of which to fondly look back upon, it is the answer to a little girl’s question that will stick with me forever.
She inquired about a crystal formation. Upon first glance, it was crude, beautiful, and breathtaking all at once in natural splendor. As untamed fire, frozen in time, the sculpture had such intensity, one would swear it would start flickering with life. Who I could only assume was the child’s grandmother, a weathered leather face leaned close to the inquisitive girl and told the tale. Apoy, their god and protector, demanded a beautiful girl once every ten years.
The village rejoices in the life who lived amongst them, and now willingly gives herself to Apoy. As the god takes the girl into His embrace, Apoy leads their soul to the underworld where their spirit will rest eternally. Upon leaving, He would take a piece of the flames that light the spirit realm, and bring it back to Apoy Island. The flames crystalize in the transfer, and he hides them inside of His volcano. This is His way of saying he was pleased with the Elder’s choice of sacrifice.
Should someone find the crystalized fire, we should remember the girls who had thrown themselves into the glowing magma fit to burn the world. It is by her selflessness that they are spared, and by His grace that their lives are bountiful. Each formation is as unique as the life He has taken, each as precious as the girls of their village. Never again shall I look upon such things without an air of appreciation.