FFM 2024 22: Restoration

No prompts used. This is a continuation to FFM 2024 21: Liberation and concludes the Miasma Gem storyline.

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Most of the academia that had followed first the investigation into the gem that had ruined Fieldentown and the surrounding forest areas — named Miasma Gem based on witness descriptions — and then the efforts to try to cleanse the rotted land so nature could heal had given up on the area. While the magic itself had been cleansed two decades ago, the rot had gone deep underground, ruining the roots and seeds of everything. Whatever new seeds Inky Academy and the few researches from other schools who had not yet given up on what was now called the Holy Grail of restoration work never took to the soil, either rotting where they were sown or, in the later years, just did not sprout.

Angels had proved to be uncooperative for the most part, few of them caring enough about the mortals’ work to help. The few who did care either had little to no skills that could help or were often too busy or otherwise unable to help.

Marlene was not going to give in, however. The rotted wasteland was healing, only incredibly slowly. The fact that the seeds no longer rotted the moment they hit the ground — or even at all, in the outskirts of the rotted area — was proof that the area could heal. It might very well take more than her lifetime, but she was not going to give in. No chance.

People kept claiming that she was being this persistent because she thought it was her responsibility as Fieldentown’s last mayor’s niece but that was not it. She knew Uncle Keith, for all his faults, had loved Fieldentown and its people. No one could claim to know why her uncle had unleashed the Miasma Gem — or even where he had gotten one, let alone such a refined specimen — on the area but Marlene had faith that he had thought that he was doing the right thing until the gem’s powers had taken hold of him.

And so, she would dedicate her life to playing a part in healing the land her uncle had loved.

~~~

Fifty years later

“Grandma, why are you crying? Is it because the land still hurts?”

“No, sweetheart,” Marlene told her grandson. “Look. The land is healing.”

Oscar turned to look where his grandmother was pointing.

There was a small, healthy green sprig, rising bravely from the barren soil, leaves raised towards the sun.