Standing before the entrance to the opera house, Gildimir was in no rush to enter. Celestia was somewhere, socializing as she was wont to do. Hundreds of machines in gowns, robes, dresses, capes, and every form of attire were streaming into the venue. All to hear a lament written and performed by one of the finest singers in Arien. Yet Gildimir remained still as the chattering masses streamed by. A dull stone tossed into an indifferent stream.

It wasn't that Gildimir was unhappy. Having lived in Arien for centuries, this wasn't her first concert. Far from it. But over the past several years, a nagging thought had begun to loom over her mind. One that she was loathe to acknowledge despite the fact that it continued to make itself known. Was this all there was? All there was ever going to be? For her? For Celestia? For the Eternal Machines? Concerts and gallery openings and lectures. With all their power. With all that they could accomplish. Was this as high as they intended to go?

"Are you alright?" Celestia asked, standing at Gildimir's side with a concerned expression on her face. "You seem distant."

"It's nothing," Gildimir answered, dismissing both Celestia's fears and her own. Noticing that few machines remained outside with them, Gildimir motioned for the door. "Should we go inside?"

"Yes!" Celestia exclaimed. "I reserved balcony seats this time."

"Lucky us," Gildimir teased.

Locking arms together, they walked into the opera house and made their way to an usher-attended balcony to the left of the stage. Taking their seats just as the enchanted lanterns began to dim, Celestia clapped her hands together in excitement. Moments later, Layara emerged from behind a red curtain, alone and illuminated by a single spotlight. Two separate pairs of wings stretched from her back, spreading high across the stage as she began to sing. Her voice filled the air, drawing gasps from the crowd with its beauty. From what Gildimir understood, Layara did not perform often, so her concerts were lavish affairs fawned over by all. She could see why. Layara's voice...her sound. It was captivating.

Ten minutes into the performance, the usher's voice from behind distracted Gildimir. She was just beginning to enjoy herself, her mind getting lost in the haunting melody.

"I'm sorry, can this wait until after the performance?" the usher asked, his voice a harsh whisper.

"Step aside, please. I need to speak to her."

Gildimir turned around in time to see Arkadon stumble and fall onto the ground behind her seat. Rising up and coming to his aid, Gildimir offered her hand and helped Arkadon to his feet. His hand, no, his entire body was shaking.

"Arkadon, you're trembling. What's-"

"-come with me," he interjected, doing his best to keep his voice down. "Please."

Before she could answer, tears began streaming down Arkadon's face, all while Layara's lament was reaching its peak. Feeling his body convulse, Gildimir's heart broke into a thousand pieces. Celestia looked at them both in confusion, undoubtedly annoyed at the interruption. Not wanting to worry her, Gildimir motioned for her to stay as she carried Arkadon into the hall.

"What is going on?" she asked after they'd made it far enough away from the doors as to not cause a scene. The lament was still audible, threatening to plunge both Gildimir and Arkadon even deeper into madness.

"It's Valos. He's in pain and I can't help him. P...please come with me."

Not waiting for Gildimir to answer, Arkadon turned and ran towards the exit. Lifting her hands in exasperation, Gildimir followed after him. Together, they left the opera house and took to the skies, Gildimir flying behind him as they rushed for the home he shared with Valos. She had no idea what was happening or how she should be reacting. Nothing like this had ever happened before. There were times when machines were frustrated or angered. Even slightly afraid. But Gildimir had never seen anyone so panicked. So overcome by fear and sorrow that they lost control of themselves. Her body ran cold with fear. What was she about to walk into?

The pair arrived at Arkadon's library, the red hair machine bursting through the entrance before taking Gildimir by the hand and pulling her to the secret room within. A few machines saw them and seemed curious about the commotion, but all kept to their books and scrolls. Without a word or sign of hesitation, Arkadon threw aside the concealing cabinet and rushed through the doors behind. Finally in the secret room, both stood frozen. The room was empty. Valos was gone.

"What is happening?" Gildimir asked, her mind spiraling. "Where is Valos?"

"He's gone," Arkadon said, his body quaking.

"What do you mean he's gone? Where did he go? What did he say?"

"That I was not to follow him!" Arkadon screamed, tears streaming down his face, drenching his robes and the carpet beneath his feet. "That he could no longer stay here, among all these voices and thoughts. He left, Gildimir! He left us, and I know not where he's gone." Arkadon's eyes darted around the room, his machine hands tracing circles in the air, gripping and tearing at his robes and hair. "I tried to sense which direction. To sense his spark. Even now, he is shutting me out. Why? Why would he do this to me? WHY?!"

Gildimir sat Arkadon down, taking his hands in her own, doing her best to calm him. Staring into the swollen red eyes that once shone with joy, she wiped the tears from his cheeks. "Tell me everything," she said to him, trying with all her might to prevent her own tears from welling. "Everything."