Eternal Light

"Can we get any closer?"

"Negative," replied the pilot. "This is already pushing it."

"Yeah, I know, but can we? Just a little bit closer?"

The pilot rolled his eyes and sighed. He switched off the autopilot and pulled back on the controls to give the ship more altitude. They were currently flying over northern China. He expertly manipulated the controls until they were at just under fifteen thousand feet in the air, almost a thousand feet above the closest mountains below. The planet was covered in clouds, and it was difficult to see what lay beneath them. It didn't matter; they had been flying over this area for hours, looking for anything that stood out amongst the landscape. A large structure that didn't belong here would stand out like a sore thumb, especially to someone with decades of experience flying low-altitude reconnaissance missions.

"Keep your eyes peeled," said the voice on the radio. "I'm sure I saw something down there earlier."

"There's nothing down there."

The voice laughed, which caused the pilot to grit his teeth. This woman was going to be the death of him one day if she didn't watch her attitude. She'd only been in charge for three weeks, and already he wanted to resign from his position as her personal pilot.

"Alright, got it!" she said over the radio. "Fly lower."

He groaned and pushed back on the control stick once again, pulling them just a smidge closer to the ground below. Things were starting to look familiar now; he knew these mountains well enough that he could tell where they were headed even though they were still several miles away.

"Stop!" she suddenly yelled over the radio. "Can you make some noise?"

He frowned and turned on one of their engines, causing an odd throbbing sound to echo throughout his cockpit as they began their descent towards the mountains ahead of them. Once they were within a mile of them he shut off both engines and allowed them to glide silently towards their target. The clouds parted slightly here, allowing him a clear view of what laid before him: An enormous stone structure sat atop one of these mountains, surrounded by lush vegetation and filled with alien tech and equipment that looked like it came straight out of old sci-fi movies from Earth.

He turned on his microphone and spoke into it quietly: "Is this what you're looking for?"

"Yes! Land us on top of that structure immediately."

The pilot sighed again and gently lowered their ship into position directly above where this woman wanted them to land. He fought with the controls for a couple seconds before finally managing to find solid ground upon which he could set them down upon. His ship settled ever so lightly onto those rocks sitting atop this mountain, causing dust and debris to fly up around them as they made contact with solid ground once more after many years in orbit above Earth's atmosphere without doing so.

The woman wasted no time unbuckling herself from her seat and rushing towards the exit. The pilot watched her go, shaking his head in disbelief. He had never seen anyone so determined to explore an unknown structure before. With a resigned sigh, he followed suit and made his way towards the exit. As soon as the doors opened, a rush of cool mountain air filled the cabin, refreshing the pilot after hours spent in the confined space.

Together, they stepped onto the rocky surface of the mountain and made their way towards the enigmatic structure. The woman, her eyes wide with excitement, led the way, barely able to contain her anticipation. As they approached, the scale of the structure became even more apparent. It loomed above them, a marvel of architecture that seemed to defy all known principles.

As they entered the structure, they were greeted by a vast chamber filled with pulsating lights and humming machinery. The air was thick with an otherworldly energy, tingling on their skin. The woman's eyes scanned the room, taking in the intricate details of the alien technology. She hesitated for a moment, unsure of where to go, before deciding to follow a dimly lit corridor to the right.

The pilot trailed behind, his senses heightened by the unfamiliar surroundings. The further they ventured into the structure, the more they discovered. Rooms lined with glass capsules, each containing preserved artifacts of a long-lost civilization. Holographic projections flickered to life, displaying images of a prosperous society, filled with advanced knowledge and scientific breakthroughs. It was beyond anything they had ever seen or imagined.

They continued their exploration, moving deeper into the heart of the structure. The corridors grew narrower, the walls seemingly closing in on them. A sense of foreboding filled the air, a heaviness that pressed upon their shoulders. The pilot's unease was palpable, but the woman seemed undeterred, her determination unwavering.

Finally, they reached a massive chamber, bathed in an ethereal blue light. At its center stood a pedestal, adorned with a glowing crystal. The woman approached, her eyes fixed on the mesmerizing radiance. As she reached out to touch the crystal, a voice resonated through the chamber, booming and ancient.

"Who dares disturb the sacred sanctuary of the Ancients?"

The woman froze, her hand hovering inches away from the crystal. The pilot felt a chill run down his spine, instinctively stepping back. The voice demanded an answer, and in that moment, the woman found her voice.

"We come in search of knowledge," she said, her voice steady but filled with reverence. "We seek to understand the wisdom of the Ancients and the secrets they hold."

Silence hung heavy in the chamber for a moment, and then, the voice spoke again, softer this time, filled with an ancient wisdom.

"Those who seek knowledge must prove their worth. Solve the riddle or face the consequences."

The woman's brows furrowed, her determination burning brighter than ever. She knew she couldn't fail this test. With a steady voice, she awaited the riddle that would determine their fate.

"In the beginning of all things, I am nothing. In the end, I am everything. What am I?"

The woman's mind raced, her thoughts darting from one possibility to another. The pilot watched in awe, admiration mixing with the lingering fear. And then, just as hope began to wane, the woman's eyes lit up with understanding.

"I know the answer," she declared, her voice brimming with confidence. "The answer is... time."

The chamber fell silent once more, and then a blinding light emanated from the crystal, enveloping the entire room. The pilot shielded his eyes, unable to comprehend what was happening. When the light subsided, the chamber had transformed. Ancient symbols and inscriptions glowed on the walls, unraveling secrets only known to the Ancients.

The voice returned, softer now, tinged with a hint of pride. "You have proven yourself worthy. The knowledge of the Ancients shall be yours to wield, but remember, with great power comes great responsibility."

The woman nodded, gratitude and reverence etched on every line of her face. She knew this was just the beginning of a journey filled with wonder, discovery, and the weight of responsibility. As they turned to leave the chamber, the pilot couldn't help but marvel at the events that had unfolded. Little did he know that this encounter would shape the course of their lives, and the destiny of all humanity, forever.