Mikigorou

The faint, electric hum of resonating crystal was the only sound Mikigorou's headset was supposed to receive. It was the sound of work, of charting monoliths in The Crystal Highlands of Armaria. But one afternoon, a new signal cut through the static: a voice, soft and clear, humming a tune about bamboo shoots after a spring rain. As an explorer, Mikigorou had followed maps and compasses their whole life. Now, they followed a song. For weeks, they triangulated the signal, abandoning geological surveys for this phantom melody. They finally traced it to a secluded terrace where another chimp sat, mending a fishing net and humming to themself, completely unaware their faulty comms unit was broadcasting to the entire plateau. Mikigorou stood frozen, headset still on, mouth agape. The song was even better without the static.