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Matt Hein / Fantasy / Asperity | |
| New and Past Animosities, Part Two [Anachronistic_Skies] Editing attempt v- 1.0 5-2-1 Part Two, Act One As he awoke to the chirping of birds once again, Dash found himself nestled between Flare’s fiery red wings, as he looked above him to survey the bowing branch of an oak tree ahead of him, as he could hear the distinctive sound of leaves rustling about in the morning breeze. Examining the nonexistent wounds below his torn armor, it had seemed to him as though there were little possibility one could brave through such a dilemma and still yet survive without partaking of the sweet and remedial nectar synthesized by a serologist, or the vigilant watch of a medic… Summoning forth his strength, Dash knelt to the grassy ground partially, as he examined his now shattered sword of chrysalis, the once lively and vivacious glow of azure now bereft of it, as well as his pendant, which lie idle, a mere shadow of its former grace. Standing up, his fatigues now badly ripped from the wear and wounds he had suffered, Flare gave him a rather suspicious glance, as she looked from her position, her wings ruffled as the swordsman stepped away from her, towards the open and grassy field which lie ahead of him beyond the edge of the emerald forest. Stepping several metres out into the open, his hair and bandanna ruffling about the breeze, he could see several formations of wild birds glide overhead, their cries carried lightly by the cascading wind. . Even standing amongst the plains ahead, Dash seemed to possess a rather commanding eminence about himself, the qualities of a leader still deftly prevalent about him, as the others approached from his rear with caution, as though he were a serpent, ready to strike without warning. .The morning sun already set into the distance shone faintly, the sky itself seemed as though it had been shrouded in a veil of darkness, sporadic storm clouds nearly covering the sun as they laced the field in shadows, an odd silence about the air, save for the cascading breeze. Stepping forth from the forest, Skye called out to Dash, as he stood adamant, yet suave, facing away from her darkly. “Sire Dash? I wish to speak with you regarding last night… I would like…to extend my humble thanks to you…” Dash didn’t bother to reply, as she moved ever closer to the swordsman, standing stoic, as he surveyed the horizon ahead of him with interest. “Sire? My apologies for intrusion…but…” “Look, where are we, anyway? You’re not going to interrogate me now, are you, because I don’t want to hear these nagging questions…” Dash spoke harshly, as he sheathed his blade, turning around to reveal his vermillion eyes, as Skye stepped backwards in a surprised shock. “Sire? You’re not…Dash, are you? Or are you simply regretting your past again? Please tell me! Sir? Would you at least speak to me?” Again, Dash served little to reply, as he stepped towards them, Skye holding her ground as she fought back tears at the thought of the swordsman digressing from his former self. “And I surmise you wished to speak to me about my past, eh? Well, have at it…” “Sir? Why do you continue to forsake the past?! I merely commend your actions, and you launch off like some sort of politician…” Skye spoke, as she continued once again. “And you saved my life, then just for the thrill, turn the other cheek when I extend my humble gratitude! Why, Dash?” “Because I cannot accept your glorification… We both differ greatly, Skye, myself from an order of militancy, and yourself hailing from such lavish provenance. To accept and harbor your gratitude towards me would violate my code of honor! I wish not to be arrogant and proud!” The swordsman spoke darkly, as Ludan stepped towards him from the forest, Kimiahn and Scorpio awaiting orders from their posts, as his imperial robes flapped about the winds. “Swordsman Dash, I wish not to intrude on you, but could we at least speak for a moment? Regarding last night’s actions, your vicarious policy…” Standing stoic, Dash noticed the cringing pain on Ludan’s eyes, as he knelt to the ground, grasping his torso momentarily with his gauntlet, as the swordsman carefully approached him, speaking. “Sir, perhaps it’s not in your best interests to overexert yourself..” “Nonsense!” Ludan started, as he stood back up, smiling towards the swordsman uneasily, but with general confidence. “Regarding your actions as of last night, I must say that I would have never expected such an effort from even the most trustworthy of my officers. And yet, for a ‘petty’ foreigner such as yourself to nearly sacrifice his life for a lady...renders me speechless.” “I know, It’s a rare and uncommon trait. It’s what people in my day and age called ‘devout loyalty’… However, I don’t wish to discuss that…” “You’re terribly modest for a leader, Dash! But… Rinehart was the same way when he was young. Always allowing others to take credit for his actions…but that led him to be the lone wolf… you have greater destiny than that! You’re the akai!” “I choose to deny such a fact…I’m not the ‘akai’ or the ‘chosen one’, Ludan. In fact, my only credential to the holy world lie in my service as a Deacon back in Lucaria…I was devoutly religious at that time. For you see, I cannot endorse the Kai Ne’hr, as that would conflict my faith.” As Ludan stood there completely stunned at Dash’s rejection of his title, Skye interjected quickly, as Scorpio and Kimiahn looked on with interest, Argent interested to some extent as well. “Ah…I see…’confliction of faith’. I hope you don’t wish to imply that my religion is fallacy in your eyes?” “Of course not…why would I doubt your faith when my own is equally as questionable? I don’t want to tread through the ground of politics or religious right, though…” “I see…but how could your lack of faith justify your miraculous metamorphose into a brilliant winged creature?” Skye asked inquisitively, as Dash darted a glance at her with interest. “What?! I don’t recall a transformation of any sort…” “Surely you would remember, wouldn’t you? Right after you dashed before myself and the enemy’s blade! We all bore witness to your brilliant transition from human to…what seemed to be the incarnation of angelic proportion.” “Hmm…” Dash thought to himself, as he stepped away from Skye, looking off stoic towards the verdant horizon. “Look, I’m not exactly sure of the truth myself… however, I see you’re too optimistic for your own good. Great things will never come from speculation…” Dash replied, terminating the discussion. “Heh, you’ve got that nailed, kid…” Argent spoke, as he stepped towards Dash, his red cape ruffling about. “The world has little decency to offer anyway, ever since the religious authority began to capitalize on their interpretation of faith, casting aside all other religions are heresy!” “That’s entirely untrue, Argent! The order of the Phoenix isn’t purging other faiths, but simply placing the moral right of community where it belongs; in the hands of the government!” Ludan spoke, as Dash replied succinctly. “You’re speaking of an oligarchy, then? Kind of exclusive if you ask me…” “I would not describe their order as tyrannous. These officials are elected…” “By the people or by their allies? If the latter, I don’t see much credibility to it!” “Perhaps I neglected to mention that these officials in which we speak, are actually elected by the people for a limited term of service. And yes, they are citizens, who simply climbed this hierarchical ladder.” “And most likely, I would say that most of these officials started their climb halfway to the top, cast favour upon by the state. Does this justify the lack of those who could possess competency of rule over those who may not?” for their duties? “This controversy over the order has truly continued for long enough! Dash, as a former member of the order, I speak from experience. These ministers hold a trustworthy and clear office.” “Ludan’s speaking the truth, Dash. You shouldn’t cast a blind eye towards the public ministry like so. Besides, cynics are looked about poorly by the religious state.” Kimiahn spoke curtly. “So, you’re in on the conversion attempts, as well, I’d surmise? Your efforts aren’t too convincing…” “Dash, be a realist for once! You said great things will never come from speculation! Why then, do you refuse to believe the miracles of Akael Me’Han? We all saw it before our eyes, your graceful wings and truly magnificent image!” Skye pleaded, as Dash continued to fight her words. ”I harbor no speculation towards you order, only to say they are priests of fallacy. Do you really believe casting devout belief in idolatry will save you? Hah, that’s laughable!” “Akael Me’Han is not the incarnation of an idol, but rather that of a deity! Read the texts of the Prism, and one would surmise he is of saintly essence. I’m assuming you have not yet read it?” “I refuse to read your texts…” “Why would I lie, Dash? It was written over a millennia ago, by none other than the Draken. Besides, and ‘intellectual’ such as yourself should entertain opinions, not blindly cast them aside!” “And an intellectual also questions all theory. Can you prove the veracity of your god? How do you know for certain all that believe is even true?!” “Because I have seen the truth myself! Akael had graced me with his blessing at the summit! And what proves the reality of your faith?” Dash closed his eyes, refusing to reply as he only turned away from her, stepping outwards towards the open grassy field. Casting a glance off into the distance, Skye called to him. “Your duties as a theorist include reading the Prism…the truth there is inherent as well…” And with a sudden lunge, Argent burst into their conversation, his voice filled with fervor, as usual. “Don’t let them convert you, kid! Their dogma is pure nonsensical, and constitutes little more than a wayward collection of metaphorical speculation and errant superstition!” “Don’t listen to his slithering lies, Dash!” “Comrade, do not bow forth to her foul statements! Following the path of fallacy will prove your downfall!” “Dash, do not allow the enemy serpent to strike at you with its venomous heresy! Please reconsider, as the truth serves as the remedy to repulse the poisons of dissent! Skye fired back, as Ludan quickly interjected the argument calmly. “Lady Skye? As your superior, would you please?” “Not now, Ludan! I hold my faith very dear, and the prospect of losing one…” “Would you abandon this nonsense, already! Your intrusive ranting serves little purpose other than to divide us! This is far worse than any interrogation I’ve ever experienced…” “Someone’s faith is at the stake, here, Scor-… Kiraryu, not goods stolen from the local commissary!” “Wait a moment!” Ludan interjected, as he stepped before Skye and Scorpio, looking at the merchant somewhat suspiciously, as he darted a glance at him with his amber eyes. “You’ve assigned yourself a false identity! I have reason to believe you are not ‘the Kiraryu Lambast’ as you stated earlier. Your evasion to detection and lack of reminiscence to a noble has lead me to believe otherwise…” For a short moment, silence permeated the scene, As Scorpio closed his eyes, drew in a deep breath and confided to Ludan the truth. “Very well…I should discontinue this pointless masquerade…Yes, I am the infamous Scorpio Vagrant, but what does it matter to you?” “It matters to me just so, my friend, that you deceptively lied to me, and impersonated yourself as a noble, whilst at the same time lacking courage to confront your own past. Hiding behind the identity of another only proves to me you are not the man whom you may have lead others to believe…” “Ludan, look, even though I may have lied to you, all of this carried justification, no matter how odd it sounds. I was avoiding the prosecutorial mob because I feared events arising from my detection would lead to my execution…Men fear death, but even worse to fear is my predicament...the skeleton of my conscience is beset with such a great burden to bear, a weight crushing at my conscience so great, I no longer wish to look at the luster of gold, as it sickens me.” “Scorpio…If you would have confided to our council earlier regarding the truth, you would have been a free man both in body and mind. Atonement would have graced you for your sins, but your fear of the future denied you. You want to prove to others your courage? Stand before the council of Allercus and speak from your heart in the same fashion you did to us. Only then, will your burden dissipate…” As Scorpio contemplated Ludan’s thoughtful speech, he spoke once again in confidence. “Well said, Ludan…our trust, then?” Scorpio asked, extending his formalities. “In Allercus…after the meeting…” “Very well, Ludan…If I must endure the burden to prove my repent, it shall serve to cast aside a thousand resents!” As a moment of silence begot the party, another gust rustled the leaves and grasses before them, sending a chill about the air., Ludan breaking the near silence. “As Scorpio so thoughtfully spoke, we should concentrate on matters of utmost importance. I regret starting this whole religious debate...so let us place this behind us!” He spoke, as he once again cringed in pain, kneeling to the ground, clasping his torso. “Sir?!” Skye cried, as she rushed to his aid, the president motioning her away from him. “Do not aid me! I’m fine enough as is…” He remarked, chuckling slightly as he regained his stature, brushing some dust off his suit. “Heh…age finally caught up to me, eh?” “We need to travel northbound to the city of Allercus…” Dash spoke, continuing. “We cannot remain idle any longer! As we speak, the enemy could be engineering plans to intercept our party, so we must make haste! Those who object can remain here.” “I say we abandon this place immediately…” Argent spoke, Kimiahn joining. “And for the sake of advantage, why not travel northbound using Flare?” “She could barely bear the weight of the journey here alone! Look at her, she’s simply fatigued beyond belief!” The acolyte spoke, motioning towards Flare, as the dragon rested, one eye still vigilant. “Allercus is at least twenty telens off into the distance! Such an undertaking would take a great toll on her, and I refuse to support it!” “We have to use the resources on hand! If she could brave the journey here, why not towards Allercus? We’ve already traveled several talens inwards…” Kimiahn spoke, as Skye continued to evade the idea. “She is too great of an asset to us! Besides, she is nearly bereft of energy, and such a flight alone could prove a fatal toll. Even though she may be a dragon, I still respect her as a comrade…” She spoke adamantly, as Dash intervened. “Well, if you’re so intent on Flare’s welfare, you might as well bring Ludan as well! You both can head of Allercus, whilst I and the others proceed to find an alternative route.” “Dash, that suggestion is entirely preposterous! Wandering about the inlands of Faiye is similar to carrying an open invitation to creatures and denizens of the forest to attack us!” “Look, we have no other choice than to follow through. Our main objective is to escort Skye to Allercus as quickly as possible, and deliver Ludan safely to the council at Allercus.” “They would probably hold us back anyway… go ahead, let them ride their luxuries. The upper class always get their way.” Argent snapped, as Skye headed towards Flare, Ludan approaching Dash’s entourage. “Should you follow through with such a venture, I would not recommend using the trading routes, as merchants and travelers are frequently beset by rogues when crossing through.” “Thanks for the tip, Ludan…” Kimiahn spoke, as the president addressed Dash. “And what about your welfare, swordsman? There may be those at Allercus that wish your presence as well…” “I’ve had enough of the political arena, Ludan.” “Very well! So it’s settled then?” “You might as well leave now…” As Ludan bid him and his entourage valediction, he headed towards Skye, who went to work adjusting flare’s reins. “Let us no act overzealous as of yet! Has anyone taken into concerns the supplies needed for such a journey? Our equipment is ill-suited to our environs, and swords will not fend efficiently against those creatures of the brush…” “We’ll need to improvise.” Argent spoke, as he knelt to the grass, procuring forth a small twig and from the foxtail plant to his side, the feather of a sparrow. “These would serve well for fashioning makeshift arrows, should our supply be depleted. Kimiahn? Since you possess a bow, I’m assuming you’ll do the honors?” “Very well, I guess I’m elected sniper. Regarding rations, our supplied seem low.” “There are rations all around us.” Scorpio spoke, as he plucked a small vermillion berry off a plant beside him, tasting it. “These should hold us for quite a while.” He spoke, plucking yet several more, as he placed them into his satchel. “You’re just…plucking berries off a plant?! Scorpio, I have reason to believe they could be poisonous!” “Would you relax, Kimiahn? As a chemist, I know a lot about the biology of the area. For once would you cease to doubt me?” He asked, offering her one of the berries, as Kimiahn rejected it. “I’m still not very convinced. There’s no way I’m eating those…” “Sir Dash?” Skye asked from her Dragon, as the swordsman cast a glance towards her. “All seems to be going well, and I wish you luck…hopefully, I’ll see you at Allercus?” “Heh…I don’t have plans otherwise…” He replied, as Skye bid the others farewell, the dragon spreading her wings as she generated a puissant draft of air, swaying the grass and shrubbery below it And in an instant, the dragon lunged forward, and Gilded off over the trees and into the horizon, beyond the misty emerald mountains and valleys, not a hint remaining of their presence. “Very well, shall we take leave then?” Dash asked, as unsheathing his sword, took the lead, and headed off into the distance. 5:2-2 Part Two, Act Two As the man wearing a pair of slacks and a pressed military suit proceeded down the center of the aisle of the towering cathedral, he passed countless austere rows of ebony seats and stained glass windows, the path between them illuminated to their sides with beacons of foggy, azure light, faintly glowing, yet finely interspersed. And standing at its end, the imposing statue of the idol lord stood proud and vicious in all of its scaly glory, the reptilian creature immortalized in stone. With rancor, clawing its talons into the crimson rug with great abandon, it stood apparently frozen in a threatening stance, yet commanding great awe and respect to its curators. They seemed oddly alive, but it was evident to the man that the statue’s ruby eyes were now oddly dormant, like frozen over fire, a noticeable centric halo of beacons hovering overhead the center of the incarnation in stone, as they shone a faint, yet beckoning azure light down towards the center, illuminating it nicely. With each step the man took, the resonance of his movements seemed to stir the shadows about, as stepping towards the crimson steps leading to the central alter, he humbly knelt forward, offering to it, his formalities, as he closed his eyes and drew out a small black bound book from his inner pocket, clasping its cover with his bandaged and wounded hand, commencing an invocation. “Ayatolleh…mi’kyhen y’ehrere...Akael Mehan… liminsce ehre de terran!” And with his accursed words in such a tongue, all at once the eyes of the dragon began to glow faintly, a hint of verdant life retuning to its scales, the outside coating now resembling faint rust. Yet, it seemed to fall short, as from the circular rows about him, a large group of missionaries clad in burgundy and serpent black robes approached into the ring of luminescence, several of them carrying biblical tomes. From under their hoods, their eyes were barely visible, perhaps their abstruse nature self perpetuating in their shadowy environs. And from the centric ring of scattered followers in the center, one woman dressed in a patriarch’s robe and miter hat stepped forth, her face dark, yet tangible, as her silver hair blew about the faint breeze. As she approached, Jade suddenly grew aware of her presence, and drew forth his saber hastily, only returning it to his sheath, when she approached into the light. “Ah, at first I perceived you as the enemy…” “Jade Maxwell Norbert…I’m surprised you would grace our environs. Your undying support for the rebellion faction served us quite well…we will be eternally grateful…” “You should not thank me, reed Cimarron, for I feel I do not deserve credit. No, the real credit goes to the oppressed peoples of this city who rose against their masters. Ah, did you ever dream such a day would arrive, should sweet revolution ebb its eroding tide against the nobles?” “Yes, but only part of our dream is realized. You will bear burden for the next leg of this journey. I was asked, should you show, to give you this Message. The council of deacons in LaGuardia summons your presence. They also give you their sincere condolences for your suffering.” “I see…” Jade started, as he continued. “My stay in the infirmary was a painful ordeal…” “I see you’re faring well, Jade, but others in the state of LaGuardia are grieving for their fallen comrades. With the division between the nobles and commoners all but present, the state seeks you to lead them, Jade. Your valiance radiates brightly, as the aura of Akael Mehan. Your country must be proud.” “A coincidence you should say that, for I chose to pray here to receive his blessing. I wish to receive his grace.” “Your valor makes you worthy, Jade, but I first need permission from the council to honor you in such a way. I assure you, with time and stride, you shall bask in his radiance and glory.” “Very well…” As Jade headed down the steps and towards the exit, Reed called out towards him. “Jade, as a token of our appreciation for your aid in liberating this great city from the talons of the order of he falcon, we present to you, this…” She spoke, motioning to one of her attending officers, the younger lady clad in hood opening the front door of the cathedral as it creaked on its rusty hinges. A flood of afternoon sunlight encroaching down the aisle, the brilliance quickly faded as two other officers wearing the same monk’s apparel presented Jade’s quarry before him. He was an old man, although strikingly familiar, wearing a battle tattered military suit and broken spectacles, with a stream of blood running down the side of his face. Kneeling to the ground on his knees, and hands bound at his back, he looked upwards at Jade defiantly, as the general drew forth his saber and held the point at his neck. “Frederik Poyle…how sweet it is to se such a man as you grovel before me. The wings of the falcon have been clipped, dear general. How doest you feel?” Frederik looked up at him and remained oddly calm, speaking quietly. “I feel rather sympathetic for you…lost without much cause other than to conspire with the dogs of insurgency.” “Amusing…quite so, Poyle. You state that I am lost; a soldier without cause? Hah, do you even realize our aspirations? You branded us as anarchist heathens, and persecuted our people! “You’re a hypocrite, Jade! Not for once did my office stoop to such treachery to pursue our goals! We abided by the venue of legality, even though you differed. But alas, there will always be those revolutionaries whom sway the people with immaterial fantasy, propaganda and metaphorical rubbish!” “What a nonsensical statement! Why do you continue to be so pertinacious defending your view? You’re cause has been lost already, and yet you continue to fight? You stress moral values, but how can a moral society exist without technologies to aid us?” “A moral society can easily exist without mechanical aid. We do not need weapons or machines to conduct business with, just simply integrity and honesty. Machines serve to purge trust and replace humans…” “Will the existence of mechanization lead humanity to a state of perdition? Of course not! But you continue to attack those who pursue knowledge with your prosecutorial policy. Labeling them ‘heathens’ and ‘pagans’. Why condemn the intellectual?” “Upon the ascension of power, what do you hope to accomplish, Jade? Death to the masses who oppose you, or a secret police to do your bidding? No…it will be yet another repeat of Rinehart’s assassination, to hunt down those who digress like they are animals, then throw them to the dogs?!” “I should kill you right now, Poyle…you are not deserving of Akael’s blessing of life!” “Then why do you not kill me? I’d much rather leave this damned wicked place than remain bound at chains before the aggressor. My rank may be bereft, but not my honour or dignity! Go ahead with it now. Once you simply kill me, you can move ahead to the rest you consider ‘infidels’ and ‘heretics’ in your sense…” As Jade’s face contorted in absolute hatred and acrimony towards the man, he readied the blade to his rear tensely, but swinging the blade at him, stopped short of his target. “Heh…you never cease, even whilst on the border of termination…for that, you command some degree of respect...” Jade spoke, withdrawing his saber, as he concealed the blade in his leather sheath. “Take him away…I wish not to look into his eyes…” Jade spoke, turning away from the man, as his eyes met with Cimarron’s, both of her attending officers escorting Poyle towards the mob outside of the cathedral. “Jade! I assure you that others will follow in my path! You may be able to poison the carriers of a legacy, but you can never extinguish the resolve of the hopeful!” He cried out in agony, as the doors closed behind him. Jade and Cimarron now stood alone, the missionaries now absent from the scene as though they had clocked themselves into the shadows, fading into nothingness. Cimarron spoke softly, as the bells of the cathedral resonated about the air, five chimes to signify the transition of the hour. “You look fatigued, Jade…” “Of course…I’m tiring greatly from this. Great sorrows and pain have begotten me as of late…it’s as though the talons of a raven have torn into my heart, scattering my priorities with bloody abandon… and yet, the hypocrisy of the enemy only drives me further to succeed…” “Jade, why not seek shelter for the time being? Yes, your duties are of much urgency, but your welfare is far greater to the state. I shall notify my officers to postpone your furlough for but a day.” “Your efforts are appreciated. If the state so wishes, than I will oblige.” He spoke, as he began to head off, stopping shortly, as he turned around once again, his eyes dim and crimson from wear. “Conflict still lies ahead for us, though. We must act quickly to repress any progress the dragonians make. I implore upon you to call upon the artificers and practitioners of foreign and magical arts…call upon the outlanders of the barren regimes…call upon those fierce and aggressively industrious! Cimarron, forge alliances and treaties with their rogue leaders amongst the the fiery coals of revolution. We shall rise forth as one nation like a phoenix from these ashes, and with the fangs of a bloody wolf, strike forth at them.” “I’ll attend to your request as I see fit…until again, I surmise?” “Orders of finality…issue the citizens commands to burn and desecrate the flag of the throne renounced…for the falcon has fallen from the heavens with the cracking gunshot of revolution…” And with Jade’s orders, he left once again, as Cimarron contemplated the general’s agenda, closing her eyes and following suit as well. As he stood near the wooden latticed windows of his state room and former house of its mayor, Jade opened the shutters, peering off into the afternoon breeze, and the flavour of autumn about the air. The leaves of the trees themselves were growing quite crisp from the breeze that nipped at him, as the sound of working citizens and government officers working alike could be heard from the distance. Attending to the sides of the damaged buildings, masons and artisans seemed diligently at work, as Jade smiled for once. About the sprawling city, merchant activity and general order had returned once again, as with the renewing winds, the windmills contributed the brunt labour of the trade industry, fueling a reborn fervor for production, a virtue highly regarded, even for a general such as himself. The throbbing pain once again bit at his hand like a thousand needles, as though such an appendage were caught in the jaws of a lion, such a vicious animal of nature refusing to liberate it from its bloody environs. Nesting his bandaged hand in the pocket of his suit, he proceeded towards the creaky old drawer near the window, as a vermillion lighting beacon sat idly, casting its beckoning, but soft light about the room. Opening the old drawer, he scrounged about its scattered contents, searching for perhaps some antibiotics, or high quality alcohol from the trade routes to ease his nerves. But the drawer lie empty, save for useless trinkets and articles of accentuation scattered about, although one small cigar box caught his view, cast in a veil of shade, concealed quite well under several robes and yellowed papyrus paper. Revealing the old box into the daylight, the general blew off a sheet of dust from the battered and scuffed box, sealed and tightly secured with rusted out hinges and thickly wrapped twine. Arousing his curiosity greatly, he withdrew his penknife and lacerated its bindings, as with a modest click, the box opened slowly before him, to reveal a small collection of photographs and documents, several of the glossy inked pictures stained wit the whips and scorns of the winds of time. And with a sudden breeze, several of the papers took flight from the box, scattering to the floorboards, as he ducked to procure them, eyeing a small notice which lie on the floor, written rather hastily with burgundy ink and rather torn among its creases. Disclose to: Ke’ran Belfast-Williams Dear Ke’ran; Once again the gentle winds of spring coast along our oceans and shores, the returning avian journey of the doves signifying the perennial tradition of the Albatross region, the congregation of the head deacons and leaders from about the region to speak at the summit of Lucaria Precipice. Of course, this meeting would be not entirely complete without your essence to grace us, so with your next carrier pigeon, forward us an official response with your seal in a punctual fashion. Thank you, Council of the Sum’mit. As Jade placed the letter in his pocket, he picked up several grayscale photos as well, eyeing the contents to see pictures of a meeting of religious authorities dressed in robes, amongst several other pictures of the surrounding area. Yet, something seemed odd the general as he flipped through the photos, although he did not feel like delving any further into them. Procuring the rest of the box, he pocketed the contents, including a cracked and iridescent lens from the floor, and felt his hand once again, as it throbbed in outright pain, the bandages once again stained with blood and gunpowder residue. With a quick prayer, he left the room to pursue relief elsewhere. “Suppression of fatigue can wait…” Jade spoke. As the chilling breeze gusted about them and yellowing leaves ruffled about their branches, the forest seemed covered in a veil of shadow by the overhead fog, which seemed to cut their field of vision drastically in its entirety. Even for the evening, the environs about them seemed dusk and unwelcoming, as the cawing of hawks permeating the air. For quite some time already, the party had followed the stream northwards, the twisting trail of rocky water eventually leading them to a small series of escarpments which overlooked the rest of the forest below them, but seemed nearly concealed in fog as well, only a few tree tops visible in the ocean of mist. “Feathercaw forest…not a very welcoming place… few travelers bother to take this venue for fear of death. The denizens of this forest are vicious in nature, and venturing any further now may prove fatal to us…I propose we wait it out here until the morrow.” Argent spoke, as he walked away from the forested trees and rested against a rock and several ferns. As Dash headed towards the rocky precipice stopping shortly before its end, he looked towards the sky above him broodingly, as from the heavens, several drops of water from nipped his face and the grassy ferns at his boots ruffled about calmly in the wind. And interrupting his peaceful thoughts, Kimiahn called out towards him. “Sir Dash?” “What do you need, Kimiahn?” “Remember back in Faiye, on Skye’s dragon? I asked you about your world, but you were very evasive about it. After reading the biblical texts of the prism, I want to know whether the truth is correct…that it’s not all just one fallacy conjured to sway us.” “What do you wish to know?” “About the environs…were they any different those we see today? What about the terrain, plants animals and skies?” “Are you so certain you want to hear the truth? It might contrast wildly than that in which you anticipated, Kimiahn…my world lie conflicted between nations of poverty and wealth… Office and Anarchy, Faith and Heathens, Militancy and Philanthropy…” “Let’s hear your version…” Scorpio spoke, as Argent and Kimiahn listened in. “My version, you ask? I find reminiscing the past to conjure up poisonous thoughts…places of which I would rather not revisit…” “Well, we would like to hear it nonetheless! What could be so terrible about the past anyhow? From what I read, the Kai Na’Hr seemed to romanticize it almost as a paradise…” “And they were possibly acting on supposition when they inscribed their interpretations in the texts…” “Ah, just tell us already! There’s no way it can be any worse than I could imagine…” “Very well, then...as you wish, Scorpio. The world I was born into was eerily reminiscent of complete chaos, the authoritarian state attempting by all means to hold its ground whilst being pressured by its neighbors in surrounding cities, and rival nations to its west. Two decades of conflict had left the world I had once known as my homeland entirely scorched and desecrated.” He smoked, as Scorpio and Kimiahn listened on, Argent attempting to light a fire with a flint fragment and steel rod. “Gone were the fertile fields of the terrestrial world, split apart were the oceans, seas and mountains and deprived to oblivion were the plants and animals, fallen prey to the parching air and scorning winds. And yet, idle sat the desert, its white sands bleak and motionless under the contrasting skies. My terrestrial confines and birthplace were known as the desert region of Kasketua, in which naught a bird navigated its skies. And at its center stood a city of great trepidation, shielded from the world with its own crimson sky sphere.” “And to believe one could say that your world had prospered due to their greatness. Your interpretation sounds farfetched…” “Perhaps it is your perception that is found to be farfetched, Kimiahn. In all due respects, ‘greatness’ both brightens and dims the halo over our ‘angelic’ existence. Some say we are truly ingenious, but what occurs when our ingenuities ultimately shorten our livelihood? When the machine performs opposite the intention of its creator? When a machine has no conscience, do we truly possess the justification to place blame on it, when in essence, we have only ourselves to blame for the atrocities of the machine?” “Then, you’re saying?” “Greatness for men ultimately comes at the cost of resource, loss of life and grievance. To achieve greatness, men must usurp the inefficient rule of a government and establish his own to pursue freedom. Does this sound familiar?” “Sounds similar to Jade’s dogma…” “And that of the religious council? They are representing greatness as those who wholeheartedly defend their faith without considering foreign opinion. Why didn’t the Dragonian Order of the Phoenix pursue diplomacy to diffuse the situation, anyhow? Orders of the state should be highest in their priority…” “Look, Dash…I’m not sure what their motives exactly are…but I’m not going to arrive at a conclusion unless solid evidence is presented to me…” “I would consider otherwise, comrade.” Argent started, as he dropped his efforts to ignite the fire, taking a step towards Kimiahn and the others. “The essence of an ulterior motive is rarely unveiled until its lapdogs lash their bloody fangs at you. To quell it, one must strike first.” “There’s little justification to it…” Scorpio intervened, as he fastened his talons, looking towards Kimiahn with apparent interest. “Look…I’m not condoning your efforts, but discussions such as these should be reserved for later…” “Dash, would you finish your story?” “And now you wish to hear the rest, eh? Why are you so driven to uncover the truth, Scorpio?” “So I can measure the accuracy of my religion. Besides, I wish to know of these…’Sky Spheres’ you mentioned.” “Sky spheres? They were floating cities, no less, concealed beyond clouds and their own atmosphere.” “Interesting…so you’re saying then that these cities were completely shielded from the world? Like that of a shell tossed into the ocean? I can hardly believe that an engineering feat of that magnitude is really possible.” Kimiahn spoke, as Dash continued his revelation. “Yes, with man’s ingenuity, it was possible, but it was not a feat of engineering, but rather the offspring of nature. You see, these cities were suspended by some sort of efferent force, which basically generated a natural atmosphere around it. Like a shell, it served both the purpose of protecting the denizens of it from enemy fire and seasonal change of the terrestrial world. The land within the shell lie verdant and supple, air clean and mountains full. In the eyes of the state, only two centuries earlier, something regarded as science fiction emerged a reality, and with their faculty, they could render clouds, storms, calms and seasonal change.” “Environs generated at will by the state…for one to control the authority to manipulate the skies… my Akael! I perceive it as a dream of innovation, but no greater...it is not within the natural trust of men to direct the action of nature…” Argent spoke, purely skeptic, as he demanded some form of verification to Dash’s statements, resuming his attempts to ignite the kindling. “Should I stop my reminiscence here, you would state that mankind truly had achieved greatness… however, with these actions, man became further indebted to their dependence on ever growing technology and the growing power of the state. Slowly, over years of f shrouded obscurantism, the doctrines of democracy were erased from existence, only spoken of in whispers by brave scholars and those privileged few. The city of Lucaria operated no differently than its counterparts, overseen by an authoritarian party…its primary objectives consisting of continued propagation and proliferation, the state acted in all powers for its citizens, or so called patrons to act an preserve its welfare. To live pursue intelligence, work, love, conquer and die for the state was the founding principle of policy, and no else…options otherwise were considered treason, and hence persecuted to nonexistence… those whom complied to the requests of a basis were forced into roles of community and military service from an early age, the only means of excommunication through death, treason or ripe old age. Religion in any form or shape constituted treason to the governing body, hailed as a manner of false allegiance, although I and others pursued it secretly. The state was antiseptic and Spartan, ran by an oligarchy of administrators for its own self interests…” “And yet to believe such an era was exalted as a age of reason…it interests me greatly how the Kai Ne’Hr’s prism would contort the truth just so, neglecting those facts…” “And I would interject that was only half of the oppression. Others came in the form of denied liberties such as open opposition, free press and symbolic expression. The government surveyed and controlled all that lie before it, including business and industry, allocation of resource and funding. Interesting it was viewed as a ‘paradise’…” “My Akael...but how could the citizens bow forth to such encroaching policy?” “Little by little, their rights were stripped away, under the pretense of ‘greatness’…the citizens were equally at fault for this ascension, as their materialism ultimately led them to servitude for the pursuit of refining their culture…This was the main reason I joined the terrorist cell ‘Antioch’. Along with my comrades, I searched for a method to end the oppression, to once again save my society from its eventual downfall...but the eventual downfall would have been secured regardless of my actions or not…” “So…those regarded as ‘saints’ who sat enlightened in the skies lived in sheer ignorance of the scorn of humanity’s impression? Rather unsettling…” Scorpio spoke conclusively, as Kimiahn answered his statement. “I was under the impression that the order of the Draken was a collective of saints and philanthropists… had I known otherwise…” “About the Draken? Skye mentioned them earlier, but I didn’t wish to hear a preaching session about them… she spoke of a group of saints after the great war?” “Look, Dash…I can’t explain much of this, but I would suggest you read the prism nonetheless. Peradventure...this might be the only way you will uncover the revelations...” “She spoke of two separate orders, existing by a name of similarity, yet existing nearly a millennia apart...how could this be?!” “It’s nothing…absolutely nothing. In my opinion, most of the prism is filled to its brims with senseless recollections. Delving into it will prove futile in revealing the truth, comrade.” Argent spoke in anger of his attempts to light the kindling failing miserably, striking the flint across a steel rod as the fiery sparks dissipated into the night. “Would you step back for a moment?” Dash asked, as Argent looked at him oddly, crossing his arms and scowling. “The autumn wind has a penchant for catching the weary off guard, comrade…what you do you wish?” “!Anrere…kito ashouteken!” With little precedence to his actions, Dash shouted a foreign invocation, placing his right palm forth as for a second, a pillar of red light emerged forth with a hiss, igniting the kindling with a smoldering and cloudy smoke. And with that action, Argent adjusted his crystal glasses, as he looked at the swordsman rather enviously, Kimiahn and Scorpio gawking in disbelief. “My Akael!” Scorpio shouted, as Argent spat into the fire, and Kimiahn approached Dash, badgering him for an explanation. “Sir? That action...incomprehensible!” “What?” “That invocation you just cast! Skills like these come particularly rare amongst the people nowadays…Magick, my Tiah’amat!” “Magick? I see not that which enthralls you, assuming that all you all are of antipode descent?” “Not at all…Dash. In a millennia, both Purebreds and Antipodes have intermingled to the extent that the prospect of a perfected lineage does not exist. Hence, unique magical skills are rare enough…” “Look, it’s nothing…forget it…” “Dash, why do you continue to turn the other cheek at the mention of your prowess? Why do you fear to embrace it so?!” As Kimiahn interrogated him for an answer, Dash stepped away from the flickering vermillion campfire, turning away from them and speaking. “Pride, arrogance and vanity...such fickle notions only lead to one’s eventual downfall into acrimonious obscurity...my father stressed these principles greatly, and employed them unto me at an early age by instruction of the state. This notion was integral to the code of honor instilled, and henceforth, I shall never breach it” As Kimiahn remained silent, the howling wind of the early evening seemed to flicker the campfire and its sparks about, the resonance of crickets and forest denizen permeating the air. The sky, starlit and scattered with occasional clouds, seemed partly illuminated by its lunar beacon, casting a pale radiance amongst the treetops of the forest below their precipice. “To preserve your allegiance only to your honor...” “And to forefend that which I believe is righteous...” “Addressing magick, Skye is the only other person I’ve seen successfully cast a spell. Scorpio, myself and Argent were never trained in such a fashion.” “Look, let’s not dawn on my abilities…” “But if those in the past could utilize them, very much like yourself, I wish to understand the mechanics of Magick…” “First off, this ‘magick’ you speak of…in my society it was addressed by researchers as ‘environ manipulation’, or what was known as ‘para-psionics’ to the state.” “But how so could it be executed?” “Carriers of a certain ability possessed a certain aura around them, generated in part by mechanical cells which were inherited from their forefathers, the very same citizens whom had merged with the technologies millennia ago. I believe the method of execution was by the manipulation of the these energies within and outside them to the point in which it could be channeled into pure energy, then discharged at a target…” “Such theories are highly speculative, comrade! For technology to press so far into the prowess of man? For nature to consign humanity with boundless ability…the religious state would scoff at it. But even I, a devout nonconformist lack the credence to believe It. I need further evidence.” “Now, now…without the means to present evidence and prove his case, there is no absolute truth. I guess it all boils down to faith on the execution of magick.” Scorpio interjected, as Kimiahn badgered him even Further with more questioning. “Wait a moment…this ability was invoked by mechanical process? Wasn’t it illegal?” “This process was created more than a millennia before I was born into my world, considered to the citadels ruling at the time, a great asset. But even so, such an age of logistics dies out, encroached with militancy and conflict. And with that, died out the technology as well. Until three hundred years before I was born, technology barely existed as a growing force. That must have been the era of calm…” “My Akael…I cannot believe something seemingly spiritual could be equating to biological attribute. Then this points to the existence of separate races as well, the societal split between both Purebreds and Antipodes? Perhaps dissension between those of the technologies and those whom chose to abstain? It is cellular, then?” “One can say that in an essence, it is…there are alternate theories as well, but there isn’t enough proof to justify any of them…I don’t feel for explanations, as they won’t serve any further truth.” “And you had to know for yourself, Kimiahn, eh, always pressing forward for the truth. Why does Skye never press for realism?” “Her fidelity in Kai Ne’Hr is too great…” “And she would simply faint at the prospect of hearing such theories, then?” “Perhaps…I know with absolute certitude Ludan surely would have…either him or his attending officers Beaumont and Poyle. Judicious, yes, but overtly defensive of their creed.” “As you were saying, Dash? With the magnificence of such technology, was Lucaria not a central beacon of commerce to your world?” “Look...I’d rather not delve into this any further, Scorpio...reminiscing the past can be venomous to those whom rely upon it so greatly for comfort. Perhaps this poison has stricken me already...” As the party sat silent around the campfire, Dash closed his eyes and sat deep in thought, as Kimiahn wondered with great interest the contents of his thoughts. The luminous light of the moon fading under the nocturnal clouds, shrouding the forest in shadows, Scorpio consumed several of the berries he plucked earlier, while Argent took the defensive measure to maintain his sword, tempering it amongst the smoking coals in its center. Other links of interest |
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