by Lyra Shanti
“Yes… and that still holds true now. Can you remember my words and carry them inside you?”
“I will try. I’m just… still so sad we never had any time together, and I hate how the priests never let me be with you. Why did Father allow such cruelty? Didn’t he love us enough to want us together?”
Sighing, she then replied, “There is much I never understood about your father, but I know he loved us. He tried to walk a tight road, and he is still seeking his own answers. I am hopeful you will help each other on your difficult paths.”
“I don’t know if I can help him,” said Ayn, “but I will do what I can.”
Seeing the light of the sun coming up over the river’s horizon, Ayn took a deep breath.
“I need to leave you now, my beloved boy,” said Amya as she began to fade from his sight.
“No, Mother, wait! I’m not ready to say goodbye!”
“Ayn… you must remember I will always love you, and I will often return in spirit. You must let me rest now, for I have expended all my energy this night.”
“But…” said Ayn, “I fear I’ll never see you again!”
“You must remember what Raxas said about fears: they are but questions that can be answered, if you listen with your soul’s truth.”
“Do I have an answer about if I’ll ever see you again? Isn’t it more up to you, Mother?”
“My sweet, Ayn, it is you who must feel when I am near. Worry not, I will be with you again soon. My spirit must sleep now, but I will always be with you, I promise. Till we are together again, Ayn... remember...”
Not feeling able to let her go, Ayn cried and watched as the sun rose through the clouds. His mother’s spirit soon faded from his sight.
He took a few deep breaths as he replayed the night’s conversation in his mind. Had it all been a strange dream, or had he truly seen the spirits of his mother and wisest Sarax? As the light of day crawled across the river, Ayn was unsure. Somehow, the sun’s brightness seemed to block out the truth from his heart.
“My fears are merely questions,” he quietly said to himself as he rose to his feet. He then turned to face the hanging Saras tree nearby, and touched its soft lavender-white leaves with his fingers.
“I choose to embrace my fears and move with, and not against, the universe’s current,” he said, as if he were telling the tree itself.
Turning around once more to look at the river, which glistened with sparkling light, Ayn sighed, faintly smiling, and said, “Yes, Mother... I remember.”
End of Book Three
Book Four COMING SOON!
Glossary
Abloentis: A very hard Krian liquor, also known as the “Violet death.”
Abwa Breath: A kind of moss, only found by the Hana-Lo mountains of Sirin. This purple, rare moss can be used for treating wounds, infections, and in cooking.
Adin / ə - din'/: The very first Shiva Bodanya. He was supposedly murdered by his brother, Siri.
Ahluhana / ä - lü - hä' – nä/: The ancient name for the Sirini universe Goddess. It is also the original name for the planet.
Amun-Lan / ä' - mün – län /: The high priest who taught Meddhi-Lan.
Amya / äm' – yə /: The Queen of Deius and mother of Ayn. She died from plasma illness when he was very young.
Anko bird / änk' – ō /: A large bird that stands upright on two feet and has large feathers that are usually black and white. It is indigenous to Sirin, but was brought over to Deius in the time of The Great Adin.
Api / ä' – pē /: The beginning month of harvest season on Deius.
Arhava / är – hä' – vä /: A delicate, semi-sweet Deiusian wine.
Atlar / at'- lär /: King of Kri and father to Ona.
Atlaris / at - lär'- is /: The sun God of Krian mythology.
Axis / ak' – sis /: Ayn’s “pet," though he is much more. He is a cross between a cat and a bird in appearance.
Ayn / īn /: The boy-king and “Bodanya” of Deius. He is the supposed reincarnation of Adin.
Baran / ber' – ən /: Second general to King Atlar. He is the leader of The Lirhan, Kri's specialized army.
Bodanya / bō - dan' – yə /: "The Chosen One" or the prophesied spiritual leader of Deius.
Bolgara Seith / bəl – gär' – ə sēth /: Ohrian wife of Governor Goral Seith.
Bookoo: The word for “baby” in Sirini.
Borna Tree: A tree very similar to a cherry blossom tree.
Brinja: The word for “family” in Sirini.
Brove / brōv /: Legendary general to Adin, brother of Lir.
Coismir: / koiz' – meer /: An old Dryndi term that means “the core of truth.”
Cylo-plaxi: One of the most durable and long-lasting containers for space travel.
Darvis / där' – vis /: A young Krian who is an apprentice councilman to Octian.
Day of Seed: A Deiusian holiday that celebrates the harvest season.
Delanay City / del' – ə - nā /: A prosperous city just outside The Holy City.
Delma / del' – mə /: Krian Goddess of mercy and love.
Deina / dā' – nə /: A Deiusian coin, the smallest amount there is.
Deius / dā' – üs /: The planet where Ayn was born. It is part of the five remaining planets that inhabit the Un-Ahm galaxy.
Dini / dē' – nē /: A dog-like animal that is usually domesticated. It has furry, short wings.
Dinnaple Library / din – a' – pəl /: The largest, most respected library on Kri.
Dru-Ahm /drü äm /: A complex galaxy with intelligent life. It neighbors the Un-Ahm galaxy.
The Dryndi / drin' – dē /: The mystical oracles of Kri.
Duna / dü' – nə /: Ayn’s childhood pet. It is a Dini.
Eblin Seith / eb' – lin sēth /: The nephew of Governor Goral Seith on Xen City. One of the leaders of The Red Dragons, a dangerous gang on Xen.
Elenon / el' - le – nän /: An eight stringed musical instrument originally created on the planet Ohr.
Emelanthia: The head oracle and high priestess of the Dryndi temple.
Erys Vrin, Lord / er ' – is vrin /: Pei's alias when undercover as a noble on Deius.
Evrite: A black sparkling gem only found on Deius.
The Eye of Osha: The term for the colossal storm of plasma that is transmitted through the ancient trident found in Adin's sarcophagus.
Fah / fä /: The Tah's title Yol Notama. In old Deiusian, it means “Strong Leader.”
Fola / fō' – lä /: Sirini ex-slave who becomes a general of The Tah. She is Sterek's twin sister.
Frey / frā /: Ona's personal handmaid, best friend, and younger sister to Mair.
Governor Goral Seith /gor' – äl sēth /: Governor of Xen's biggest city, Xen-14. He has strong ties to the Ohrian mafia, as well as to Yol Notama.
Granja: Kren's nickname for his Grandfather. His real name is Joh.
Granjie: Kren's nickname for his Grandmother. Her real name is Pohna.
The Great Paradox: The Deiusian term for the slow decay of the atmospheres of the known planets near Deius. Also the term for the depletion of plasma within the Un-Ahm galaxy.
Hahsree: The holy river of knowledge on Sirin.
Hana-Lo: The great valley of holy mountains on Sirin. It translates to “Queen of the Mountain.”
Heber: A Tah soldier named after Adin’s First General.
Holy Order of the Dei / dā /: The council of priests in the Dei Kingdom. They have guided the Royal line of Shiva for many years.
Hynfir Astire, Lord General / hin' – fər as – tēr' /: Top general and second-in-command to Fah Yol Notama. He is Reese's adopted brother.
Iliya / il' – ē – yə /: A young girl from the royal line of Shiva. She is a distant cousin to Ayn.
Inda: An orphaned child, taken care of by Weema and the fisherman near the Holy City.
Iravine / ēr' – ə – vēn /: A musical instrument similar to a piano, but even more resonate. It was named after the Goddess, Iravini.
> Iravini / ēr' – ə – vēn' – ē' /: A Deiusian, and later, Sirini, Goddess who represents sensual love and music. She visits Adin when he first travels to Sirin, giving him a vision that helps him attain enlightenment.
Isrin Astire, Lord / is' – rin as – tēr' /: Deiusian nobleman and cousin to Hynfir.
Captain Jayse: Reese's favored Lirhan captain.
Jin / jin /: The youngest student of The Holy Dei.
Joh: Kren's grandfather and spiritual shaman of the remaining tribe on Sirin. Kren also calls him Granja.
Jornah: The Krian afterlife where all the kings and heroes of the past gathered together for an endless festival of wine, food, and musical celebration.
The Jou: The ancient Deiusian concept of the higher levels of the afterlife. The Dryndi also reference it in their teachings and songs.
Junku: A vision and spirit seer of the Sirini people.
Kleep Chip / clēp /: A mini sized computer chip that records information without being detected.
Konaka / kō - nä – kä /: A dark brew made from Konaka beans and usually swerved hot.
Koomba Ha / küm’ - bä hä /: A Sirini saying meaning “We are free!”
Krenja / kren' – jə /: “Kren” is a Sirini born fighter and ex-slave. His name means “brave son of the family.”
Kri / krē /: The planet that is nearest to Deius as well as being their closest ally.
Kurin Vax / kər' – in vaks /: The Prime Minister of Ohr.
Kuva / kü' - və /: Krenja's younger sister.
Lan / län /: The formal Deiusian name for a teacher.
Lar: A musical term for a chord usually played on the elenon.
Lazoro: The owl god of ancient Deiusian myth.
Leahana Hessen / lē' – ə – hä' – nə hes' – ən /: The wife of Lius Hessen who was supposed to be queen of Sirin, but was exiled to Deius as a young girl by the Ohrian government that had overthrown Sirin. She died when her daughter, Srah, was only a baby.
Leif / lēf /: The lover of Hynfir, and the only son of Octian. He died in the Xen and Krian War.
Lesnia / les' – nē - ə /: Ohrian city where the palace of Lod Enra presides.
Linthil: Ohrian diamond found in the deep underwater caverns of the most ancient oceans of their planet.
Lir / lēr /: Legendary general to Adin, brother of Brove. Also, Ayn’s alias.
The Lirhan / lēr' – ən /: The elite unit of soldiers under Atlar’s command. Their fighting style is of ancient origin and known as one of the most dangerous within the galaxy.
Lius Hessen / lī'- əs hes' – ən /: Doctor and scientist who lives on X-314. He is father to Srah.
Lod Enra / läd en' – rə /: The King of Ohr. He is father to Zin Ra and has had many disagreements with the priests of Deius for many years.
Loda La / lō' - də lä /: Queen of Ohr and wife to Lod Enra. She is the mother of Zin Ra.
Lohee / lō' – hē /: Reese's alias when spying on Deius.
Luceon / lü' - sē – ən /: Owner of the lounge that Zin plays at. His sister, Velna, calls him "Luc."
Magna Screen: Similar to a flat computer screen, but powered with plasma-energy.
MahMah stew / mä' – mä /: A traditional, Deiusian stew, mildly spiced and usually made with root vegetables such as potatoes and carrots.
Mair / mer /: Royal handmaid, adopted mother of Reese, and older sister to Frey.
Meddhi-Lan / me' - dē län /: The high priest who teaches Ayn as a child.
Miss Lahrki / lär' – kē /: Dr. Hessen's trusted servant and personal chef.
Nahl soup / näl /: A spiced Deiusian bean soup.
Ney / nā /: The formal Deiusian name for a student.
Neya / nā' – ə /: New, beginner, also sometimes a slang for calling someone naïve or foolish – or in some areas of the galaxy, it is used as a negative slang word for a religious follower of Deiusian beliefs.
Niss-Hana / nis hä' – nä /: Siri's queen and wife who used to be Adin's lover. She was known as Nissa to those close to her.
Notofrim Fighters / nō ' – tō – frēm /: A class of spaceships that were used during the Xen War by the Ohrians, supplied illegally by the Ohrian mafia. They are extremely fast and use plasma missiles, once considered unethical by the united planets of the Un.
Noxanis / noks – an' – is /: An ancient spirit-people of Krian legend, supposedly having inhabited the planet long before Krians took physical form. They built castles in the sky and used crystals to see the future, though they could not see their own demise.
Octian / äk' - ti – ən /: Eldest councilmen of Kri. He is the eldest brother of Atlar.
Ohr / ôr /: A planet in the Un-Ahm galaxy whose natives are of amphibian origin.
Olpa: A deer-like animal on Sirin. It can run very fast and is very elegant. It is often hunted by the Sirini for its hide and tender meat.
Ona / ō' – nə /: The Princess of Kri. She is the daughter of King Atlar and the late Queen Pira.
Ona Flower / ō' – nə /: The sacred white flower of Deius. It represents purity and love.
Oonwa: A plant on Sirin that soothes burns or cuts with its sticky stalk.
Orga /ôr – gə /: A young female slave at Governor Seith's mansion.
Paya-na fruit / pī - än' – ə /: A pink-colored Deiusian fruit that is sweet, but also slightly sour.
Pei / pā /: The priest who teaches Ayn as a child and is like a brother to him when he is growing up.
Pira / pēr' – ə /: Younger sister to Queen Amya. She married King Atlar and became queen of Kri. She is Ona’s mother, but died from Plasma Poisoning when Ona was only a small child.
Plasma: The liquefied version of the electromagnetic energy that surrounds the Un-Ahm Galaxy. It powers most modern civilizations of the known planets.
Pohna: /p ō' – nə /: Kren's grandmother. She prefers to be called Granjie.
Polarity Syndrome: The scientific term for what Deiusians call “The Great Paradox.” It is a term used to describe the depletion of plasma in the Un-Ahm galaxy.
Quay-Karah Mountains: The snow-capped mountains of Deius. They are named after the ancient goddess, Karah, who supposedly saved the first man created by the Sun God, Siri, from heating to death in summer.
Raifar / rā' – fär /: Baran’s father and First General to King Atlar.
Raxas: The legendary Sarax of Sirin.
Reese: Atlar's lover, as well as lead spy for the Lirhan. She and Baran have a past, but she considers herself a loner who fights for the love of her country.
Ri / rē /: A serpentine God from Deiusian myth who is silver-colored and represents truth seeking, freedom, and knowledge.
King Rummund / rəm' – mənd /: Atlar's father and previous king of Kri.
Saras Tree: A giant tree with long, hanging branches located at the temple's river in The Holy City of Deius. It is considered spiritually significant by many Deiusians.
Sarax / ser' – aks /: The Sirini name for the beings known as Sphinxes.
Shiva / shē' – və /: The ancient name of the kings on Deius. It began with the reign of Adin.
Siri / sēr' – ē /: Adin’s younger half-brother who was named after the sacred Deiusian sun. He was the ruler of Sirin during Adin's time, but was eventually written into history as the murderer of Adin.
Sirin / sēr' – in /: The mostly abandoned and desolate planet, which was named after Adin's brother, Siri, and is the original home of the exiled, dispersed Sirini people.
Siri-Star / sēr' – ē /: The holy star of Deius, also interchangeable with Adin's title: “Adin is the Siri-Star of The Un!”
The Sirini / sēr' - in' – ē /: The cat-like people who are dispersed throughout the galaxy. They are most widespread on the outpost planet of X-314.
Sirin-fish / sēr' – in /: A fish with orange and purple stripes. It originally hails from the now extinct planet of Sirin.
Siya Dragon / sī' – ə /: A giant, red dragon of Deiusian legend.
Slavery Regulati
on Treaty: The agreement reached on Xen between Lod Enra, King Atlar, and Queen Amya during the Xen War. It detailed the laws and regulations having to do with the rights of slaves on Xen.
Srah / srä /: Dr. Hessen’s daughter who is half-Sirini. She is the last princess of Sirin.
Sri Unda / srē ün' – də /: A female Deiusian scientist who discovered how to apply the many uses of electromagnetic energy. She coined the term “plasma” and began a movement to stop using the previous methods of attaining energy, such as oils and chemicals. She wrote a book called “The Magnetic Connection” that became very popular during the reign of Adin.