Penticore Prime

by Mark Chevalier

  His depiction of humans sparked a wildfire of conversation and intrigue. Each movie thereafter included ever more dramatic tales about humanity, to satisfy the masses. Which wasn’t a problem for Candor, as no matter how hard he tried to forget the memories, his human life continued to linger, and haunt his dreams. Often, he would awaken to the sights and sounds of furniture shaking in his room, an unfortunate side effect of his new mental abilities. Yet in the end he took it in stride, as he came to terms with the life that he convinced himself never happened.

  The house of Eos was one quarter the size of the Great Hall. With splendid art and other finery that touched everything from the marble floor, to the vaulted ceiling above. Candor felt the electricity in the air, watching the gentle arches rise like spiny fingers beneath the dome. While in the center of the cupola, a photonic image of Eos turned, showering the assembled crowd with golden light.

  Unlike the churches from Candor’s human memories, there were no pews, or chairs. Instead, there were glowing lines on the floor which gleamed a neon gold under the light of the Sun Goddess. While in each section, and surrounded by a white light that emanated from underneath, padded indentations recessed into the floor. Each new attendee followed the lighted track to a vacant spot as they entered. Then kneeling on the pad, they placed their hands in front of them as they bowed towards the representation of Eos.

  Candor walked the lighted path to the center of the dome. He was dressed in a formal ceremonial robe that was trimmed with gold lace, and a burgundy sash. Around his neck he wore a silver chain emblazoned with the sigil of the house of Shuveen; intertwined serpents that harkened back to the days of their ancestors, and the line of Seiss Nophte Halsshik. And as tradition required, his hair was tied back after being rubbed with oils and spices, honoring the ascension of their race from the depths of the ocean.

  Zyphon stood on his left, while his father took the position of honor at his right. Candor felt his heart leap in his chest when he saw Thalia. She was standing at the center of the dome in radiant glory, as she awaited his arrival. Her gown was stunningly beautiful. Woven from silk, lace, and strung pearls, they shimmered in hues of gold and red. Magnificent colors that shifted in the light, and twinkled like the stars of the heavens. Eos was the mother of Penticore Prime. Yet on this day, Thalia was to become the mother of Candor’s future, and his children. And both would leave this ceremony with the titles of Seiss, and Shajin.

  On Thalia’s right stood Kythonia, and Candor’s mother, Janesska. While to her left, Seiss Theniass held her upraised hand, his palm resting flat against hers. Ghedron stood next to Theniass, while on a dais above them, stood the Priest of Halsshik, his hands outstretched as he welcomed them all into the loving arms of Eos. His robe glowed crimson red, the color of the sky at the setting of the sun. While upon his head he wore a hat that resembled a catholic mitre, a sight that made Candor uneasy, as he recalled the memory.

  Thalia’s smile was bright and full of joy, as Candor took his place before her. One by one they formed a circle, holding out their hands in a symbol of unity. It was the forging of a lifelong bond between their families. An unshakable union that would see the houses of Shuveen and Nassvhedt brought together for all time.

  “Let us rejoice in the union of Candor Shuveen, and Thalia Nassvhedt. And may the light and love of Eos be upon their houses to times indefinite,” said the Priest of Halsshik.

  Immediately, the crowd replied in a reverent chant that sent shivers up Candor’s spine. “Blessings upon the house of Shuveen, and blessings upon the house of Nassvhedt, and blessed is the light of Eos.”

  The priest invited Candor and Thalia to approach the dais, while their fathers bowed, publicly approving the union of their son and daughter. Thalia’s hand was smooth to the touch, and her smile warmed his heart as they knelt before the dais. On it was the golden emblem of the Goddess, and in every House of Eos, those in attendance bowed their heads when the priest began to pray.

  “Loving Mother, it is by the grace of your light that we have the honor to come together this day. We pray that you welcome your son, Candor, and your daughter, Thalia, into the union of their bonding. We ask that your blessing be upon them, and all of Penticore Prime.”

  “For Penticore Prime,” replied the crowd.

  “This is a humble occasion, blessed Eos. For Candor and Thalia seek to honor you by observing the Chains of Ascension. To remember the frailties and sins of our ancestors, and to seek your forgiveness for their transgressions, so we pray.”

  “Oh Goddess, forgive the sins of our ancestors,” chanted the crowd.

  The priest continued. “For we recognize that all of us fall short of your glory. Even as our race emerged from the ocean of Penticore Major, to gaze upon the light of the lesser luminary, Penticore Minor, and onto the soil which we now call home, Penticore Prime. All have sinned against you, our Goddess. Yet we implore you to show mercy upon us, for we vow that you are in our hearts, always. We seek only to bring honor to your name, even as we stand in the shadow of our imperfections, so we pray.”

  “Through the shadow of our lives, we pray for the loving embrace of your light. For through you, we are made whole. Our chains shall be broken, freeing us to enter into your loving arms,” prayed the crowd.

  “Please rise,” commanded the Priest of Halsshik. Everyone arose, and Candor and Thalia felt the hands of the priest resting upon their heads.

  “Is it your oath, Candor Shuveen, to bond with Thalia Nassvhedt? Shall you in the presence of the Goddess swear your fidelity to her? Will you care for her in all things, and vow to her a love that shall only be rivaled by your love and devotion to the Goddess?”

  “I take the oath willingly,” replied Candor. “In all things, save for my love and devotion to the Goddess. I shall hold you, Thalia Nassvhedt, above all else. To love and protect you now, and to times indefinite.”

  A smile creased the lips of the Priest of Halsshik, and he turned his attention to Thalia. “Is it your oath, Thalia Nassvhedt, to bond with Candor Shuveen? Shall you in the presence of the Goddess swear your fidelity to him? Will you care for him in all things, and vow to him a love that shall only be rivaled by your love and devotion to the Goddess?”

  “I take the oath willingly,” said Thalia. Her golden eyes misting from tears of joy, as she smiled at Candor. “In all things, save for my love and devotion to the Goddess. I shall hold you, Candor Shuveen, above all else. To love and protect you now, and to times indefinite. Henceforth, you shall be Seiss among us, and I am your Shajin. I claim the mantle of your house as my own, and with respect eternal to my house, and my ancestors, I now become, Shajin Thalia Nassvhedt Shuveen. For this is our way, and the way of our ancestors.”

  The priest of Halsshik nodded and said. “Do you, Seiss Candor Shuveen, accept the claim by Shajin Thalia Nassvhedt Shuveen, in accordance with the traditions of our ancestors?”

  “I do,” replied Candor. “All that I am is for you, and all that I have, I give to you freely. You are the love of my life. You honor me, and my house, by claiming that which is yours.”

  “Let us pray,” said the Priest of Halsshik. A chorus that was situated in an alcove behind the priest began to sing. Their crystal-clear voices reverberated throughout the dome, as everyone knelt, and bowed their heads to begin a time of prayer, reflection, and meditation.

  Thalia stretched out her hand, and Candor took it without question. Their thoughts began to merge, as every aspect of their lives was shared through the connection. Candor was afraid that Thalia would find his human memories repulsive, and he hesitated. Until Thalia’s lilting voice pierced the veil of his thoughts.

  I shall love you now and for all time, etts esstoné. Never fear to share with me all that you are. I love you, all of you, both good and bad.

  And I love you, etts imád. I trust you.

  With that, he opened his mind to her, and together they became one. To share all their thoughts, dreams, aspirations, and longings, without hesitat
ion. Candor finally understood the pull that was exerted between bonded couples. He often felt that it was a mystery when he looked at his mother and father, or Thalia’s parents. Yet now he understood that with total immersion between two souls, the union that emerged was magnetic, and exerted a gravity that was so indomitable, that nothing could ever shatter those bonds.

  From this day forth, even without looking at her, Candor would be able to feel when she was happy or sad, or when she longed for a comforting embrace. And likewise, Thalia would know, even before entering a room, if troubles weighed upon him, or if there was joy in his heart.

  And then, something quite extraordinary happened. As the Sun turned above them, a filament of plasma erupted, uncurling like the arm of a mighty titan. Everyone saw the light released by the solar flare, and looked up. Having erupted from the southern pole, the light engulfed Candor and Thalia, and Candor looked up at the priest. He knew that just like the photonic representation in the Great Hall, this reproduction was happening in real-time.

  “A blessed omen,” whispered the Priest of Halsshik.

  And then, to all the assembled crowds, in all the Houses of Eos, across all the fifteen cities, he said. “Eos has spoken. She has blessed the union of the great Houses of Shuveen, and Nassvhedt. May her light shine upon us all, please rise.”

  Everyone did as the priest commanded, while the light around Candor and Thalia remained. Those who were watching thought it was a sign. Yet Candor was dubious, his faith colliding with the remnants of the human scientist.

  Sunspots and solar flares happen all the time, he thought. This is a coincidence, not a sign from the Goddess.

  “And now,” the priest concluded. “By the grace of Eos, and with the blessings of all Penticore Prime, I present Seiss Candor Shuveen, and Shajin Thalia Nassvhedt Shuveen. May your days be filled with love, and peace.”

  Thunderous applause erupted, and Candor reached out and drew Thalia to him, kissing her tenderly. It wasn’t a part of the ceremony, but everyone cheered. Thalia was shocked, but then yielded, as her lips heated under the weight of his urgency.

  Her thoughts whispered to his. Tonight, etts esstoné, you shall know me as no other.

  Their lips parted, and he smiled. “It’s a night that I have dreamed about since we first met, etts imád. I hope that I didn’t embarrass you. It is traditional for the groom to kiss the bride.”

  Thalia laughed, even though she was puzzled. “Groom…bride? Ah yes, now I see. You speak of your human dreams? A ceremony known as a wed ding?”

  Candor laughed, and then took her hand. “Yes, etts imád. Only you should put the words together. It was called a wedding, and it is not nearly as grand as a bonding.”

  Thalia giggled with delight, and together the newly bonded couple embraced their family, as the crowd continued to applaud. The remainder of the day was filled with laughter and joy. Good food, drink, and the camaraderie of friends, family, and adoring fans that came to wish them well. Candor nearly fell over laughing at one point. Watching as a group of young one’s took turns swinging from Jinx’s long arms. The simulacrum smiled and laughed, tickling them each as they vied for his attention.

  The night beyond, well that was simply indescribable. A time filled with passions that Candor never imagined. Their physical union was intensified a hundred-fold when added to the union of their minds. Plus, all the sexual tension that built up during their courtship was released, and it was overwhelming. They ravaged one another, as the intense emotions coursed through them like a raging river. Thalia clawed at his back the first time he entered her, drawing blood, and with it, a moan of pure pleasure. At one point, they even shared a breath together, an intimate act brought on by close physical contact.

  They didn’t sleep that night, nor the next day, nor the night after that. All they desired was each other. All they sought was to make love, to laugh, to eat, to drink, and then do it all again. Candor died and was reborn, as he gave himself to his wife. And they surrendered their very souls to one another, bound to each other for all eternity.

  Penticorian or human, it was without a doubt, the greatest experience of Candor’s life.

  Candor – my tepid friend –

  Come not to play with me –

  The Myrrhs, and Mochas, of the Mind

  Are its iniquity –

  Emily Dickinson

  1830-1886

  Eight

  Three-hundred and ninety-seven years passed, after Candor and Thalia were bonded. And Candor was fond of each new memory spurred by each new day. He was enthralled by the love of his family, and his circle of friends. Of course, there were good days and bad days, as each new dawn held the promise of both challenges and rewards. Yet he cherished them all. He cherished the love of his parents, his friendship with Zyphon, and his dear friend, Jinx. But most of all he cherished his beloved wife Thalia, and their son, Thador.

  Thador was extremely bright and curious, with his mother’s black hair, and Candor’s deep blue eyes. He was the shining pride of the entire family, for the young one had exhibited an imagination that rivaled Candor’s. And although he was only two-hundred and twelve years old, Thador was both his student, and his assistant. Together they recently completed their tenth movie. It was a human based tragedy entitled, Jeremiah’s Bane.

  Candor admitted that when it came to Penticorian physiology, he still required some occasional reminders. After all, he dreamed that he was a human who was over sixty years old, and nearing the end of his life. In many ways, he was glad that it was just a dream, even though he often wondered if the dream could be real. And if it was real, then how sad a thing it was that humans lived for such a short amount of time. Nothing but a fleeting hour when compared to the three-thousand years that a Penticorian might see fit to call a lifetime. And thanks to Zyphon, and his creation of the nanites, and incarnation, that life expectancy had tripled to over nine-thousand years. Of course, that was if the average Penticorian took care not to squander their allotted rejuvenations and incarnations. Candor doubted that he would live that long, seeing as how he already consumed three rejuvenations. Yet even with two remaining, he could, with some good fortune, live to be over seven-thousand years old.

  By comparison, and at only a little over two-hundred years old, Thador was a child. In human terms, he was the equivalent of an eight or nine-year-old boy. So, for his son to join in his work was truly remarkable indeed. On more than one occasion, Thador was referred to as a prodigy, a Penticorian that would one day surpass his father’s brilliance. It filled Candor with pride to hear such things, and he loved his son with every fiber of his being. He was also thrilled to discover that Thalia was pregnant again. Soon he would become the father of a daughter, just as Thalia promised him on the night that Seiss Demast presented them with a license to bear two children.

  If it were up to him, Candor would have as many children as Thalia would allow. Since the birth of Thador, fatherhood agreed with him. He felt that a house full of little one’s would only magnify his love, and his sheer contentment at the joys of life. Yet it was what it was, and Penticorian laws were put in place for good reason. If nothing else, he and Thalia were honor-bound to abide by them.

  We live under the dome of a magnificent city, he thought as he reclined in his favorite chair. Yet we cannot go outside without protection. We cannot feel the wind on our faces. Nor can we touch the grass, the sea, or the flowers for very long. Our planet has become a hostile environment, and we would die if it weren’t for our technology. Atmospheric oxygen continues to increase each year, so we do what we must. We live within our means, and for survival.

  “Father,” said a voice from behind him. “Are you well?”

  His son came into view, as his small arms wrapped around Candor’s shoulders. Thador was almost four feet tall, with strong arms, and a thick chest. And Candor took pride knowing that Thador would grow into a handsome adult, and have his choice of willing mates when the time came.

  “Yes, my son,
I am well. You know, I’m not as young as I used to be, and sometimes I enjoy a moment of rest during the day.”

  Thador kissed him on the cheek, and his heart melted at the bright gaze of his son. “I understand, Father. I was hoping that we could begin work on the next movie. But it can wait until you’re rested.”

  “My son, you are the joy of my heart.”

  Thador smiled and hugged him, and Candor returned it. “You know, Father, I have tried to master your mind gift, but I don’t think that I have the ability.”

  “Your godfather believes that you do.” Candor replied, referring to Zyphon, who didn’t even understand the concept until Candor explained it to him. “But if you remember, he told you that it might take some time. Perhaps it will happen when you reach adolescence.”

  “I know,” replied Thador, sheepishly looking down at his feet. “But I wanted to learn now. After all, I am your son, and in everything else I have tested higher than anyone in my learning cycles.”

  “I know that you have. Your mother and I are extremely proud of your accomplishments.”

  “I just completed my cycle in advanced mathematics. It was mostly quantum physics and unified field theory, boring really.”

  Candor looked down at his son’s bright eyes and wide grin, and he knew what the outcome would be, even as he goaded the child. “You have something to report?”

  “My scores were the highest of the cycle!”