Interphase

by Kira Wilson

  "Almost anything you could dream of."

  "Will you take me? I want to know more."

  "Let go of my hand for a moment." Analara obeyed, and David pushed his sleeve up to reveal a black band around his wrist. He pressed a glowing ornamentation, and a panel of light appeared in mid-air. Looking more closely, she saw writing and various colored boxes. He touched a box on the panel, and the cliffs and sky were swallowed up in darkness. She gave a cry of surprise, but his arm wrapped around her waist. "I've got you. It's all right."

  "Where are we?" Analara tested her footing. She stood on a translucent blue floor and could see faint sparkles in the distance beneath her. Brilliant bursts of light sailed past in the air, or flew under her feet, but they illuminated nothing, only provided a contrast to the encompassing darkness.

  Taking Analara's hand, David stepped in front of her. She could see his smiling face clearly. "This is where we choose which story we'd like to visit."

  "Destination?" Analara jumped at the sudden voice. A man in strange clothes had appeared before them, looking expectantly at David.

  "The Orbital Observatory. Autonomous mode," he replied. Even as she watched him, the strange man dissolved into mist and disappeared. She had the sensation of falling while standing still, and it felt like her head was spinning. She shut her eyes and tried to suppress the feeling. When she opened them again, a new world lay beneath her feet.

  Their platform hovered above a giant globe, the bright green landscape filling Analara's vision. "David, what is this?"

  "Phoenix, my homeworld. This is what it looks like from above, from space." Analara looked at David in confusion, but he did not elaborate. Instead, he turned his head upward. "Program, simulate night view."

  The world before them went dark, and several bright lights became visible on the surface. Looking closer, Analara could see that the lights were like glowing bubbles. She pointed to one. "What is that?"

  "That is my home, New Terra. The other lights are the rest of the Nine Cities. All humans live in them." He gestured to the bubble nearest to New Terra. "That's New Venus, where my friend Jessica was born." He indicated another light. "That's New Mercury, probably our biggest rivals for the V-Sports Cup."

  "Why are all of your cities called New?" Analara asked.

  "Each one is named after the planets of our original star system."

  "This world isn't your first home?" Analara felt a faint sadness at the thought of being torn from her own home.

  A look of wistful regret passed over David's face. "No. Long ago we lived on a world called Earth. My people destroyed it through war and greed. When the survivors escaped to this world, they created VERA to protect against an event like that ever happening again."

  Analara's eyes widened. "Vera? That was what you called your Sage. What do you mean she was created?"

  "VERA isn't human. She is a computer program." David frowned and appeared to be searching for the right words. "She is made up of thoughts and dreams, like a person, but without a body. My module, this place, all of it exists inside her mind." Analara looked skeptically at David. "Let's just say that she is the most powerful Sage in the world and leave it at that," he said.

  Analara laughed and shrugged. She only understood half of what David was saying, but it was enough for her just being here with him. She watched the darkened world slowly turn, and a thought began to nag at her. Night had fallen. Varlath and Rupu would be waiting, worried for her safety. As much as she wanted to stay with David, she knew she had to return home to Ilinar.

  David squeezed her hand as though he could sense her thoughts. "It's time for you to go, isn't it?"

  Nodding, Analara embraced him. "Thank you for all of this." She filled her heart with his warmth and presence and let go of the last of her fears.

  David returned them to the castle, and they walked in silence through the halls, holding each other's hands as Analara pondered everything that had happened. They stepped through a rippling gate into a world of blackness. Her eyes were drawn to a glowing doorway in the middle of the chamber. Within the frame, she could see Analath, her home.

  David looked at the portal in confusion. "That's odd. I didn't leave it open behind me." He tapped his wrist and read from the floating panel. "Interesting. It appears to be keeping itself open now."

  Analara stared at the doorway, and her heart began to pound with a gnawing fear. She turned and gave David another hug. "I'm afraid that if I step through, that this will turn out to have been a dream."

  Squeezing her tightly, David rested his head on hers. "If I recall correctly, I believe I got my disappearing out of the way when we first met." He sighed contentedly. "Can I see you tomorrow at the grove?"

  Analara stepped away and smirked. "If I don't see you there, I can come find you now."

  David's grip on her hand lingered for a few seconds before she turned and walked back into her world.

  ***

  Night had come in full by the time Analara reached the outskirts of Ilinar. The gates were already shut, and a large contingent of guards patrolled the walls. She pressed her back to the wall, hiding among the Rethkor's vines, and tried to think of a way to sneak inside.

  Something tickled Analara's wrist, and she looked down. The vines had gripped her gently, brushing infant tendrils over her skin as though tasting her. Analara stifled a giggle and stroked the curious plant. It was the first time it had responded this openly to her touch, and she felt a space in her mind become clear. Inside that space, a presence manifested.

  Analara cast her thoughts toward it. Can you help me?

  A large vine wrapped around her thighs and lifted her off the ground, while the tendrils around her wrists balanced her. It carried her up and over the wall and set her down inside the city. She ducked behind a building and listened for any signs that she had been seen. The night air remained silent. Smiling happily, she sent a thankful thought to the Rethkor and hurried back to Varlath's house, slipping in through Rupu's open window.

  Varlath was waiting for her, and he pulled Analara into a hug as soon as she was inside. "I knew David would keep you safe," he whispered, his beard tickling her ear. He stepped back and smiled. "Now, tell me everything."

  Analara felt a wide grin spread across her face. "I can't tell everything. Even if I tried, you would only believe half of it."

  "Well, then tell me the most important part. Does he share your feelings?"

  Analara blushed, turning her head away. All she could manage was a nod. Varlath beamed at her and smoothed her hair back. "May Siath watch over you both."

  A sudden thought startled Analara, and she glanced around the room. "What happened to Rupu?" she asked. "I think the guards saw him when he helped me climb down the wall."

  Varlath nodded. "He was captured, taken before Shalaron, and given two weeks of labor as punishment for being outside the city. He said nothing about you or David," he assured Analara. "Rupu is in no danger. Do not worry. Now, it is quite late. I have duties tomorrow, as do you." Patting her on the shoulder, he turned toward the door. "Good night, dear one."

  "Good night." Analara smiled at his retreating back. After he left, she meandered through the halls, trying to understand everything she had experienced.

  A shrill scream inside the house stopped her outside of her room. She stood absolutely still, heart pounding. The sound repeated, and she dashed toward the main room.

  Tirii was crying and trying to squeeze herself into a corner. A small, muscular animal snarled whenever she made a move. Analara shouted and clapped her hands, trying to draw the beast's attention and give Tirii a chance to get away. It worked; the animal rounded on her, hissing and growling.

  "Selane," Analara gasped. She strained to connect with the temken's mind, trying to call her off, but a red haze clouded Selane's thoughts. Her eyes blazed with madness, and she clearly did not recognize her owner. Analara backed up slowly, hands reaching behind her for something to use as a weapon. "Tirii, go. Now!"


  Tirii dashed toward the hallway. Selane whirled and prepared to pounce as Analara's searching hands found a broom handle. A swift stroke knocked the temken away from Tirii. Selane went wild and attacked the broom, snapping off the head. Analara felt small arms clutch about her waist. Bending down, she picked Tirii up in one arm, keeping a firm grip on the broken broom handle. Snarling, Selane tore the bristles to shreds.

  "Analara!" Lemna approached from behind. Her eyes went wide with terror when she saw the maddened animal. Analara handed the sobbing Tirii to her.

  "Get back to the quarters. Don't let anyone else come down this passage!"

  "No," Tirii squealed, grabbing at Analara's shirt. "Don't leave us! She'll hurt you."

  "Lemna, go!" Analara pried herself from Tirii's grip and planted herself in the doorway. She heard Lemna turn and run, Tirii's screams fading into the distance.

  Selane found a cushion and attacked it next. Analara tried to touch the temken's mind again, but Selane resisted her thoughts. There was a burning rage that had shut the animal's mind down, driving her mad. Selane turned to Analara, and her tail began to lash.

  "Don't do this, girl." Tears streamed down Analara's cheeks as she lifted her broken weapon. "I don't want to hurt you. Stop, please…"

  Stalking toward Analara, Selane released a low growl. Analara had no other choice. If the temken was truly mad, she couldn't let her loose to attack the children.

  Selane sprang at her, and Analara thrust the broken shaft forward, trying to drive the beast back. The impact knocked Analara to the floor, and Selane's claws slashed her arm. Analara dropped the handle and scrambled away. The temken didn't try to follow. To Analara's horror she saw that Selane had been impaled on the broom shaft. Thrashing about, the temken snarled wildly, but soon her cries dwindled to a soft mewling. Sobbing, Analara petted Selane gently until the fallen animal was still.

  An eerie silence followed Selane's death. It was broken by more screams of terror, this time from outside. Analara struggled to her feet, clutching her right arm to her side, and ran to the front entrance. People were dashing through the streets, pursued by ravening animals. In the garden across the path, a squat neerb lashed out at the fleeing villagers with its sticky tongue.

  Analara swayed and grabbed at the wall, bile rising to her throat. Selane had been partially wild, but these creatures were household pets, tame and mild, now driven mad by an unholy rage.

  By Siath, what was happening?

  A sudden explosion shook the ground, and in the dim night Analara saw a plume of smoke rise from the western gate. Voices shouted battle commands over the din. A group of men in white tunics and armed with glowing spears ran down the avenue past her, striking down any maddened creature in their path.

  Siathrak warriors. The army of the Holy City.

  Chapter 16

  In Totarakh's eyes, the Temple of Ilinar was in a dismal state of repair. The acolytes were untrained and ill-equipped to deal with the arrival of the High Priest of the Siathrak and a full garrison of warriors from the Holy City. He stood in the Temple courtyard and shouted commands to the slack-eyed louts. No one seemed to know where the city's Sage had disappeared to.

  "Send for whoever is in charge then," Totarakh roared. "This city stands on the brink of damnation. Someone must be held accountable."

  The command went out, and a powerfully built man arrived shortly afterwards. His hair was gray, and his eyes bore experience, but there was no trace of submission in his gaze. Totarakh disliked him immediately. Another man trailed in his wake, a pudgy oaf wearing the attire of a commoner.

  "You sent for me, High Priest?"

  "Who are you to address me?" Totarakh demanded.

  "I am Halathas, Seneschal to the Sage Shalaron."

  Totarakh narrowed his eyes. "What foul evil has overtaken this city? Who has neglected the care of nature so terribly that even the tamed beasts have grown savage? Where is your Sage?"

  "Shalaron departed the city this afternoon," Halathas replied. "He felt a need to investigate a disturbing presence in the wilderness, but thus far has not returned. I fear something may have befallen him. The madness of the animals may be an omen."

  The man accompanying Halathas started at the news. Totarakh rounded on him. "Who is this commoner who comes before me?"

  "This is Varlath, a patriarch of Ilinar," Halathas explained. "He has word he wished to share directly with you."

  Varlath gestured with a symbol of devotion and sank to his knees before Totarakh, fists pressed together. "Upon my family's honor, it has been my duty to serve the will of Siath in all things."

  A pious man. Totarakh nodded in approval, casting a disparaging glance toward Halathas. He motioned for Varlath to rise. "What news do you bring that would be of import to the High Priest?"

  "We have been plagued by attacks from the wild for many weeks, Holiness. Seemingly random attacks from creatures fierce and gentle, and in all the reports I have heard, unprovoked."

  Totarakh waved him on impatiently. "Do not waste the Siathrak's time with information that is already known. Siath finds disfavor in those who distract his servants."

  Varlath blanched. "We had tamed animals attacking their owners. Within my own home! My children—"

  "It is fortunate that the servants of Siath were close by to rescue your city from its depravity." Totarakh smiled coldly.

  "How is it that my lord was nearby with such a group of warriors already assembled?" Halathas asked pointedly, drawing a gaze of ire from Totarakh.

  "The will of Siath is not to be questioned by those untrained in his teachings!" Totarakh turned away from Halathas and softened his tone. "However, if the city is to be redeemed, you should know of the events that delivered your saviors."

  Many of the townsfolk had gathered beyond the circle of Totarakh's guards, and he raised his voice, his words ringing throughout the city. "Five days past, the Emissary of the Temple was overdue. A patrol was dispatched to discover his fate. They found two guards, wounded, dying, near the Holy City. With their last words, they told us that an entire clutch of eldranal had assailed their party, destroying the company after it had departed from Ilinar. They journeyed far with grievous wounds to bring warning to the mortal arm of Siath." He paused for effect. "There is a darkness about this city, a fall from the grace of Siath, and as his will incarnate, I have come with the blade of his light to deliver your salvation."

  Varlath looked suddenly uncomfortable. "My lord, that is, I—"

  "Speak, man! What is this dire news you carry?" Totarakh turned his full attention on the groveling oaf.

  Halathas narrowed his eyes in suspicion at Varlath. "This concerns your ward and her secret, does it not?"

  Varlath stuttered, a look of faint terror emerging in his eyes.

  Totarakh's bearing grew distant, regal. "If you oppose the will of Siath, then you risk being subjected to his wrath. Defy your god at your mortal peril."

  Conflict warred openly on Varlath's face. He muttered a prayer for forgiveness under his breath and fell to the ground before Totarakh. "Holiness, some weeks back, a stranger arrived here. A young man named David. He was odd of dress and custom, and said that he came from a city far away called Terra."

  Totarakh's eyes widened. "There is no such city. What manner of deceiver is this man?"

  Varlath winced and cast his gaze to the ground. "He seemed a kind young man. Now one of my children has become taken with him." He glanced at Halathas apologetically. "I thought little of their tryst, my lord, the courtship of two young ones, and did nothing to stop it. This very day, Analara disobeyed Shalaron's edict and departed the city to see him. Suddenly we find ourselves attacked—"

  "It was proper of you to tell me this. Guards," Totarakh shouted. Two white garbed warriors jumped at his call. "Go and fetch this… Analara. Bring her before me."

  They motioned for one of the temple guards to join them and raced off in the direction he indicated. Varlath looked stricken, but a stern glance
from Totarakh kept any protest in check. Soon his warriors returned with the girl in tow. He studied her closely. She was a pretty thing but young and clearly terrified, dropping to her knees when she saw the High Priest. "You are Analara?"

  She nodded stiffly.

  "I have learned of your relations with this stranger of the wilderness." Totarakh put particular emphasis on the word 'stranger'. Analara glanced questioningly at Varlath, who closed his eyes and turned away. Swallowing, the girl nodded. "What is he? A malignant demon of the forests? A vile spirit come to incite unholy rebellion against Siath?"

  "He is just a man, my lord," Analara murmured.

  Again, Totarakh raised his voice. "He may appear as a man, but he is not. Look around, lost child, at the havoc that his presence has wrought within your own city. Do you so willingly turn your back on Siath to believe his foul lies and endanger your own people?" Angry mutters could be heard through the gathering crowd.

  Analara's breath hitched as her eyes filled with tears. She looked around at the people of the city. "No, I would never… couldn't turn—"

  Totarakh stepped forward and grabbed her by the chin, jerking her head toward him. He sneered in triumph. "Behold, he has fully corrupted her! She has given her allegiance to this creature." He pushed Analara away forcefully, knocking her to the ground. "Foolish whelp. Behold the fruits of your sins. Do you delight in the horror you have wrought because of your lust?"

  "Your Holiness!" Varlath jumped up and moved in front of Analara.

  Totarakh stepped back, shocked. "Has the taint claimed you as well? Do you defend this betrayer against the will of Siath?" he challenged.

  "My lord, she is but a child. She meant no harm to this city!"

  A vicious smile spread across Totarakh's face. "But harm she has wrought. Clearly you are too consumed by familial duty to see the spread of darkness. You must have time apart to repent your evil." He nodded to a nearby soldier and twitched his hand. "Remove this man from my presence."