B’Ast turned away in fright, staring at the ground, her hair standing on end. She was breathing heavy and fast as if fright had overcome her.
B’Sayan went to B’Ast and put his arm around her, stroking the soft hair on her neck, down to her lower back. “Come, dear, what is the matter?” he asked in a soothing tone.
“That boy. I cannot look upon him, B’Sayan. He is too much,” said B’Ast, as she turned back towards the Barge.
Pious looked from B’Ast to Jacq. “I’ll come back for you soon, Jacq. We need to make sure the rest of these people get to safety,” he said, as he gestured to all the different people taking refuge at Landsbeach.
Jacq smiled, looked at the ground, and nodded to himself. “I understand, and I know you will be back.”
Pious laughed. “And why is that, Jacq?”
“You made a promise, and you would never break a promise,” said Jacq, as he walked towards Eliana.
Eliana stood by the side of her Seagle, rubbing its soft, yet long and rigid feathers, while she tested and tightened all the straps and fastenings for the saddle.
When Jacq reached her side, Eliana held the stirrup still and helped him into the saddle. Jacq shifted himself forward in the saddle as Eliana put her foot in the stirrup and threw her leg over, adjusting herself in the saddle.
Eliana put her hand behind her and grabbed hold of the cowl that was built into the saddle. She pulled it up and around her shoulders, and in front of Jacq. Underneath the cowl, she fixed the front closed with wooden toggles, sealing it shut, protecting them from the chilled winds above that were soon to lash at them.
“Farewell. Beneficence guide you all,” said Eliana, with a nod of her head. Shahab walked forward a few steps, then broke into a sprint, flapping its wings.
“Bye, Pious! Bye, everyone!” shouted Jacq, as the giant Seagle leapt from the ground towards the sky above, flapping its mighty wings, gust upon gust of wind blowing as the Seagles lifted themselves from the ground.
The Seagles took to the sky, making a large circle overhead and climbing upwards in the slight updraft from the refugees' bonfires, and set their direction towards the Hydraen Ocean. Pious stood there quietly with his comrades around him, watching somberly as Jacq slowly disappeared into the skies above.
The Astral Barge
“Inside the Astral Barge, we could see the giant gills of the great beast opening and closing with each breath, supplying us with the most pristine of airs. It did not take long for us to succumb to a great sleep, induced by something still unknown to us in the exhalations of our transport. However, the sleep was preceded by a smell much akin to the most aromatic of the red Pertulips that grow in your Wintergarden, your Highness.”
Extract from “On Aurania: Chronicles of the Geography and Provinces of the Illumined Elysia”,
Lan’Tsa Nichon, 1st Emissary of the Red Empress to the Elysian Concordat.
1089th Revolution of the Grand Míngxīng.
“Well, I guess this is it then,” said Pious, looking to Valerus, Tyr and Sincerus, who were standing close together.
“I guess it is,” said Valerus, nodding regretfully.
“We shall seek the aid of our allies as discussed, and meet back here,” said Pious.
“I think coordinating a meeting place and time, across realms, maybe a little hard, Pious. Where shall we meet? Where is safe?” asked Sincerus.
“Why don’t we meet at Karajan, by the next Tenebrae – one Pass from now?” said Tyr, as he looked to each of them with an adventurous smile.
“That seems reasonable,” said Valerus.
Pious smiled, nodded, took a step forward and put his left hand out. Valerus smiled and put his left hand on top of Pious’s. Sincerus and Tyr also stepped forward, placing their hands on top of the others.
“Honour, Valour, Pride,” said the Fallen Four in unison, slamming their chests with their right hands in time with each word, with Sincerus symbolically moving his right hand in the sling.
B’Sayan, K’Reorh and R’Argh had shared an embrace, wishing each other good wishes and hearty farewells.
Tyr looked to R’Argh and smiled to himself. “Oh, come on, you bunch of babies. Let's get this over with,” he said, as he went to R’Argh and pushed him towards the forces of Karajan without any further ado.
“Bye, Pious,” said Tana, as she stood in front of him and gave him a heartfelt hug. She took a step back and placed her hand on Pious’s neck. “You come back in one piece, okay?”
“You too, Tana,” replied Pious.
“Bring them home,” said Tana. She turned and walked towards Valerus and K’Reorh, who were waiting in the distance.
“I will,” said Pious, with a sigh. “Sylfaen?”
Tana stopped and stared at the ground for a moment. She slowly turned, as curiosity crossed her face.
Pious smiled. “Keep safe,” he said.
“Uh – sure,” she said and turned back with an expression of confusion.
Pious looked around and noticed Sincerus standing alone, a slight smile shining forth from underneath his expression of fatigue and melancholy.
“Let’s go get her,” said Sincerus. He turned and walked towards the Astral Barge bound for Karnak. Pious followed at a quickened pace, catching up with Sincerus.
“We’ll get her back,” said Pious, as he placed his arm around Sincerus's shoulder. They walked quietly for some time, both deeply engrossed in feelings of fatigue, remorse and regret. When they reached the base of the boarding bridge to the Barge, Pious let go of Sincerus, who continued up the ramp into the Barge.
Pious, sighed and began ascending the metallic boarding ramp. Then he stopped and turned, with the remainder of the Scythians continuing past him to mount the Barge.
In the far distance, Sanctuary was submerged in an orange glow, the result of flames illuminating the fog of Tenebrae and firelight gleaming off the Golden Domes. He stood there quietly, staring – shocked by the events of the Pass and unsure what awaited him in the uncertain future, on an unknown and alien world.
He looked to his left and saw the Sanctuary refugees with the Free Army of the Plains, preparing themselves to march onwards to Karajan, across the vast expanse of the Elysian Plains to the low-lying Lakefields. He looked to his right, to the adjacent Astrawhale, and saw the last of those from Sanctum preparing to complete boarding the barge on a diplomatic mission to Serica. He smiled, knowing that his friends were capable and in capable company.
B’Sayan stepped alongside Pious and placed his hand on Pious’s shoulder. Pious jumped slightly, startled from his deep and emotional concentration. “Pious, come. All are on board,” said B’Sayan quietly.
Pious turned and looked around the inside of the Barge. Its insides felt familiar to him; as this wasn't the first time he had been on an Astral Barge, yet memory didn’t serve him well in recalling the event. He smiled to himself. If anything, he was somewhat excited. He knew he would enjoy travelling through the Rift in a Barge. He was tired, and he knew of no greater rest than that induced by the exhalations of the Astrawhale.
Pious spotted an empty chair between B’Sayan and Sincerus, with its harness raised in the upright position. Sincerus was already fast asleep, slumped over slightly, held in place by the well-padded harness. Pious went to the empty chair, turned and slowly lowered himself into the seat.
“It has been quite a while since I have traversed the Rift,” said B’Sayan.
Pious was adjusting his clothing, getting as comfortable as possible. “Do you dive well?” asked Pious.
“No problem, quite enjoy it actually,” replied B’Sayan. He laid his head back and let out a deep sigh of relaxation.
“Me too,” said Pious, as he lowered the harness over himself and pushed it down. The harness clicked in place with a metallic clunk. As the harness locked in place, Pious looked to the front of the Barge, where a metallic door opened, revealing a brass–automaton, partly shaped like the upper body of a man.
The brass–automaton began to spin along the floor on a recessed track, weaving up and down the rows until it stopped on the side adjacent to Pious, and next to the door. Its metallic arms lifted and took hold of a brass wheel next to the door, which it started to rotate. As the wheel spun, several plates moved inwards, locking the door in place.
The brass–automaton moved to the right slightly and grabbed another wheel, which it also started to rotate. With each turn of the wheel, a large flexible seal began to inflate, creating an airtight seal. At the last turn of the wheel, the sound of a loud clunk filled the barge, and the automaton spun rapidly along its track and returned to the front of the barge. The automaton then moved to a large, transparent viewing window and pushed a series of buttons, which emitted long bass notes, very similar to the voice of the Astrawhale. The Astrawhale seemed to respond, its reply gently filling the barge.
Against the partially–exposed fleshy wall behind Pious, the large gills of the Astrawhale began to billow, providing a stream of oxygenated fresh air.
Adjacent to Pious sat B’Ast, who waved at Pious, trying to get his attention. “Are you okay?” she asked, showing concern for Pious’s physical and emotional wellbeing.
“I am fine, B’Ast, thank you. How are you?” asked Pious.
“As good as I am meant to be, Pious. Thank you for asking,” replied B’Ast, with a kind smile.
“Hey Pious – What’s Mudthrone? I have never heard of such a place,” said B’Sayan, with his eyes shut, almost asleep.
“Mudthrone is a fortress of lawless chaos, populated by brigands, pirates, highwaymen and scoundrels,” said Pious.
“Sounds great,” B'Sayan said sarcastically, and let out a large yawn. “What kind of name is Mudthrone, anyway?”
“Now – that’s a long story,” said Pious with a laugh, as he raised his head a little and began to sniff the air.
“I've told you once before – he loves long stories, Pious,” said B’Ast.
Pious smiled to himself, relaxed into his chair and sniffed the air. A pleasant smell, akin to the sweetest of flowers, was beginning to fill the Barge. “The Sleep will be upon us soon,” said Pious with a yawn, as he drew in a deep, slow breath through his nose.
“Oh, that’s right,” said B’Sayan, as he placed his hand into a pocket sewn into his tunic and pulled out a small piece of parchment. “The herbalist said, that if I was to see you, that I was to give this you – and that you might know what it meant,”. B’Sayan reached over with his hand and gestured for Pious to take the note, which he did. He unfolded the piece of parchment and stared at the words with confusion.
It’s just salt.
“Salt?” Repeated Pious, with confusion. “It’s just salt?”
He looked around the inside of the barge with heavy eyes at the multitude of Scythians on board. The younger Scythians bore expressions of excitement at the concept or returning to their native homeland – the older ones with expressions of concern for what may await them.
Pious’s eyes became too heavy to hold open and closed shut on him, revealing the sweet visage of his sweetheart, Serana.
All his senses slipped away from him, and he finally succumbed to a well-deserved sleep.
Postface
After almost 162 Cycles since the last Attaran steel struck its walls – Sanctuary has fallen. Under the cover of Tenebraen darkness, the Daggers of Merusul succeeded in their ultimate task - inciting revolt amongst many Districts. This act paved the way for an unhindered fall of the impenetrable city to the Reclamation Army under the command of First Field Marshal Kylita Fey-Leucetios.
In an interesting and unexplainable turn of events, a majority of the Reclamation Army have been locked within the confines of the 1st District, whilst the full force of the Shaydean Alliance assaults the walls of Sanctuary, after having sailed across the Hydraen.
The Oligarchs of Aspiration - leaders of the Merchant and Seafaring Unions and once key members of the Elysian Concordat defected and assaulted Sanctuary with the full force of their armies. The intentions and reasoning behind their defection remains unclear.
Those loyal to the Structuram Civilitatis of Lumerus – took their last opportune moment and fled Sanctuary, retreating with the aid and protection of the Free Army of the Plains under the command of Captain Trakus Reynella, with many of Sanctuary’s refugees moving to seek solace in Karajan. Tyr Parabellum and the Scythian R’Argh move with them to the Palisade of Sails.
Tana Vindicta, Valerus Dominici and K’Reorh are en route to Serica, to seek the aid of the recently deposed Serican Red Empress and her elite Panther Guard, now under the protection of the Deathtress and her Reckoners in the subterranean realms of Xia.
Jacq, now in the Custodianship of the mysterious Right Hand and equally enigmatic Silent Prince, is en route to the Leprosarium Citadel on Fulcrum Island. It has been revealed that the Right Hand consider Jacq as one of the Twins of Destiny and vow to protect him until the light of Lux is restored to Elysia, marking the end of the Grand Cycle and another to begin.
In possession of a mysterious talisman, from an equally mysterious locked sphere, our protagonist is making way to the Africus System with B’Sayan and the Scythians, to not only seek the location of a Sacred Vault relayed to him in a vision but to recover his pregnant wife, Serana Parabellum, from the clutches of the betrayer - Quistin Odeon.
However, it is the roots of our protagonist’s concerns that remain obscure, with answers proving elusive.
Is Jacq truly one of the Twins of Destiny? What of the mysterious woman that had once lay incapacitated on an infirmity bed, inflicted with horrendous wounds? Who was the traitor who unlocked the impenetrable Northern Stately Gate? Who was truly responsible for the mass poisoning of the Vigilants? Did Lothar truly play a part in the downfall of Sanctuary, as declared by the Advocates of Lumerus? Why would Quistin – his troublesome, yet albeit loyal comrade – make such a betraying and bold move, as to kidnap Serana and take her to Karnak?
Are his hallucinations and nightmares nought but fictitious delusions, or are they in fact suppressed memories as per the revelations of Jarus Arman? Coming face to face with a fiend similar to one from a recurring nightmarish hallucination and fighting the monster in the flesh, seems to add credence to the unnerving revelations of Jarus.
Yet, the untimely cessation of the treatment prescribed by his confidant Lothar Desgauliers, for the exact same symptoms he now so unwilling succumbs to – further diminishes his faith in his own reality.
To our protagonist, they were all questions to which he felt there was no certain and clear answer - no tangible truth, to which there was likewise no paradox. With both Lothar and Jarus now dead - truth had slipped further from his grasp.
Only one thing to him was certain and clear.
Karnak awaits.
Glossary
1st Schism, (History): The first splitting of Sanctuary's people into two primary groups, the followers of Lumerus and the followers of Merusul.
2nd Schism, (History): Upon completion of the Shield and the District Bulwark divisions, those who chose the Way of Lumerus were banished from Sanctuary. Triggered the Cycles of Bloodshed.
Abbel, (Apocrypha): The eldest of the Three Tenders of the 1st Garden. Slain by his brother Kayin. The Benignus were born from Abbel, after Zeth placed the last Seed of Life into the mouth of his deceased brother.
Abraxan Wastes, (Geography): A tremendous expanse of sand, salt and ice in the lands of Shayde; beyond the North Eastern Jagged Ranges.
Abstracta, (Apocrypha): I, It and That
Acolyte, (Profession): Entry Level rank in the Ecclesiasticum. Acolytes performed three services of duty: services of the Word, the Song and the Gift.
Actuator, Aetheric, (Aetherics): A converter used to manipulate mechanisms and armatures through Aetheric Force.
Adept, Vindicator, (Profession): Experienced Vindicator: Spent 10 Cycles as an active Vindicator.
Adrenacort, (Alchemy): A stimulant extract
of the Adrenaseed; Highly addictive.
Adrenaseed, (Plant): The cuboid seed from the Frothmar Vine. Used for preparing Adrenacort.
Advocates of Lumerus, (Profession): The men and women tasked with detecting and investigating accounts of subversion, sedition and espionage within Sanctuary.
Aer, (Apocrypha): One of the Five Tears of Concordia. Represents the State of Gas, and a representative of the Air Realm, the source of all Air throughout Existentia.
Aether, (Aetherics): The Aether was regarded as pure radiant energy - shapeless, yet still manipulable, hence why it was an element and not one of the elementary particles of the philosophers. It was understood that the Aether surrounded all other elements, binding them together in a vast ocean of dynamism, permeating and surrounding all, justifying and rationalising the transfer of energy between elements.
Aetheric Blast, (Aetherics): A blast of aether, moving all other unstable elements from within its path.
Aetheric Compartmentum, (Aetherics): Where Aetheric Wielders are stored. All Aetheric wielders are stored in Aurum containers to minimise their effects on the ambient elements.
Aetheric Draw, (Aetherics): The drawing or expansion of aether within a cavity, in particular the lungs, to expand or crush.
Aetheric Drive, (Aetherics): A crushing and painful vibration of aether, causing loss of hearing and headache.
Aetheric Lift, (Aetherics): A technology used by the Khyramic Order for rapid mass transport. It's use and understanding is long lost to the ages.
Aetheric Pulse, (Aetherics): A pulse of Aetheric energy, which disrupts the normal flow of nerve signals. Causes unconsciousness.
Aetheric Shield, (Aetherics): A vibrating and pulsating plane of aether, of which no element can pass.
Aetherics, (Aetherics): Aetherics focuses predominantly on the transfer of one's Aetherical energy through one's Aura, creating an effect dependant on the type of Convertor being wielded. The usage of Aetherics was taxing on the user, as it was dependent upon the wielder's depletion of their own Aetheric energy. The uncontrolled or heavy usage of Aetherics would spell death to the wielder through fatigue and exhaustion.
Exhumation: An Epic of Existentia (Acts of the Sojourner Book 1) Page 40