by Jarod Meyer
Angelica accosted her cousin with questions as they made their way through the streets and gardens. Julia answered every question with a smile, and seemed to know every shortcut, and regularly got distracted by someone she knew or a piece of art that caught her eye. They passed the university. It was up on a very tall hill, accessible only by a very steep, winding path. She recognized the stone that she had read on her first day in attendance. It read: Knowledge is earned.
Earned, she thought.
Perhaps it meant the hike up the hill was a penance, or a payment to gain access to the university. They ascended the stone stair, each steps carved from the rock, and passed beneath the statue of Socrates, the founder of this university. Angelica learned early on that Socrates was one of the most influential people in this world, and moreover, sat on the great council known as the Synod.
Socrates himself and his mortal life was one of Angelica’s first lessons. He had been considered an ugly man on Earth, but this did not deter him from greatness. He had shown the world that questioning the accepted standard was a healthy practice. If people continued making the same mistakes day after day, year after year, how could they ever grow as a society?
After hours of walking, they finally made it to the university. Considered small in Archonia, in reality, the University was probably twice as large as any school on Earth. It was crafted of brilliant, white marble. It looked much like the Pantheon of ancient Athens, where Socrates himself lived and died. Vast pillars supported a hall that was perfectly geometrical and carefully proportioned. It was a masterpiece of craftsmanship that seemed almost dull against the extravagance of the rest of the city.
Angelica stopped at the doors to catch her breath. The hike had been very tiring, and yet, Julia barely seemed to have noticed. A sundial stood in the courtyard, and openly displayed that they were late for their first classes. Fortunately, Angelica was still new enough to this world that they allowed her time to adjust.
She crept into her first class quietly. It was in an open aired courtyard full of plants Angelica couldn’t recognize. This class was one about the history of Archonia which Angelica was one of four students in attendance. The class was a requirement for every young soul granted access to Archonia. It included basic history, law, physics, and the religions practiced here.
Spiritual matters were what Angelica cared most for. She had devoted nearly her entire life to the Catholic Church, and though death had brought her to this wonderful paradise, it had also torn a hole right through the middle of everything spiritual she held dear. She had chosen her next class for this very reason. It was the study of religion versus mythology, both on Earth and in Archonia. The professor was a simple woman with dark skin and a kind smile.
Her name was Shamala, and she was serving her six hundred and fifty third term as a volunteer professor. Angelica, and even some of the more experienced students, were all instantly impressed. This class was much larger than her first. The large lecture hall held nearly one hundred students, with different colored skin, and faces of all shapes and sizes. In this class, Shamala would start out each session with a significant ethnicity or culture from Earth’s history, and explain their beliefs about religion and life after death. The second part of the class was discussion and questions.
“Today, young ones, we will be discussing Buddhism. It was created by a man named Siddhartha Gotama, who felt that a path to enlightenment could take the place of gods and deities. As the member of a royal family, he was showered with wealth, until he began his search for his own truth. What he discovered was what is known as the Middle Path, or, The Path to Enlightenment. A common misconception is that Buddhism is a religion, when it is more a way of life.”
For the next hour Angelica sat and listened to the intricacies of Buddhism and was astonished to find that it sounded like a very appealing practice. She also agreed with what referred to as the Four Noble Truths. The first is that to live is suffering, and Buddhism explains how we can accept this fact and work to be happy. The second is that suffering is caused by craving, which deprives oneself of contentment. Angelica saw this as an epidemic amongst modern society on Earth. People were never satisfied with what they had. They were crippled by need. The third noble truth is that this suffering can be overcome using the fourth noble truth known as the eight fold path.
Angelica was somewhat of a quiet person and preferred to listen to others speak while she learned. When it came time to ask questions she looked at the group and waited, but nobody out of the sizable crowd wanted to speak up. Shamala appeared to sense their apprehension, so she opened the discussion.
“Angelica, I understand that you used to practice Catholicism in your previous life. How do you feel this practice of Buddhism relates to your own personal beliefs? How do think it differs?”
Angelica was lost for words, but forced herself to speak. Her voice was weak, and her words came out a bit wobbly at first. “Many of the principals of Buddhism and its path to enlightenment seem to be similar to the laws of god. People should show compassion and not be possessive.”
Another of the students, a fair haired young woman with piercing, blue eyes, spoke.
“I see very little similarities to the two. The history of Catholicism has been written with blood. Its dominion is a decadent disgrace to the creator.”
“Now Elaine, we know that you do not hold well with what happened from your time period, but there is no reason to attack anyone’s personal beliefs,” Shamala said. She was quickly cut off by another student.
“I think Elaine is right. The clothing that the Catholic Cardinals wear can cost twenty thousand dollars, meanwhile the Pope’s robe cost anywhere from one hundred thousand to two hundred thousand dollars. There are children all over the mortal world who are starving to death. That is pretty vain,” he finished.
Angelica felt her face flush hot, but she remained quiet.
Shamala didn’t appear impressed. “And does your religion give more?” she asked the man.
There was no response.
“People find it easy to criticize others, but fail to criticize themselves. Elaine, you were tortured and killed by men of the church for being a witch. I can see how you would hold hostility toward Angelica’s belief system, however, just because a man calls himself a man of religion does not mean that he is one. Angelica, thank you for sharing.”
The class continued but Angelica tuned out most of the discussion. She began to feel sick. She had seen her beliefs dashed against the wall by people before, but something was different now that she knew her beliefs were never entirely accurate. She wasn’t sure she could ever go back to that class again.
When she finally made the long trek home after her courses she found her grandmother sitting on a bench in the courtyard below their living quarters. She appeared to be waiting for someone. When Angelica approached, her grandmother smiled, and she could almost see the grey hair and soft, wrinkled face she’d always known. The beauty of her youthful form drowned out the image after a moment.
“Abuela? Who are you waiting for?”
“I am waiting for you, my child. You had a bad day.”
“Grandma, how did you know I had a bad day?” Angelica asked in surprise.
“Sweet one, many people in this world have gifts. Soldiers mostly use their projection for construction or destruction, but the whole world is energy, and if you quiet your mind you can hear each form.”
“I don’t understand. You can hear me?”
“No, Angie, I think of it as sense or touch. I can reach out to your soul and feel your moods,” she said with a smile.
Angelica was somewhat surprised, but it made sense. In her “Study of Archonian Physics” class they had been speaking of such powers. She had even witnessed some, first at William’s trial, when his life had been displayed for all to see, and again when the soldier summoned the giant feline creature before her very eyes.
“Grandma, I don’t want you to worry about me. I am just having some difficult
ies with my personal beliefs.”
“Child, everyone who comes here has these troubles, so don’t fret. I am not worried. I just wanted you to know that I am here. Whether you like it or not it is still my job to love and care for you.”
Angelica couldn’t help but smile. She had truly been blessed with a loving family that supported one another. It put her mind at ease. She sat down next to her and embraced her. They sat for many long moments simply enjoying each other’s touch.
Angelica didn’t really know what she was going to do with the rest of her day. There were something like seven hours left of daylight and then another fifty of night.
“Grandmother, what do you do to fill up all this time?”
“Well, like you saw we do get out for many activities. You obviously have your studies now, but everyone usually finds a couple hobbies. I had always wanted to learn how to play the violin on Earth, but there was never any money for that, so I had to set the dream aside. But in the last five years I have become quite capable with the strings. Mind you I have a long way to go before I am near good enough to perform, but it pleases me to hear the music.”
“You have to play for me sometime, Abuela,” Angelica insisted.
She blushed and smiled, but said nothing before changing the subject. “Why don’t we focus on finding you some hobbies? I know that you were a very devoted worshipper before you crossed over. Did you know that they have religions here?”
“I had heard in some of my courses that there are believers in what comes after this second life. I don’t know if I am ready to start believing in something else. My faith has been really shaken.”
“Angelica,” her grandmother said sternly. “We believed that there was something better for us than the turmoil of the mortal life and we were right. We were good people, and our good acts have paid our way. Just because we went about it differently than some, does not make it wrong. If you took the stairs and I took an elevator we would both end up in the same place. How we got here has little relevance, but where we go from here is all that matters in the world.”
She paused to give time for this to sink in, but then continued, “Your faith was a sign that you respected what came next. I have seen hundreds of people who have made it here and became lost. They believed that they would be here forever…but that is not necessarily true.”
“Grandma what do you mean? I thought that the soul is immortal here in Archonia!?”
“Oh, the mind can be broken, just like on the mortal plane, my dear. If your mind is broken, how then can you exist?”
Angelica was confused. She didn’t say anything for several long moments, trying to make sense of this new information.
“So, where do we go after this life?”
Her grandmother did not respond right away. Instead, she stood up and looked at the sun dial in the middle of the courtyard. “There is a celebration going on tonight. I think it would be good for you to see it. Let’s walk,” she said enigmatically.
Angelica followed, questions popping up and crowding her thoughts.
Why would a celebration be good for her to see?
They turned down an alley, walked a short distance, before stepping out on a large, crowded streets. Despite the size of the capitol city, and the wide street, it seemed like there was still a lack of space. With the vast stretches of untouched land she wondered why so many people would pack themselves in such a tight space. Her question was always answered the same way when she made her way through the crowds of laughing smiling people. There was a desire to be near other souls, to share your experiences with them, and to live.
An outdoor amphitheater appeared as they cleared a large building, where a concerto was in progress. Though they were at least a quarter mile off, it sounded as clear as if they stood right next to it. Large standing stones dotted the ground in the open area, standing like unrealized monuments in the green grass.
“Those stones pick up the sound waves, and deliver them back as if they came straight from the instruments. That is why the sound is carrying so far off. There is nothing like that in the physical universe,” her grandmother said, winking at her.
“Abuela, is that where you want to perform someday?” she asked excitedly.
“Oh child, it would take me centuries to become that talented. That is the Helionic Harmonic Orchestra. It is comprised of musicians that have been around for hundreds, if not thousands of years.”
They stopped and listened for a while. The music was so complex that it almost deterred from the sound. Nobody in a million years could have called it anything less than beautiful.
“Who do you think the man playing the grand piano is?” Angelina asked her granddaughter pointing.
“Frederic Chopin,” she said with a laugh.
Angelica was bewildered. She wasn’t a huge fan of classical music in life, but she had still heard of Frederic Chopin. They listened to the music until the movement ended, and Angelina set off down the lane again.
“Grandmother, don’t you want to watch the rest of the show?”
“My dear, I have heard them play at least a hundred times. They perform once a week,” she replied.
“I see. So, where are we off to then?”
“There is a man who has lived in Archonia a very long time, and he has decided to leave.”
“Leave? Where will he go?”
“He will pass on.”
“Pass on? Is someone going to kill him? Is he going to kill himself?! I do not want to see that,” Angelica said, panic gripping her.
Her grandmother stopped, put a comforting hand on her shoulder, and shook her head gently. Angelica continued walking, but she became very afraid. They passed over bridges, under arches, and through all manner of courtyards, until they began to hear the sounds of celebration.
Soon they were in the midst of a sea of happy faces. People were dressed in all sorts of silks and chiffons fabrics made with actual gold strands sewed into them. Jewels caught the fading sunlight and all of it seemed of little value without a monetary system. She spied a particular girl who was wearing a diadem with a starburst shaped ruby on it that was larger than any she had ever seen. People sang and danced to the unusual music, and Angelica saw her grandmother embracing a stranger.
When she caught up with her, the two smiled kindly, and the man extended a hand from his forehead which was one of the many ways that people in Archonia greeted one another.
“Angie, this is Metriclus. He is family to the man who will be moving on this evening.”
“And such a pleasure to meet you, young one. I shall insist that my great father have you as one of the nine,” he said.
Angelica looked at her grandmother, who nodded eagerly. Angelica returned his smile and said, “Of course, I would be honored.”
“Then it is settled. I will come find you when the ceremony begins.” He bowed politely and turned to speak with some of the other people.
“Abuela, what did he mean by, one of the nine?”
“Well, it is tradition for someone who passes on to extend some of their vast knowledge to the youth of Archonia. Metriclus’ great father is actually one of his ancestors, and is far too elderly to distinguish exactly how many generations stand between them. They only share a family name, which is quite a rarity when names change so often throughout the centuries.”
“How old is this man?” Angelica asked.
“His name is Permesius, and he is three hundred and sixty Archonian years old.”
Angelica did some quick math in her head and exclaimed, “That is over two thousand five hundred human years!”
Angelina simply nodded, and clasped her granddaughters hand as they made their way through the crowd.
“Why nine people? I imagine that he has much knowledge to share?” Angelica asked.
“One person for each of the nine Great Archons. I think nine is plenty. There is much knowledge to learn and he that passes it on does not have an eternity to teach,” she said with a chu
ckle.
“I suppose we’d be here a long time if he was sharing his wisdom with everyone.”
The sun began to dip in the sky, and people began moving over to a large stage. The platform was raised, and shone like it was made from pure silver. A solitary man stood in the center, where an ornate circular symbol was etched into the metal.
He looked unlike anyone else at the party. Not in dress, or exuberance, but because he was old. Not just in years, but in appearance. He still stood tall, his back straight, and of relatively good health, but his hair was gray and slicked back over a receding hairline. His beard was white, and greased to a point, while his face looked like it was made from wrinkled stone.
“His mind is weary. He feels old. That is why his appearance has changed. It is one of the first signs that an Archonian is becoming ready to take the next journey,” her grandmother whispered.
The crowd grew silent as eight people began making their way up onto the silver platform. The silver surface was shimmering now, illuminated by crystals floating in the air above the crowd. They gave off the most pure, white light she had ever seen. Metriclus appeared from the crowd and offered his hand to Angelica. She was hesitant, but slowly placed her hand in his. He gently guided her out of the throng of people and helped her up to the platform.
The others had taken their shoes off. She saw some sandals and slippers, and without having to be told, she slid out of her sandals and took a step. The silver was cold and felt strange underfoot. She looked out amongst the crowd, their excitement evident and a little unnerving.
How could they be so happy that one of their elders was leaving this world?
She dismissed the thought. Perhaps it was something she would have to grow to understand. Permisius didn’t turn around or acknowledge any one of the nine. Metriclus had receded back into the crowd. She was starting to grow uncomfortable when everyone’s eyes went to the sky, where a bright light shimmered amongst darkness. Innumerable stars and planets hung overhead, looming so close that she could make out the ranges of mountains and rivers. A great yellow one with a ring of asteroids look as if it was colliding with another smaller green colored one, but they were unmoving.