The Esoteric Design: Civilization Lost

by A. R. Crebs

  Light from his armband caught his attention. It chimed again. He had received a new message from his father. The band had been encrypted while in detainment as to prevent conversation with the outside world. His father had cracked the code and uploaded a file to Dovian’s system. One word caught his attention, a name. Elysia. Dovian quickly palmed the device, allowing the message to run. Gaius’ voice rang out in the room, instantly panging Dovian’s heart.

  “My boy, our time is running short. I’m not certain how the following days will play out, but I felt it was time to release some information to you. Your great-grandfather, though he means well in our mission, has felt it important to keep certain information from you a secret. It’s nothing menacing on his part, but a decision made with the best of intentions. I haven’t long to speak, so I decided that this message from your mother may help explain some things. Be proud my boy. Your capabilities, I know deep down, are better than my own. Your heart is strong. I believe that whatever decisions you make, they will be for the best.” There came a long pause. “And know that I’ve held nothing but love for you. I hope you realize that.”

  The message ended there from his father. Dovian made a noise, his eyes watering as he cleared his throat and rocked back and forth. Another chime sounded, and a new message began.

  “My dear, sweet, husband.” Dovian’s eyebrows raised as he shakily exhaled. It was his mother’s voice. “When you receive this, I have already gone to battle. Know that this was wholly my decision. Elder Gaius even pleaded with me to stay behind. However, I cannot sit by any longer. Our people need me. Humanity needs me. Whether this decision will benefit or hinder our cause, I don’t know, but I have faith it will be for the best. I believe you’ve noticed the waning of my energy since the birth of our son, Dovian. I’ve kept it a secret from most, him especially. We both know how sensitive he is, and the last thing I need is him to blame himself for my own decisions. None of this was his fault, and you must understand that.

  Though his soul had been trying to separate at his birth, I had to reassure him of why he had decided to join our cause in the first place. Elder Gaius believes that the soul was having second thoughts before falling into earthly existence. Dovian was afraid. I don’t blame him. I’m not sure if you know much about Dovian’s role. I knew of his purpose from the moment he arrived. Because of that, I gave him all the love I could. Even if it meant sacrificing most of my life-force and binding it to him. I’m uncertain the side effects of my actions, but you must protect him. If he’s to be the Arbitrator, he will need his strength and powers preserved for good. Teach him our ways. Love him as I do. Never let him forget what love is. It’s our best option. It’s humanity’s best option.

  I’ve run out of time. Please take care of our son, Gaius. Love him as I’ve loved you. And know, that no matter what happens today, I have never been happier in my life. You are a blessing to me. And though this world has brought you many perils, do not give up hope. Believe in our cause. Believe that you and I will forever be bound. I love you. I will see you again. And when I do, I will hold you for eternity. Be good, my husband. Take care of yourself. Goodbye.”

  The message ended there. Silence consumed the room, filling Dovian with a new form of emptiness. His mother and father were gone, taken by the darkness of evil deeds—human and Sorcēarian alike. There really was no difference. Evil knew no end, consumed everything. It was a disease that corrupted even the best of men.

  “Arbitrator?” Dovian whispered. “She thought I was the Arbitrator.” He scoffed a laugh. How disappointed she’d be to know that in all his life he had amounted to be nothing more than a naïve, lovesick Scarlet warrior with low self-esteem. And a lazy one at that.

  “Ha! I’m a failure on all accounts to the expectations of everyone around me!” Dovian stared at the ceiling. “A fool who wasn’t even meant to last through birth. Even my soul could detect the failure that I’d grow to be.”

  Dovian folded in on himself, banging his forehead against the floor. He was trapped. Alone. While war spread through his land. No matter the results, he’d end up forever imprisoned and with a body that refused to die.

  Thunder rolled in the distance, not from warfare this time. The splatter of rain slapped the sides of the stone tower. A few specks trickled down the wall from the barred window above. Dovian crawled to the far wall, gazing at the sky. He could see the veil of Sir Gaius’ shield. It kept out any physical attacks the militaries threw at Ives but somehow allowed nature to run its course. The sky churned with black clouds, matching the sorrow in Dovian’s heart. Daylight faded behind the cover, lightning stretching from East to West. Another boom roared, quaking the lands. Dovian turned, running his back against the wall. He slid to a seat on the floor, covering his head.

  He silently listened, waiting for the horn to blow, to signal the war that was about to begin. There was nothing he could do, nothing to save his people, nothing to save I’Lanthe. Tiny splatters of raindrops pelted against the stone windowsill and onto his body. In his feelings of betrayal, being soaked by chilling rain concerned him little.

  “Dovian?” a female voice alerted the man. It both surprised and pained him to hear her voice, a sweet melody within the darkness.

  The gate at the end of the hall clattered as it closed, followed by the sound of her hastened footsteps. Dovian abruptly rose, rushing to the metal bars. I’Lanthe met him there, dressed in her warrior’s garb. Her violet and black robes were tied back behind bronze and leather armor. An ornate helmet rested on her head, purple and charcoal plumage trailed from the top down her back. A cape lay tightly secured across her shoulders. She was ready for battle.

  Gently, he placed his hands over hers as she gripped the gate. Her leather gauntlets once again shielded her from the electric surge.

  “I’Lanthe,” he whispered to her. The word spoken on his lips held all the sentiment needed to express his love for her.

  She looked frightened. Dovian knew it wasn’t because of her own safety, but she feared for his. Her violet eyes shimmered in the darkness, her pale-pink lips forming into a small smile. She was having a terrible time trying to hide her emotions.

  “You’re alright! I’m so glad you are alright! I was worried! So worried!” Her eyes brimmed with tears as she spoke to him. She lifted her hands, cupping his face as she peered into his eyes.

  “I’m alright,” he reassured her, slowly lowering her hands from his face. Placing a small kiss on her knuckles, he tried giving her a smile in return.

  “They are coming,” she sputtered quietly. Dovian’s eyes widened. He knew they were coming, but as the words came from her mouth, he wasn’t prepared. No one truly was. “He is coming. He is bringing the entire army, and he is going to kill us all. Do you understand?” Her face remained hard as she slowly spoke to him.

  Dovian remained silent, his mind churning, trying to figure out some way to stop the war before it began. His stomach flip-flopped. There was nothing he could do, not while he was locked up in this cell. Dovian couldn’t stop the inevitable.

  “Dovian, do you understand?” Her face wrinkled with worry. “You need to get out of here.”

  He shook his head. “L-Lanthe, I–”

  “You have to leave. Go,” she said louder, her eyebrows lifting. “Go. Please.” Her hands gripped his tightly.

  “I cannot leave this place, you know it,” Dovian said finally. She shook her head, tears falling. She couldn’t break him free, no matter how much she wanted to. “I’Lanthe, you need to hide. In my room, there is a way out. There’s a hole beside the bookcase. It’s small, but you can fit through it. It leads to the tunnels. Take them; go to the vacation home….”

  “I can’t do that.” She shook her head again, staring at the floor. Her long, dark curls spiraled over her shoulders. “I have to lead my men. I can’t abandon them.”

  “No! Lanthe, no! You have to get out of here!” Fear was now evident on Dovian’s features as reality finally began sinking in. He woul
d most certainly lose her too.

  A brash alarm sounded in the distance, sending shivers down both Sorcēarians’ spines. It was a terrible noise, reserved only for the holy–a tumultuous blaring of a thousand horns. It was starting.

  “Get out of here!” Dovian pleaded with her.

  Gasping under his outburst, I’Lanthe cupped his face once again. She gave him her most charming smile. “Don’t worry about me, Dovian. I can take care of myself. I’m more worried about you.”

  “No!”

  “Find a way out. Get out of here. I want you to fly away. He’ll kill you as soon as he finds you. He’s probably on his way right now. I need you to live, Dovian. Please.” With her gauntlets providing protection, I’Lanthe leaned forward into the bars, pressing her soft lips against his. Dovian quickly wrapped his arms around her waist the best he could, wary of the electrical current she was currently absorbing. He’d be protected as long as he continued touching her.

  Thunder growled, the wind howling with it. Bright lightning flashed, and she tried to pull away, but he held her firmly against the bars. “Dovian, let go.”

  “No, not unless you promise me you’ll get to safety.” His glowing orbs stared into hers.

  She watched her feet. Hesitating entirely too long, she replied, “I promise.” She gave him a worrying look.

  The horns blared again. She jerked from the noise.

  “I have to go!” I’Lanthe pulled away.

  “Get to safety!”

  “I love you,” she whispered, quickly turning and dashing away into the shadows.

  Dovian watched her, his heart threatening to burst from his chest. She was lying. She wasn’t going to leave. She was going out on the field.

  “Lanthe!” he shouted. The boisterous sound echoed down the stone and jeweled halls of the empty tower.

  “She’s right, you know. I am going to kill them all.” Euclid’s voice echoed in response to Dovian’s cries. “And there’s nothing you can do about it. I will save you for last.”

  “Damn you!!” Dovian screamed, cursing Euclid repeatedly. He turned in his cell, pulling his hair, clenching his fists, pounding the walls. What could he do?

  ***

  Outside the city, the human militaries lined in rows. They all became somewhat organized once the initial attacks halted, proving futile against Sir Gaius’ shields. The Sorcēarians weren’t about to allow war to further devastate the city. As the horns bellowed throughout Ives, the human forces awaited the retaliation. However, the Sorcēarians did not brashly give into the violence as expected. Instead, the angelic forces gathered within the city, formulating their battle plans. They didn’t waste much time, but merely enough to prevent catastrophic disorganization. With the Elders gone, the Violet statuses were left in charge of the military fronts, a job perfectly suitable for their class. Ahead of them all, I’Lanthe sat upon horseback, giving strategic and preparatory speeches.

  The Scarlets took their places, followed by the Azures. The Emeralds with warrior training took precedence over those who did not. Whoever was left of that class oversaw the maintenance of the protective barriers and communication between the groups. Those with the least amount of training were required to stay within the city, providing services in the protection of its citizens. No status was spared. Anyone with the ability to assist in battle was required to take their place. Those remaining in the city took to the rooftops for better views. The Emeralds were divided, half overlooking the civilians and another half watching the barrier for any flaws that would allow infiltration. The Scarlets and Azures armed their weapons and energies, ready to heal or defend its citizens. For those who would venture outside the city, they lined up in groups. Each strip was led by a Violet and stretched along separate roads. The Truthseers gathered in the central tower along with the Watchers, observing everything near and far.

  I’Lanthe’s grip tightened around the reigns. She turned her horse and nodded at the front of the line. The warriors raised their horns and signaled for the forward march. The sound called one after another down the streets as each Violet status led their ranks toward the edge of the city. Thumping, the marching footsteps mimicked thunder, vibrating the land. They paraded by the thousands, their colors a gradient covering the city floor. As they journeyed to the outskirts, the horn made commands to the flanks.

  Remaining silent, the human soldiers gawked at the mystical forces as they crossed the barrier, taking to the opposite side of the grassy field a quarter mile away. The rain had softened the ground. How quickly it had cooled; the temperature created shivers in the human forces. Though, it was arguable that their fear didn’t help with the tremors. The Sorcēarian forces were frightening. They outnumbered the humans. The height of the angelic beings each towered over their human counterparts. The astounding height of some reached over twelve and, though rare, fifteen feet tall. The giants each held weapons larger than most men. Armored with brilliant capes and drapery, colorful energies swirling around them and within their weapons, they were an ominous force like that found in fairy tales.

  No battle since the Second Fall had required the full power of the Sorcēarian race. Their capabilities were practically unknown. Realistically, the bunch could wipe out the entire human fleet within the blink of an eye. However, luck was on the weaker side. Sorcēarian code required to take as little life as possible in the event of war. The human generals were certain the code would gain them a favor unless the angelic race had cast out all their original ethics. The humans were banking on the magical race to hesitate. However, that thought alone didn’t ease tensions.

  I’Lanthe galloped to the front of the line as each soldier took a position. She eyed the enemy front, her optical viewer scanning the numbers. She swallowed hard. They could easily win this war, but not without great cost. She had to maintain the code. She could not sacrifice her ethics just for the sake of her own people. They had a mission to uphold. No matter the cost, she had to keep her people alive without wiping out the entire human army. She held her position, her eyes set on the battlefield. Rain tinkled against their armor, adding weight to their already heavy gear. She chanced a look back at her people. Lights from their eyes cast a hazy glow, they energies pulsing and humming. Each member stood at attention, their trained faces set in meditation as they waited for the signal.

  A high-pitched neigh disrupted the silence. I’Lanthe looked curiously to the approaching Emerald. The warrior traveled directly toward her, and I’Lanthe prepared for a traitorous attack. Her nerves eased, however, as she recognized the Sorcēarian.

  “What on earth are you doing here?” I’Lanthe scolded.

  “You didn’t think you were going to do this all alone, did you?” Lita removed her hood. She tossed her violet hair, pulling it over one shoulder so not to tangle with the bow strapped to her back.

  “You’re not supposed to be here. Even if you were, you broke line. Do you have any decency to follow any rules?” I’Lanthe shook her head.

  “In a time like this? Hell, no.” Lita looked over her shoulder, finding Karter not far away in the line. She winked at him and then smiled at I’Lanthe. “I’m joining you, whether you like it or not. I must. For dad. To protect mom.”

  I’Lanthe took a deep breath, looking ahead. “I’m not going to argue with you. Just don’t stray too far from me, understand? You have no experience with active duty.”

  “I’ve played a lot of videogames; does that count?” Lita replied.

  The corner of I’Lanthe’s lip curled. “You’re terrible, you know that?”

  Lita merely grinned. “Yeah, but you love me.”

  I’Lanthe’s nerves eased a little. She reached out and squeezed Lita’s hand. “When this is through, we’re having a movie night with wine and ice cream.”

  “May want to break out something a bit stronger,” Lita teased.

  I’Lanthe wanted to laugh, but sorrow filled her heart. She had a terrible feeling.

  The rain picked up, thunder rolled
from the far hills, traveling to the center of the field between the two forces. A crackle of lightning sizzled within a whirling fog. From the vapors materialized a group of cloaked individuals, their robes stained black. They stood rigidly, alternatively facing each direction. I’Lanthe could tell that they were all proficient in their statuses. They motioned together, summoning a wave of darkness that shot to the sky. From each of their backs sprouted wings of midnight feathers. They were all Euclid’s men. Though a small group, they had one goal in mind—kill as many humans as possible and any Sorcēarian that stood in their way.

  At the tip of the black pillar that the traitorous kind created, formed a funnel. Euclid spiraled from the top, his wings darkening to the point of molting. Scales replaced the feathers, a white horn grew on each point. His eyes shimmered similarly as firelight. The body of Gaius III lay limply in his arms. Euclid pushed higher into the air, his sight locking on the wielder of the barrier that protected Ives—Elder Gaius.

  “A wonderful evening for war, don’t you agree?” Euclid hollered over the field. He had everyone’s attention. “I am giving you all one last chance to join me on my expedition to creating paradise on Earth! Humans, those who wish to join me, lay down your weapons and back away from the fight. My brothers and sisters!” He looked to the Sorcēarian lineup. “For thousands of years, we’ve enslaved ourselves to the preservation of mankind. And what thanks do we receive other than the death of our loved ones? We have the chance to right the wrongs of this world, to preserve our own kind. All I ask of you today is to join my side of the fight, taking out any who oppose me. Though the path may seem dark and dirty, after today, we shall know true peace! We can have the world as our own! Full potential to roam and flourish. To create our cities. To have the world without war, sickness, and despair! All we must do is exterminate the filth which plagues this planet.” He lifted the corpse into the air. “For those of my kind who wish to defy me, know that I will not make exceptions to those who are traitorous of our own kind. I will expunge those who favor humanity over our own family and friends. For any who will call my bluff…” he tossed the body, “…here’s my proof.”