The Azurean Trilogy
Fatimah Ashaela Moore Ibrahim
All rights reserved. Copyright ©2013 by Fatimah Ashaela Moore Ibrahim
2nd Edition: November 2013
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author's imagination or used fictitiously. All rights reserved. No part of this book can be reproduced in any form or by electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author.
For information and permissions please contact: http://azurean.wix.com/azurean [email protected]
Cover design by Fatimah Ashaela Moore Ibrahim
The Azurean Trilogy—Books 1,2 & 3
(Essentia , Burgeon, and Manifest)
Produced by Aakifah Multimedia Productions
www.aakifah.com
Dedicated to The Creator of the Universe;
All things are possible with You, and nothing is possible without You. Thank You for Your Guidance which I could not live without.
Also dedicated to my family and friends. Your love and support means the world to me. I thank the Creator for you every day. May He bless you all with love, peace and guidance always!
And to all my Brothers and Sisters everywhere, continue to spread love, peace, and light. Remember, every good act, now matter how small is important and makes a difference. Together, we can make the dream of peace a reality.
Special thanks to Isahah Janette Grant and Tiffanie Barbosa for editing help. You guys are greatly appreciated! God bless you!
Verily, those who have attained to faith (in this divine writ), as well as those who follow the Jewish faith, and the Christians, and the Sabians – all who believe in God and the Last Day and do righteous deeds – shall have their reward with their Sustainer; and no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve. (The Holy Qur’an , Yusuf Ali translation, Surah 2, Ayah 62)
Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets,. (The Holy Bible, KJV, The New Testament, Matthew 22:37-40)
BOOK ONE: ESSENTIA
Prelude
Imagine a world where the things that used to divide us no longer mattered. The demise of your planet can do that you. It can give you a whole different perspective. All of a sudden, fighting about religion or race becomes inconsequential. As humans, you begin to look at life as one. In one struggle to survive. In one effort not to repeat the same mistakes. You determine not to waste precious time and energy on differences, but to focus on how to co-exist, to seek peace, and to let the Most High judge it all in the end. This is the miracle that was born at the death of our world. But forces of greed and power threaten to kill this new life. Hope, however, glows just as brightly, and, as in the past, the prayers of many will bring about the inevitable collision between good and evil.
Introduction
Excerpt from The Earth/Mercia Chronicles:
Entry #549
Recorded by Sister Vivian Muizz
The Earth was tired. She had served us well, giving us food, medicine, energy, beauty to look at and fresh air to breathe. And we had repaid her with pollution, toxic dumping, and a lethal concoction of chemicals that destroyed our ozone. She had tried to endure the abuse until we got our act together, but by the time we frantically began pumping transfusions into her, she was too far gone.
The Earth began to heave its last breaths. Quiet, still and sad. The very atmosphere of our earth changed. No, now it didn't take years to see the deterioration...it took days. At the beginning of the week, things were green, and by the weekend, it was as if some vampire had been loosed on an overnight feeding frenzy. Colors were dull, plants were limp, and the very sky took on a lifeless olive hue that chilled the heart and forced worry and fear into every soul.
They were dark days. The countenance of the entire human race fell, because we had been warned. Even those who had dogmatically switched to green living and routine recycling didn't have time to feel anger at those who had tossed countless bottles of spring water mindlessly into the trash. We were all in it together now: The Careful and The Careless. It was a terrifying time when all hope was lost.
And then two Miracles occurred. A plant which came to be called “Aoki” was found. Aoki was a heal-all plant that cured virtually every disease known to mankind. From Cancer to colds, this plant swept through the body like a shrewd avenger with a serious vendetta, slicing every foreign molecule in its path.
A cruel stellar joke to everyone that now, the body could be healed, but there would be no planet for that body to live on.
Then, beyond all belief, a scientist from Burma confirmed that a new planet had been discovered. It had been detected years earlier, but no one had dared mention it until they were positive that this Purple Planet could actually sustain life.
The worlds wealthiest people had been contacted to invest in sending probes as a final hope that Human life could exist beyond our familiar galaxy. Every report and statistical data sheet confirmed that this planet, located in the exact middle of the Tri'ashon Galaxy, was indeed our second chance.
The Scientists who discovered this planet named it “Mercia”.
Prologue
Henken walked briskly down the marbled hallways of the South Chamber. His patent Ebu leather heels clicked resolutely as he made his way to the Main Throne. Emperor Borche was not going to like the news he had to deliver. Henken's hand began to tremble, but he shook it off. How annoying, he thought. He hated that the man could make him shake.
He reached the massive mahogany doors, and placed his hands on the ornate carving that had been masterfully etched by carpenters from Sector 2.
Calm down. You found out as much as you could, he told himself. He shuddered to think of how he had even gone so far as to meet with Driesh, one of the most disgusting and unsavory characters he had ever met.
He had agreed to meet him on the outskirts of town, in the dark and deserted old sewers the Houdakin used to use for the areas surrounding the palace. For a hefty price, Driesh had used his 'specialized talents' to squeeze every bit of information out of anyone he thought had it. Henken hadn't even wanted to know what measures had been used to find out the information the Emperor wanted to know.
Henken took a deep, shaky breath and pushed the door open. I will not show him fear, he told himself. Being the Chief High Officer gave him an air of importance in and around the palace, but one displeasing move, and his wife and son could be put to death while he was kept alive in the dungeons to rot and think about it every day. His plan was to move them to a remote place where it was safe...but he had to plan carefully. He couldn't chance it just yet.
Emperor Borche sat at his desk deep in thought. When he saw Henken, he sat forward abruptly and turned off his Tele-Com to make sure no one would overhear their conversation.
“Well?” he asked anxiously, leaning forward. “Is the Prophecy true?” His deep, gravely voice reverberated in the room. Henken imagined it was what a lion would sound like if it could speak.
Henken paused. “Yes, the Prophecy is true. But we do not know the exact time of birth. We only know that they were born within the last 20 years.”
The Emperor slammed his fist down on the desk w
ith such force that it made Henken's chest tighten. “That's the best you could do?” he roared. Anger boiled in Borche's stomach, and beads of sweat began to glisten on his forehead.
Henken cleared his throat and straightened his back. “Every avenue was thoroughly investigated. I even had to contact......Driesh.”
The Emperor sat back in his chair, visibly fuming. Contacting Driesh was no small matter he knew. But the information he sought had to be found out at all costs. If not, the Inferiors could destroy everything.
He rubbed the point of his greasy beard between his stubby index finger and thumb. His thick, unkempt eyebrows furrowed, and Borche looked Henken directly in the eye. “Then, we'll start there. You know what must be done. I want them all dead. Every last one.”
Chapter 1
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.
The Holy Bible, KJV, The Old Testament,
Deuteronomy 7:9
“Yaya, Aziz, it's time to wake up, my blessed children. Peace to you, we have much to do, and you don't want to be late!”
Mama glided purposefully down the hallway to our small but comfortable adoba. She entered Aziz's room first and sent the muslin curtains swishing across their rods. Clear, fresh sunlight instantly brightened the room and excitedly tried to peek under the soft navy quilt Mama had fused for him.
Aziz grunted, and pulled the blanket tighter around himself. “Five more minutes...” was his muffled response.
“Many things can get done in five minutes, son. I need you up now to load the fumery so I can start cooking. I've got to help make the food for tonight's celebration, and...” she added, while picking stray socks and tunics up off of the floor, “I'm making Salamos for breakfast.”
Mama whisked out of the room, onto the next, knowing that just the mention of Salamos was enough to get his mouth watering, and him out of bed. The pastry-like breakfast dish was pillow shaped, and filled with a savory mix of Silu eggs, salmon, potatoes, onipers, and other herbs that grew on Mercia.
Mercia, the mercy planet, and my home. It had been discovered when planet Earth had begun to draw its last breath. The fact that my people lived here was a miracle in itself. After Mercia was found, the wealthiest humans had immediately claimed their spots for transport to the new planet, but millions of middle-class and poor had been condemned to remain behind and die.
That had all changed when the conscious of Maliki Midou urged him to donate trillions towards transporting every single person who could not afford the trip. Thanks to him, my ancestors had the chance to come here.
The sound of Mama whisking my curtains open and the padding of her soft slippers on the smooth clay floor snapped me back to reality. As cozy as it was under the blankets, the excitement today held was greater, and it leapt into my stomach and spattered into a handful of tiny fluttering butterflies that tickled my insides.
Today was to be our 18th birthday ceremony, our Essentia, and I was beyond excited. Your 18th birthday didn't just signal another annual marker. It also signaled the date you were formally introduced to the tribe as an adult. You were able to start your Mandate or apprenticeship training...and it was when you could officially become engaged and begin a courtship that would lead to marriage.
Just the prospect of not being thought of as a child anymore made me feel full and sure of myself. Beginning my Mandate was equally as exciting. I had several interests, but the strongest one was Biology and Universe Studies. I could spend countless hours pouring over the Earth/Mercia Chronicles alone.
Although sad, it was also fascinating to read about the many things humans did to bring the entire planet to its demise. I was determined not to let that same thing happen to Mercia.
And marriage. That made me immediately think of Kaisan Alim. He was tall and handsome with smooth cinnamon-colored skin that glowed from working as a builder in our tribe. He was also employed as one of our tribe's defending officers. We had become friends from being in the same Primary class at the tribe's 1st School.
Once we both hit puberty, and I began wearing the Khimar, or headscarf, gender lines had been established. We remained friends of course, and attended outings in groups, with a chaperone. Over the years, our feelings had grown. It was an unspoken sentiment, but we both knew that we felt a deeper connection for each other.
I pulled the blankets from over my head and smiled thinking of a future with Kaisan, but quickly pushed them aside. My Mandate was my first priority, and I wanted to devote all of my energy to it before thoughts of marriage.
Mama's voice tugged me out of my reverie. “Peace to you, blessed child. Hurry and get up, I need you to go to the Aisle to buy some last minute groceries for tonight.” Mama busied herself picking up random articles of clothing off of my floor for the laundry. I swung my legs from under the mauve blanket Mama had fused for me. My toes eagerly searched for my slippers and, once found, quickly delved into their cozy warmth.
“Of course, Mama. Just write out a list, and I'll get you what you need.”
Mama paused in the middle of picking a Khimar off of the floor, and looked at me with sad but proud eyes. She walked over to me and sighed, taking my chin in her hand while tilting my head upwards. “I can't believe my babies are having their Essentia today. Just yesterday, you were both crawling and learning to walk down that hallway, and now my twins are...” her voice trailed off as the corners of her eyes began to moisten with tears. She leaned over to kiss my forehead. “You both make me so proud.” she whispered against my tousled hair.
Now my eyes began to water, and we hugged each other tightly. Mama was strict, a bit of a neat freak, and sometimes became cranky from dealing with my younger brother, Sharif, who got into everything, as well as my eleven month old baby sister Zaria. But Mama was also the softest and most loving person I had ever known.
“Oh, Mama,” was all my tightened throat would let escape.
Right on cue, Aziz appeared in the doorway shaking his head. “The crying fest beginning already? Can't you guys wait until tonight?” he asked playfully.
Mama just stretched out an arm and gave a hand motion that said “Get on over here, and join in right now”.
Aziz ambled over with a half smile, and gave us a bear hug. Aziz, my twin brother, stood at least 4 inches above us. He had gone through two major growth spurts in the last two years that now made him as tall as my father. He had curly silver-white hair and honey browned skin that pinned him as a “good catch” amongst many of the girls in town.
Aziz continued, “All-right shrimp number one and shrimp number two, let's get this day started! I've been a man for a while now, so we just need to go ahead and make this official.”
I rolled my eyes and shook my head while Mama pinched his chin and gave him a kiss on the cheek. She arched an eyebrow and chided “Alright... Don't go and get too big for your britches. Keep it up and I'll be packing my bags and going off to college with you. It would be kind of fun to get a second Mandate degree....I always was interested in Conservation Studies...”
Aziz got serious real quick. “Mama, NO!” He knew she was just teasing, but the tone she used always sounded half serious.
Mama just chuckled, loving the reaction she was getting from him. “OK, well, we'll just keep that in our back pocket, hmmm? Because you never know...”
That got a laugh out of all three of us. I smiled to myself in this moment, knowing I would cherish these memories whenever I got homesick while away at college.
Mama and Aziz left the room, and I was left to get ready for a trip to the Aisle, or the market where the tribes-people sold everything from produce native to Earth and Mercia, to clothing and appliances. Anything you needed you could find there.
I walked over to the mirror, half expecting to see something that signaled my new status as a woman. I studied the image that gazed back at me. Smooth caramel colored skin that
was curved over an oval shaped face. Almond shaped eyes curtained by thick black lashes. High cheekbones from Mama, and a full set of lips from Papa. Dark eyebrows that were naturally arched, and silver-white hair that was thick and curly in texture like our African-American ancestors from Earth. The color had been an adaption from living in Sector 2.
Mercia was naturally divided into 4 continents or Sectors. Within the first year of settlement some 350 years ago, the people who populated each Sector had developed a distinct hair color. Scientists believed it was due to a mixture of climate conditions and soil constitution.
Sector 1, also called Viakee, was located to the far north of the Planet. It had been immediately claimed by the Houdakin as it had the best weather, soil and terrain. The Houdakin, or the wealthiest division of those who left Planet Earth, had developed hair that had taken on a fiery copper color.
They had also taken complete control of the cure all plant, Aoki. It had originally been advertised that it would bring health to our entire race, but soon after settling on Mercia, the Houdakin took complete control of the plant, hoarded it, made it ridiculously expensive, and only allowed one Houdakin company to grow it.
The Houdakin were also the ones who had taken control of the most important natural resource on Mercia: Obsidian II. Unlike the Obsidian found on Planet Earth, Obsidian II had been unveiled as a brand new energy source. It had the same appearance as the Obsidian of our former planet, but rigorous tests done by Scientists in the early settlement days had revealed that this glassy black mineraloid held far more power.
So, they controlled the two most important resources on the planet, and were dead set against sharing them. It made the Houdakin the most hated tribe on Mercia.
Sector 2, also known as Deloria was the place I called home. It was located south of Viakee, about a 2 day boat ride away. Our weather was temperate, with small periods of rain and snow. And because of our climate and soil, the people of our Sector had developed silver-white hair.
The Azurean Trilogy (All Three Books: 1, 2 & 3): Essentia, Burgeor & Manifest Page 1