by Jeremy Dwyer
“I see you are awake. I will tell her,” the dark scout said to Victoria, and then left the Great Granddaughter’s Room. The dark scout went to the Matriarch’s Room and said: “Victoria is now awake.”
“I will go to her,” Tanith Orenda said. She walked with the dark scout and went to the Great Granddaughter’s Room.
“Do you feel rested and strong, many thousands great granddaughter?” Tanith Orenda asked.
“I do feel stronger. My rest was good. Now, I am ready to return to annihilate the enemy,” Victoria said.
“Privacy,” Tanith Orenda said. The dark scout and light scout who had stood guard over Victoria then left the room and closed the door, giving Tanith Orenda and Victoria their privacy.
“What is it, many thousands great grandmother?” Victoria asked.
“You do not know the full reason why we fight,” Tanith Orenda said.
“The men are wicked abusers of the world, and must be slain. The useful ones must be destroyed after their seed is extracted,” Victoria said.
“Yes, but you don’t know the most terrible of secrets – what wicked things happened so very long ago. It is time that I told you,” Tanith Orenda said.
Victoria said nothing and listened intently and curiously.
“This is not the only world. There are many other worlds with kingdoms and empires far from here. Yet, they are not as rich as this world. The oceans here are powerful beyond anything, anywhere else. All other oceans, on all those other worlds, are like the dead waters, giving no power at all,” Tanith Orenda said.
“How many other worlds? How do you know these things?” Victoria asked, stunned at the revelation of knowledge, and burning to know more.
“In ancient times, outsiders came to this place, by traveling along fiery roads spanning the great distances from their worlds, which were most unlike this one. They came from worlds that went around their own larger suns, which were immense in their size and heat and light,” Tanith Orenda said.
Victoria was intrigued: she only knew of the many suns that went around her world, not of worlds that went around their own, far larger suns. “How do you know of these far away worlds?” Victoria asked.
“We learned many things from the outsiders. They showed us pictures of their worlds, and the suns they went around. The pictures even moved, like the images of a master illusionist. They even had machines that could think greater thoughts than many men and could discover new secrets in mere moments,” Tanith Orenda said.
“How can machines think? Is some magical power endowed upon them? Great ideas are thought of by people who drink the Medathero Ocean waters,” Victoria asked.
“Their machines were designed by clever minds, and the machines were even more clever, and dangerous. They could reason and strategize, never tiring, and they could outwit any opponent at any game of skill, so we knew they would be shrewd in war,” Tanith Orenda said.
“These machines are the enemy, are they not?” Victoria asked.
“The machines had no will, and served only at the command of the outsiders. They were powerful tools, no more than that. Yet, the outsiders treated us well and spoke kindly. We taught them many things. They learned of the oceans and how to work with the waters. They learned what each of the oceans could do, and how the powers of the ocean waters were far beyond anything that they had or imagined possible,” Tanith Orenda said.
“Why teach them many things if they have clever machines?” Victoria asked.
“Because kindness wins powerful friends before they become deadly enemies,” Tanith Orenda said.
“Is distrust not the greatest rule?” Victoria asked.
“We looked for their assistance to help us learn more of the oceans. Their machines discovered secret powers of the waters by looking deep within them, the way that alchemists do. They discovered secrets of the suns and the Atrejan waters and how they are connected,” Tanith Orenda said.
“Do you know how they are connected?” Victoria asked.
“Yes. Even the outsiders were surprised at what they learned. At first, they though that their machines were broken, because what they found was so startling,” Tanith Orenda said.
“What was so startling?” Victoria asked, tremendously intrigued.
“The suns are made out of water. The water is what burns – it is the source of the power of the sunfire – of the heat and the light. There is no fire without water, just as there is no forest without trees,” Tanith Orenda said.
“If a fire is made of water, then how does water put out fire? That should make the fire burn hotter, should it not?” Victoria asked.
“The water can take many forms, and these can work against each other. Even light and dark are made out of water. So are flesh and spirit. So are song and stone,” Tanith Orenda said.
“This is too much to believe! Their machines told them all this?” Victoria asked.
“They didn’t believe it either, at first. Neither did we. Yet, it turned out to be true. When they realized this, they wanted to rule the whole world and all its oceans and all their powers,” Tanith Orenda said.
“What did they do?” Victoria asked.
“With the guidance of their machines, they designed and constructed weapons that used the waters without drinking them. They could bend darkness and light and use them to strike at us. They could move through the spirit world unseen and evade our attempts to stop them. They could even create music and control us with it: they seduced many women and planted their seeds within them,” Tanith Orenda said.
“Didn’t the whole world try to stop them?” Victoria asked. She was angry now at the thought of the outsiders spreading their seed and attempting to dominate this world.
“The whole world did not know of them. It was only a few of us, and we did not know their intentions until it was too late. The outsiders looked like us – men and women – and their arrival was not seen from above. They came from below – through the hidden city of Thalkalana. It has a portal through which they could travel. They couldn’t come here any other way, because our many suns block their ships from landing on our world,” Tanith Orenda said.
“Can they still come through the portal? Can it be closed?” Victoria asked.
“We tried to close the portal but were unable. Many traps were constructed in the city to block the area around it, so that more of them would not arrive,” Tanith Orenda said.
“What of the outsiders who were already here?” Victoria asked.
“They are scattered throughout the world. Even their seed is scattered. So we do not know where they are,” Tanith Orenda said.
“Is that why we strike at this world and shed so much blood? To kill the outsiders wherever they might be?” Victoria asked. She enjoyed the killing – she was raised to hate and kill. Yet, understanding why made her feel more justified in doing so…immensely more justified.
“Yes,” Tanith Orenda said.
“Why only the men?” Victoria asked.
“Because the men are the aggressive ones, as their hearts and minds focus solely on war,” Tanith Orenda said.
“Not all men. I’ve known some men to be meek,” Victoria said. She wasn’t saying she liked them or wished to spare their lives – only denying that they were warriors.
“You cannot trust meekness. A warrior may pretend gentleness and peace and then strike the unwary,” Tanith Orenda said.
“Why do we drink their blood?” Victoria asked. She wasn’t objecting – she was brought up to hate the men, and truly liked the taste of their blood. This was simple curiosity.
“The blood is pleasing to our Master – it captures the essence of their flesh and the echo of their spirit, and these quench his thirst for justice,” Tanith Orenda said.
“How do we know when the enemy is gone?” Victoria asked.
“Our Master can see it,” Tanith Orenda said.
“Why did you not tell me before?” Victoria asked.
“The battle is a great one, as yo
u have seen, and we had to prepare without entering it too soon. In your youth, your faith in our Master was not strong enough to endure when confronted with the danger. Only now that you are a mature woman, can you withstand the battle…and the truth,” Tanith Orenda said.
“It is difficult and terrifying. Even the dreams of what is to come are frightening,” Victoria said. She did not care for that part of the conflict – she felt vulnerable in her dreams, whereas she enjoyed making others feel vulnerable, and then destroying them.
“You have endured – by the Master’s blessings of protection. Never forget that or lose your faith in him,” Tanith Orenda said.
“I see that he has sustained me despite many wounds,” Victoria said.
“Indeed he has. Now, it is time for you to return to the battle,” Tanith Orenda said.
~~~
Victoria left the Great Granddaughter’s Room and spoke to the guard outside the room. She said to them: “I must return to battle against the enemy.”
Victoria wondered if they knew, but they did not. Tanith Orenda merely insisted that all her descendants and her servants and her servants’ descendants trust her judgment and pursue the enemy, without understanding more than that.
Victoria and the guards returned to the Armada Room, and then descended the staircase to the tunnel leading out to the lake where the Tidal Sovereign was waiting.
Victoria boarded the ship again and there was a full and ready crew.
At this, Matatirot sensed her presence on the ship upon the lake water and opened a portal, sending the Tidal Sovereign through it.
CHAPTER 33: Lost in a Maze of Light
A portal opened and the Tidal Sovereign appeared on the waters of the Lujladia Ocean. Victoria looked out upon the infamous waters of light and illusion and the sights were dazzling and deceiving. One sailing upon these waters could not be sure of what was real, and where it really was.
~~~
Victoria’s arrival had been seen, however.
Concealed in the darkness were four (4) Hidden Paladins. They drank of the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean from vials that they kept with them. They each carried the Vague Blade and were prepared to deliver strikes against Victoria. They stood on an island with a lighthouse and could see, not by its light, but by the vantage point that its height afforded them, where she had arrived. Somehow, they knew to look in the right place at the right time.
They had a ship waiting, and went down from the lantern room of the lighthouse to their ship.
The Lujladia Ocean waters had such power over light that they caused illusions and distorted the perceptions of those sailing upon them. This was unrelated to what water the travelers drank – it was due to the power collected in the large body of great water that comprised the ocean.
However, those who drank the waters of the Ikkith Tar Ocean – and thereby had the powers of darkness – could penetrate the illusions and distortions. The Hidden Paladins were masters of the darkness, and had no difficulty keeping their sights on Victoria.
They did, however, have difficulty sailing the waters as they became rough due to the tempest that Victoria brought all too soon.
~~~
The voice of the demon, Matatirot, then spoke to Victoria and said: “Upon the waters of the light, your enemy has no clear sight. Illusions shall deceive each eye, and in confusion they shall die.”
During her time in the water-worshipper’s temple, Victoria had fully rested and the tiara had been given time enough to renew its energies to their fullest. She was prepared to strike immediately according to the demon’s will.
She held out her arms and the blue diamonds in the tiara began to glow brightly. The calm air gave way to a breeze and then to high winds and then this became a dangerous gale. The still waters began to ripple and then small waves appeared and then these became large waves that rose to great heights over five hundred (500) feet high. These waves of water rushed out and struck the lands around them.
Victoria’s light scouts looked out into the distance and saw the death that the waves and winds caused.
One light scout said: “To the north, Nataloridivu is being struck. At least twenty-two thousand (22000) have been swept out to sea by wind and water. Yet, I cannot be sure of the number, as the light of the waters distorts my view.”
Nataloridivu was the smallest of the continents, and some considered it more of a land bridge. It was narrow and extended from northwest to southeast, where it met the Wandering of Shadows land bridge. It separated the Atrejan Ocean on its northern coast from the Lujladia Ocean on its southern coast.
A second light scout said: “To the east, the Wandering of Shadows has been struck. The darkness does not allow them to hide from death by the wind and the waters. And with their deaths, the darkness no longer cloaks them. At least fifteen thousand (15000) bodies of our enemies were carried out to sea. Yet, I also cannot be sure of the number, as the light of the waters distorts my view.”
A third light scout said: “To the west, Elaja’s Walkway has been struck. They shall walk no more, as at least twelve thousand (12000) have been drowned in the waters. Yet, I also cannot be sure of the number, as the light of the waters distorts my view.”
A fourth light scout said: “To the south, the Jeshirinko Barrier has been struck. It is no barrier against the tempest. Over one hundred eighty thousand (180000) have been washed away by the waters. Yet, I also cannot be sure of the number, as the light of the waters distorts my view.”
A fifth light scout said: “Many ships – at least one thousand (1000) – are sailing upon these waters, and the tempest has sunk them. Over two hundred fifty thousand (250000) of their crew have been killed. Yet, I also cannot be sure of the number, as the light of the waters distorts my view.”
“I am sure that many more than you can see are dead. Soon, many more than even these will join them,” Victoria said.
At this, she began to channel the powers of the Lujladia Ocean through the tiara, and she now had direct command of the powers of light that the waters gave.
Victoria created illusions like never before – the appearance of her and her ship was multiplied many times, such that one who looked upon them would not know which was real and which was false, unless they had the power to dispel false light.
~~~
The Persistent soon arrived in the air over the northern coast of the Jeshirinko Barrier.
On board, Emerond, Joshua, Daven, Romana, Judith, Ovid, Rayner, Zoe and Brant all saw the winds and water and knew that the tempest had arrived.
They all looked out onto the Lujladia Ocean.
“Victoria is in the center. I know this because the blue glowing lines on the Spirit Sword point toward the north now,” Joshua said.
“I’m ready to hit her until she breaks!” Brant said.
“This ship is not ready. The tempest is too powerful,” Rayner said. He knew a bad storm when he saw one and what a ship could or could not do.
“I can’t even get a clear sight on her. I have far sight by the power of the same Lujladia waters, but I can’t see through distortions and illusions,” Zoe said.
“Daven, tell me you have something. Some song to clear our view,” Emerond said.
“Let’s see what I can do,” Daven said. At this, he drank anew of the waters of the Pirovalen Ocean from a vial he carried. He was energized and began to apply a technique he had used before to scatter light. It was a song of music but no lyrics, and some of the light around them began to disperse. The view ahead was clearer.
What they clearly saw was terrifying. There were several ships that looked like Victoria’s ship, all around. Each of them had a woman on board who looked exactly like Victoria, holding out her arms.
“How many Victoria’s are there?” Rayner asked.
“Just one. That’s more than enough evil,” Romana answered.
“Then why do we see five (5) right now?” Brant asked.
“Illusions. She has the power of illusions o
n a very large scale,” Zoe said.
“Which one do we hit?” Emerond asked.
“All of them!” Brant said.
“How do you plan on doing that, tough guy? We’ve got one ship!” Rayner said.
“Hit one! Hit another! Keep hitting until we find one that bleeds!” Brant said.
“We’re not that fast. If we turn our backs on the true Victoria to fight an illusion, she’ll strike with a vengeance we weren’t ready for!” Joshua said.
“The tempest is created by the true tiara – not an illusion. Look for the center of the storm,” Judith said.
“That’s the smartest thing I’ve heard in a long time, and it’s from a Chronicler who isn’t supposed to say anything,” Emerond said.
“I agree. But how do we find the center in all this? The winds are blowing in various directions and we need the exact center. Close isn’t enough,” Joshua asked.
“Also, some of the waves of water may not even be real – they could be illusions,” Zoe said.
Romana was watching the patterns of waves and was making calculations in her head as best she could. She could see the waves of water coming from various directions at high speeds. She discerned the pattern, but it was distracting because she had to allow for the visual distortions caused by the Lujladia Ocean waters. She also had to account for the illusions of waves in the water, as well as the real ones.
Romana then said to Emerond: “Drop three (3) anchors – let them reach just below the surface of the water and sway in it. True waves will displace them. Illusions of waves won’t.”
“Drop anchors,” Emerond ordered, and the crew lowered their anchors from the airship, on chains reaching down one hundred twenty (120) feet, into the water. The anchors only went just below the surface.
Romana then turned to Zoe, Judith and Ovid and said to all of them: “You each have quick sight, albeit for different reasons. Zoe by the powers of bending light. Judith and Ovid by the powers of slowing time. Notice the fast moving patterns of the waves and the anchors. Look for the paths of the water currents in different directions, based on how they move – or do not move – the anchors. Trace the currents back – quickly – to the center. They will converge at the source. My eyes don’t move quickly enough for a precise measurement, but yours do.”