Hesessür | Eraat: I

Within this sea of desert, Halil can feel himself drifting far from home. He knew the sweltering summers of O'taomon, but the climates of the Capital Empire were unforgiving. How this sultry region thrived, he could not imagine.

Miss Olivia still sleeps. He wonders if she knows what her life will be like here

Eraat. An empire founded on conquest rather than inclusion. He regards the news in circulation. The sultan's preparation for conflict does not sit well with anyone, and with whom they raise their blades toward is still yet to come to light. Ideologies, religion, prejudice, resources - what reason could one have to begin war?

Halil sips his tea, ruminating on the potential catastrophes around the corner. Somehow Miss Olivia plays a role in the events to follow, however impactful her part is.

----------------------------------------

Olivia stretches herself awake after having been gently lulled by the comfort of travel. She climbs down from her bed, straightens the creases in her garments and readjusts her scarf. Gratefully she didn't toss much in spite of her nightmares.

Halil appears to have been awake for some time. He's gazing through the window, sipping dark tea with a book in hand.

She nestles herself in the seat opposite. The landscape has changed considerably since their detour in Etraea - a beautiful country with scenic views, it was a shame Logan was not around to enjoy it with her.

She notes the book in Halil's hand. "What's that you're reading?"

"Musings by A'ten Akhetaan," Halil hands her the book, "Volume III."

Olivia is familiar with the author, though never understood the reasoning behind his popularity. She interpreted much of his written work as spontaneous tangent ramblings.

She flips through the book at random, her eyes widen when she realizes what she held in her hands. "Halil. This is the first edition. Oh, and how careless I've been handling it." She slams the book shut, then apologises and hands it back.

"It's not so rare, there are many around," he sets the book aside. "Birthed from a wealthy family, Akhetaan published plenty of copies in his time; most major libraries will carry first editions."

"Do you know how long we have left before we arrive?" The path of the leviahtran meanders along the Ilahvar river.

"We will arrive little before noon." Halil finishes his tea and resumes reading.

With the endless dunes to focus on, Olivia shuts down her mind's chatter and drifts off into the horizon. The event triggered by Logan's shard stirred something within her. She drifts off in endless trance.

The leviahtran decelerates, stirring her back to her senses. She gathers her belongings and attempts to exit when Halil bars the entrance.

"The scarf Professor Evrim gifted you," he indicates at the milky fabric. "You must wrap it around your head and conceal your face."

"Why?" She attempts to protest when Halil points toward the window. All the women, foreign and domestic, conceal themselves in fabric.

"It is customary to abide by their law here. This will only be temporary." Halil exits the cabin.

Olivia stands in silence, she had entirely forgotten the stories of Eraat.

For a time Olivia observes the passersby outside her window. Although she had forgotten how life is lived here, the professor hadn't. After garnering enough live examples, she wraps her head with the lengthy scarf and all distinguishing facets of her face, save for her eyes, are concealed.

Halil is patiently waiting outside when she exits the cabin. He inspects her handiwork and nods his approval. "While we're here, you cannot leave my side. I will have to speak on your behalf and escort you around."

Olivia nods her understanding. "Thank you, Halil. Professor Evrim was right to suggest your accompaniment." She gathers her stowed gear and the two set off.

As they are exiting the station, two masculine soldiers concealed in white cotton garb halt them. To Olivia's astonishment, either guard spoke a very different dialect to O'taomon. She can hardly understand it, however, Halil engages them just fine.

Halil pays a toll of twenty silver crystaires before they're allowed to exit the station.

The sun.

Olivia did not anticipate the heat. Though accustomed to arid climates, not even the sweltering droughts of O'taomon could compare to the oven sunbaked streets of Hessessür.

Perspiration did little to cool her down. Gratefully the streets were narrow and buildings tall. The infrastructure is reminiscent of the dalkarian style, white stucco walls and terracotta roofing. Plazas, parks, and courtyards are abundant with vegetation, ponds, and waterways replenishing and emptying into the confluence of the Ilahvarunnahn.

They continue down a street aligned with date palms, fruit trees, and berry bearing bushes. The inhabitants roaming the city are the wealthiest people she has mingled among.

After some time Halil finally leads her into an inn. The Commons area smells of herb and spice, decorous in potted reeds, grass, and succulents. The capacious space is illuminated with brilliant amber sconces and thick geometricized windows carved into the walls.

Olivia retrieves a purse from her pocket and hands it to Halil. "For the room and any other expenses."

"Any particular kind of room you have in mind?" Halil reaches inside and retrieves three gold crystaires. "I imagine this will get us a decent one."

"To be on the safe side, we should take up a room for two weeks." She waits for Halil on a settee hidden in the plumage of river reeds. Halil returns a few minutes later with their room key and leads her down the subterranean levels.

In contrast to the weather outside, the subterranean levels are cool and lush in verdure. Along the way they pass a pair of elderly men keenly concentrating on a board game. Further in, Olivia glimpses a lavish dining hall, bathhouse, and quarters for servants.

The commons area of their room contains a small fireplace surrounded by low-rise furnishings, hanging amber lanterns and two alcoves housing a writing desk and potted reeds. At the opposite end of the entrance are two doors leading into modestly furnished rooms with oriental rugs and an entryway into lavatories.

Olivia occupies the room to her left, stores the bulk of her belongings in the dresser, and returns to the commons room where Halil is seated deep in thought.

"I don't suppose you happen to know where the Vitae is?" She settles on the settee opposite to Halil.

Halil nods. "Where the confluence begins, at the heart of Hessessür."

After a late lunch in the dining hall, Halil escorts Olivia through the meandering narrow streets. Though much of the activities around her piques her curiosity, her thoughts return to Logan.

In spite of the shade and breezy weather, the air is uncomfortably hot and seeps into her flesh. Olivia imagines herself slowly baking inside an oven. However, once she adjusts to the heat and cultural shock, Hesessür was very similar to O'taomon in some aspects. Save for the excess of guards concealed beneath white garb, the people were just as lively and active as those back home.

They arrive at a bustling subterranean leviahstation, a welcoming few degrees cooler than the surface. Despite the region's arid climate, the plazas, parks, and public courtyards were lush with fountains and intricate water works flowing to and fro the Ilahvarunnahn.

They meander through the city, in and out the subterranean stations for approximately two hours before arriving at the confluence of the Ilahvarunnahn where the station exits onto a large plaza decorous in edible arid vegetation and refreshing fountains teaming with aquatic wildlife.

Before them rises three enormous cylindrical towers carved into a rocky mountainside, all conjoined with walkways and courtyards. Their pathway into this splendorous edifice is aligned with brilliant spherical sconces illuminating vibrant mosaics depicting the Ilahvarunnahn and its environment.

The interior is bustling with the populace, practitioners, and astute guards wielding luminous tipped staves.

Olivia knew the wealth of the Vitae was unrivaled by any other guild and organization, but to bear witness the grandeur of it in person, she was speechless.

Graciously Halil was with her, had she arrived here on her own she did not doubt she would have struggled to navigate this foreign land.

After a few minutes interacting with a receptionist whom Olivia could fortunately communicate with, they settle themselves in a designated waiting area.

"This is quite an experience," Olivia comments. "Thank you, Halil. I'm not so sure I'd have made it past the station were it not for your assistance."

Halil nods. "I did think it was rather odd you were attempting to journey here alone." He studies a mosaic of a flock of birds amid colorful reeds. "Hesessür is regarded as bit more laxed when it comes to the stringent Eraatian traditions."

"I wasn't thinking very clearly at the time," Olivia admits.

It is some time before they are approached by a youthful practitioner in white and silver silken garbs. He bows to Halil and then Olivia. "You're here for the foreigner?"

"Logan?" Olivia stands and returns the bow. "I'm Olivia."

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

Halil imitates Olivia's introduction. "How is he?"

"Aside from bruising, he's in good health. Much of the damage he experienced was nullified with Vitaeik energy and we managed to stave off any severe internal damage." He motions for them to follow.

The practitioner leads them to the fifth floor of the second tower and into a room furnished with a bed, two settees, and a potted reed. Leaning against the railing on the narrow balcony stands a familiar person in a cotton sirwal tied at the waist with a white sash.

----------------------------------------

Approximately four days have passed since arriving in Hesessür. The bruises from his altercation with James were turning a sickly green tinge, indicating rapid recovery according to the young practitioner assigned to him.

Logan shifts from the view of the city, curious of the newcomers. A woman wrapped in a milky silk scarf, and an adolescent in a green and white tunic with a matching cap. He looks to the practitioner Hakhiim questioningly.

Before he or anyone else uttered a word. The woman is across the room and squeezing the air out of him, putting considerable pressure on his bruises in the process.

Logan grunts from pain but pats the woman on the head gingerly. "Ouch, er… thank you?"

"Logan, you idiot. It's me."

That voice slowly registers in his mind. "Olivia!" He holds her by the shoulders for his inspection. Amber eyes. The subtle insignia between her brows. "Eldaeon," he brings her into a tight embrace, nestling her into his chest. "I'm glad you're safe."

She returns the embrace with equal vigor, causing him to grunt again, but the pain is tolerable.

"You made me worried sick," she thumps his chest.

"Ouch."

"Look at you!" She examines his torso, "you're covered in so many bruises." She begins sobbing, "what happened?" She leans in for another hug, this one a little more gentle. A little.

"I was just as worried about you," he strokes her back. "I turned out alright didn't I?"

She thumps his chest.

"Not if you keep doing that." He holds her until her sobbing ceases. "That's it? I thought I earned a little more tears than that."

Olivia pulls away with a chuckle. "They made it seem like you were as good as dead."

Logan frowns. "Who?"

"The other soldiers," she dabs her eyes with her sleeves. "Çetin, I think his name was."

Logan sighs and acknowledges the adolescent with a nod. "We haven't met have we? I'm Logan."

Olivia, having just remembered herself, stands beside the adolescent. "This is Halil, my friend from the university."

Halil. Logan recalls her having mentioned that name once, mistaking it for Hilal. Something in the adolescent's composure hints at a precocious intelligence.

He smiles at Logan and bows. "It's nice to meet you, Logan. Sorry it's under these circumstances."

"Yes, thank you for accompanying Olivia." Logan nods, "this region is particular about their customs." Logan shares a glance with Hakhiim, "no offense intended of course."

Hakhiim waves him off. "Understandable, I'm not from Eraat myself but you should be wary around the guard."

"Thank you for everything Hakhiim, if it would be alright I'd like to leave now." Logan slips into the dark and light blue vest sent along with him.

Hakhiim nods uncertainly. "I'm not opposed to the idea, however, the two guards who arrived with you, Demir and Enes, were insistent you wait for their return in a few days' time."

Logan considers this with a puzzled expression, Demir and Enes? He faces Olivia, "where are you staying?"

"The Avaha Inn," Halil answers promptly. "You know of it?" He looks to Hakhiim who responds with a nod.

"When they return, can you direct them to that place? I suppose I can wait a few more days." Logan shifts his attention to Halil, "if that's alright with you. I suspect we have some business here in Hesessür."

Halil shrugs, "it's your decision to make."

After thanking Hakhiim for his service and paying the small fee for treatment, the three of them set off to the leviahstation with Halil in tow.

Aboard the leviahtran, Olivia settles next to Logan. "Is everything alright?"

Logan shakes his head. "It's not a coincidence that I was sent here." His thoughts center towards Demir and Enes, veterans of the old guard. "Hakhiim expressed his confusion as to why the Vitae in O'taomon couldn't have treated me." He lowers his voice, "at first I didn't think much of it until he mentioned Demir and Enes."

Olivia nods in understanding, the perplexing nature of this situation. "Çetin gave me a few items that I think you'll want to see for yourself." Her thoughts wander as the leviahtran meanders through the city. The Shard, the gold, should've registered in her mind earlier but her thoughts were only on Logan at the time.

The leviahtran comes to a halt at their station and they diligently follow Halil in silence, their thoughts occupying their compulsion to speak. After Halil paid an additional fee for Logan's room and board, the trio set immediately into the confines of their commons room safe from prying gazes and eavesdropping.

Olivia immediately sets about and retrieves their savings chest from her room. "Çetin gave me a sack of crystaires and this," she unlocks the chest and gingerly dangles a luminous shard in front of them.

Logan groans in displeasure. "It's just as I suspect."

Olivia places the Shard down carefully, so as not to induce another psychic episode. "You'll want to avoid touching it."

Halil gawks at the Shard with intensity. "The Izlara?"

Olivia gasps. "No."

"It is," Logan gingerly retrieves the leather lace and inspects the lazuli sphere encased in gold and silver framing. "Avayunahm, why on Eldaeor would the vizier give me this?"

No one speaks for a time, their thoughts in consideration of the pulsing energy of the Shard.

"The Izlara…?" Olivia whispers faintly. "Impossible."

Logan recounts innumerable stories regarding the Eye of O'taomon, all alluding to grand feats beyond his reckoning. He sets it down delicately.

His stomach churns unpleasantly. "Of all people, why me?"

Olivia sits opposite of Logan. "What do you mean by that?"

"There's a hidden message behind it, isn't there?" Halil, who had remained silent the longest, finally speaks.

Logan nods. "The crystaires," Logan swallows hard, "is incentive to carry out a mission on behalf of the vizier." He slumps back in his seat. "I don't want this, why me?"

"Eldaeon," Halil murmurs.

"What's the mission?" Olivia's thoughts race to conclude the hidden message.

Logan shrugs, "that's why I'm here."

"None of this is making any sense," Olivia protests. "At any rate you still need to convalesce."

"The events that were happening in O'taomon," Halil interposes. "There is a connection here in Hesessür." He shares a knowing glance with Logan. "That's my theory."

"A plausible one," Logan agrees.

"We can't know the answer for certain until Demir and Enes make it clear." Halil shrugs, "regardless. I don't think it's wise to keep something so valuable here."

Logan attempts to reach for the Shard when Olivia slaps his hand aside.

"Ouch!" Logan retreats, "what was that for?"

"Trust me, that thing is not something you want to handle lightly."

Judging by Olivia's fervent look, Logan decides it better not to protest. "If the Vizier is behind it, then Hesessür is somehow deeply involved in Hilal and Sohmnias."

Halil shifts uncomfortably.

"Oh right," Olivia snaps to attention, "Cetin also mentioned something. Though, only after dismissing his companions." Olivia looks at Halil, considering if she might say it in front of him.

"It's alright," Logan reassures her.

Olivia nods. "He emphasized those organizations."

Logan's head is pounding. Loraunt. He shoves the alvarrian out of his mind. "They're here in Hessessür."

"Who?"

"Hilal," Halil answers. "It is referenced by A'ten Akhetaan; Among the barren sea, in the pools of healing waters, the sisters sing in the wake of their births and deaths." Upon noting their puzzled expressions, Halil explains further. "The sisters are a reference to Sohm, Tsu, and Seli. Each of their cycles, when it ends and is reborn, they are shaped like crescents."

"Hilal uses three crescents as their organization's symbol," Logan elaborates.

"Then that must mean," Olivia adds eagerly, "the Ilahvarunnahn is the healing waters. Or perhaps a reference to the Vitae."

"So what does that mean for the mission?" Logan asks no one in particular.

"It probably means they want you to find out more. They must've recently discovered Hilal operates here." Halil shrugs, "of course, that's only speculative."

Logan examines the Izlara pulsing luminous translucent energy. A power the Grand Vizier himself used sparingly. "Olivia, what happened when you touched the shard?"

"I had an experience," Olivia readily admits. "Though, I can't really explain what happened."

Logan reaches out gingerly and dangles it from the lace. "How long?"

"You're not seriously consider-"

"-How long," Logan interrupts.

She sighs, "a full day and night."

Logan's heart races. He loops the lace over his head and drops it onto his neck. The others watch him in anticipation.

Nothing.

It was all he became. Nothing, like air, no mind to think, no body to feel or desire. Nothing. Darkness meant nothing to him, light meant nothing to him. Everything he thought he knew or was. Nothing.

Like so, he sat, day after day, in the midst of unfurling chaos eroding to time's embrace, until the absence of light.

Then it happens, the beyond of nothing and something, followed by the infinite freefalling of ecstasies.

----------------------------------------

Logan returns to his senses three days later. His senses are refined, wounds healed, and mind clearer than it's ever been. Olivia and Halil are deep in their academic research with a stack of hefty books between them.

Logan peers over Olivia's shoulder. "What are you working on?"

Olivia jumps up, startling Halil. "Eldaeon! Logan," she embraces him. "I didn't think you'd come around."

Logan gazes into her radiant amber eyes and tucks a lock of hair behind her ears, a glowing smile on his face. "Do you have water?"

She laughs and exits the room, returning a few minutes later with a pitcher and three cups. She fills all three, hands one to Halil and the other two to Logan.

It goes down so sweetly, his eyes watering in devotion. He hugs Olivia and squeezes Halil's shoulder, then resumes his spot on the settee.

The Ilahvarunnahn, its memory, its life, invigorates him. His cells burst in ecstasy. Tears stream down his face.

For hours on end he sits there, witnessing flowing waters, listening to the river sing. Night and day. Olivia would serve him deliciously sweet water and gradually, overtime, the lingering effects of the experience dissipates.

His movements are refined beyond recognition. In the blink of an eye, he could be at the furthest end of the room and not realize it. The speed involved required no effort, if he put in little effort a small windstorm would trail him.

By the fifth day, after growing accustomed to the effects of the Izlara, Demir and Enes did not make their appearance so Logan took to stalking the rooftops late in the night, scouring the streets for his companions. On the sixth night he finally encounters the veteran duo, concealed beneath white garb speaking very familiar voices.