Mevi followed the four black-robed acolytes. The massive gilded gates swung eternally open, their height reaching well over twenty meters. Intricate designs of hundreds of masked faces emblazoned on both sides of the gate’s ajar doors. Likely in the likeness of the Magi, each mask shone with a unique light and almost looked like a living being could be housed under. The decoration seemed significant in a way Mevi couldn’t place, but her attention was drawn forward to the group of Naazir’s pupils. They didn’t bother to wait as Mevi soaked in the sight of the cathedral. The four of them walked through the wide entryway and began their way through the vast interior.
The interior was no less extraordinary than the facade’s glow. The halls spread like a cross, with their ceilings held hundreds of meters high in the entryway alone. Directly in front, a wide set of stairs climbed further into the great structure, while the left and right skirted the perimeter and led to additionally vast expanses beyond Mevi’s sight. Naazir’s pupils seemed to know exactly where they were going. As Mevi followed from a distance behind them, she was forced to finally study them. Each seemed strangely well built for their age, Marcus being the most impressive of the four. The girl was about the same height as Marcus, who both were only a head taller than Mevi at best. The stoic girl was obviously well toned, similar to Kalesi, and their robes seemed slightly too small for her and their forearms stretched past the sleeves to reveal their intimidating definition. The girl’s hair was a striking platinum blonde that shone like glittering silver and gold when light reflected from the illumination above. The other two boys, who were about Mevi’s height, were the most normal of the four. They both held strikingly defined faces, and almost resembled each other like brothers, but one was dark gray haired while the other held almost an icy sheen. The group of them made for an intimidating posse, their noble poise holding them additionally higher than Mevi. They were likely the pride and joy of their houses on Baes, but Mevi wondered how they would be treated here. Mevi also wondered how she would be treated here.
The group walked silently through a large arch that led down the left of the main gate. Mevi was now noticing, as she could see more clearly on closer inspection, gargoyles. Strange animalistic statues depicting angry watchmen who glared at trespassers below. Some of the more extravagant and eldest of structures on the Baes colony held recovered, or otherwise excavated, treasures in old gargoyles. Ancient icons of monsters and creatures long past and forgotten that could strike fear in the hearts of those that might approach a noble house’s estate. The stone, metal, and marble watchmen seemed to be scattered about sparingly along the walls. The interior buttresses housed several, but there didn’t seem to be any rhythm to their placement, but instead placed in grotesque poses in seemingly random elevations and positions. Mevi tore herself away from the high walls and ceiling, the statue’s eyes almost seemed to follow her and she didn’t want to risk losing herself in the architecture.
The five of them walked in silence for a while, their journey showing no sign of ending. Mevi eventually decided she was tired of being ignored and wanted to strike conversation, “Marcus? May you introduce me to your fellow acolytes?”
Marcus turned and looked scornfully towards Mevi, like he was staring at an animal that won’t stop following him, “Fine. But if I do, you will refrain from addressing us for the remainder of our Education.”
Mevi suddenly remembered why she decided to ignore him on the Magi’s ship, his haughty and imperial attitude held himself higher than her, “I think that is hardly fair. Didn’t Naazir say we were to work together?”
The group of them seemed almost offended at the mention of their mentor, Marcus shot back with venom in his voice, “You will address him as ‘Lord’ or ‘Master’. Do not presume to use his name so loosely.”
Mevi was confused now, her own mentor was very cordial with her and Naazir didn’t seem so strict himself, “Why? I call my mentor by her name, she seems to prefer it. Kalesi even called him by a nickname. I never understood it to be that important?”
Marcus and his posse stopped their walk to fully face Mevi, he seemed almost concerned and bewildered by her words, “Do you know nothing Mevare? Would you dare to call those above us by anything but their Magi-given titles? How badly do you wish to offend those around you?”
Mevi wasn’t sure how to respond, trying to think of a clever retort was difficult. Mevi even thought he had a point, was her way of addressing Kalesi wrong? She called Mevi sister, and seemed so eager to become comfortable with her. Seeing her confliction seemed to satisfy Marcus to a degree, and their group began walking again. Mevi quickly caught up and was now conflicted with herself. She was never taught proper etiquette, how to hold herself like a noble lady, or even what is or isn’t allowed. Mevi realized suddenly, had her actions and lack of knowledge led to her mistreatment by the Magi? Could she have offended him in some way due to the way she spoke and presented herself? The lack of help from her own family struck her again, the lack of knowledge or useful skills affecting her new life. Would she never be rid of their malicious influence?
Marcus and his fellow acolytes paused, a precession was passing by them through a rounding hall. The intersecting hall leading further into the cathedral, and being walked by some hundred or so robed and masked individuals. The large herd of figures wore uniform robes, pure white, with no blemish or hint of impurity, silver lining the hem. Their masks were made of a pure marble, with swirling blues in unique and strange conglomerations. Each individual seemed to wear an entirely unique mask, the blue markings swirling in different and new ways, contrary to what Mevi had observed of other loyalty masks. Mevi noticed, while she marveled at the procession of individuals, all others in the hall bowed deeply and knelt to one knee. Mevi picked up on the que much too late, but dropped as fast as she noticed the mistake, she still peaked and watched the movement of bodies deeper into the cathedral. Eventually they were out of sight, only the echoing of their rhythmic walking sounded in the tall halls around them.
Eventually Mevi’s group, and others in the cathedral, rose and resumed their tasks and travels. Marcus seemed to smirk, reveling in Mevi’s mistake. Scoffing as he brushed his robes and continuing down the hall. Mevi was enjoying the presence of this boy less and less.
The group of them continued in silence for a while. Mevi wondered if their education was ‘How to walk long distances’ or if Marcus was just hoping to lose Mevi in the vast maze. From out of the silence, the stoic girl spoke up in a surprisingly soft and ladylike voice, “I am Nessia, House Clares. If my house means anything anymore.”
Mevi, excited to speak to someone other than the bad-mannered boy Marcus, turned the entirety of her attention to Nessia, “It is a pleasure to meet you, and finally be introduced. May I ask why you and your group call Naazir ‘Master’ and ‘Lord’?”
The boy with icy hair spoke up now, “Do you truly not know? Did your house not teach you etiquette for when dealing with our Lords? I am Maruval, House Khast, by the way.”
Mevi almost felt ashamed to admit the disability that was her family, “No. I wasn’t taught or instructed in any way really. I can barely read basic words.”
The dark-gray haired boy introduced himself then, “I am Jenu, House Jarl. If you don’t understand how to hold yourself, you might as well dig a grave. Any tales I have heard are of a Magi’s wrath being unparalleled. To show any disrespect, even indirectly or by accident, would likely be a death sentence.”
Mevi decided to keep her interaction with their Lord Magi to herself for now, but Nessia spoke up again, “We can help you I think. Our Master instructed us to help you if we can. You don’t seem a threat, less than a nuisance even.”
Mevi laughed, not sure if she was being complimented or insulted, “A threat? Why would I be a threat?”
The group looked at each other a little confused, and Marcus spoke then to break his own solitary silence, “You are a Socialite. Or at least will be. We know at least that much, our Master and the other Neophytes gave us brief instruction before we were docked. The Socialites steal favor and attention away from our Great Lord Magi, and threaten our own advancement in society if they perform too well. Depending on how reliable, one Socialite could apparently be worth any number of tributes or favors to a Magi wishing to expand their reach.”
The other acolytes agreed and nodded in confirmation of Marcus’s words. Mevi hadn’t thought of it that way, as she barely even knew what a Socialite was. She and Kalesi a threat to other Neophytes and their pupils? Mevi hardly thought that a fair label, they could only do as they were asked. She didn’t choose to be a Socialite, and doubted Kalesi did either. But now Mevi wondered what their lives would be like under just one lord, and recalled her and Kalesi’s lavish home. She wondered where or how the others, under Magi Falcier, lived. If the benefits of being wanted or having unique skills were really that worthwhile? Mevi at least was sure, she would likely never deprive others of opportunity as her own skills revolved solely around cleaning, maintenance, some mechanical knowhow, and being quiet. Those skills learned from being self-sufficient and needing to repair and understand the scarce equipment she was permitted to interact with.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
As Mevi processed this information, the group entered upon a large open expanse. A massive auditorium, or more like a stadium, stretched beneath them. Deepening below with a central platform for some object of importance to sit when required. The five acolytes filed down the steps and found stone flat seats carved into the ground, no chairs or padding but raw flat stone like an individually massive step. Close to the front the five sat together, less apart than they had walked after the others determined Mevi no longer a threat. Many other children, acolytes, and people of varying colored robes filed in. By a few minutes the area was filled with at least a few hundred individuals, all seeming to be confused or in some way new to the Barge. Likely they were all sacrifices, but seeing so many made Mevi’s thoughts wander. There were only eighteen given to Lord Magi Falcier, how many other colonies on their moon could there have possibly been? For the first time, the other four seemed to be curious and confused as well while they probably thought the same thing as Mevi.
Before Mevi’s thoughts could run too far, the center stage began emitting a slowly growing light. Pure and white, the stage was aglow with silvery splendor. At the edges of the stadium a vague mist of light blue rolled in, filling the edges and covering the doors. The grand insurance that all would focus on whatever appeared in the center Mevi thought. Eventually the center stage hallowed in a circular motion, opening and revealing a pit. Soon a platform rose out of the pit, and completed the stage again. Standing in the middle was an unmasked individual, wearing all white with silvery hemming, standing proud and basking in the amount of souls watching them. Light murmurs in the crowd sprung up as the figure stood, the individual examining the collection of people looking down on them.
The figure opened their arms wide, welcoming the crowd around them, and spoke loudly and clearly with their voice booming around the room regardless of distance, “Welcome, children of the moon! I welcome you in the stead of our Lord of Knowledge, Lord Counselor Maphet!” The murmuring of the crowd ceased, and the man bowed deeply. A confused, yet enthusiastic, applause echoed alongside the individual’s still ringing voice. Their voice was enhanced with such authority and boom that it was difficult to determine their gender, and the figure was too far away to make out any significant features. The unnamed enigma continued their speech as the applause died down, “I, in representation of my lord, am here today to assist you in understanding your role in our society. In addition, I will be your director of education. In essence, we here will teach you all you must know before assimilating into our Holy Barge’s ecosystem. I will explain where each of you will go based on your assigned roles, these roles should have been explained prior to your coming here. There will be terminals outside charged for public use, with them you may research yourself, or your mentor, to understand where you should go.” The crowd seemed to absorb the figure’s enthusiasm, and were eager to hear the words that promised to explain away the many questions all must be holding.
The figure began to explain, while speaking they moved their place very little but spoke with many gestures and large hand movements, “You have been summoned for a noble duty, to serve your given masters, our Lords Magi. Our society is administered by the wisest, most noble, and powerful of the Magi. My own lord is among those on the counsel, with my lord there are nine other Magi who sit on the counsel. While none of you are lucky enough to be under their majesty, your own great lords are the arms, legs, and eyes of the counsel. Only one figure is above all others, the Magi who knows no servants, none owe fealty towards, and is our protector and caretaker of the heart of our Holy Barge. The Grand Lord Magi, Mammon the Caretaker. With our Grand Lord Magi at the top, their voice advocates the needs and requirements of our home, while the counsel governs our fair City of Light. They shepherd us into the void, as we spread our wealth to all places willing to receive us. We exist to enhance and alleviate our Lords Magi, while they need no help from us we provide it in any way to remove some of their great burdens. For without our lords, we would be lost and dying. We work and strive to help our lords, and for our efforts they reward us. Our titles represent our contributions to our lords. At the top, and being the direct assistants or representatives of our Lord Magi, are the Magi-Apprentice. I myself am a Magi-Apprentice, it is our job to convey the will and desire of our lord. Below that are the Neophytes, the aspirants of great worth and dedication. Your own mentors and masters would be newly achieved aspirants reaching the rank of Neophyte, and your success will give them success and the potential to become Magi-Apprentice! Yet before one may become a regal Neophyte, they are first a Steward. The Stewards maintain, manage, and help with the functions of their lord’s property. They are often in charge of running the functions worked by the newest of followers. Finally, we have all of you! The acolytes, initiates, and tributaries. Each of you have your own roles to play. Whether you are an acolyte given in supplication, an initiate freely submitting to our lords, or a tributary who was levied into our service. Each of you have your roles to play and will become crucial to our society! I welcome you!” The figure had roused the crowd’s emotions to hang on each word, and an applause erupted as they took a deep bow in reverence directed at the crowd. Even Mevi strangely found herself swept away in the emotion, while she could prevent herself from getting carried away her hair stood on end in a strangely excited state. The air seemed thick with excitement and anticipation, each person losing themselves in the words of their announcer. While watching the performance, Mevi attempted to tear her eyes from the figure and look to her neighbors but her own body seemed to fight her desires. The strange memory of the selection flooded back, the creeping sensation of her nerves and will being overturned by some foreign influence. While the influence wasn’t as strong, and a few deep breaths quickly regulated her, the realization made Mevi all the more cautious.
Mevi turned to her neighbors, Marcus, Nessia, Maruval, and Jenu seemed entirely caught up in the performance. Their eyes slightly glazed over and pupils dilated more than they had any right to be in the extremely bright stadium. Mevi sensed the similar overriding presence she felt those few times before in the presence of the Magi Falcier. Remembering its wrath and rage at her disobedience, Mevi quickly corrected herself. While not allowing the influence to overtake her, she diligently listened to the figure speak and applauded when the rest of the crowd seemed to be unconsciously ordered to do so.
The figure began to finalize their speech, having spent the time during Mevi’s inner turmoil rousing the crowd with fanciful proclamations of the Magi’s greatness. The crowd’s roar died down, and the figure was able to broadcast their voice across the room again, “The pleasure I feel among such dedicated individuals brings me to tears. I hope for all of your success in whatever positions you are assigned. Of those, there are five realms where your studies and mentors will bring you. Of our most honored and treasured position, the Custodians. Our Custodians maintain, manage, and protect our Barge’s lifeblood, mana, and help in its production. To guard our custodians, maintain peace, and potentially join the ranks of the Sentinel, are our Legionaries. Those of you who join the legion will be our fervent defenders and protect the weak from forces beyond our society that seek to corrupt and destroy. The honor of building what is broken, repairing what might be sundered, and expanding our forever growing city, are our Aedifexi. The order of Aedifex construct our city, maintain our arsenal, and ensure our way of life continues with the functioning of our necessities. To ensure all our people’s needs are met, and our orders be given, our Socialites work to continue the cooperation between our Lords Magi’s followers and other populations in our own city and beyond our Holy Barge. Without their diligent diplomacy, and expansive skillset, our Legions would not know where to patrol, our Aedifex would know not what to build, and our Custodians could not find faults to fix. Finally, to the rare few of you there may be, some of you may join the order of Magicae. A select order of individuals who receive the honor of working directly with our Lords Magi. These mysterious figures help control the flow of mana and may work miracles on behalf of our great lords. Their ranks are made of the best of all the followers our lords may offer, and truly showcase the best our efforts might achieve…” The figure seems to sigh, and the room seems to dim for their mood. The figure gathers themselves once again, and looks out to the entire crowd, “It has been a great pleasure to help welcome you into our fold. May you grow and prosper! I am eager to hear of your exploits wherever their tale may be told!” As the figure’s speech drew to a close, the platform they stood on slowly began to descend. The crowd throughout the stadium applauded and rose to their feet, cheers were sounded from the most feverish of supplicants. While the figure’s form descended and disappeared into the platform, and as it closed after them, the din and excitement from the stadium seems to die down. Mevi’s group returns to some of their senses, and is able to free look about themselves again, but seem none the wiser to the influence that looked to overtake their own will.
With the event concluded the group filed out of their seats and began making their way outside, the fog having cleared fully from the edges of the area. Mevi still not entirely sure what to think of the event, and past events, but following Marcus’s group regardless. To the figure’s own words, Mevi would need to find a terminal and figure out where she must journey to next. From the sounds of it, Marcus and his group were likely training to become Legionaries and had different studies than her own. The group exited the room, and all but Marcus pointed out an empty terminal for Mevi to investigate. Nessia spoke before Mevi could depart, “Mevare, Lord Naazir instructed us to help you as needed. While we must split from here, our own studies should end in only a few hours. If it is easier to navigate together, might we meet here once we are both finished? I will ensure Marcus waits for you if we arrive before you.”
Mevi is slowly growing to enjoy the company of the other acolytes, outside of Marcus, and gives Nessia a genuine smile, “Of course! I will endeavor to make my way back here after my own studies conclude. By the way, you may call me Mevi if you’d like. Few people call me Mevare without disdain.”
The stoic girl, still stern and mostly quiet, gives Mevi a nod. The group parts ways with Mevi, and they separate until their studies finish.