ISSUE 6: THE BLADE OF C’ALIAN
This blade has been passed down for eons. Thought to be forged from the Weave itself. It’s never activated for me but I know why. It was made for one with Light Shaman training and powers. When I saw the Triplets, I knew one of them would be the true wielder. Like with the Throne I was just a caretaker.—V’alkor
It’s not my parents I fear for the most. Its Eliza. The images I see swirling around her terrify me. Leaving me to tread upon waking nightmares. Even with all the training Anna, her Poppi, Mr. Moonlighter, and others, the pull around my older sister cannot be ignored. My brother doesn’t leave as much of an imprint for the moment because of the Black. But he is just as vital. If Unity or Set takes them, we are all doomed.—Gwen Murphy
Ceremony. At the center of it was tradition but the underlying perversion performed upon the Houses sealed their bargain with Set. It's why C’alain fought so hard in his time. The House Wars. Right before Typha became space-worthy. That conflict had left its mark. Where the wounds were deepest, the greatest throng of Amarche gathered. Keeping me aware of hidden flows of history.—Sleeping In Starlight, a memoir of the 22nd century
Path of Ages (Home Burial Site)
Typha
August 1st, 2114
Jace Murphy peered up into the archways and clumps of hewn rocks that showcased the uppermost reaches of the Ziggurat. Ayeer’s ancestral burial grounds leaving an odd impression upon his mind. He knew it was the sliver of Weave Speaker within him. This place sang to that Typherian blood within. Arthur traveled beside him. The Morrigan at their backs. He and his siblings would never be alone. Always in the company of Demis. Sir Avalon had stressed the danger. Showing all 3 of them the true state of Typha’s Weave. He didn’t want to bring Gwen here but they had no choice. They were connected in a way most didn’t fathom. They could see through each other’s eyes. Not even Eliza and Dexter could do such a thing.
The air was electrified as they crossed the threshold. Ethereal fingers plucking at his jacket. Faint whispers just out of earshot. Gwen stated, >>Our House, along with our Blood Allies, their souls are safe. The Commons as well. They never drank from Set’s corrupted pools.<<
Souls were supposed to go through the Ouroborus to be reborn. Jace hooked his hands into his belt. Resting under the House sash around his waist. The rest of his clothing was Terran-based. He loved his red racing jacket. Plus it upset the stuffy people. He missed Aunty Ith’aria. Over the years she was as close to them as their mother. Their parents hadn’t remained on Typha the entire time. Since Eliza did have proper protection with her demi team. Jace descended into the very heart of the structure. The voices guiding him.
Water cascaded down from a hewn opening. At the center of the crystalline pool was a glint. He stored vulnerable devices into his sealed pockets in his jacket and dived in. Every fiber of his being was drawn towards the glittering depths. His fingertips brushed against a warm metal surface. The 4 sigils pulsating.
Welcome Light Shaman of Ayeer.
It faded. Reappearing around his neck. Taking on the form of plain iron metals from Earth. A deep voice rattled around his head.
Take up the sword.
He knew that blade. His grandfather’s.
C’alain’s. He kicked off the smooth surface. His head breaking the surface. Arthur and the Morrigan facing outward. In case of danger. He gripped the edge and hauled himself up. “I have to talk to my grandfather.”
Argax City
Typha
The private abode of the Ayeer family was situated on the cliff face. The pale white walls keeping the afternoon heat at bay. Every place here was controlled weather-wise. Always comfortable. Jace rubbed at his neck. The iron chain sending a jolt up his palm.
Young seeker.
Was it sapient?!
The necklace didn’t respond.
The King’s Own opened the inner archway. The energy shield reforming as the 3 of them passed. Arthur placed a hand over his heart. He knew the guards wouldn’t respond but he was still grateful. Morrigan shifted. Her crow form taking a position on top of Jace’s head. The young Murphy grinned, “You did that to Eliza often!” She preened. Cawing softly. V’alkor was maintaining his “vigil” of the Throne. His Ayeer battlesuit pulling back from his face. His mindvoice flowed outward. Greeting Jace.
While audibly, “Welcome. What brings the defenders of Earth and Typha today?”
Jace glanced about. V’alkor winked, “Follow me.”
Arthur asked, “The Wall still endures?”
Valkor responded, “With the light of the Twin Suns.”
The old knight relaxed. One worry out of the way.
The Inner Coil
C’alain’s Refuge
Jace gawked. This place thrummed within his blood. His grandfather waved them over to the old stone table. Modern seating raised from the floor. Cushioning them. Dexter phased through the wall. A glint of white around his head for a split second. He took up a defensive position. They weren’t taking any chances. The fire-based Murphy blurted out, “Why did it call to me?” He meant the necklace. V’alkor responded, “Because you are the inheritor of the blade. But we must start training you here. I must bear it a while longer. If I am without it people will suspect.”
The gentle flow of water echoed along the walls.
Arthur drew the Leyline of Water upon the stone surface. “We will begin with the Dreaming. Water is one of the ways to reach it.” V’alkor unsheathed C’alain’s Blade. It had a white pommel with silver patterns. The metal fit into Jace’s palm like it was made for him. It was lighter than it looked. V’alkor watched as the sigils upon the blue-tinted blade shifted. Jace nearly dropped it when it said, <
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Excalibur exclaimed, <
Arthur slapped his knee, “Just how many sapient weapons are out there?!”
Both weapons thundered, <
Morrigan snorted, “I sense a story here.”
*****
Tobin nudged Eliza, “Hey sis!”
She grinned, a particular glint in her eyes, “What?”
J’ino shot her son a warning glance. He replied, pure innocence, “Gonna go to your High School reunion?”
Doc answered, “Yes.” Her eyes were flat. Tobin maneuvered so he’d be closer to his mother. “What? I bet they’d want to see Auggie again! I saw the old vids. He was a mascot!”
Auggie wiggled. Eliza picked him up, “What do you say, boy? Want to relive some magic?”
Tobin didn’t understand why Lorain was prickly but his mother’s rather robust mental warning shot out, >>I’ll explain when you are older.<<
He shrugged. “Wonder if they got the old Lady back in order.” The Statue of Liberty operation was his primary hit as a demi. He didn’t have a code name. Didn’t want one. But he knew Golden Bulleteer and White Lily wanted to maintain their demi lives vs civilian life so he didn’t bother them on that aspect. He figured it would be too hard for him to maintain one because of Eliza. It was hilarious how the announcement of her public identity hadn’t backfired the way House detractors wanted. It just made her more popular with the Commons and with Earth. America was ecstatic that she was semi homegrown.
His father had been equally embarrassed, horrified yet relieved.
Mostly because certain elements wanted to know intensely personal information.
Luckily mom had experience with this sorta PR nightmare. She took to the Holo interviews like a duck to water. Tobin dodged as she swatted at him. >>Behave!<<
J’ino sighed. Of all her children Tobin was the one who took after her. Brash, brave, and a bit foolhardy. With a temper to match. She found it ironic he had the ice powers.
*****
I gave voice to the elephant in the sector of space, “What my brother is illuding to: What will I do about all the gossip hosts that will flood the Earth, from all over formerly Uplifted Space.”
Lorain pleaded at me with her eyes. I smiled, it was natural.
“I’ll simply say I am one lucky woman. I have friends and family. Many things I love dearly. What more could I ask for?” It was the truth. My reality hadn’t shifted much. Just people’s reactions to it. Doc leaned against me for a brief moment. Her voice rising, “Oh my god! Eddie’s gonna be a dad!”
New Ashbury Central District
The Star-Spangled Banner Museum
Earth
Hilary Brookes stared at the monstrosity.
That clown had only gotten more popular since her absence. What nonexistent gods had she angered for this to occur. She strode towards the building. It had roman type pillars. White of course. With Old Glory hung on each side of the main doors. As she entered a cheery attendant proclaimed, “Welcome to New Ashbury! Home of the Banner!” Hilary still didn’t have use of her HUD. She’d have to make one suited to her hybrid form. The woman asked, “Ahh. Service outage. Well here are some physical booklets! Enjoy your stay!”
Children were laughing. Running from their parents. Games, holos, retrospectives.
The whole place was a circus. Hilary walked up to the main foyer. The statue at the center was Star. Holding an American Eagle on one forearm. Her other arm held high. Holding a globe made of half Earth. The bronze plating under it made Hilary stop. Her blood froze in her veins. She kept re-reading it over and over. Her eyes glazed over. The pounding threatened to explode from her withered heart.
She screwed her eyes shut. Going to her knees. One man shouted, “Are you, alright miss?” She nodded, cursing herself for drawing attention. She put on a mockery of a smile. “It's just a shock.” The man glanced at the words under the statue. Understanding dawned, “Oh yeah! It was that. To know that my nephew graduated in the same class!” She walked carefully over to a bench.
The message under the statue:
My parents never expected me to happen. My heart and mind remain with Earth. But within my blood, another set of Suns beckons. I am both. Human and Typherian. I will honor all of you.—Eliza Murphy “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
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Her mind scrambled. White noise rumbling. Clawing at her mind like needles.
The whole time at Area 51. That cripple! She? HER! Of all people!? HOW!
Granted, she distantly knew the How. Murphy managed to….
She thought back. The way the president fawned over Captain Murphy.
Trusting her instantly.
Rubbing it in everyone’s faces. A cruel smile danced along Hilary’s lips.
That fool. She would find a way to use this against the Banner.
She left the mockery behind. Let those idiot humans keep fawning over that false idol.
Hilary clutched her heart as it spasmed. There was a Void Walker outpost still active within the city. She would study the area. Knowing that IRIS agents would probably stake out the caches. As she walked, a slight shimmer followed. The outline of Moonlighter’s cloak only visible to other Light Shamans.
Chronos’ spawn had returned.
*****
Mordred kicked back. Luxuriating in the rays of the setting sun. He’d never thought he’d be back on Earth. Thoth had become even more unstable as time went on. With his failed machinations on Earth, he had decided to take Set up on that offer of “employment.” The fallen son of the Morrigan knew a trap when he saw it. Small bubbles of Cathrine Bel’s subconscious fought with him sporadically. Trying to regain control of the body. He chuckled.
“Oh dear me.” He battled his baby blue eyes. The blonde hair a very enticing feature on a female. So unlike his dour black-bearded face of old. His poor mother wouldn’t recognize him. Delightful! His sword, though chipped from that fight with the Blue Blaze, still remained keen. Seeking the Blood of the Creator Races. It wasn’t of Markav make. Oh no. That was merely the cover. It had been created around the time of Unity’s Birth. A mirror to the Excalibur. Other mythic blades. Forged at the dawn of Creation. He didn’t know how the Void Walkers had gotten hold of it.
It rarely spoke. Mostly a constant hum for blood. For each weapon forged to serve the Weave, a replicant was made to serve Unity, though the Gray Herald was very reluctant to give out the information. If it was 1 for 1. Then how many existed in totality? Mordred threw a piece of meat onto the grill sizzling beside him. This body was exquisite. He could eat all he wanted.
How he had relished the feel of it.
The expansive skyline of Nar Lysis, Italy greeted him with its artificial lights. His Void Walker blood sensed kindred spirits here. The Dark Shaman in him had seen the carefully placed markers. There was a hub here. He just had to find it. With Bel’s seducer demi abilities that search would be easier. He patted his side. The prototype firearm from the Area 51 raid in his possession. Thoth hadn’t even cared that Mordred raided old safehold bases. He wanted extra insurance. Being a hybrid didn’t mean he’d have protection from the likes of Chronos or the Sister. Seeking how they treated Hilary Brookes. Before and after her transformation.
The world had forgotten him.
Soon they would be brought to reality. With his teeth at their throats.
He buzzed the intercom, “Room service please!”
*****
Jace braced himself against the wall. Arthur raised Excalibur. “Again! STRIKE!”
Murphy swung. The blade light as ever. Sparks flew as the magical and technical energies of each blade rippled. Arthur put the young man through basic yet arduous paces. They would have to engrain the techniques with the muscle movements. Jace was eager. That was good. But too wary. They would have much work ahead.
C’alain’s blade, known as Tyre, grated out <
E’tarlass chuckled, <
Arthur continued his dance with Jace. The sun rising twice over before they retired to the refreshers. The boy had potential. His demi powers and unusual bloodline giving extra weight to the proceedings.
*****
Thomas Murphy carried his wife to bed. The next few weeks would be very trying. He intended to make the most of this peaceful night. He knew what V’alkor intended. It was why he put up with the House nonsense. It would be needed later on. He loved his daughter’s idea for colors and a banner symbol. It would be used. He tossed J’ino onto the bed. Turned down the lights and forgot about the world for a few hours.
J’ino knew her husband was worried.
They would have to be ready.
Earth beckoned once more.
What a reunion indeed.