ISSUE 11: THE COMMONS

Today we mark a new beginning. We will not create a House to represent the Commons. We will choose our ambassador.—TNN: Current events

If I had any idea what they had been playing? I would have said yes even faster.—Ta’len

Goldenlight, our resident Markav Collective flagship, practically circled that White Home Gate the instant we got it into the confines of Project Freefall Weave Space. It gave our Light Shamans stationed their strange dreams. Orioh and his brother remained tightlipped. Saying that more would be revealed once the corruption was revealed circling Typha. They knew what was coming and didn’t want to play their hand early. It saved a whole lot of lives. What Aether had in mind saved the rest suck within Set’s web.—Sleeping in Starlight, a memoir of the 22nd century

Argax City (Ground Ring)

Hall of Naming

August 20th, 2114

Today was the day. I would be named the Scion of House Ayeer in totality. The debate over my hybrid status had been stuck in committee and the Commons had ridiculed the staunch opposition over it. I’d finally get my Typherian name as well. Although most invited to the event delighted in referring to me as Captain Murphy. My grandparents, on both sides of the aisle, didn’t mind one bit. Big grandfather wolf V’alkor cracked a smile every time he heard it. Knowing that military matters fell to the paternal line would make this ceremony all the more delightful. Dad was dressed in a simple white shirt with black slacks. He didn’t even have any shoes on for the moment.

I made my mind go blank.

E’ratha stomped over to me. Mom translating the mind-speak.

>>A travesty! Defective mongrel. Your existence is an affront to pure Typherians!<<

I replied, “Right! Got any new material, ma’am?”

The audible retort had the desired effect. She glared daggers and sulked off. Ta’len shouted as he approached me, “That’s fine! The air’s much sweeter now anyway!” That turned more heads. At this point, I had alienated all the other Houses besides M’tah, Ayeer, Odessen, and Ithar. Whenever I asked V’alkor about it he would just nod, “It’s a set course. Trust me.”

E’ratha called me the Y’lish Begger.

It was Typherian cursing. That added to the Jar nearly every day. Thing is, Earth wasn’t making moves with the “elite.” They were ducking and weaving well beyond mere alliances. Ta’len slapped me on the shoulder, “She’s so far behind the curve that the whole roof will bow in on her.” I nodded. A twinge of guilt running through me. I thought I had been ignorant in the beginning but many of the Houses practically swan dived into Set’s influence without any breaking system in mind. Knowing it wasn’t their fault didn’t excuse them but made me pity them. Mom was on my right, arm linked with mine. Her voice laced with controlled neutrality. “Let’s go. We have a ceremony to run.”

Her hand tightened around mine.

That new level of physical strength running through her.

After giving birth to the triplets she still hadn’t elaborated on new skills. I didn’t ask. I never told myself anything of import anyways. Not good for the health or threads of fate. Mom chuckled and squeezed my arm in response. I shouted, “Second Birthday coming through! ” That got some of the human observers to chuckle. Ta’len’s eyes focused on Y’lansa as she joined us. I remembered what my Odessen mirror said so long ago within the realm of Avalon.

The words ringing within my memory.

“This will surprise the Typherians of your universe. Keep this in reserve for a while. Granted, the pike is slightly different in your universe but it is a style taught only to House Odessen. It will be seen as a great honor to many when you set foot there.”

She added, “When you greet Y’lansa for the first time as you truly are. As a child of Earth and Typha, say this: The Void carried me far from home but I return this Pike to you.” She handed me a blue cylinder. She made a shaking motion and it reformed. Into a pike with an energy blade at its tip. “This was wielded by her mother. Who fell battling the Void Walkers. Preventing them from entry into my home universe. Give her these as well.”

I nodded, “I promise.”

“Only after your other identity is revealed. The Typherian one. Soon your mother will tell you your dual name. Protect Earth first.”

I knew now that the United Earth Front had recovered Ith’aria’s personal effects. I had given her the rest back at my old home. She had been astonished. But pleased. Even more so when I recounted my meeting with my mirror. The smooth surface of the pike rested against my heart. I was barefoot. My clothing was made of Ayeer coloring.

Silver, the thread of Life. Blue overcoat for Hope. Black leggings for Honor. But that wouldn’t be the big shock of the day. My father took my left arm. Entwining it to mirror mother’s position. That would send the old guards of the Houses reeling. Dad was proclaiming himself the head of his “House.” Of equal standing to moms. Gulliver snickered. “HOT SAUCE INCOMING!”

Y’lansa replied, “Indeed. The days are waning. Just not in the way E’ratha wanted.”

Trouble flapped his black wings. The brothers had retaken their regular earth duck forms. The venerated Hall of Naming. Usually, all the House personnel would be in attendance out front but only my family, our House Allies, Earth reps and the Commons had sent people to attend. If I had to be completely honest: That took a load off my shoulders. Anna was there as well. Her holocam at the ready. Exclusive access. She nodded to me as we passed. I tilted my head down in a semi-formal nod. I resisted the urge to float when cold water splashed on my feet. For Typherians water was important in many ceremonies.

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I wouldn’t let people down.

*****

The All-Father joined the Commons crowds as they filed in to watch a rare ceremony. Known only to the Houses until now. The main party went shoeless of course. Along the main hall. While the rest filed through the auditoriums on either side. He dared not speak for now. Things had changed on his world. Unfortunately but he needed to know the best way to infiltrate when the time came. Karvax would be an excellent distraction. With humans present on his planet in great enough numbers, who would notice a simple colonial tradesman. With some “Commons” as shipmates. He smiled to himself. This Eliza Murphy had made things easier for him.

He didn’t react when Morgana’s spawn settled in beside him. Gray Herald. The boogeyman to many but recognized by none. The All-Father thought Set far too dramatic but hid his surprise as Morgana joined them as well. She nodded politely then stilled. Waiting to see the ceremony first hand.

*****

The Amarche warned me.

You must let them see. It is the only way to hide your brother longer.

If they think only one part has been born while the other never manifested.

They will think the Weave weakened. Putting all its hopes on you alone!

The area around me grayed out. The color was nonexistent. I didn’t react. Hoping that mom wouldn’t sense anything from me. But my parents were frozen as well. I glanced out of the corner of my eye. Noting that the All-Father, Set, and a strange woman sat with them.

Morgana.

Fallen. From the same Universe as Thoth. First Dark Shaman.

Set both loves and hates her. Mother. Demon. Lost.

The All-Father’s black hair was shorn. In a standard warrior’s style. His crimson eyes boring into me. Even though the Amarche whirled about me. He was as tall as my brother. Built like him too. Pound for pound I wouldn’t be a match but used this moment to focus on what was underneath the disguise. A network of Dark Shaman rites. Sigils burned to the flesh. Clone of a Clone. His real body was stored far away. So he could go all out. But each time, it ate away at his soul. The price was steep. He would not see the end of everything. Even Unity still possessed a shred of a soul. As twisted as it was.

White snapped, <> I replied, my voice was not my own.

“Shhh. Rest now.”

The Amarche bowed, “Forgive us?” Their shadowed forms twisting around the room. Unlike the Litari, their forms had no substance, nothing to cling to but me.

“All will be forgiven along the Cliffs of the Infinite. Note those three dear Seeker. Atoner. Protector. Shield of my Will. See beyond all sight.”

Images flashed. I had no understanding. Not then. It would be for later.

My hand clinging to the rough stone. Bleeding yet unbowed.

Set’s smokey form withered on the vine. Curses flowed from his ashen lips, “NO! MY DESTINY!”

A man with a bloody knife over him. Form obscured.

“No longer yours. Never your Throne. Set, the Forked Tounge. Pleasant yet vapid delusions!” A new mantle formed around the figure. Dulled rusted tones. Of blood and mayhem. With bits of Set’s gray sash clinging around him. He pointed his knife to the sky.

“They never saw me. For I am the Unbeliever! Who lies outside the mere whims of Unity. I am freed from my chains!”

The flashes continued.

Morgana writhed in agony as Medusa drove a spike towards the dark shaman’s spine.

“Your power is mine!”

The voice within echoed.

They will eat each other.

A yawning dark crevice formed below me as I clung to the cliffside.

You will bear your name well.

R'ylaris Ayeer. Twin Ruler of the Sky.

The world regained its color.

I knelt in the water as my grandfather recited the words.

*****

M’taris Ayeer placed the stones around her granddaughter. Each representing the sky, the earth, the sea, the air, and the flesh. She often wondered why C’alain had started this kind of ceremony for his House and those allied with him. She could see on the faces of the Commons the astonishment as Ayeer honored the old ways. V’alkor turned to his daughter. “Was the name granted?”

J’ino proclaimed loudly, her voice cascading above the rumble of flowing water. “So named. R’ylaris of House Ayeer. Against all Odds, Life, born to us.”

V’alkor grinned as Thomas finished the rite. “So named. Eliza of House Murphy. My God is an Oath, Joyful, born to us.”

*****

My vision blurred.

My brother’s voice echoing for a split second. >>Soon you will know my oaths sister.<<

Life was both mystery and miracle wrapped up into one brilliant tapestry.

Y’lansa called out, “Odessen recognizes the naming.”

Ta’len followed suit. Along with the few allied to us.

I rose. Pulling out the Pike. Reciting the words.

Mentally and audible for everyone else.

The smooth metal passed from my hands to her outstreached fingers. The shock rippling outward. “The Void carried me far from home but I return this Pike to you.” Her blue eyes locked onto me. Her father leaned heavily on me for a moment. His face twisting yet relieved. Y’lansa unfurled the weapon. It snap-hissed to life. She thudded the butt of it on the ground. “So bound. My House to that of Murphy and Ayeer.”

The water below my feet swirled. Rising to twist around my arms, legs, torso, and feet. Pulsating with a white light that caused most to cry out in wonder. From the corner of my vision, I saw the three fiends exiting. With Morgana clutching her head. Sucking in lowkey curses. I had a feeling the Weave let itself be known. The water spilled from my hands. Turning golden. Healing those within the Hall of Naming. No matter if they were House born or Common born. Anna bottled some of the water but it turned back to its simplified form. This place was blessed. White’s voice clogged with tears. <>

*****

The All-Father sat near the fountain. The aura from the Hall of Naming burning on his senses. Making all his Dark Shaman enchantments itch fiercely. Morgana had already vacated the area. Throwing up within some waste receptacle as Set followed her. He endured the pain of the White Tree of Typha. So that Weave Prophecy had been accurate. Up to a point. No twin in sight though. He would have sensed that. He made his way off-world. Using a ship prepared for such an action. With the additional traffic, no one cared. All eyes and news outlets were on the Hall of Naming. The wondrous healing within already calling to those cursed. Or lamed. Muted. It mattered not.

The pitiful display of the Weave would not save the soul of this planet. It was his to claim. He would kill Set when the Herald outlived his usefulness. Morgana and the rest could rot on their altar of Unity. He would bring the world into the bright tomorrow. No matter the cost. Soon his enemies would tremble. Their pathetic Light Shamans crushed under his boot. X’mil would be the start of a new order. Completely loyal to Urraden alone.

C’alain’s legacy would lie in ruins.

Starting with R’ylaris Ayeer.

*****

Morgana keened.

“Stupid. No matter.” She gripped Set’s tunic. Pulling him in closer.

“Make me an army worthy of Unity. Start with the Artock. Kill anyone who gets in your way!” She slammed her fists into his chest with each word. Knowing that the light still ate at her withered soul. What little she had left.

Dreams of forked tongues plagued her waking hours.