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Chapter Text

My name is none of your concern.

My name is one you'll come to know and many after you from here and beyond into the next life, but it is not one of importance. Some may come to disagree, but for now I am no more than a fleeting whisper in this grand match. The names you'll come to know here, at the edge of time, who's stories will engross you, are the ones who will be sung about in the aeons ahead of us. But for now these are just stories, and that is some time away.

Remember, reader, a story has no place but as a means of lessons. That is why they are our future

A name does not shine so bright in a history book if they're to be surrounded with the stories of others more brave, wise, and grand. As the stars are only a speck in an ever expanding darkness, still they shine as do our histories. Just as their stories shine when they are no longer a piece on a gameboard, but as a person of their own making.

Here, I give you the beginning, the 632nd year since the Great Crossing, within the folds of the 

The United Alliance of the Galactical Áohlos Dominion, sits a child.

A child, with a story to tell.

✧.*☬*.✧

"Again"

The words of his sister came rough and demanding, but Aeryn was tired. “C’mon Rose, I'm not in the mood right now"

Aeryn stretched his arms above his head, letting the blades of grass beneath him be his cushion. The siblings lay in the evening drip of the sun, nestled in the Acropolis gardens. It was a relic of the past, scattered ruins of the first landers torn Hyperloop tunnels jutted from the earth and landing pads reclaimed by nature juxtaposed to the glistening sleek white exterior of the palace walls beyond them. Most buildings reflect the home of their rulers, well, that's what his father liked to say. But Aeryn had never been beyond the confines of Gaia's atmosphere, so the word of his father was all he had to go off. A cove of opulent fluorescent shoots climbed their way from the surface, intertwined with coiling vines and wreaths against the water sprouts, spitting something that was considered a blessing on other planets. They'd have never wasted such a precious resource on aesthetics. But on Gaia it was just water. And water was in abundance.

Rose huffed next to him, "If you don’t practice it’s never going to get easier,” she reminded him.

“I know, I know. You do your best to remind me of that" he grumbled, stretching his back. “But I just don’t feel like it right now, can't we just rest?"

Rose smiled back at him wickedly, "Again!" she insisted, thumping her fists against the lush Earth's.

Of all his siblings Rose had always been the most stubborn, Aeryn would give her that. But he had just finished his lessons, couped up with tutors all day was always something he'd try to get out of, he'd earned his exhaustion fair and not even his sister's protests was going to break him. Aeryn liked to be lazy, something his sister had never been able to fathom. Then again, as the youngest she'd never grown up with their father bearing down on her. Her lessons were lenient at best, downright neglected at worst. She always seemed to be looking for something to occupy herself, whether it be running about the gardens or haulling herself up in the libraries. Aeryn envied that. Rose had never been expected to be much, she'd never be crowned Ríthair that was for certain, and that meant she wasn't so fretted over. Even though she was fourteen now, she spent her days as more of a wild child than an emissary in training. 

He watched the irritation play out across Rose's face for a few moments. It was difficult most days to read her expressions. Even as a child she wasn't one to wear her heart on her sleeve, then once her lessons picked up she'd adopted a schooled expression as any show of feeling had been trained out of her. Only on days like this, when they could finally see each other after so long and relax did she let that guise slip enough to smile. Aeryn had always thought it a bit much, that they'd been trained so young, but he supposed that was just one of the many sacrifices the Children of Gaia had to make.

Rose's eyes twinkled as a mischievous grin curled up her face, I said again!

Aeryn startled upwards, gripping the sides of his head as the disembodied words echoed around his skull, bouncing painfully through his ears with a force backed by something ancient and great. He glared at his sister who smiled triumphantly, crossing her arms.

Rose has always had an inkling to that particular branch of the sight, one their father had never approved of, and neither had Aeryn when she had a habit of burdening him with it whenever she found herself bored. It didn't matter if she was across the other end of the palace or, hell, miles away on diplomatic affairs, distance didn't matter when you could scream inside another's mind.

"Cut that out!", he snapped, still feeling the sting clinging inside of his ears.

"Make me then"

Aeryn didn't give her a chance before her sleeve was smoking. Rose squealed and waved her hand about frantically to put out the flames. Aeryn chuckled to himself, he'd always been good at fires.

"You sneak" she cried, the flames finally put out, "This is a new shirt!"

"Quit the dramatics princess. You asked me to practice and now I'm done" he quipped, letting himself fall backwards once more.

Rose shook her head in disapproval, "You'll never improve if you don't practice"

Aeryn pinched his eyes shut for a moment, "I do practice, I'm just tired today brat" he said reaching out a fist to gently punch her in the arm.

Rose smacked it off, but it didn't deter her "You do not! Father has a hundred different tutors teaching you and still you're always running off. I'd bet my arm you're supposed to be there right now"

"Wanna take my place? Seriously I'd love to be rid of some of them, they're insufferable twats"

Rose pouted, "Oh gods I wish"

"Besides!", Aeryn said, sitting up, "Then where would I find the time to see my beloved baby sister"

He tackled her to the ground, still teasing as the pair flailed about like drunken fools, while Rose laughed at him to get off her, yet his playful assault continued.

"Get off me!" Aeryn found himself being thrown aside with more force than anyone should expect from a girl as small as Rose.

"Worth it", he mumbled into the dirt.

"Get up, someone's coming"

Before he could spiral into a train of thought at whatever that meant, he spotted a soilder, with a familiar head of dark hair, walking through the gardens. Aeryn grinned in relief.

“Hey Betha, What's up?”

Rose bolted upright from the grass, beaming at Betha when she spotted her friend. “Hi Betha"

They came forward to meet, Rose giving her a gentle tap of her forehead. The armored gauntlets Betha wore glistened in the evening sunset, but the furs across her back swished down around her calves with every step, Betha returned Roses gesture with a smile, and gave Aeryn a quick bow, "It's nice to see you too. Any news?"

“Aeryns being insufferable !” Rose immediately declared.

Betha giggled while Aeryn rolled his eyes. “Well are you?” she asked, sending him a sidelong glance, "It's not a big surprise. What do they call you again? The Majesty's Ruse?" 

"Hey!" Aeryn yelled, though he knew her words held no real malice. "I just wanted a break in the gardens. This is a cruel and unjust accusation"

“Still insufferable", Rose argued with a shrug.

Aeryn crossed his arms, "I’m a growing boy, Rose. I'm gonna need plenty of rest if Gaius expects me to be Ríthair"

Rose rolled her eyes at her brother’s antics. “You’re ridiculous. Like Gaius would make you Ríthair. I'd give it less than a year before you destroyed the dynasty"

"I do like anarchy" Aeryn said, considering.

Letting out a short laugh, Betha nodded, "We'd be doomed. Now com on, dinner's ready and the Ríthair will have my head if I don't get you two in before dusk. Besides I've got better shit to do than escort ye to tea"

Rose caught behind her as Betha headed for the palace doors, "But as my personal guard shouldn't I always be your priority?"

“Rose-" Betha began in a warning tone.

Aeryn slid up beside the pair as they continued through the gardens, "Besides Beth's, you should feel blessed to be in my presence, as Child of Gaia most people would kill for this opportunity"

"Aeryn I will smack you"

“That’s called assaulting a royal. That’s not gonna go down well with- OUCH!”

The trio laughed together while Aeryn nursed his shoulder, until Betha turned her focus back to him, her lips pressed into a thin line.

“He’s really not taking this stuff seriously, is he?” Betha said softly, leaning closer to Rose in a poor attempt at a whisper.

"Hey I can hear you!"

“He’s only sixteen” Rose reasoned, "You've got a while to go yet Rynnie"

Betha glanced back to him, her green eyes glimmering with something far too knowing. “You know maybe you could teach Rosie to chill out a bit, you were nothing like she was at her age"

Betha said it like a joke, hoping Rose wouldn't pick up on the meaning beneath her words. But pick up she did, and Rose drew into herself, face hardening.

But that was the truth of it, wasn’t it? When Rose was half his age, she’d already dedicated herself to her studies and his practice of sight, regardless of their father's attempts at stopping her. She threw himself into learning everything she could about Gaias History, its economy, its culture. Everything to be the perfect diplomat.

And it certainly seemed that way, she was perfect. She was smart and knew how to hold herself, when everything she'd used to occupy herself had been taken away she went in search of more. Aeryn saw her more in the libraries than in the families personal wing. 

A deep pit gathered in his stomach, of anger and pity. Aeryn understood he'd never be Ríthair. Not with his current interactions with their father consisting of more insults than rational talk. But he could live with that. For all his jests, he never wanted to be King. Maybe as a child, when he was young and starry eyed and foolish. But as the years passed he realized he had no desire to lead, and certainly no aptitude for it. The only reason he'd ever been considered out of his siblings was because he was a boy, and his father liked to keep tradition were he could.

Tradition. What a joke.

Rose on the other hand, could have been perfect if their father hadn't been so stubborn. She was kind, but rational. She knew how to pull the strings she wanted, to be seen only when she wanted to be. She was intelligent for her age, and thought she preffered to keep to herself, she knew how to make friends quickly. The staff adored her, though their interactions had been limited once their father had found out. Before Betha, she'd been forbidden from speaking to anyone outside of the family, Lest they damage your status, Rose his father's words echoed in his mind. 

The three grew quite as the entered the halls of the Acropolis. The clicking of their boots against marble echoed off the cavernous walls of the palace with every step. A few servants passed them, all dipping their heads in customary respect, only offering a royal greetings for him. For Rose and Betha they gave a simple wave and hurried off. Aeryn pretended it didn't bother him, but sometimes he felt the servants ought to be reminded his sister was still the daughter of their monarch.

Soon, Aeryn found himself at the cross section of the palace halls, between the royal and guest wings. Betha and Rose wordlessly made their way to their chambers, and he did likewise. Aeryn forced himself to change into his pyjamas, before he let himself collapse into bed. Leaving his delicately coat laying haphazardly over a chair, he tossed his boots to the side and ran his fingers through his hair to get rid of the last vestiges of gel the servants had put in it to tame his curls.

Once changed, he sat on the edge of his bed rubbing the sleep from his eyes. Attempting to quell the guilt that was begging to bubble up his throat. He loved his sister, but he couldn't help but feel partly responsible for how she'd been treated. He couldn't help but feel useless as an older brother for allowing her to be treated that way. Yet there was so little he could do. Perhaps as Child of Gaia he had power somewhere on the planet, but within the confines of the Acropolis everything was to be dictated by one man and one man alone.

The ruler. The king. The Ríthar.

Ríthair was the old word in Nádulrá for 'Father', but Gaius was anything but. Aeryn wondered how long it would be till he saw his sister again, weeks? Months maybe? He could never be sure. All the siblings had been kept at a distance most of their lives. Gaius had orchastated that, to breed competition. All Aeryn could hope for is it wouldn't be forever as the memories of old overtook him.

"Are you crazy he'll kill her"

"Oh, don't be absurd. She's nine Aeryn, she has plenty of time to study another discipline"

"Yeah if Gaius doesn't loose his shit!"

The siblings stood in the hallway, Bernadette and Aeryn standing opposed to one another, with little Rose between them, unsure why her elders were quarrelling. The pair were returning from lessons in the arts when they'd caught her. Round the corner of the landing, using the shadows to drag a discarded china doll her way, only to disappear from where she stood and arise at the other end of the hall. Bernadette's stomach looked to have dropped when she'd crossed the hall with a mere two steps. Looking to Aeryn she'd known he'd seen it too. 

"Nonsense, he wouldn't do that", she tried to say it as though she meant it, but the underlying waver in her voice laid bare that she didn't believe the words herself.

"Of course he would, he's worse by the day. Old man's got a whole rod up his ass"

Rose flinched at her brother's harsh words, an action that caught the attention of her siblings. Bernadette leaned in close to whisper sharply in Orthodox, a language her sister had a poor understanding of, "And what do you think should happen if he finds out we hid this. She's still young, she's got time to earn favour. Better her than us don't you think?"

"Are you kidding me? That's our sister you're on about"

"And we are heir apparents first and foremost. One fall out is all it takes and we're back on his bad side. Do what you please, I won't risk it. I've spent too long to get where I am without her ruining everything"

"Do you hear yourself? She's a kid, Detti, and one with a talent. And you're just gonna let the old man ruin that for her? How selfish can you be?"

Bernadette stopped to consider his words. Talent. 

Aeryn hadn't lied, but truth be told he'd never actually seen a Draíchta, but he'd heard a fair bit about it. Gaius rambled about its dark origins at the nearest opportunity. It was a unique discipline of the sight, one with a rich culture and history attached to it. But his father wasn't concerned with those areas. He called it a cult, and Aeryn supposed he wasn't far off with that assessment. It had begun with the first worshippers of the Faceless Ones, who used their gods power to communicate telepathically. The gods taught them to weild elements of light and darkness through their connection. They had their worshippings and odd rituals, the specifics lost to him. Of the discipline itself he'd learned what he knew from a friend in the stables. 

Shadow walking. From what he'd been told he'd been under the impression it was difficult as water was for an elemental, yet his baby sister appeared to have no problems with it.

"Call it what you want, I will not risk my standing in this family" spat Bernadette, crossing her arms and sending weary glances in their sisters direction. Aeryn almost laughed when he realized what those looks meant.

"You're scared aren't you? You're scared she's gonna surpass us one day and it'll be us being pushed to the side"

To her credit, she didn't try to deny it." I don't have a choice! It's easy for you to say, you're a boy and you're an elemental, you're everything father wants in an heir. I'm not and I'm never going to be. Some of us have to work twice as hard just to earn the respect you were given at birth. Don't lecture me Aeryn Fell"

Stabbing a finger towards their sister she continued, "She's a girl, she's got no aptitude for the sight-"

Aeryn scoffed at that, but she pushed forth.

"No appropriate aptitude then, and that still doesn't lessen from the fact she's already far behind on training than you and I were at her age. She's already at the bottom of the tier list, it's better she fesses up to what she's done than to risk either of us being bumped off a peg"

She switched back to Nádulrá, whirling on a very confused and scared Rose. Looking at the confusion on her sister's face made Bernadette hesitate, but as quickly as it came she shook herself out of it and grabbed her sister's hand. "You know this isn't allowed, you're getting older so we're going to go have a talk with father about what you've done"

Rose shook her head. Tears sprung to the corners of her eyes, spilling over as she tried with what little strength she had to wrestle from her sister's hold. Bernadette frowned, irritated, barking at the girl, "Don't cry, crying is for babies. You're a Fell Rose, act like one and take whatever punishment he gives you with dignity, understand?"

Aeryn stood dumbfounded as they stormed towards their fathers study. Bernadette had said she knew it was the right thing to do. Their father would approve, Rose would learn it was for the best and Aeryn just had to deal with that.

Still, he felt his sister was sending a lamb to be slaughtered.

Chapter Text

When hell itself came down upon earth, our ancestors fled to the skies. 

In the wake of a new age they returned to their old ways, appointing rulers after civil war ravaged their new homes. The words for Kings and Queens, Princes and Princesses, were lost with the others upon Earth's surface. 

In our new world we called them the Father and Mothers of their respective dynasties, and their royal offspring, The children of their home world.

I wondered, all those years back, what it meant to flee. And though it hasn't happened yet I know I will come to realise what it means to truly escape. I've seen it, that terror and desperation.

For while the Children of Gaia live a life of sun and honey upon their home planet, one day they will come to know suffering greater than anything they have felt before in their short lives.

I only hope to see them to the end of it

✧.*☬*.✧

The colours of nature were saturated in the glare of the summer heat. Viridescent pastures rolled unevenly in the tumbling highs and lows of the Gaian countryside. Shades of green spotted across the land only broken by the occasional burst of blooming heather or wild bláir. Serene in its natural beauty, with only the winds blowings and glider's twirls as its melody. Sporus trees found themselves to be a rarity among the hillsides, with most of the land surrendered to the wild glider's or livestock, but across the lake of low lapping waves stood the beginnings of a fungal grove. Sporus trees in abundance, ebony skin descending in a helix of spiralling veins, greener than they had ever been in their lives. The animals were about in the wreaths and branches, copper jacks squeaked as a blue ëora scurried past their nests. Féilthán flitting from flower to flower in a kaleidoscope of veridian and pale yellow.

A soft humming broke through the planet's humble din.

And we'll all go together,

To pluck wild mountain thyme,

All around the blooming heather,

Will ye go, Lassie go?

Beneath the comforting arms of a behemoth Sporus tree, two figures perched across a worn blanket that, until now, had been gathering dust in the Palace attic. One lounged against the twisting stern singing a tune, the other held a book.

"What on earth are you wearing?" Betha inquired, once she'd reached the end of her song, puzzled at the new edition to Rose's wardrobe. Despite the wealth of her family Rose had always been unexpectedly short on dresses, clean ones in particular (Especially with her love of exploring the muddiest corners of the gardens). Rose had always shrugged her off whenever the topic came about. I haven't grown in some time, She'd say, I've no need for a new one . Betha supposed she'd ought to take it up with Miss Harrington herself, at times the staff honestly had to be reminded Rose was the daughter of the Ríthair, not some wayward student.

The dress itself was aged, but undoubtedly beautiful. A pale delicate fabric spilled down her arms to bunch at her elbows. Perhaps it would have been a stark white in its early years, but time had weathered it to a stained cream. Rows of lace framed her collar bones where the fabric pulled together to tumble in fine layers down to her feet. A light green sash secured tightly around her waist. The traditional Gaian colours suited her well.

"It's a ceilith" informed Rose, not even looking up from her book.

"Come again?"

"It's quite an old gown, from the 300s I believe. So I'd estimate you were what? Ten?"

Betha smacked her shoulder in playful anger.

"Watch yourself. If you keep calling me old I'll be telling Captain Rye to lob you with her sythe. Now answer my question", her threats held no real authority behind them, still Rose put down her book and raised her hands as a gesture of surrender.

"Alright, Alright. The books I've read on fashion theory said it was popularised by Mónya Caalixe, the Svæitgarianruler. You should know her"

"The one that got her head lopped off? Yeah I know her. Didn't she let her people starve?"

"Speaking of- ", Rose dove into the humble basket they'd brought with them and pulled out two slices of cake. "Apparently Detti had been craving something sweet. Miss Brown made a whole cake. You should have seen it. It was the grandest thing I've ever seen. Powdered and those edible flowers imported from up North. We never would  have this kind of sweet thing till the festival of féildeirach" 

Betha accepted a slice gratefully but couldn't understand the fuss. It was cake, a grandiose cake, but cake all the same. It was crusted with frills and swags of powdered white cream, garnished with some pink sugar roses and silver pearls she hoped were edible. The texture was fluffy and the glaze oozed onto her tongue, she suspected it would have been unbearably sticky had the heat not begun to melt it.

"Your dress, Primrose"

Rose scoffed at the nickname, "I do wish you'd stop calling me that, it's irritating"

"Good. Dress, talk"

Rolling her eyes, she continued, "It's made from fabric off the banks in the Bläsjø rivers. There were only so many made, it was a gift to my grandmother by some high standing Svæitgarian family, Loreuxes I believe? At the time it was reserved only for the highest in social class, but they're awfully outdated now. It was just gathering dust in the attic"

"A waste if you ask me", Betha sighed looking at her own cotton dress that had served her through years. It was of foreign make that made people stare when she ventured into the capital. She'd gained her fair share of double takes from the servants and family alike at her dress wear, but Betha wouldn't bend to buying an unnecessary dress just because hers were deemed otherworldly by a pampered lot who had money to burn.

"I'll have to agree with you there, besides it's terribly inappropriate for our type of weather. Honestly I have no idea why it became so popular in Svæitgar. This old thing would give you a cold here in the winter months, you'd lose your fingers wearing this over there"

Rose finished her slice with the haste of a starved orphan, reaching into the basket for another. Between her rustlings Betha shuffled back and forth, weighing on what she was about to discuss. In her time with the royal family she'd noticed the cracks ever growing between them, something she'd yearned to fix but never could hope to. Her station was bellow that, and as reluctant as she was, she had to remain in her place.

"I could hear Aeryn and your father again last night"

Rose stilled, putting her cake down, "I don't even know why he bothers wasting breath with that man, he's insufferable"

"And your siblings?"

"Bernadette and Ciarán won't talk to me, I'd bet all the blood in my bones they think I should taint them in some way. Ridiculous. Tonje's fine, but she never leaves the school rooms anymore, her nerves are awful as of late. Aeryn said father had considered calling for a doctor"

"Do they think she has what your mother does?"

"It's unlikely, she's perfectly healthy. But she tends to wind herself up, and there's no bringing her down from it"

"At least there's Aeryn to keep you sane. He's been asking about the Svæitgarian teachings whenever I'm passing him. Our talks have been interrupted each time, he's got a new governess and she doesn't seem to be all that willing to put up with him"

"I wouldn't bother, he's probably only interested to anger father"

They sat in silence eating, grateful for the chilled breeze that rolled over the hills to bring an ease to the summer heat. It was hotter this year than ever before, or perhaps Betha had just spent so much of her life on Svæitgar that she hadn't noticed. She remembered when she'd first been deployed to Gaia alongside her instructor, the renowned Captain Leticia Rye. The moment she'd stepped from 'Cyrenes Halo' into the Hyperloops platform she'd near passed out from the heat. A world of wintery tundras to the green giant of Gaia had been difficult to adjust to at first, but she'd managed. The royal family of Gaia had requested her presence in particular, being half Gaian they took comfort in one of their own watching over the children. But she'd come to be more of a playmate and tutor to the youngest rather than a guard, being close in age and all. Their first meeting had been rocky at the start but from the blazing catastrophe blossomed the most unlikely of friendships, and Betha wouldn't have it any other way.

"If you're looking for historical contexts you're not going to find them there"

Betha spun round towards the voice. A girl, early teens, stood with a hard look on her face. Her eyes cut like glass, picking her apart at a glance, framed by dark locks gathered in a low braided pinup. She was well dressed, though far too casually, in a sensible cotton print and dark wool cloak. Three rows of velvet ribbon ran along the bottom that met at a crossroads round neat little horn buttons, clasping the cloaks two ends. No furs, no laces, and with her stained stockings her clothes hardly signalled her status. Had Betha not known better she would have guessed her a well dressed servant. She was short.

The library they stood in was a marvel of architecture. Rows of shelves ran across every inch of the walls, but above them towering bookshelves were suspended by an unseen force. Between them Enormous windows stretched from floor to ceiling, letting light bathe the room in a dull glow. In the centre of the library stood the orrery, a model of the planets that built the Fell Dynasty. Stone rods clad in synthetic moss stretched out to miniature spheres of the different planets, rotating slowly around a behemoth replica of the Capital planet, Gaia, sat in the centre of everything. Betha had been given orders to seek out the Child she was to guard by the Ríthair, and in the expanse of the palace library that in itself was a quest that should have rewarded her with a medal. The library was ancient, built by the first ones who landed at the end of the Great Crossing, it housed books from the old Earth, to take one from the library without express permission meant a death sentence.

"Oh, um…"

"Second row by the window seat" she said, pointing into the endless expanse of shelves and texts, "They're ordered by decade"

"Ah, thank you" she stuttered awkwardly, pushing her hand forward to offer her greetings "Betha Due your grace, I've been assigned as your personal guard. It's nice to meet you"

The girl ignored her hand, "Rose"

"Nice name"

The girl grumbled something unintelligible as her brows furrowed deeper. Not wanting to make a worse impression on the rulers daughter, Betha glanced at the book spines she was carrying.

"Paxton? I haven't read much of him. He's a bit of a mad one, all that rubbish about 'The monsters without name'"

"He was a maniac, but diligent in his findings non the less. He had some interesting theories"

"Fair bit of gobshite still"

"Weren't you busy?", she snapped.

"Oh um, yes. I'll be along the library if you're to need anything your grace '', Betha gave a curt bow and hurried away. Slapping herself internally, hoping her sudden profanity hadn't caused offence. Leticia had been at her for some time about that, but on Svæitgar things had been so different, less formality. Rose muttered something she wasn't prepared to hear while she walked away, something that Bethas' auntie would have had her mouth washed out with soap for so much as thinking. 

Betha spotted the tumbles of lace petticoats peeking from beneath Rose's skirts. Chiding herself for not thinking she was anything but royalty. Using the finest Athéan lace for something as mundane as a petticoat was a right reserved for rich brats.

Betha scrambled towards the section Rose had described. Still sure to keep an eye on the girl. She'd been trained to blend into the background of this, go about whatever tasks ordered so long as she stayed within distance of her royal protected. There was a vast collection of books along the worn cases and stacks by the window ledge. Most were old and in poor condition, the spines had faded titles and loose pages sticking out at all angles, messily shoved into the shelves. Along each row was a glossy bronze plate marking the time period, from recent years back centuries. Betha began to wonder.

The system was quick and efficient, she found the section she needed and reached for a title with a faded maroon cover. Just as it grazed her grip it flung itself to the floor. Really, she thought, rolling her eyes in frustration. But when she made another attempt at grabbing the book it scooted further away.

"Little monster....", she murmured.

Betha went to strangle the thing when it shot in the air and danced above her head. Flinging herself back and forth to catch it, the devil of a thing wiggled from her reach each time. Back and forth, escaping her grasp at each attempt. Frustration was brewing in her pursuit, the book slid along the ground, occasionally hopping across her arms when she got too close. It snaked through the shelves and she gave chase, making a mad dash to clasp the few pages that stuck out from their confines. Whenever she felt as though she was about to reach it the dratted thing swivled in the opposite direction to catch her off guard, alleviating her grip. Finally the book turned a corner and found itself trapped between Betha and the wall, nowhere to run. Lunging forward her fingers found its spine and she yanked it towards her hugging it close.

" Got ya little...ah!" she screamed as the book skimmed from her hold, catching itself under her feet and throwing her body backwards right onto her back. The book floated above her head, twirling in triumph, mocking her.

Betha heard a subtle giggle, rounding on the owner and shooting a look of daggers. Rose's hand covered the lower part of her face, but she could still see the smug grin twisted beneath it. Her opposite hand was outstretched and quickly retracted under Betha's gaze, as it did the book dancing menacingly above her head dropped beside her. Rose appeared to return to her studies, unbothered but with the faintest smile of pride.

"Oy! what's the big deal!"

"I don't know what you're talking about"

"You- what- you had me on my arse!"

"Did I now?"

"Dont you- " With a comical yelp she was cut off. A book from the shelves above fell right on her head and Betha was prepared to commit homicide. By what she supposed was divine intervention, Ríthair Gaius Fell strode through the loft doors into the library, unimpressed. 

Betha gathered herself, quickly dropping to a stiff bow before the monarch.

"You're in my house less than an hour Miss Due and already collapsing book shelves I see. Quiet the ruckus". He spoke with the superiority she'd come to know from the dynasties rulers, posh and grant. 

"I apologise Ríthair. Her highness and I had an interesting method of greetings" she said through gritted teeth, sending daggers towards the young girl.

"I agree that Rose is hardly a dignified girl, but look at her, you expect me to believe that she roughed up an experienced soldier like yourself. Or perhaps your abilities aren't quite as substantial as I thought".

"I can assure you my abilities are up to standard Ríthair. Though I'm still in studies with Captain Rye regarding my sights training. I'm afraid her graces graspings are quiet above my own. I'm sure she'll be a fine ward of the sight some day" 

To her surprise, the Ríthair bellowed in laughter, a cold, pungent thing.

"You're accusing her of roughing you up with the sight. Oh Miss Due you are quite amusing. She's a rarity unfortunately, she cannot use the sight as we can, completely useless at the stuff".

"Perhaps you're just naturally clumsy", pondered the little wench, shooting Betha an eye that quickly panned to a bored emotionless expression when her father turned towards her.

"Do try to make less noise and you " he spat towards his daughter, "Quit bothering her unless you want an assassin taking your head".

And with that he turned and strode grandly out the door. Betha wished for his coattails to catch in the door before turning to Rose.

"You're one hell of a sneaky devil, aren't you"

"You tell my father and I'll snap your neck"

Betha smiled, so this was how rich brats played , "One condition"

Rose raised her eyebrow "What?"

"Show me what you got"

Betha sat up suddenly, breaking her from the confines of her thoughts. "Right enough lounging, let's practice shall we?"

"But it's awful hot" Rose groaned, "I'll collapse if we're to do combat"

"No excuses, you wanted my teachings and you're going to get them. Use the wind to cool you down"

"Easy for you to say"

"Hush, let's start with elementals shall we"

Defeated, Rose sighed. Stretching her arms out, she moved her fingers through the air, feeling for where the spaces between them connected. Before Betha had arrived she'd never been able to understand what that meant, let alone how to feel for it. She'd found herself blankly staring at parchment willing it to move, but to no avail.

Betha had proposed she stop feeling for what was there, but for what wasn't. If she could understand that then it would be easier to figure out what exactly it was she should be reaching for. It had made a difference certainly, a small one, but then again that was what progress was.

The wind twirled between her palm, obeying her somewhat, but still resistive. Focusing, she pushed what she could between the grass and blanket of their impromptu picnic, the blanket rode the breeze and the blades of grass fluttered ever so slightly. 

Progress.

"Good, you're getting better. Now try fire"

Rose huffed, lowering her arms, the breeze stopped with it's connections severed, "You know I'm no good at that"

"It's the next easiest of the elements, the next step. Think fast"

Rose would have replied had her bonnet not caught fire. Yelping gracelessly she threw it from her head and stomped the flames out. Betha was giggling at her, the white hot glare Rose sent her way only seemed to make her laugh harder. 

"We're next to a lake, Rosie,'' she snickered. "You could have just used the water. You really do suck at elements"

"That was a new bonnet" she gasped, still fighting to suffocate the embers sparking across the now scorched straw. Once she was finally satisfied she glanced up at Betha, but any prospect of forgiveness died on her tongue as she was met with a snark smile. Rose would have her revenge, "Think fast"

Betha cried out as a flurry of shadows wrapped round her ankles and lifted her upside down, dangling her over the water. Rose beamed with delight at her friend's plight.

"Put me down!"

"But of course, once you apologize that is"

As it would seem her gloating was short lived. While basking in the air of her victory she hadn't noticed her shadows losing their grip. Bethas' hand shot out to grab the wind, pulling it towards herself and Rose with it. She tumbled into Betha with a surprised cry, the pair crashing into the water beneath, utterly soaked.

"You sneak!" She cried scurrying back onto her feat and twisting the dresses fabric in her fingers to squeeze what water she could out of it, "These are my good shoes too"

"Oh stop with the hysterics, steal some of Aeryns"

"I have infants feet" she whined, "I'm going to catch a cold"

"In this heat, I doubt that, '' remarked Betha, and without a moment's warning she dragged Rose back into the water, the two giggling and flailing.

Chapter Text

When the first landers arrived they brought with them the language and faith of old. But time does not wait, and so as all things must, they grew

Upon the soils of Gaia grew the beginnings of a new tongue, Nádulrá, and from its blossoming leaves branched other's to be upon other words. Still the royal family, so proud of their heritage, kept the ancient tones of earth in the Mbéal ö Mónya, a language reserved only for their bloodline.

The Children of Gaia studied a vast array of languages old and new, but Nádulrá and the Mbéal ö Mónya would forever be theirs and theirs alone.

In the confines of the first dominion of the galactic federation, Orthodox became a rarity. And soon they would know their mistake.

✧.*☬*.✧

"I almost got you!” Aeryn grinned, even as he picked himself up from the floor.

“Almost won’t cut it in war I'm afraid,” Leticia said with a roll of her eyes. “Besides, I was soft on you"

“Whatever you say Captain"

Leticia Rye bent her hand down to help him up, Aeryn jostled to his feet and whipped the dirt from his pants. It was a quiet morning in the Acropolis gardens, its stillness only broken by their panting breaths and clang of their mindelheim when they met.

"You are getting better, but you've much to learn yet your grace" Leticia said, her accent bleeding through her words, "I've trained soldiers a fraction of your age with better form"

"Oh come on, let me have this win will you" Aeryn groaned, readjusting the training sword in his grip. 

They had found themselves in the training pavilion, practicing lunges and stances with the bronze mindelheims his father had gifted him a few years back. Gaius had always said a sword was always an extension of a man, and had thrust Aeryn into all kinds of weapons training from then on. He'd never been all too good at it, still he'd managed to chase off his fair share trainers until Captain Leticia Rye came along. Finally giving him a fair fight rather than yield whenever he demanded. Leticia wasn't concerned with status, she'd worked her way through the ranks of Svæitgars armies and she wasn't so bothered to put up with Aeryns schemes. 

He liked her, she treated him as an equal, not a prince.

Leticia took one look at the defeated expression on Aeryns face and tossed him a spear that had been leaning against one of the statues, "Again", she demanded.

Wordlessly, they took their positions in the middle of the pavilion, sizing each other up for a moment before jumping into action.

After three years under her tutelage, Aeryn had finally begun to actually improve on his footwork. He’d even beaten his older brother a few times, though Ciarán profusely argued he'd been easy on him. But he had never beaten Leticia. He wasn't all too sure anyone had.

Aeryn came at her in a fury of slices from his mindelheim, the bronze steel glittering in against the sun, and managed to push Leticia back towards one of the pillars, if only by a little bit. Leticia grunted as Aeryn shoved the butt of his spear against her chest, and then retaliated by catching its shaft against her own. With a single jerk of her arm, Leticia ripped the sword out of his hands and pressed the edge of her mindelheim towards his neck. Aeryn's weapon had clattered to the floor somewhere behind him, but that didn’t stop him. He balled up his fists instinctively and flung them at Leticia, pushing her sword to the side, his knuckles finding her collar bone.

His tutor jerked back then advanced, her leg swivelled under his own, locking against his knees and flipping on his back. Aeryn felt the cold metal greet his chest and knew then he had lost.

"Nice try, but your footwork is still sloppy"

"I had you" he argued.

"And yet which one of us is on the ground?

"Very funny", he mumbled, still laying on the ground in a sweaty heap.

"I think breaks are in order, why don't we leave it here?" Aeryn chuckled as Leticia pulled him up, and though her palm was scarred, it was warm. When she'd first arrived the vestige cold of Svæitgar still clung to her fingers. But it seemed the Gaian climate was finally doing her some good.

"Giving up already?"

"No. I'm just tired of kicking you down, it's starting to get a little sad"

Aeryn groaned, "Well I don't see the point in all of this. I'm never going to need to fight. Doesn't really matter how shit I am"

"That day may come yet. Peace seldom lasts. Things are stirring as of late"

"Oh really like what?"

"Svæitgar has been getting antsy lately,” she said after a few moments, pulling her hands back to her side of the table.

Now that caught Aeryns attention.

“How so?”

“I’m not sure. They're not telling me much but I'd say it's got something to do with Pixidys and all the trouble they're been cooking up. The ambassadors have been pulling me aside for more meetings on defence” she admitted, dropping her voice despite the fact that they were the only two in the gardens “I feel like there’s something more going on that they’re not telling me.”

“Like what?” Aeryn pushed, frowning at her. “Like they’re concerned about alliances?”

“Possibly, but I don’t know why they would be worried about that changing. The alliance has been secured even before Mevolent took power, I don't see why that would change now,” Leticia said, turning the mindelheim over in her grasp “Have you noticed anything unusual your Father?"

Leaning back in his chair, Aeryn thought over his past few interactions with Gaius. He'd always been unusual, the years of his rule had only served to strengthen that, but hiss father was an odd man and Aeryn didn't see how that had anything to do with Mevolent or Pixidys. “He hasn't seemed to be acting unusual. Maybe a bit more paranoid, but that’s how Gaius is"

Humming, Leticia nodded. “I’m probably fretting over nothing"

Aeryns frown deepened. “Don’t brush your instincts off like that. You've always been right with those things. If Svæitgar is acting strange, we need to keep an eye on them.”

“But it’s not like there’s anything we can do even if something odd is going on. The ambassadors only tell me limited information since I'm a soilder. Unfortunately being Captain doesn't change that” Leticia said, huffing a bit. “Though I don’t know what else I expected really, I'm here for your protection, not politics.”

“Svæitgar sounds cool,” Aeryn muttered, thinking of the wintry forests the tabs had shown him in the libraries. “I don’t think they’d let me on the planet even if I wanted to travel there.”

Leticia snorted. “Maybe once one of your siblings is crowned Ríthair they'll extend and invitation, they've certainly done it in the past. They might invite you to reaffirm the alliance, but I’m not sure about that.”

Talking about Leticia's home planet was always a strange experience because of how disconnected he felt from the place. Most of the dominions' royal guards had been trained there, but other than that Svæitgarians liked to keep to themselves. It wasn't much different than Gaia in terms of that sort. Both planets closed themselves off, not wanting to deal too heavily with the affairs of the other dynasties. 

“Keep an eye on the ambassadors and let me know if they do anything else unusual,” Aeryn said after a few moments, staring at his hands. “I’ll keep an eye of Gaius and let you know if anything seems off"

“I will,” Leticia nodded, giving him a reassuring smile, "Now go wash up, you reek" and with that she collected her things and headed away.

Aeryn wanted to lay there for a while, it was evening now and his lessons wouldn't start up again till morning. He had time to burn and nothing to do with it.

A smile creeped up his face as an idea formed in his head. If there's time to burn, then he'll sure as hell burn it.

*.ﾟﾟ.*

The city lights glitter around him in a kaleidoscope of reds and greens, in the evening sun the bioluminescence of the fungal trees were creeping in to bathe the night in their colours. A living diorama of flashing lights contrast against the silhouettes of the city's inhabitants.

At this hour most of the businesses have closed, but still the city is alight with activity as crowds flock between clubs, restaurants, and bars. All looking for a piece of the evening to entertain themselves. Above him the evening skies twinkle through the plasma shield that keeps Gaias capital at a comfortable gravity. All the major cities across Gaia have one. It's far more convenient than wearing juggernaut boots to weigh them down.

The cities elite dress comfortably for the day, in cool earthy tones and loose fitting fabrics. Those are the ones that can afford the best boutiques and name brands. But it's the more tight fitting geometric garments, decorated in a sheer sleeve, that gives away the calling cards of some of Gaias top private designers, reserved only for the best of the best. With his modest dress wear and heavy makeup, Aeryn blends right into the crowd. The synthetic red dye streaks across his hair in a thick layer, it's uncomfortable, but he's willing to sacrifice comfort for anonymity.

There's a club to his left, pouring out strange music and drunken attendees. Pulsing strobes of technicolor lights bounces into the streets. He makes his way through the crowd, stopping only to give the security a quick nod, before he steps inside the sea of party goers, lost in their rhythms of ecstasy.

Aeryns always been an outsider, but here he fits right in

Seventeen years of parties. From Opera houses full of aristocrats, all choking on pungent fumers, to the coloured spotlights of the inner city discos, Aeryn has always enjoyed a good party.

In the drones of a crushing crowd and blinks of winking lights he'd always find his way. A giddy maelstrom of light and sound never felt so quiet when he could lose himself in the way of things. Dancing, arms above his head like a sporus tree tossing it's branches against the breeze, Drinking, until his eyes are glassy and everything seems brighter.

Living, like tomorrow is only a second thought.

In the heart of the city no one would think much of the dark, tall building. It's a club like any other, so mundane against all the glowing lights of the others in the streets. The last place anyone would expect the most inner circles to club. Most of Gaias elite are here tonight, the cream of the crop. Dripping in treasures undoubtedly facted by master jewellers, rare and rich, hugged in luxurious silks and organza. Here the rich and powerful lose themselves in the ways of the night. Away from prying eyes, where heiresses and politicians do their dirty business without a worry to pick up the slack after them. Deals, Affairs, drugs. All wrapped together with a bow on top.

Aeryn has never seen such degeneracy. Coming from him that's bound to say a lot.

They don't see him as an outsider. He moves in tandem with the swirls of people, just another face in the music and laughter. The patterns on his jacket mimic theirs, a tendril pattern coiling over his shoulders in shifting tones of blue, green and gold. It's a cropped leather top paired with a cascading tulle skirt, the gold and red ange colours of autumn, topped with woven leaf motifs and far too many sequins. He looks ever the part he's meant for. It's a nature theme this year. The previous years it's been dystopia or gilded glamour. But this year the environment is all the rage. A girl brushes by him, delicate fabrics pooling across her body, almost floating, he'd guess she's supposed to be a glider. Another man dressed as an old earthian creature, the hedgehog, keeps poking passersby with his spikes, each covered in rhinestones that flake off wherever they touch. 

They might think he's a fresh faced politician, or some mafiosos lackey.

Or perhaps the rebellious son of a spoiled Ríthair.

Bitterly he smiles to himself. It doesn't matter what they think. They're too absorbed in themselves to care, too sure of their safety, so certain that being here grants them anonymity. Aeryn smiles to himself, he likes it here. Oddly enough, places like this always remind him he could be worse, he could be evil. And that has always brought him a sense of relief.

Aeryn looked across the room with jaded eyes, while on the outside he threw his head back and laughed with the crowd, inside his stomach churns and bile crept up his throat. This place, to him, is nothing more than a carnival of shallow luxury. Filled to the brim with playboys who climbed on the backs of exploitation and lies. 

The same people who'd mock a petty thief mercilessly, call them pathetic for not working hard enough to provide for their families, dealt unceremoniously in arms and black marketeering. To them petty criminals went to jail. Classy criminals moved to penthouses. And Gargantuan criminals partied here.

Then, in between the roar of the club, everything stilled and there was a moment, where everything changed.

A flash of silver cut through Aeryn's vision like a beacon calling him closer. The glimpse of silver came closer and he found himself face to face with a girl not much younger than himself, for a fraction of a second. But a fraction was all he needed.

Soft eyes and a gentle face. Small and plump, she looked like a glimmering star in the ever expanse of the night sky. 

Aeryn lurched forward, losing the silver in the crowd. He hadn't had anything to drink tonight, yet still a cloying terror ebbed inside him and the room felt smaller. He whirled in the direction of that calling silver, trying to ignore the tightness of his shirt. Prickles of sweat dot his face as he staggered forward, no longer following the rhythmic flow of the crowd but cutting and pushing his way against them. It earned him a few elbows to the ribs but still he trudged on, breaking into a sprint 

A distant voice in his head tried to calm him down, but his heart pounded so quickly he couldn't distinguish the beats, the music pierced his ears like a blade and his sweating palms left smears against the part goers he shoved through. Again, he stumbles through the swarms of people, that carefree buzz is lost along with that silver hair.

It was her. There's no denying it.

A strange roar seems to surge through his body and suddenly he's hit with a dizzy nausea at the terror of never seeing her again. He has to find her, he has to.

Just as everything becomes a distant blur and the panic reaches its precipice, he meets that familiar head of silver hair and yanks his arm out to meet the surprised face of his baby sister.

"What are you doing here?" he cries, pulling her away from the centre of the crowd.

"What? Wait Aeryn-?"

He doesn't let her get another word out before he's dragging his sister back towards the entrance. Fighting against the flow of dancers all off their faces on synthetics.

"Hey wait up!" She yells from behind him, her voice barely piercing the volume of the club's music.

They're out on the streets now, before anyone can notice he leads them behind the club, towards a maze of back-allys he knows all too yell, "How the hell did they even let you in?" He grumbled, more to himself than rose, "Are they checking ID certs?"

Rose scoffed, "They let me in for the same reason they let you in idiot. Let go" she tried manoeuvring from his hold, but he wasn't about to let her run off again. Aeryn had been sneaking off for years, he knew all the right times when the guards turnover shifts left an opening. He knew which areas to avoid and more importantly he knew how to get himself out of trouble should he find any. Rose was clever, but young and vulnerable, a walking target. 

The silver tint over her hair did its best to hide her, but the geometric patterns over her clothes gave away her status. Not to mention she had nothing covering her face.

He whirled on her, letting his anger bare "You're supposed to be back in the Acropolis, it's dangerous out here"

Rose laughed with no real warmth. Her eyes looked into his own, unfocused. It didn't take a genius to realize she'd been sipping ale, "That's rich coming from you"

"Yeah but at least I know how to take care of myself. Besides, the staff knows me here" he spat.

"Let go! It was just a bit of fun!"

"No we're going home"

"Aeryn I said-"

"Rose!" He stopped to look back at her, with an expression that told he was not in the mood for any argument, "I don't want you out this late. It's dangerous for you"

"And it's not for you?"

"Stop it we both know I can manage, you can't"

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

They stopped walking as Aeryn stuck a finger at her chest, "You seriously want me to spell it out? What if some rando decides they want to make some random money and sees the goddamn child of Gaia walking into their arms. That clubs full of degenerates Rose"

"Oh please I can fling you away just as easy. I'm fine Aeryn, no one's going to touch me. I can take care of myself"

"No you can't and you know it!"

Rose looked like he'd slapped her and Aeryn immediately regretted his words as she was momentarily stunned into silence. When she spoke again her voice was low, underlying her seething tone, "What causes I can't use Sight like you can?"

"You know what I meant-" he tried.

"No I don't think I did" she huffed, "Explain it to me Aeryn, go on"

"Look let's just get back home"

"No!" She screamed, finally tearing her arm from him, "I'm sick of everyone thinking I'm this frail child. I can do things, I don't care if they're not the things people want me to do"

"You're fifteen Rose" he said, leaning down to her height, trying to soften his voice to soothe her. They weren't getting anywhere fighting like this, "No one's expecting you to do anything. Let's just get home"

Rose, it seemed, wanted a fight, "Oh shut up! I see the way you all look at me. Like I'm useless, but no one bothers to give me a chance to do anything. Why can't you see that?"

"We'll talk later"

"I want to talk now!"

"Rose!" Aeryn hadn't meant to tell so loud. But at the very least he'd gotten her to be quiet. The hurt on her face stung him, but he couldn't risk the two of them being out any later. They could talk in the morning, once the ale and hurt of the night wore off.

"Let's just go home, please"

Chapter Text

The Galactic Dominion or The United Alliance of the Galactical Áohlos Dominions, saw it's birth in 70 GC when the original inhabitants of Gaia, the Návils, declared the planet as a capital Hub. Alongside 4 other planetary clans they established the beginning of the Dominion. In 75GC, following the abdication of Ríthair Návils, his half brother Sephis Cosaint was crowned. Beginning the rule of the Cosaint dynasty.

From there the dominion expanded its reach, finally in the 600th year it saw a collective 12 distinct dominions under its control, all spearheaded by individual dynasties, with a vast empire of planets beneath their belts.

After a painful century, the years of fighting gradually died off, and through the ashes shone an era of peace, and for centuries that peace went unbroken. That was until the 619th year since the Great Crossing, a fanatical preacher, Mevolent, defeated the once King Antas Nythee of the 9th dominion, taking the throne and ending the near 400 year reign of the Nythne Dynasty. Ushering an era for the Faith of the Faceless, and leaving the entire Dominion on edge.

✧.*☬*.✧

"What's her name going to be?"

"I'm sure Gaius has a list somewhere. It doesn't really matter in the end though does it"

The siblings were gathered around each other in the drawing room adjacent to their mothers chambers. It was late, the evening sun spilled from the arched windows, painting their surroundings in shades of gold. Sunlight dripped from the mauve couches they sat on, Bernadette and Ciarán on one, and Aeryn and Tonje opposite. It was a room they were unfamiliar with. Mother hardly left her chambers, plagued by weakness. The desk bore the scars of ink from her writings and manifold frustrations, dog eared books littered the window seat and a discarded fiddle lay in the room's corner. She'd played it for them, long ago, before Aeryn and Tonje. But those days had long since passed. Now they sat together huddled around Niki who held their new sister, swaddled in blankets, in the gentle crook of her arm.

"Of course it does!" cried Bernadette, "We're still going to have to call her by it for god knows how long" she was careful to keep her voice as muted as it could be, not wanting to stir the baby. Their little sister had come earlier than expected, she was so small, smaller than the other two had been. The midwives had hurried the child onto them, assuring she was healthy, before shutting the doors to tend to their mother. But Bernadette still watched her closely, fearing she'd crumble at the slightest waiver of Tonje's grasp.

"It's definitely going to be an old name. Probably something mythical knowing father", scoffed Ciarán.

Three year old Aeryn piped up, "S'too hard to spell". Sticking his lip out in a huff, his tiny face turning red from the effort.

Detti sighed, "I know Will, but our father has always seemed keen on it "Aeryn pouted, swinging his frail legs from the couch and pulling at his lace collar as he always did when he grew restless. Bernadette tilted her head to watch him, catching her brother's eye to send a smile his way. The three year old did not reciprocate, eyes darted back to the floor and pulled harder at his collar. Bernadette went to sit beside him.

"Oh stop that Aeryn! That collar was only just starched, you'll give the laundry maids a fit", Pulling his hands into her own, "Look at it this way, she's going to grow up and ten you can call her whatever you want. Like a nickname"

"What about líadain?"

"Tonje, we are not naming the child that, it's a mouth full"

The words appeared to cut across her younger sister's face, lips contorting to a quiver as she looked about ready to cry. Detti thought quickly, she wasn't about to let her set off the baby.

"What about ceremonial names for yourself" she suggested, hoping it would suffice as a distraction, "You're getting older now, any ideas?"

Ciarán all but cringed at the question, "She's seven Detti. Choosing a name now is hardly imperative. Even if Gaius crowns her, she's not going to need one for a few years"

"It never hurts to start thinking ahead does it, Bernadette spoke, sending daggered looks in an attempt to silence him, lest Tonje start crying again,"Besides I wasn't asking you"

The mouse haired girl twiddled her thumbs shyly, back and forth, mulling over the proposed question.

"Pappa said Banríóg would be a pretty name"

Bernadette smiled, "A pretty name indeed. Do you know what it means?"

Tonje shook her head.

"It means Queen of the fairy's. I think it'll suit you"

Her sister beamed, "I want a pretty name like that"

Ciarán found his way beside her, placing an arm round her little shoulders, "Oh but your name is already so pretty Ton", He gave her a small squeeze and lifted a finger to the baby's face, cooing subtly.

"It could have been worse. Father originally wanted to name me Cúchulainn", mournfully Ciarán spared a glance at the scattered books atop the sill seat, there was surely a book on the old Earth's myths somewhere amongst the pile.

"Like the boy who killed the dog in the stories!"

"That's the one, talk about a mouthful. Mother managed to talk him out of it thankfully"

"And even then you still wound up with a mouthful" Detti chided.

"Oh shut it like your name was any better!"

"Least it didn't have a fáda"

The siblings settled and the room was engulfed with silence once more. Bernadette spared a glance towards her mother's room, listening for the quickened shuffling on feet and the midwife's low whisperings. A part of her felt sickened at the prospect that one day she'd be expected to do this. She had always been told children were a wonder, but she felt nothing but pity towards her mother.

Ciarán glared at her but decided not to argue, "How about Nialmh or Faenys?"

"Those are horrible Ciarán"

"Look I'm just trying to help"

"Well hold her then!" Shooting up from her seat she moved Tonjes arms with her own, shoving the baby into Ciaráns arms.

He grimanced, manoeuvring the back of her head into his palm, "She's so wiggly"

"Well get used to it, you're going to have children one day"

"So are you"

"Please don't remind me, it's not an affair I'm looking forward to"

Her brother shifted his hold once more, rocking her slightly and trying desperately to stifle a grin, "She is quiet cute"

"Of course she's cute. We were all impeccably cute babies, except Ciarán, he was rather ugly"

"I beg your pardon"

"Then beg" she shot back, which was met with her brother's mouth snapping shut. Good.

"In fairness most babies look quite like aliens. The Brídes daughter just had a little boy, his face resembles that of a marshmallow"

Ciarán giggled, "Don't let father catch you saying such things"

"I think he'd be inclined to agree"

Ciarán was shuffling the baby about again, attempting to acquire a comfortable hold for the both of them, completely oblivious to the baby's legs dangling at odd angles. Bernadette had had enough of his idiocy.

"Oh for the love of god give her here". 

Detti all but grabbed the child from her brother, making sure Ciaráns eyes were on her when she cradled the baby in the correct position.

Looking into her sister's eyes she felt the beginnings of a smile curve up her cheeks. In her defence she was a cute baby. She had also proved to be a very quiet baby, which garnered her hefty points from Bernadette. It was odd having a new sibling at this age. The other Gaian families she knew had a lot of kids too but they were all only a few years apart. She loved her siblings, but it was difficult to get to know them. She had never liked children, simply tolerated them, and she feared they'd never really be all that close because of it. It was odd to have young children in the house after so many years of just herself and Ciarán. Tonje had arrived when she was eight, Aeryn three years after and now this little one. Bernadette hadn't expected to be an older sister again so quickly, yet here she stood time and time again with a new member in her arms. It wasn't uncommon for the Fells to have such numbers of children, but historically they were mere years, if not months, apart. It breed competition for the title of heir. After Ciarán and herself had been delivered many expected them to be the last. She'd wondered what had happened, why they had stopped then started again so suddenly. After some attempts she had managed to weasle the story from her ladies maids.

Apparently while her father had wanted to keep to tradition by having more, her mother had simply refused. And so her mother was relinquished of her duties and left to her own devices. That was until eight years ago. The disputes between her mother and father had all but been forgotten at that point, they wanted to heal, to move on as a family. Their first mistake was one of utter naivety, expecting a child to fix the mess they created. With each new sibling her parents grew further and further apart, old wounds ripping themselves open once more. But this time her mother couldn't stand to care for Bernadette's new siblings, the ones that she felt kept her trapped in a gilded cage.

Bernadette knew, deep down, that the blame was on her father. And yet her sympathies seldom lay with Fiadh. Gaius, for all his failings, had at the very least tried to be there. A stinging bitterness resided in the thoughts of the woman she called mother, she had never so much as made an effort. Holed up in these drab chambers.

With the thoughts of her mother still fresh, she noticed the baby begin to stir. Leaning close, she whispered to Ciarán, "Mother ought to feed her soon don't you think?"

"She's resting, the maids said this one was particularly hard on her, she's not well"

"Great, we're stuck with a baby for another while. Where is father? "

"Speaking with the doctors I'd expect"

"Five minutes" she grumbled to herself, "If he's returned to his study I'll have him dragged out of it"

The Fell children seemed content this time to remain in silence, the events of the day finally catching them, their eyes drooping and fighting yawns. All but Aeryn, who grew incessantly bored, kicked his feet against the cushions until that too could no longer satisfy him. He decided to migrate towards the window. Presumably to observe whatever it was the gardeners spent their days doing.

"Rose!"

They all looked towards the three year old as he stumbled from the sill, bouncing towards Bernadette to place a single crumbled rose in her lap. She took it, feeling the decaying petals fall through her fingers.

"For the baby?". The boy nodded his response, "I'm afraid this one's dead Rynnie. We'll be sure to get her a proper rose come spring"

Aeryn pouted, but as quickly as it came the frown vanished, replaced with curiosity, "Can I hold her?"

Ciarán sucked in a breath and Tonje looked ready to protest before Bernadette interrupted.

"Okay just for a minute. She's delicate and you've broken enough vases to bankrupt us and give Miss Harrington the vapours"

Aeryn dutifully held out his hands, dipping somewhat under the weight of the baby. Detti placed his hands in the correct position, letting go of her hold and watching her brothers face beam with a sudden confidence as he giggled, "She looks so weird"

The remaining trio looked on in unspoken adoration. In that moment, that precious moment, each of them knew that they would do anything for each other. Bernadette thought to herself, she'd make any sacrifice, do whatever would be necessary to protect them.

"Rose"

Ciarán hummed in response, still gazing fondly at his siblings, "What?"

"We're naming her Rose"

Aeryn and Tonje beamed at the announcement, Ciara however, appeared utterly dumbfounded, crossing his arms with a dismissive huff, "I'm sure that will bode swimmingly well with father"

"He's named four of us already, he can put up with it"

"What about mother?"

Bernadette glanced to the door connecting the drawing room to her mother's bed chambers,

"Something tells me she's not all too interested in naming her"

"It's your funeral"

Their bickerings were short-lived as Gaius entered. The siblings moved to stand upon his arrival before he held his hand to stop them. "No need for such formalities. I'm sorry for the wait, your mother is doing well, she's just resting-"

"We're naming her Rose"

Their father's face drew blank, "I'm sorry?"

"We're naming her Rose. I think you should like to meet her" 

Bernadette dumped the child into her father's arms who gobbled like a fish. Bernadette figured she ought to slap him should he fail to gather his bearings. After the moment of surprise he straightened his arms to hold the baby properly, mulling over the name choice.

"It's certainly a pretty name,'' he bagan, slowly.

"Good, because it is now hers"

Gaius found his shoulders slumping in defeat with an exhausted sigh. He had always thought it better than to argue with his second eldest.

"Rose it is then"

Bernadette grinned and thought of all the wonderful things her baby sister was going to do

*.ﾟﾟ.*

The hallway was cold.

The Acropolis halls stretched in expanse. The royal palace was well furnished, rugs and tapestries hung ornately next to grand portraits brought over during the crossing and every room possessed a heating system beneath the tiles. For the most part it warded off the cold. But despite their best efforts, and any luxury money could buy, there was little more that could be done to drive off the chill. Rose had read of past tribes of old planets who wore animal skins to insulate themselves against harsh winters, but all she had to cover her arms was an aged woollen shawl. She'd meant to ask Miss Brown about more weather appropriate stockings this morning, but upon her father's summoning she hadn't gotten the chance. It was unlikely she would until Wednesday with the cook fretting so much over preparations for their fathers gathering. An old group of fools with uncomfortable family connections, who were bound to be as stuffy as the rest of the Fells.

Rose hummed at the idea of company, absently fiddling with the hem of her shawl. It had been quite some time since any outsider, bar new members of staff, had set foot in the grounds of the Palace. As the years had dragged on Gaiuses' paranoia tended to get the better of him, and in the last while it had only grown worse. He hardly let any of his children leave, besides herself and Aeryn, even to socialise. But they were spares, not his priority. Still she had to be guarded, always feeling the unerving chill of knowing someone was watching. That had never been the case with Betha though, she was always meant as more of a companion than a guard and Rose was keen to be rid of any of her stand ins.

Bernadette sat across from her unimpressed at her fiddling, which was certainly very unlady-like manners in her mind, but she was better equipped for the cold. A fur muff and green cloak, the Gaian colours, with matching fur lining sewed on the interior. Rose reckoned she must have been preparing for an evening stroll before their fathers summons, and would probably much like to take her soured mood out on her younger sister. Beside her Ciarán was trying to look bored, but the constant glances towards the imposing doors of their fathers study gave away his nerves. On the contrary Tonje, who sat to her left, wasn't even attempting to hide hers. Eyes downcast and hands gripped so tight her knuckles turned white. Aeryn was the only one of the lot who appeared indifferent, looking like he'd rather be anywhere but stuck beside her, huddled in on himself to preserve what little warmth his starched shirt could provide. He avoided her eyes skillfully, neither seemed to want to talk since their fight last night. Once Aeryn had gotten than back to the Acropolis he'd left to his chamber, and that had been the end of it.

They were silent. They didn't speak most days, the only real interaction any of the siblings had with each other was the odd nod when passing down the same hallway, which with the size of the palace was a rarity in itself. Yet without a single word spoken between them the tension was thick enough to cut. At this point Rose was fairly certain they only kept their mouths shut because they knew any attempt at conversation would end in an argument, not something any of them wanted to risk at the moment. They sat patiently waiting for their father, who had summoned them out of the blue. Gaius always made sure to do checkups, to see how each of his children were progressing and making sure they stayed in line. But those had always been scheduled. While Rose may be grasping for anything at all to do during her waking hours, her siblings were occupied from dawn till dusk. Between infinite lessons, fittings and meals, they hardly had a moment to themselves. The sudden request of their presence had derailed their plans for the entire day and Rose could almost understand Bernadettes irritation.

The door flung open, a bellowing roar in the silence of the hallway making all of them jump. Tonje squecked from fright, instantly slapping a hand over her mouth at her mistake. The leading housekeeper, Miss Harrington, gave a low curtsy to the children. Rose had always been far more involved with the staff than any of her siblings, she spoke with them often, even eating some meals down in the kitchens and helping out where she could, anything to starve off the boredom. Miss Harrington had never bothered with formalities when they spoke, none of the staff below stairs had, so being curtseyed to was foreign for both of them. But her siblings appeared unphased, this was the behaviour they'd come to expect from their staff. Rose doubted Detti had ever said two words to the woman other than complaints about her frocks.

"The Ríthair would like to speak with you first, Lady Rose". All eyes snapped to her. Rose blinked for a moment, and Aeryn had to practically shove her out of the chair to move her along. She gulped as she stood, dutifully trotting after Miss Harrington towards her father's study. Glancing back, Bernadette and Ciarán were frowning, Tanya was somehow looking more nervous and Aeryn was chewing his lip.

Rose was never called first.

Gaiuses' office was full of shiny things. Clocks and burlesque frames from a bygone era danced through Roses' vision. Even the grand sleek panels, that covered far too much of the room in Roses' opinion, gleamed from their earlier polishings. Rose couldn't help but see herself in the polished floors beneath her feet, in a pale gown dipped in silver and blue sash. Complex arrangements of glass tubes and strange brass instruments ticking away broke up the blinding panelling that encompassed the study. The room was gloomy, despite the tall windows on either side of the central desk, like the light could never quite reach all corners. As she was led further into the room she welcomed the warmth from the hearth system prickling at her skin and dropped to a courtesy in front of her father's desk, who didn't remove his eyes from his work.

"Please sit" he said gesturing to one of the furnished chairs in front of him, "Miss Harrington do wait by the door until we are finished"

Both hurriedly obeyed, Rose dropped into the seat and began smoothing the wrinkles in her skirts, hoping her father hadn't noticed. She had been laying on the rugs in her room, something so improper that if Miss Brown had caught her she would have never heard the end of it. Rose could practically hear the woman's ramblings already, The chair Rose, you must sit in the chair. It is what they're designed for. Which would probably be followed by mutterings of Idiot girl or targets at her father for her unusual upbringing. Had the meeting been scheduled she could have asked Serrath, the laundry maid, to hastily iron it for her. But she hadn't been given time

"You're terribly quiet these days", he stated. Rose found her eye twitching ever so slightly at the irritation that followed. Ironic, that he felt he could be the judge of her behaviour when they hardly saw each other, let alone spoke. She dipped her head in feigned respect to hide her scowl,

"It's not like you to call us here so suddenly"

"There's no earth shattering news if that's what concerns you, I suppose I wanted to check in without all the formalities"

She frowned, her father was certainly a man with occasional whims but he tended to place formalities and routine above all else. They'd all felt it, her and her siblings, since they were but children, their fathers rigidity when it came to running his life and their own. Instructions were to be followed, schedules maintained and nothing, nothing had ever gone off course. 

Until now that is.

She supposed the turning tides of warring politics had made him rather whimsical as of late. Though that was the nature of being Father to an entire dynasty. Gaius raised a brow at her silence, perhaps feeling somewhat judged, "Is there a problem with wanting to see my children?"

"It's just sudden is all"

Chuckling he placed his pen down, crossing his fingers and bore straight into her. Flickering across her with those sharp eyes so like her own, taking in the daughter he so scarcely saw.

"How old are you now Rose?"

"Fifteen"

He hummed at that, eyes dragging along their final observation before plucking a steel balled pen and returned to writing on his halo tab.

The silence was stale and palpable and Rose hadn't wanted to break it. Something told her this was a test, a trap perhaps, but she shoved those ridiculous thoughts to the back of her head. What would Gaius have to test her for, after all these years? And even so a single test would do nothing for her, she had failed every one previous in her lifetime, she would be a failure regardless.

Rose had, oddly enough, always found a level of comfort in that. Undoubtedly she craved her family's love and praise. How could she not when she saw the sparkle in her father's eyes and upturned lip of satisfaction whenever Bernadette spoke of her sight or introduced a new friend with eligible connections. The subtle sigh of peace when he walked by Tonje's music lessons to hear the barest notes of Balfe or that prideful puff of his chest when he saw that Ciarán looked more and more like himself. Sometimes he called them in for tea and a short chat. Perhaps unorthodox for other families to schedule such meetings, but for the Fell children such things were a luxury only so few of the children would ever be awarded. 

Envy, a bitter thing. She hated it, hated that she so desired the respect and admiration from the very person who had made her so painfully lonely.

But then she reminded herself of the muffled sobs from Tonje's bedroom she heard echoing on too many evenings. Bernadette's silent mutterings that 'She was enough, she would be' and that cold, disenchanted look in Aeryn's eyes after a particularly nasty exchange of words with their father. One of knowing he'd never be enough for Gaius and the frustration of complete entrapment with nowhere to run. One she saw etched across her own features each and every time she gazed into the mirror.

"May I ask why I've been called here?"

"I've been thinking about what to do with you is all"

"Are you sending me away?"

"I've considered it, but under the current climate I don't think it wise", he spared her a glance from his documents, for a moment, "What do you know of Mevolents army as it stands? I understand you're rather close with the staff and their gossipings", he eyed Miss Harrington who gracefully ignored him, fixing her attention across the room, looking as though she'd quite like to replace the gaudy portrait across from her. Far too much red on that old thing, it clashes with the furnishings, she had said one morning after sending up breakfast. And don't get me started on the indecorousness of it all, the figures are hardly clothed! Rose had wanted to comment on how beautiful she thought it and of how such a style of characters, even if hardly clothed, was rather common across artistic depictions of the old mythos. She'd read about it in the library. But that morning Miss Harrington had already flung a china plate at one of the maids and she wasn't keen on being next.

"He's been preaching for some time now, gathering supports. There was never any fear of him threatening the dynasties", Rose began carefully, "But now things are unsure. There's talk of attacks in other dominions. Some say Pixidys are behind them, but they've denied accountability. If you ask me the dynasties have grown too complacent"

"You'll do well to keep that in mind. But remember Rose, we mustn't jump into these things. We are the true neutrals, the voices of reason within the dominion. We need to consider both sides of the equation before making any decisions. You'll do best to keep those thoughts to yourself for the time being or at the very least encourage your brothers to take up an interest in it. I would appreciate if you'd avoid such senseless hearsay of kitchen gossip, but something tells me that's a futile endeavour"

Rose didn't respond

"Do you know why you're here Rose?"

"No"

"I heard from one of your sister's tutors that you've developed a nasty habit of eavesdropping on her lessons, specifically the old histories and sciences. Care to explain?"

Rose twisted her hands tightly together in front of her dress, bunching the fabric between her fingers to quell the bubbling nerves in her throat and to prepare herself for what she was about to say, "I've already read all the books in the library on the old history and most of the advanced sciences are written in the old language" her voice dropped to a murmur "I thought I might be able to learn something new"

"You were given your own personal tutor's when you were twelve, were you not?"

"That taught etiquette and Grammar"

"And Orthodox," Gaius added, "So why didn't you learn then? It's far easier to study the old language through Orthodox than Nádulrá is it not?"

"I want to learn. But those tutor's always taught lessons on things I never cared about. And when they did go into anything else I had already studied the material. One tried to teach me the entire history of my own family, as if it hadn't been drilled into my head since I was four years old"

"Well, if you continue to keep placing yourself on a pedestal of knowledge then you're never going to learn anything. Those tutor's are some of the best in the dominion for teaching subjects appropriate for your age range. Are you suggesting you're above them? If you know so much more than them then why should I waste valuable resources on you?"

"No, I'm saying they bored me out of my mind. They regurgitated things I had read a hundred times over back to me. They taught me nothing. You don't want to waste resources on me, very well, I can accept that. Then let me sit in on one of Bernadette or Ciaráns lessons. Just give me a challenge and I'll take it in stride"

"Your siblings are being educated to a standard that best suits them, one that no matter how intelligent you think you are, you do not compare"

"Didn't you used to say it was natural for those gifted with the sight to seek out knowledge. Why discourage me now?"

"I've never discouraged you Rose. I've never made any attempts to bar you from that library have I? But those old relics, let's just say they're gathering dust for a reason, for the most part they're not appropriate for a young lady, and certainly not a Child. Had it not been my sacred duty to care for them I would have rid this house of many of them long before you were born"

"But why are they appropriate for Bernadette or Ciarán but not me?"

"The ancient histories and sciences are appropriate for most boys and Bernadette, as I'm sure you're well aware of, is my heir apparent. The extra subjects will be integral to her success. She's different. She's to be crowded Ríthair after me and Ciarán next if anything were to happen. Your place is as Child of Gaia, an accessory diplomat. I'm giving you the same opportunity for education as I have given Tanya. Perhaps if you are so desperate to receive the same tutoring as her, I suggest you strive to be more like her. An asset to this family"

He sighed, "I've let you wander far too much it seems. You need to start thinking about how you're going to benefit this family. You have potential Rose, but you don't use it. You have no connections in any of our close social circles, no social presence for that matter and your sight is becoming stagnant"

Without thinking Rose let her inner monologues slip, "May I remind you it was you who bared me from practicing in the first place"

"Watch your tongue girl" he snapped before composing himself in a softer tone, "But I admit I let my grievances get the better of me. Do try again, there's a beginner's guide to the elements in the library. If that fails, might I suggest studying healings? It's certainly much more proper. There are guest due to arrive here soon; perhaps you should enquire with them about sight. Should you make any progress, return to me and we'll discuss tutor's in the way of the sight, the right kind of sight for you. Am I understood?"

With those final words Rose knew any and all of the arguments, counter points and pleas she had rehearsed in her room were futile. Her father would not budge. Any attempts at combat, meaningless. Forcing back the thoughts she wanted to lay bare, she croaked out a single word through gritted teeth and a clenched jaw,

"Yes"

"Listen to me Rose, I'm giving you a second chance here to find the right path. I won't have any more dealings with those dark arts of the Draíchta, am I understood? There is too much at stake with this war for cracks in our family. I expect you to take this opportunity with stride"

"I understand"

"Good. Do well with this and we can talk about returning to your lessons but they will be appropriate for your standing. Politics, Orthodox and etiquette. I won't hear anything else"

"Of course father"

"Go make use of yourself, child. Please show Rose out and send in Bernadette Miss Harrington"

Chapter Text

Across all the Dominions there are pockets of followers of faith. While many of the dominions official stance lay in atheism, many of their inhabitants still find joy and peace in their worshippings

The Brotherhood, Alphanium, Odeiséon and the Church of the Faceless all have a part to play in this story.

Odeiséon. A religion made of a subset of multiple beliefs across different planets, all with their own names and interpretations of their gods.

It is the main religion practised on Gaia, where their planet is seen as the physical embodiment of the deity Talaamh. There are also a collection of lesser gods in this religion, for example Báschán. All used as mythological tools to explain the planet's formation, seasons and ecology.

The brotherhood and Alphanium follow various similar teachings, but their faiths began on Pixidys soil. Mevolent, the ruler of the 9th dominion, was viewed by many as a messiah, the King of the Faceless reborn to bring them back to their days of glory. 

The Faceless Ones. They have many names. To the Brotherhood, they are 'The Unadorned'. On Svæitgar, they are 'The monsters without name'. But all worship the ancient beings of old, the first bringers of the sight.

The faiths that would bring the Dominion to ruin, laid bare their intent from the beginning. And still we did not see.

✧.*☬*.✧

"Sötis"

"Seete?"

"No. Sötis. Like Sigh-tees"

"Setees?"

"No", Rose said, smacking her friend lightly.

Betha had improved immensely, but she still needed some grammar ironed out, not to mention her pronunciation of Nádulrá was childish at the best of times. Roses room gleamed in the blue tones of winter. The wallpaper had been redone some years back, replaced with icy periwinkle panels that reflected the light pouring through the towering windows in an almost luminous glow. They sat together, sprawled across a Athéan carpet her father had commissioned. Painstakingly sewn to match the curling down-turned patterns of the wallpaper. Within its centre sat the emblem of the Fells. The silhouette of a fair woman, one of their most ancient ancestors. The synthetic fire in front of them crackled, sparkes pranced towards Rose, falling just short and landing on the tiles of the grate. Even if they'd landed their mark it wouldn't have hurt. Actual fires were a rarity on Gaia, they produced too much carbon dioxide to risk letting into the atmosphere. Behind the pair stood a semicircle of couches, overflowing with pillows and fur rugs to aid in the defence from the cold. Rose was clutching a blanket close, looking towards the fire hopefully. Betha spent most of her days with Rose, unless she was called away by Leticia for the odd Svæitgarian affair, but even those grew few and far between as the years of her stay mounted up.

"The Festival of Féildeirach is coming up, any thought to your ceremonial piece?" Betha teased.

"Oh don't start me on that" Rose moaned, "I'm excited for it all to be over with already"

Betha made a noise of understanding, "You'll have me there at least"

Rose giggled, bringing her hand to her forehead and dramatically swayed, "Oh my brave soldier. Whatever will I do without you?"

"Shut up! Unlike your royal pettiness, I'm excited to see the festival markets, if they have them. They're already putting up decorations down town. They've built a massive bláir flower in the city centre"

Rose tried to imagine it. The people of the Capitol cities hanging up the decorations for the festival with bláir plants and the luminous glow of sporus trees surrounding them on all sides. The streets decorated with flowing wisps of fabric all dyed in the Gaian colours of green and white. The plasma hazer above them was typically donned with a light shimmer that dotted across the skies alongside the stars. There'd be live music and dancing and people just celebrating the near end to the winter. Perhaps some stands would be set along the market row, though that usually only happened throughout the smaller towns and villages. 

Then there would be the ceremonies. Great crowds of people, the royal family included, all joining together to pray for another year of peace from their gods. Talamh, Gaia itself, and Báschán, the planet's moon. Their deities.

"Do you have any holidays on Svæitgar?" Rose asked.

Betha was silent for a few long beats. When Rose finally glanced over at her, she saw that her guard was watching her with something warm flashing through her green eyes. Like she was pondering a warm memory, "We have the celebration of Geimh Vintav. But it's just a bunch of church ceremonies really"

Rose nodded, "Can't say I know it"

"It's to remind us of 'The monsters without name', their banishment, their role in Svæitgars way of the sight. It's mainly for the Alphanium practicers"

Rose hummed, considering her words, "The Faceless Ones right?"

"We call them the monsters without name, I think it's more fitting"

Rose snorted her response, "I'll say"

"But it's pretty similar. Just different religions"

"Does anyone on Svæitgar even practice Odeiséon?"

"A few" Betha began, "But the royal family are Alphanium, so everyone just follows their lead"

A knock from the other side of the door echoed through the room. Followed by the creaking of the hinges as they opened, cutting them off.

Betha stumbled to her feet, "Captain Rye" she said quickly, giving a salute.

Leticia seemed to chuckle at her student, "At ease soldier. Your grace" she said, giving a dip of her head in Rose's direction.

"Hey ticia", Rose replied warmly, "What brings you here?"

"Nothing fancy, I just came to borrow Betha. The Svæitgarian ambassadors need us for a meeting"

"No!", Rose whined, clinging on to Bethas arm, "Don't leave me here, I'm bored"

Betha signed, "I'll only be gone a bit. Why don't you try find Aeryn to pester?" 

The room flinched as the echo of shattering glass and annoyed yells forced their way from upstairs, followed by the frenzied jangling of the workroom call bell from down the halls.

"That'll be Aeryn I bet'' Leticia said mournfully, rushing Betha away and closing the door behind her.

*.ﾟﾟ.*

Aeryn was going to die. 

He was going to die a horrible, painful death and it wasn't even his fault this time. 

Currently he was vaulting himself over the piece of furniture in the house, and dancing around the ornate flora frantically trying to outrun his governess. Look, Miss Anstruther was pretty cool, she knew all sorts of rubbish like...Actually, thinking about it now he didn't really know. She was a beast though. Gianas had a tendency to be taller than the average human within the dominion,with the low gravity, but even by their standards she was tall. So in a family so vertically challenged her stature towered over the Fells, with a harsh face and even harsher attitude for rebellious Childes like him. Suffice to say he was a tiny, tad bit terrified of the woman. He'd been able to get away with mitching and god knows what else with his previous tutors, they never bothered to go after him. Besides, if they did he'd just talk, and talk, and talk, and talk, and occasionally scream, until they either had a nervous breakdown or a fit of the vapours. He'd sent six of them running already and had planned to add her to that list. 

Unfortunately Miss Anstruther was going to have none of it. She bolted, bolted, the room shut during lessons and any time he even attempted to talk she'd whack him with the nearest object. A ruler, a vase, one time a hoverpod. Why she had a hoverpod he'll never know, but it did hurt. So if Aeryn Fell was going to be cooped up and silenced in the middle of his history lesson then he was going to refuse to listen at the very least, just to rile her up a little. Hey, he wasn't exactly known as a prize pupil and he wasn't going to act like it. Not that her attempts at discipline stopped his antics. Like right now as he raced down long corridors to escape his teachers' very, very destructive wrath.

Aeryn couldn't go to the family's wing, she'd find him in an instant. And if by some miracle she didn't, then his goody good siblings would drag him kicking screaming right to their father, and well that was just a glorified death sentence. So he chose the left wing, where they housed guests. Betha was bound to be wandering around somewhere, she might even offer him sanctuary if luck was on his side. She was one of the few members of staff that didn't despise him, for how little Aeryn saw of her, and he was willing to take his chances with Betha over a vengeful governess any day. If she refused to help him then he'd just leap out the window and down to the lake.

Absolutely nothing could go wrong.

Aeryn had been running around for the better part of five minutes and time was very much of the essence. He hadn't so much as looked down the left wing in months, he knew Bethas' room had her home planets crest on it. It was one of the weird traditions their father was so attached to. 

Tradition, what a joke. 

Now if only he could remember what the thing looked like. He was almost certain it was a reptile (a reptile for a Svæitgarian family, sure, not ridiculous at all), something scaley with beady eyes and a long tongue. 

"AERYN JULIAS FINIAN FELL, GET BACK HERE AT ONCE"

Well, no time to think about it now. Glancing around frantically his eyes settled on one of the guest bedroom doors with some odd writing on it, better than nothing. Before his governess from hell could round the corner he yanked the door open and threw himself inside. Miss Anstruther may have been the devil incarnate, but she was certainly one with manners. No way in her home of hell would she risk disrupting a guest.

Panting slightly with his ears pressed against the door, he listened for her footsteps. Smiling through heavy breaths as they became increasingly distant.

"May I help you?" 

He screamed. In the years to come Rose would insist it had been a rather high pitched screech, like that of a mouse. Aeryn would deny this. Feverently. He looked at her stunned for a moment, not sure how to proceed. It had been a week since their argument and still they hadn't spoken. But Aeryn wasn't sure how to bridge a gap between them without falling in to another quarrel.

"What are you doing here?" He demanded. Rose lay on what looked like an itchy rug in the middle of the room, leaning on her elbows and staring at one of the library books propped up in front of her. It was a position that would have had her strung up by the neck by Miss Anstruther, but Aeryn could care less.

"Here, as in my bedroom?"

Internally, he proceeded to smack himself. Of course, how could he forget? Rose had the luxury of having her rooms tucked far away from the rest of the families, no Gaius breathing down her neck.

Most of the rooms in the left wing were identical, a ring of couches next to the hearth's digital screen and a wardrobe wedged into the corner; this room didn't have a drawing room attached to it though. Rows of plants and vines hung from the ceiling, cascading over the walls in a tumble of flora and fungai. At the opposite end, a bed, hovering some inches off the ground, and window seat were scattered with more books than Aeryn had ever read in his lifetime. He hated books and had a sudden urge to light them on fire.

Even though she didn't appear mad, Aeryn refused to meet her eyes, "Look, I just need to hunker down for a sec, then I'll be on my merry little way"

"Your demon governess in pursuit again?"

"You have no idea", he moaned.

"I'm thankful you decided to visit. It's been a while. Still I'd have suspected you to hide in the beds of the servants barracks, since you spent so many nights sneaking down there"

His face burned scarlet, "I have no idea what you're talking about" 

"Don't act prude. I'm quite popular in the kitchens dear brother. Don't think I don't know about your minor rendezvous with the scullery maid and stable boys"

"Whatever" he grumbled, looking for something to take the focus off him. On the bedside locker sat a fumer set.

"I didn't know Miss Due smoked" he said, naturally assuming it was Bethas'. She'd been Rose's personal guard since they were kids, despite their fathers disapproval they'd become close friends. Aeryn thought fondly at the time Betha had been scolded for sneaking into Rose's room to play house.

"She doesn't, it's mine"

"Since when do you smoke?"

"Since when do you?"

"Touché" he chuckled, "Did Betha give you these? No way you got them from the inner city"

"I got them from your room actually"

"You've got to be kidding me"

"Would you like one?"

"Is that even a question?" She flung a fumer his way and a stout flame burst from his fingertips to light it. Heaving a drag, he found himself at ease. The situation had him smirking.

"And here I thought you were the innocent one. Then again it's not like we know each other all that well"

"Speak for yourself"

"What?"

"Perhaps I'm not all that close with any of you personally, but I'd wager I know more about what you get up to than even you do. Like I said, the kitchen is an ample gossip centre. It's quite fun"

"Sure, and what do we get up to"

"Tonje smokes when she thinks no ones looking, Ciarán has been visiting the outer sectors every night and Bernadette has been with almost as much of the staff as you have"

"Bloody stalker" He mumbled under his breath, thinking she wouldn't hear, but Rose's unimpressed look said otherwise. "Hand me another fumer I'm not in the mood for this " he paused for a moment, "Actually-" he stood up and took the pack from her, stuffing it into his pants pocket.

"Hey! What was that for?"

"You said it yourself, they're mine"

"Not my fault you're so entirely scatterbrained. You didn't even notice they were gone. Now give me them back, I earned them fair"

"Did you now? And what are you gonna do if I don't. A shortie like you really can't do all that much"

Aeryn would come to regret those words, his sister grinned maniacally. He saw it about to happen before it did, a deep seated dread sunk to the pit of his stomach as he realized how utterly screwed he was.

"HE'S IN HERE MISS ANSTRUTHER"

"You little brat- "Aeryn had no time to finish before he heard the thumping of his governesses steps come barreling towards the door. Scrambling up the window sill he pulled the latch up and bolted out of the room.

"You'll pay for this one day!"

But he was only met with laughter.

It was the last time he'd hear that laughter for a long while.

*.ﾟﾟ.*

"Where is she?"

Gaius didn't bother to take his eyes off his paperwork, "It's considered polite to knock before entering"

Rose turned on her heels into the hallway, closing the doors behind her so she could barge through a second time.

"Where. Is. She?"

"Well I see your manners have been thrown completely out the window"

"I swear to God if you had anything to do with this-"

"She left on her own accord". He interrupted, holding up a sloppily opened letter, sealed with the mark of the sanctuaries, "A letter came from the Déilīt family, it was urgent. I welcomed herself and the Captain to stay longer, they vetoed it, adamantly"

"So, so she's gone". Rose stood in silence for a moment in disbelief, trying desperately to pull the pieces of her crumbling world back together, "Did she leave anything? A letter, a Tolkien, anything?"

"Why do you care so much?"

"Answer the question!"

"Don't you dare raise your voice at me" he spat, slamming his hands across the desk, "This behaviour has gone on long enough, I won't stand for it"

"What did she leave?"

"Nothing. She left nothing. She gave me her notice, packed her bags and asked for our quickest Hyperloop to Svæitgar. I'd have assumed you would have heard since you spend so much of your time cavorting around the place"

Rose laughed coldly, "Oh don't snide me. What else do you expect me to do? It's not like I have lessons to attend, it's not like I'm allowed set foot outside this dungeon"

"Watch what you say young lady"

"Or what? What shall you do? I had one thing: one person that made being her just a bit more bearable and she's gone. You've made half the fucking place hate me and the other half are forbidden to speak to me lest it 'Damage my status'. What more could you possibly do at this point?"

"Oh cease the dramatics, you're quite aware how inappropriate it is for someone of our standing to be fraternising with the help. And you're not forbidden from speaking to your siblings, they're simply busy with education, something you could never be bothered to pursue"

They'd had this argument, it never seemed to end. Simply shelved once their screams had died down, only to bubble to the surface on their next encounter. 

"Because that's all I should strive for right? To conform to your ridiculous rules to feel even the barest sense of appreciation?"

"If you have a complaint about feeling unappreciated in this family might I suggest you start pulling your weight. I'm trying to teach you what is appropriate for a girl of your age"

"Oh stop treating me like a child"

Her father's words turned to a vowel stained language as his voice rose, the words of the Mbéal ö Mónya, a language he only slipped into when he was especially vexed,

"Is that not what you are? A child? Besides, we don't always get what we want. Why should I put time and effort into you when you offer me nothing in return? You want to be included in this family then start taking part instead of trotting off whenever suits you. You make no efforts, you make no contribution to this family so why should I offer you anything? Does this look like a charity to you?"

Gaius sighed, "You're a lady now, and I've grown incessantly tired of this childish jargon you seem to enjoy plaguing me with. Is that all this is hmm? A ruse? A ploy to give me some more grey hairs?"

Rose met him with her own words of the language, "I'm not a child, and ruses are Aeryns forte"

"Then stop acting like one! Your capacity for your own self delusions never ceases to amaze me and frankly I'm quite sick of it. I won't hear another word of it. You want the treatment of the Fells, act like one. Because for the past 14 years you have done nothing but make life difficult for this family and waste my time and money. Bernadette is a prodigy, Ciarán accels at his studies, Tanya is diligent in instrumentals. And Aeryn, for all his frustrations, is a gifted elemental and here you stand demanding things from me, me, the head of this household while you offer nothing. You have never tried, you hold no regard for our oaths and you cannot even manage the bare minimum of manners. What use are you to this family as you currently stand hmm?"

"You never gave me a chance"

"Speak louder"

"You never once gave me a chance! I was a failure from the start and do you know what? I honest to God do not care anymore, I don't want anything from you, I wish to leave and rid myself of this place. I want no part of it, I never have. What am I to expect if I am to prove useful to this family? Locking myself in a dank corner of the house with a husband who denies my existence and children who I refuse to speak to? Should I want what you have, five children you have no relationship with and do nothing but criticise. A farce? A family who cannot see past their own shallowness?"

"Enough! I won't have you lecture me. I want you out of my sight and if I hear one word of your misbehaviour I will start seeking extreme measures. Do you hear me girl?"

She denied him an answer lest he hold her to it. Rose ran as fast as her nimble legs would allow her, crashing through the doors to her bedroom and sinking to the floor.

The second she let out that awful, gut wrenching scream, she really was nothing more than a child again.

*.ﾟﾟ.*

"I wish to leave and rid myself of this place"

Aeryn frowned up at his father. They'd been summoned, himself and his sister, mere hours after learning of Bethas departure. The tear track marks still clung to his sister's cheeks, glistening with the changing lights.

"That's what you said to me was it not?" Gaius raised an eyebrow to Rose, his pen tapping against the desk, clearly a demand for a response.

Rose remained silent. But Aeryn could see the way her jaw tightened.

Gaius signed, looking like he was fighting the urge to scowl, "I've always told you both that you have potential, and I haven't lied, but I'm starting to think it's time you both actually used that" Gaius gazed between his two children, across the wooden desk with hands fiddling over his paperwork.

"What are you saying?", Aeryn pushed. Trying to comprehend the suffocating tension in the air. Their father seldom called them into his study without warning, and never just the two of them

"You're doing us no service being here. Neither of you" Gaius continued, clasping his hands and looking over them, "I think it's time you both spent some time away from here, in the real world, were you can learn to be assets instead of problems"

Rose gulped, "You're sending us away?"

Gaius nodded, "There's a summit to be held in the coming months, and Gaia has been requested to send emeseries. There's not to be any negotiations or hard deals, it's simply a mixing of cultures and an extension of friendship. You should both be more than capable to handle that"

"Where are we going?" Aeryn asked.

Gaius huffed at that, rolling his eyes as though Aeryn was a child throwing a tantrum that wasn’t worth his time. He pushed to his feet, and rolled his shoulders out, his embroidered coat rustling with the movement, "I'm sending you to Pixidys IX" 

Aeryn blinked "What!"

"Don't fret" Gaius continued, cutting off his protests, "There's to be a security detail accompanying you, and many others. You won't be the only children there. I've heard there'll be many emissaries your age"

Your age. A dig at his immaturity no doubt. Gaius couldn’t help but try to drive a knife straight between his ribs every time they spoke. It was like he relished in frustrating his son, upsetting him for his own amusement. Aeryn shook his head, curling his fingers into a clenched first, "You want us to drink tea and play buddies with that planet of nutcases? You're not serious"

Gaius snapped, "I am, very in fact. You're scheduled to leave in a fortnight. Until then you're to attend preparations everyday, General Ross will walk you through everything"

Beside him, Rose didn't utter a word. Her brows furrowed, seeming to turn his words over in her head, debating it all. Looking to swallow down a lump in her throat. Gaius glanced to her, looking for an answer, but still she remained silent.

"Don't disappoint me" he said, returning to his paperwork and signalling they were finished.

Miss Harrington led them out of the study. The mammoth doors hissing to a close behind them, as they stood at a loss in the cavernous hallway.

Aeryn shook his head again, entirely dumbfounded, "Why choose us? He's always at me about how I'm wasting myself, and you've never been in his good graces. So why us. Why send the failures"

Rose didn't say anything for a while, in all honesty Aeryn wasn't expecting her too, but then she said, "It makes sense if you think about it"

Aeryn glanced to her.

"He can't afford to lose Ciarán or Bernadette, and he's too fond of Tonje. If anything were to happen, it would be better for everyone if it were us"

The air caught in his throat as Aeryns eyes widened, "What are you saying rose?"

Rose looked at him with a grim expression and eyes knowing too much for such a young face, "Gaia can't just refuse an offer like this, on one hand it means a possibility of peace, to deny it could be an insult to Pixidys, and they don't take these things lightly. He can't refuse this, and Pixidys knows that. But if things were to go south, which I'm guessing they will, he can't just send over his heirs or next in line-"

Aeryns couldn't breathe.

"-If it were me, I'd send over someone who's existence wouldn't disrupt things if they were to disappear, whoever's disposable"

Aeryn gulped, as the words sank deep "He's sending us to die"

Chapter Text

On Pixidys, the language of Menkhís is typically straight to the point, lacking words such as "by", "as" or "of" completely. The language does not change depending on gramour (Male, female, plural or singular) nor past or present tense. It was designed by the isolated dynasty of the Nythne to be difficult to understand from a non native perspective. Entirely depending on context and following the SVO rule of gramour.

The language itself is described as soft, with many elongated vowels, despite phrases being short and quick they are drawn out by these sounds. It flows together with a type of rhythmic musicality that catches people's attention throughout the Dominion.

Instead of saying "This was written by Mevolent", they say "Mevolent wrote/write". As the "v" and "q" sounds do not exist in the language, here they would say "Méjolent orlís"

The language is almost entirely vocal based, with a person's tones and facial expressions being used as keys to provide context. Because of this there are no written sources on Pixidys, only audio files. For deaf individuals, they are taught to feel the vibration of the shifting tones of conversation with devices that convert audio files into pulses.

A language so particular could only seek to be masters by a native. Perhaps that's why so many think of their saint Arkéios as one of their own. For while she was born afar, her home would forever be Pixidys IX. No matter how hard she tried to escape it.

✧.*☬*.✧

When the hanger doors opened, everything burned.

A strange sensation. An aching cold that seeped into the deep crevices of Aeryns bones, freezing shut the valves in his veins and leaving a vivid tingling in their wake that hurt so bad it might as well have been fire. The cold itself hurt.

While Gaia as a planet kept a temperate climate, with minimal changes to the gentle heat during seasons, Pixidys IX had no such luxury. The planet itself had drifted far from its host star some centuries ago, surrendering itself to the icy embrace of the void of space. But unlike the frozen landscapes of Svæitgar, Pixidys IX had no ozone layer. Anything that had the misfortune of stepping across its derelict plains unprotected, burned instantaneously from the ultraviolet radiation still battering the planet, even from this distance.

Pixidys IX was not a place for the weak, and yet here Aeryn Fell stood, at its mercy.

Even with Hyperloop travel, the journey had taken well over a month. Himself and his sister were kept locked up in the main quarters, away from the main hull. Gaius had been adamant that it was for their protection, but Aeryn figured it had been meticulously planned to deter them from escape. Rose had spent much of their journey in prayer, begging for their safe return. Aeryn had almost joined her, but he thought better of it. The Gods had never answered his prayers. To start now would be a mockery worse than the situation they found themselves in.

The hanger was entirely carved from stone, one of the few resources Pixidys gave its inhabitants to work with. Soldiers and craft controllers flitted about, all clad in the dark colours of the Pixidain military uniform. Red, black and brown. The lessons of his tutors came back to him in a flash when he saw them. The colour brown represented the steadfastness, simplicity and dependability of the planet's army. Brown, strangely enough, also stimulates the appetite, to represent their hunger for expansion and goal orientation. Black had multiple meanings, but to Pixidys it represented power, elegance, sophistication, status, and formality. However to outsiders it was a colour associated with evil, death, the occult, and fear. Red stood for sacrifice, danger, and courage. None uncommon on Pixidys IX.

The soldiers hopped from ships and cruisers all ordered in their respective positions. The system was efficient, all the machinery was laid out in precise locations meant for the quickest deployment in case of an attack. Aeryn frowned to himself, Why were they even expecting an attack? He didn't want to focus too much on those thoughts. Thoughts lead to spirals. And that was a door Aeryn had divulged far too many times on the journey over. Smooth beige ceilings arched high above their heads in clear cut patterns and shapes. The space had originally been a cave system, before it had been mined out like many of the others across the planet, to house its inhabitants. 

The men of the Gain security escort began to descend the platform and Aeryn followed suit, reaching his hand into his sister's next to him and clutching it, as though it were a lifeline.

In this place, it most certainly was.

There was a collection of Pixidain guards waiting for them at the bottom. Their handlers no doubt. Nine guards in dark uniforms with straps and belts, their hair free and long. The fabric gave a chrome effect, glimmering between the colours of red and brown at even the gentlest movement. To say Aeryn felt out of place, in the soft flowing fabrics of his evening wear and Rose's tightly braided locks in the traditional knots, was an understatement. The guards stepped aside to reveal a fair woman, well built but short, with a shimmering head of blonde hair. She wore a rolled up uniform shirt similar to the guards beside her, but instead of pants she wore a thick skirt that fell to her feet, with ink black tattoos twisting across her arms. It didn't take a genius to know she was a Draíchta.

"Welcome", she bellowed, clapping her hands together with a honey drip smile, "You've come a long way I see. It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintances, Your Grace. I do hope your time on Pixidys IX will be one to remember"

One to remember. Aeryn trusted it would be, but not in the way his old tours across Gaia had been. Something about the women screamed false, and Aeryn figured if he ignored those feelings he may wind up on a funeral pyre.

Beside him, he felt Rose stiffening, giving him a pointed look. He was the eldest child here, which meant his introduction came first. But for a moment he wanted to avoid that, avoid all of this. So he stood, frozen in the chill of the hanger in silence, until Rose gently bugged him. He startled, then hesitantly bowed his head, "The pleasure is mine" he replied, tightly, "Aeryn Fell, Child of Gaia" 

The woman’s eyebrows raised and she smiled in what Aeryn would describe as simulated warmth, but rather than saying anything, she returned a curt bow then turned her attention to Rose.

“Rose Fell, Child of Gaia” she said, bowing just a tad more gracefully than her brother had, while not letting go of his hand.

The guard nodded her reply before promptly turning on her heels, "Welcome to Pixidys IX, Children of Gaia. I am Melancholia St. Clair of the Draíchta order. Please come this way, the Father would like to meet you both"

They made their way from the hangar to the cold minimal halls of the palace, surrounded by guards, Gaian and Pixidain alike, on both sides. On Gaia, architecture was tall and lean, crafted in tune with the fluidity of nature. Decorated with plants and greenery or representations of them. No hash lines or blocky shapes, on Gaia everything flowed together. But here, the palace walls stood tall, but itriquitly shaped. With clean cut bulging edges. Most of the cities were built in its image, Aeryn had gathered from the pads in Gaias library, large angular buildings cut into the stone of the rocky sections across the planet.

It had been amazing to look at, but at the same time unnerving. The city was awe-inspiring to see, so foreign from the thin whispering structures back on Gaias capital. But where Aeryns home was a planet of snow white marble and greenery, Pixidys IX was a planet of dying plains and sandstone. It was beautiful, undoubtedly in its own way. But something about it felt so faceted. Like none of the buildings or people truly belonged here, outsiders on a planet that seemed to reject even them. On Pixidys the only thing that really seemed to belong was the wasteland of cracked earth and stone ridges atop it.

"There will be an induction ceremony and dinner once all the emmeseries have arrived in a few days time, alongside the other planetary representatives. But the Father does like to extend his welcomes individually first" Melancholia explained, the click of her boots bouncing across the walls, "He likes to be unorthodox in that respect. I think it's a breath of fresh air, to have a Father so involved. Does the Father Fell ever do such things?"

Aeryn hesitated to answer, but then he said, "Not that I can remember. He prefers tradition"

The woman nodded like it was the answer she'd expected, "The Ríthair and the Fells are quite renowned for that. Though that's just what I've heard. I've never been to Gaia, but I've heard the summer months are lovely-"

Melancholia seemed to drag on about Gaian geography and culture, but Aeryn tuned her out, not wanting to hear the knowledge of his home planet regurgitated back to him.

Alongside him, the walls were mostly bare. No decorations or paintings or ornate displays of nature, just cold smooth sandstone and the occasional flicker of the light orbs. It made the cold ever more apparent, and suddenly Aeryn was fighting down the urge to ask the Gaian guard next to him for their coat. At the very least their group was moving swiftly. The palace must have been carefully planned before they carved it out, and he could see that with how easily all the walkways ran together. Not like the twisting menagerie of the Acropolis.

Soon, Melancholia stopped just outside a pair of metal doors that stretched high above them. With a soft press of her fingers, a cascade of parallel lines lit up, joining together then curving across the door. Aeryn realised suddenly, as all the lines came together, that it was the Pixidain emblem. An artistic depiction of a krôl head, it's tongue spiraling around to frame it. It had been the Nythne dynasty's coat of arms, before Mevolent took over.

With a soft hiss the symbol completed itself and the door opened into the throne room. Pillars of stone raised the ceiling into the oblivion above them, with arching slits for windows running along either side. But no light poured through them, it was night on the planet. Pixidys conducted their days during the nocturnal hours to escape the sun's rays. It was dark mostly, only illuminated by a string of glowing orbs running along the carpet and walls. Most of the decor was a rich red or brown. Towards the rooms end was a hovering platform, atop it a lean metal throne.

And atop it, A king.

The doors behind them closed again. Aeryns heart pounded a rapid staccato against his ribs, he took and squeezed Rose's hand as the blonde woman led them further towards the throne.

Aeryn wasn’t sure what he had been expecting when he imagined Father Mevolent, but one thing was for certain: he was huge.

Pixidains had to be well built to survive the terrain, but even by their standards Mevolent was massive. The veins bulged from underneath his skin, pale from lack of sun exposure. His frame towered over seven feet, in a garment that looked a few sizes too small as his arms and neck strained against the fabric. Above his brown rusting hair sat a simple metal band, a circlet. An everyday accessory on Gaia, but here it had been made for a ruler.

There was another man standing beside the Father. Immediately, Aeryn took note of the shadows poking out from the seams of his armour. A dark suit, a foreign metal clad every inch of his skin in opulent jagged spikes. His helmet only allowed a slip for each eye, though Aeryn wasn't sure how he could possibly see through them.

So distracted by the Father, and by the mysterious man beside him, Aeryn almost missed it when Melancholia stepped forward, bowing her head before meeting Mevolents gaze.

“Your Majesty,” she said to him, before turning to the armed man, “Your Imperial Highness, I have brought the Children of Gaia as requested.”

The Father and man both nodded at her in acknowledgement, and she bowed deeply once more before turning on her heel and stepping back in a frenzy. Aeryns breath caught in his throat as he watched her, because even though he was wary of her, she was at least somewhat less intimidating than Mevolent and the armed man beside him. Knowing she had no power here made him question what might the pair in front of him could possibly possess.

Aeryn took a shaky breath as he faced the throne once more. His father had always warned them not to speak until they were given permission, so he kept his lips pressed in a firm line, and could only hope Rose was doing the same.

Silence hung over the room, a taut string just waiting to be cut. Mevolents eyes were the same shade of charcoal as the void they'd just travelled through, and his gaze was just as cold as the freezing planet as he looked both Aeryn and his sister up and down. 

After over a full minute of silence, Mevolent spoke. Not a bellowing roar like one might expect, but gentle.

“Welcome to Pixidys IX. State your names,” he said, and Aeryn startled because he had been expecting the man to have a much deeper voice. It carried a sharp accent as well, one that was reminiscent of both his and Roses, but still different. Aeryn wondered, briefly if he'd originally been from the 1st dominion. Nothing about Mevolents past had been released publically, most just assumed he was born on Pixidys like the other fanaticals before him. He wondered if Mevolent had spent some time on Gaia.

Glancing to his left, Rose raised her eyebrows at him. When Aeryn clenched his jaw, Rose squeezed his hand again. Aeryn took a deep breath to steady himself. Then, he let go of her hand, and stepped forward into a deep bow.

“My name is Aeryn Fell, Child of Gaia. Fourth of the precession and Lord of dynasty Fell,” he introduced, his voice wavering as he said his name. Despite his nerves, Aeryn couldn’t help the small bit of pride that bloomed inside of him at the fact that he had remembered the proper court etiquette of saying his full name to another monarch.

After a beat, he straightened up from the bow and stepped back beside his sister. Then, Mevolents eyes turned to Rose, and Aeryn felt his heart skip a beat.

The same as he did, Rose stepped forward into a bow. “Rose Fell, Child of Gaia. Fifth of the procession and Lady of the Fell Dynasty" Her voice sounded surer, didn’t waver like his did, even though he could tell how badly her legs were shaking.

When she straightened up and returned to his side again, he noticed the Father giving her an odd look. There was a ghost of a smile on his face, but it wasn’t anything close to friendly. No, it was the smile of a predator playing with its food.

“Child Aeryn” Mevolent began, returning his gaze to Aeryn and startling him, “how old are you?”

“Seventeen, Your Majesty,” he answered, trying to stop himself from reaching for Roses hand again.

Mevolent hummed, before his eyes flickered to Rose. “And how old are you, Child Rose?”

Rose gulped. “Fifteen.”

The smile grew on his face. “Which of you is the heir to Gaia. Or-” He paused, looking back to Aeryn. “Is it neither of you?”

A rock lodged itself in his throat at the obvious taunt in his words. Schooling his expression into a mask of neutrality, Aeryn nodded. “Yes, that is correct”

"Spares then. I can't say I'm surprised with the way Gaia conducts things. But I have to say I'm somewhat disappointed. I've met many heirs from the other dynasties. I was hoping for the same courtesy from Gaia", Mevolent cocked his head gently to the side, "Who would be the heir, just out of interest?"

Aeryn swallowed his disdain, then replied, "Bernadette Fell, Child of Gaia. First of the procession and ward of the sight. Lady of Dynasty Fell. Our elder sister"

Mevolent hummed at that, "You must invite her back next time", he chuckled to himself, as though he'd just told a joke. Aeryn frowned at that. Next time. Was Pixidys really so keen to expand their alliances with Gaia after so many years of little contact?

"I suppose we should introduce ourselves properly as well,” Mevolent then said, rising to his feet. He dipped into a low bow of his own. “I am Mevolent, Father of Pixidys IX and ruler of the 9th dominion"

Aeryn eyed the dark metal circlet that rested on his dull brown hair, willing it to slip off when he dipped his head. The circlet stayed in place though, and after a moment, the Father straightened up and returned to his seat before looking at the armoured man. Giving a flick of his hand as though to say, go ahead.

The mans armour rattled as he huffed, seeming annoyed almost, at having to introduce himself. “Lord Vile, Imperator. The General of the 9th dominion,” he said in a gruff voice, bowing his head at the two of them, in what was certainly more duty than respect.

Aeryn couldn't stop his eyes from widening. So this is the General. With Viles' broad shoulders and hulking frame, Aeryn could only imagine how terrifying of a force he must’ve been in battles. And that was before he even mentioned the Draíchtas unrivalled powers of the sight. Looking at the withering shadows of his armour, Aeryn smacked himself for not realising sooner. Vile was famed throughout the Dominions for his strength, and that made him just as dangerous as Mevolent.

"Please, make yourselves at home. Your quarters will be in the guest wings alongside the others. They're spaced out to give you more privacy"

Spaced out? Aeryns scowl deepened. Back on Gaia they always kept the guests close together, to mingle about. But then those had been for times of diplomacy, here they were simply mixing cultures. Or at least that's what his father had promised. 

"I'll see you both again in a few days time, at noon for the induction ceremony, and again for dinner at seven. Please do make yourselves comfortable until then"

Aeryn dipped his head, "Thank you Your Majesty", he turned his eyes to Vile, "General"

Beside him Rose stayed quiet, keeping her gaze fixed to the ground. Even as he thanked him, Mevolents eyes were not on him, they were on Rose. 

He smirked, "See them to their rooms Miss St. Clair" and with a wave of his hand they were dismissed.

Melancholia sent them a toothy smile and a gesture to follow her. Aeryn hesitated, gripping his sister's hand. He went to look at her for reassurance, but she wasn't looking at him, her attention was turned behind them. Aeryn craned his neck, glancing back at the Father. For a brief moment, he saw Rose and Mevolents eyes meet.

"Rose was it?" He said suddenly, an inquisit quip on his tongue, "Are you and your brother wards of the sight?"

A crease on Rose's forehead grew, "Y-Yes. My brother more so I'm afraid" 

A hum was the only response they received, and then Melancholia was tugging them along, hurrying them out of the throne room.

*.ﾟﾟ.*

The Children of Gaia lay quietly in their new room, but finally having even the smallest bit of downtime felt wrong. Despite the fact that he knew, right now, in that moment, Aeryn and his sister were safe, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. A pair of Gaian escorts manned their boats beyond the door frame. There had been no Pixidain guards posted outside their rooms, only further down the halls of the guest wing. Yet, he kept checking to make sure there were no sounds of their hulking footsteps passing outside their door. He checked again, a second, then a third time. He knew no one was going to magically appear, but still he kept checking for his own sanity anyway.

Rose, meanwhile, seemed to settle. She spent her time searching through her bags for the books she'd packed with her. There was a library further down the wing, but neither wanted to risk leaving their rooms unless they had to just yet. When she finally found what she was looking for, she opened the middle of the book and curled up on her bed. Aeryn could see the tension in her muscles, however he was surprised by how composed she appeared to be. 

"They're crazy", Aeryn muttered. The weight of their ordeal had turned his legs to jelly as he slumped against the plush mattress, burying his face in his hands. His chest was aching and he felt like all of his insides had been hollowed out. He was relieved, he was exhausted, and he was scared. Thinking back to the sly look on the Fathers face, and the swirling darkness of deceit in his eyes.

"Keep your voice down" Rose said, in a low but urgent tone, "Someone's going to hear"

Aeryn groaned. Then gently reached into his mind to find a connection, letting his thoughts flow along it. We need to get out of here he said in his mind, and when Rose scoffed he knew she'd heard it.

Yeah good luck with that

I'm serious Rosie. 

So am I! Look, let's just behave and get this over with. The sooner we get through this the sooner we get back to Gaia. The voice of his sister strained in his skull, it was difficult to tell emotions through the link, everything tended to feel like a blank metal sheet. But still the glimpse of sadness poured into her words.

Hey, I'm sorry about the other week. At the bar

Oh- oh yeah Rose blinked, closing her book

You're not weak. He assured her, Sure you're not perfect but hell, none of us are. 

I know, it's just. I guess I want to be better. I want to learn the sight. I want to do so many things but I just- can't. 

Maybe it's a mental block?

More like a physical block. And his name is Ríthair Gaius fell.

He's not seriously still hung up on this is he?

Of course he is. He doesn't want me becoming a Draíchta, but I'm no good at anything else. I'm useless at the elements, but give me a few shadows and I'm on my merry way.

Do you still practise?

Well, I did. With Betha. But now I don't have anyone

He came close to her, giving her hair a ruffle, You've always got me idiot 

There was a grin on her face, but it came and went I know but, it's hard when I don't see you much

Aeryn signed, dropping his hand, I'll see what I can do when we get back. I want to make time for you, but I can't really do jack until I'm twenty one.

I know. I don't blame you, you know? Its not your fault, I'm sorry

You're not supposed to be the one apologising idiot. Hey, why don't you try asking the other Draíchta to teach you some bits? There's supposed to be a bunch of them on Pixidys right?

The Draíchta order? Yeah they have a chapel somewhere in the palace I think?

Good. Go make some spooky friends.

She looked at him. Her smile slowly dipping, somewhat dumbfounded when she saw he was being serious, What now?

Take one of the escorts with you, just to be safe. And keep the link open in case you need me. But yeah, go now. It's not like we have much to do till tomorrow

So eager to get rid of me?

That's not what I meant

I know dumbass, Rose sat up, flashing him a soft expression that reminded Aeryn of all the fun times they shared on Gaia. It felt too much like a goodbye, Alright then, I'll see you soon. And with that she was out the door. The click of her and the guards steps signalling their departure.

Aeryn lay in the bed for a while, letting the boredom overcome him. He knew he shouldn't leave. It was safe here. But as the boredom ebbed he found himself succumbing to it as he jolted upright, grabbing his viridian coat and walsing out after her.

*.ﾟﾟ.*

"Oi I was using that!"

"Well It's mine now"

Aeryn had made his way to the palace library in the wake of his boredom, pulling his knees up to his chest and slumping against the cushions of the chair as he rested a pad against his thighs. Here, the library wasn't as grand or ornate as the one back home, but still it was imposing all the same. He scrolled through the texts on the pad itself, blinking slowly until he spotted a title that piqued his interest.

It was a book on one of the species of Pixidys XI, the krôls. Aeryn didn’t know much about them outside of that they were painfully lizard-like, so he figured it wasn’t a bad subject to look into. So onward he'd delved, until a young woman about his age had snatched the pad away from him.

"Gimme the pad"

"Make me. Or- are you gonna make one of your little guards do it instead?" The girl sat across from him, legs kicked up onto another chair. She was pretty, save for the burn scar that stretched across the left side of her face. Flaking bits of dried skin peeled from the corners of her face that stretched the burn when she grinned at him in mischief. The hair atop her hair was dark, like his own, falling just short of her mid back. She wore a fitted tunic in a dull shade of mauve purple that defined her well built frame. The colours of some high standing family that escaped him. 

Aeryn signed, he was tired from his travels and all he wished to do was leisure about, "Look I don't want trouble, just give it back"

She laughed in his face, "Don't want trouble huh? Then you've come to the wrong place princeling"

Her accent made her Orthodox speech sharp and pointed, similar to the ones he'd heard from the 5th Dominion politicians, but more colloquial and less stuffy. Aeryn scoffed at the words, "Oh and you're any different then? Go on, what are you? A planet's Child or some rich assholes brat?"

"Ouch" she replied in a mock dismay that made Aeryns cheeks burn, "I'm hurt". Lifting herself from the couch, she extended a welcoming hand, "Anarchy Blues. Emissary of house Blue. Astréa"

Aeryn gazed at her for a moment, wondering if this was some trick she was playing. Then he clasped her outstretched arm, "Aeryn Fell. I'm from Gaia"

"What? No fancy title princeling?"

He rolled his eyes, "If I say it one more time today I'll stab someone"

She shrugged, "I like stabbing"

"Why are you here?" Aeryn enquired.

"Same as you. Diplomacy or some shit. I was here when the first round of invitations were send two years ago"

"Damn. I'm surprised you made it back alive"

"Me and you both" she eyed him inquisitively, "You ever been to another planet?"

"Nope. Not even within the Dominion. My father's not a fan of Hyperloop travel"

"Awww" she cooed "Daddy's boy wants to stay close?"

"Like hell. But I can't say this was ever my first option"

"An inhospitable planet full of lizards and zealots? Yeah, not much of a holiday"

Aeryns attention peaked at that, and the reassurances of their comfortable talk smoothed the anxiety twisting inside of him, "You ever seen one, a krôl?"

"Once, they prefer the daytime weirdly enough. They're huge though. I heard Mevolent rides one named Temesia"

"Cool" Aeryn replied

Anarchy nodded, "Cool"

They didn't speak for a bit, then Anarchy broke the silence, "Come with me" she said, pushing herself up and heading towards the library doors. Aeryns escort trotting behind.

"What- Hey wait up!"

Anarchy led them through the winding halls of the palace. She'd mentioned she'd been here before, she must have been with how easily she navigated her way. There wasn't even a second of hesitation in her gait.

Over her shoulder, she flashed Aeryn a sharp smile. “Hey just wondering- ” she said, squinting at him. “Which one of you is the heir? Melancholia told me you came here with some small thing. Rose was it?”

Aeryn almost slammed a hand over his mouth before he could yell an insult at her. No one calls my sister small but me. He clenched his jaw, answering instead. “Yeah, Rose. She's my younger sister. But neither of us are the heir"

Anarchy nodded and turned away from him to keep walking. “Oh yeah, Melan-bitch mentioned something about spares"

And just like that, any appreciation for his newfound acquaintance vanished. Still he had to admire her frankness, no use of guilted words like on Gaia or Melancholia upon their arrival.

He shouldn’t be surprised. Of course the other emmiseries would know what Mevolent had learned about the two of them during their conversation. As Mevolent had his eyes all over the palace, so did they. Still, it stung to hear even another kid casually refer to him as a spare child, still it was better to hear it out in the open. Not whispered about in secrecy back in the Acropolis walls, especially in regards to Rose. A hushed subject that everyone knew about, but no one brought up. Even before Bernadette had been officially declared as heir, the entire planet seemed to know all he and his sister would ever be was spares.

Anarchy led him down several twists and turns, then up towards a low ramp that stretched wide, it looked like an old landing hangar. Beside it a row of guards stood to attention. Anarchy continued forward, flashing a salute towards one of the guards at the end, who replied only with a nod of his head.

They came to a small carved opening in the wall that seemed to be used for storage, Anarchy used a scanner to open it. The room was the size of a closet, with a package set piled on shelves and a few blasters hanging from the walls. She grabbed two packs from the sets and flung one his way, "Trust me, you'll need that in a minute" 

Another scan and the door slid shut again. Anarchy brought the pack to her chest and gave it a simple tap. The same glowing lines as the door to the throne room spread out over her shoulders and down her legs, covering her body in some mesh material that slowly faded to a transparent shield as the lines met and dulled. Aeryn knew he should’ve been more hesitant, he was too caught up with what he'd just seen to second-guess anything as he followed suit. Tapping the pack and feeling the cool material pass over him like a second skin.

"This way princeling" she yelled after him, coming towards the door and gesturing for him to hurry. A guard brushed his thumb against a pad next to them, and a small opening made itself known. Anarchy stepped into it, leading him forward, "Take a deep breath and try not to panic Kay"

Ice cold air slapped Aeryn in the face as soon as he made his way through the opening. It was far colder than anything he had felt in the palace, but reminiscent of the scalding freeze he'd felt when they'd first landed, only amplified. It took him a moment to realise that was because they weren’t technically in the palace anymore.

Across from him the sun was beginning to rise over the ridge of a crumbling mount of sandstone. They were in the entrance to one of the planets cave systems. In front of him, through the mouth of the cavern, Aeryn could see the busting city below him. Residents walked about in hurried strides to get back to their homes before sunrise. All coated in a sheen similar to the ones he and Anarchy wore. Though theirs appeared thicker and glossy. Aeryn supposed whatever suit mesh he wore was only meant for temporary use.

"Damn" he said, "That's one hell of a sunrise"

"Isn't it? It's one of the only good things about this place. We can't be in it long. These suits aren't meant to last out here in the day. Even the ones these lot are wearing down there can't protect them from the radiation longer than about half an hour"

"Gods" he breathed. Overcome by the hue of pinks and yellows fluttering in his vision.

"Pixidys isn't for the weak. This place will spit you out"

"What, no swallow here"

"Shut up!"

"It’s fucking freezing up here,” Aeryn muttered, although the cold was forcing his thoughts to slow down as he shifted his focus to staying warm.

Anarchy snorted. “Yeah, it is. You’ve been nice and cosy inside the palace this whole time, but this is what it’s like the minute you step outside. You'd think I'd would be hotter, but the planets so far away from the sun everything freezes”

A shudder ran down Aeryn's spine as he wrapped his arms around him. “It’s nice though,” he said, staring out at the clean stone structures of the city. “How’d you know this place was here?”

“I got sick of all the diplomacy crap last time I was here. They sent me as a sign of friendship, so I really didn't have much to do" she huffed, the sheen of her suit reflecting the light of the sun, “I pestered Melancholia until she told me about this place. Can't stay out here for long, but it's a chill spot. Gets your mind of things"

As she said it, she stared straight into Aeryn, like an understanding, "You seem pretty riled up here. Try not to worry too much. It's hell here, but Pixidys seems sincere. Some of the others have been here five times already without anything happening. I doubt it'll be any different this time around"

Aeryn raised an eyebrow. “I highly doubt that.”

“No, I’m being serious. Sure, Mevolents a bit creepy, but he's desperate to get rid of the trade blocks, so he plays nice. I just get to watch the others bitch out other people, which is honestly pretty entertaining,” Anarchy said, grinning now. “You wouldn’t believe how boring this place gets sometimes. Im happy there's someone finally my age here"

"Seriously? Gaius said there'd be a bunch of kids our age" Aeryn snorted, leaning to rest his body against the stone wall.

Instead of laughing at that like he expected, Anarchy shook her head. “They're close, sure. But most of the emmiseries are in their twenties, with a few nineteen year olds. Nothing close to your sister though. How old is she, like twelve?"

"Fifteen" Aeryn corrected with a chuckle, "But I guess she looks young"

"I'll say"

Aeryn didn’t respond immediately. He bit the inside of his cheek as he folded his hands together, thinking of how to keep the conversation going, "What's with the name, Anarchy? Your parents hate you or something?"

"Nah. Have you ever heard of the Mad king Axis? It means 'Anarchy' in Orthodox. I was a pretty loud kid"

"They named you after an Athéan dictator?" Aeryn joked, feeling the storm inside him settling the more they spoke.

"Tyrant actually. I think it suits", she said, "What about Aeryn, it's Nádulrá right?"

"It's a name from old Earth" he clarified, "But I think it means mountain or something?"

Anarchy looked him up and down with a raised brow, "You? Mountain? Now that's a joke"

"Hey" Aeryn began, shoving her but keeping his eyes trained on the horizon, "I didn't exactly pick it you know?"

They stood there for a while, laughing together. Despite all of Anarchy's brashness and blunt words, there was an overwhelming amount of sincerity dripping from her. Something finally real in this place. Despite the cold, something warm bubbled up inside of Aeryn, and he figured regardless of his reluctance of being on Pixidys, they could be friends. After a long while Anarchy stretched her shoulders and turned, 

"Right princeling. Let's get back inside, I'm freezing"

Chapter Text

I could tell you many things of what's to come, dear reader, but for now I can give you this.

There are many uses of the sight. From the calm readings of the jumpers to the proud renown of the elementals power. It all flows in tandem with the universe around it. But all in different ways.

The elementals harness the energy of the four elements. Water, earth, fire and air. The cornerstones of all living things. Taking from the elements grants them power at the wave of a hand. Flames at the click of a finger. Or shifting Earth's at the flick of an arm. Some can only utilise one, some all four. 

Lines. A metaphysical link that allows thoughts to be passed along. It cannot be learned. This discipline either comes natural or never at all.

Draíchta. A taboo subject across the Dominion. They are respected and ostracised all the same. A gifted blessing from the Faceless ones allowed them to use the light and shadows around them. A practice cultivated alongside their own rituals and teachings of life and death.

Jumpers. An odd bunch. Very little practicers dot the Dominion. Those whose talents lie in this discipline are highly sought after. After all, it's only so few that can project their consciousness into time itself, and decipher its many shifting possibilities.

The last is the practice of bodies. And that, reader, has a key part to play in this story.

✧.*☬*.✧

"Where the hell is your sister?"

"Probably ran off to the chapel” Taking a breath, Aeryn dragged a hand down his face as he tried to gather his thoughts. It was early evening, but on Pixidys that meant it was time to start the day. The induction ceremony would be happening today, the dinner after it. And Aeryn was somehow already tired, barely managing to drag himself to breakfast. He'd spend ten minutes alone staring at his reflection in front of the sink. 

He looked like crap. The Hyperloop travels had done a number on him. His face was long and sat thinner than usual, with dark bags ran under his almond eyes that displayed his exhaustion. His hair was still a ratty, frizzy mess of curls, but somehow more so than usual. With a sigh he splashed some of the water on his face, wincing at how cold it was but grateful for the way it rinsed away most of the heavy vestiges of sleep from his head.

“She came back last night rambling about the Draíchta training rooms"

Anarchy nodded. “Yeah, there's some pretty hardcore stuff around there. It's were Vile trains sometimes"

“Gods, you're kidding me” Aeryn groaned, wringing his hands in front of him and trying to banish the sleep from his eyes. “I'll tell her to stay clear of it then"

The same stone pillars of the throne room lifted up a vaulted ceiling, though the dinning hall was considerably smaller. But not unfamiliar. It reminded Aeryn of the sparsely used dining room back on Gaia, save for the differences in colour pallet. There were no slits here for the evening glow to pour into, only long strips of glowing lines carved into the walls themselves.

One circular dining table made of a glistening black stone stretched across most of the room. Plates of food were piled high in the centre, various people dressed in similar finery to Aeryn and Anarchy flitted in and out of the room, stacking their plates high.

"Any idea what's happening this evening" Aeryn asked, shuffling the food down his windpipe. The plates were loaded with unfamiliar roasted vegetables, along with some soup concoction Aeryn wasn't too keen on trying, he did recognize the eggs and stuck to them. There were almost no fruits, on Gaia fruits were more typical of breakfast, and only a single glass of water Aeryn had already washed away. Water was a scarcedy on Pixidys. As he ate, the eggs caught in his throat and he spluttered in a fit of coughs until Anarchy pushed him a glass of water.

Anarchy snorted at his suffering, "At dusk you mean"

"Same difference" he winced, swallowing down the liquid to clear his throat. After a few more coughs and a fist to the chest, he was okay again. Anarchy threw her head back in a fit of laughter.

"Last time Mevolent just gave a speech and let us mingle" she said between giggles, "It's formal, sure, but not too uptight. They make you dress up though"

"Any thought to what you're wearing?"

"Hell no"

"Same here"

"You know I heard the guards running around late last night" she said, lowing her voice despite it only being the pair in the room now, "We should check out the hanger at dawn. Might see something interesting"

"Sure Mevy-boy won't have our heads for that?"

"What, you scared?" She taunted, the eggs in her mouth muffling her words. Aeryn crossed his arms, denying her an answer out of sheer pettiness.

"That's what I thought" Anarchy huffed, swallowing down a lump of food in her throat, "I snuck out a bunch last time and they never payed me any mind. We could go and see the sunrise again?"

Aeryn send her a sharp smile, "You know what, to hell with it, I'm in"

"That's the spirit princeling!"

*.ﾟﾟ.*

"Who is he?"

Auron Tenenre hadn't noticed the child next to him. She was a small girl, brought over alongside the swarms of other emmiseries from across the Dominion. Her hair was wound tight in a braided style, across her body the colours of white and green signalled she was from the 1st Dominion, most likely Gaia. He recognized her, vaguely. But he couldn't recall her name. In all honesty he hadn't been too bothered to learn any of their names. His place was as an instructor, not a politician nor babysitter, he had no business amongst them.

Yet he'd seen this girl many times these few days, wandering about the halls and sticking her nose in places it didn't belong. But she never caused much of a fuss. She was curious it seemed, and quiet, too quiet. Though he supposed that could be attributed to the language barrier. She spoke Nádulrá when she came, little of Orthodox, so he seldom heard her speak. It wasn't surprising. Gaians were not known for their friendliness, Orthodox had never been encouraged to anyone on the planet bar high ranking politicians who made their displeasure of their language known. It seemed that displeasure extended to royalty

Tenebrae hadn't heard Nádulrá in a great many decades. Only amongst the occasional bickering emmiseries or in hushed murmurs when the elders were trying to be discreet in their meetings. The remnants of a dying language. 

Most avoided her like a sickness. For one, she was an outsider, an invader stumbling through their way of life. They thought her odd, an emblem of bad luck to come. Others had thought she was a spy when she first arrived and did their best to steer clear. Tenebrae had his own suspicions at first, but he wasn't going to be the one to question Mevolents word.

Instead, like the others, he simply deemed her odd.

Despite the targeted isolation she never seemed particularly bothered, like she was used to it, like she expected it. He supposed she must have. Pixidains were not known for their hospitality, even during alliances. Or perhaps she was simply a person who enjoyed her own company. Tenebrae would be inclined to agree. He'd long since had enough of others, it being his duty to deal with the various members of his church and the most loathsome fellow clerics. It was an awful bore that made him cherish his time alone.

She didn't use the sight all that much either, unlike her fellow travellers. Or at the very least no one had seen her use it, besides the occasional ripples in her shadow when someone decided to irk her. When she arrived first, she'd shown an interest in the temples' teachings, however her excitement soon disappeared as she was barred from reading any beyond their basic history and beginner's guides. The high priests were not keen on letting their practices slip to an outsider, a reluctant guest. She may have been a Draíchta, but she was not born to their ways, she had not been taught their code. A reluctant guest was all she'd ever be. She hadn't put up much of a fight against them, resigning herself to the damp corners of the temple, away from the sight.

Which is why Tenebrae found it especially strange that she'd redeveloped her acute interest in their ways once Vile had returned from his day of meetings. He'd caught her peeking through the training room doors, slowing her steps when she walked by, anything to get the barest glimpse of the armed man in action.

When quickened glances weren't enough, she migrated into the training rooms. No one had cared she was there so long as she stayed off to the side, in the shadows. An observer, nothing more. Which is how Tenebrae found himself in this conversation. Watching her watch him. She sat with her head cocked inquisitively to the side. Her gaze was fixed across the training hall, wandering over the General. A small smile played at her lips as she followed the careful movements of the shadows, turning them over in her head, memorising them.

"Quit grinning like a mad man. Are you sick in the head or something?"

Her smile dropped and her face returned to its usual blank slate, void of anything. Though with the barest crease in her brow, like she was confused as to why she'd been smiling at all, "Sorry I- I didn't realise"

Tenebrae looked at her warringly. The girl he'd seen often stood aloof and stoic. Even when other emmiseries sought to tease her the other day, even in the face of clerics snapping at her to be gone, she remained that way. A blank slate, unyielding. Yet sometimes, when she wasn't looking, Tenebrae would catch her staring off. A face that read of an unexplainable calmness, but with an aura that screamed to him that the girl held something off within her. Finally, he was about to let curiosity win and question her, when their attention was redirected to Vile, flinging a poor student into a wall. The girl had been watching, and all in a moment that glint in her eyes and sickening grin was back.

Before he could stop her she stood, "Let me try"

"No" he snapped, eyeing the instructors warningly, "She's not been trained. Sit down girl"

An instructor quipped nearby, "She's never going to learn without experience Tenebrae. Let her spar. She needs to learn the difference between a fight and a fool's errand"

Tenebre shot a death glare towards him, but the instructor folded his arms and stood his ground. All Tenebrae could do was clench his jaw.

"Fine" he glowered and watched the girl giddily clamber onto the training floor.

Vile walked closer to her until they met at the centre of the hall. Vile towered over the girl he realised, a behemoth of a shadow cast over her. She looked to him with reverential respect, craning her neck back as far as she could to meet him eye to eye. At least until Vile knocked her flat on her back with a sudden blow to the stomach. Tenebre watched the air splutter from her in a rush. She blinked lazily up at the ceiling for a moment, before the indignation set in. She found her footing, letting the shadows push her up. 

Vile didn't wait this time, coming straight for her. Pulling the shadows from the halls corners that rose into a wave of darkness and rolled towards the girl. She veered away from his strike with a surprising fluidity. His fists, cased in black, came down. Delivering blow after blow. They met their target and hurdled her low. She reached up. Wisps of shadows following her command, lashing into him. Lord Vile recoiled and the shadows went away. Before he could retaliate she went low, a dark energy exploding around her. It found Vile as he staggered backwards. If she'd kept up the charge, she might have had him on his knees, but she didn't do that. In between the opening she left he wound up at her with his first, a spike wretched itself from that fist and into the girl. She gasped and spat blood, the shadows around her converged on instinct. They wreathed around the armoured man, as he snarled and cut through some tendrils, but a tidal came to hold him down. 

Though she was breathing hard, nose dripping blood, she looked to have the upper hand.

Viles mask turned sharp and jagged, slashing easily through his binds. Then they came for her. Breaking away in one fluid movement, shooting out a thin spear of shadows. He whipped her across the face and she went tumbling to the ground. Tenebrae froze suddenly regretting his decision. He hadn't wanted the child to be injured, only to teach her a lesson. She wouldn't get anywhere without experience.

Through deep pants a soft laughter echoed through the halls, the girl sat up and moved the hair out of her face. She grinned triumphantly up at him, flashing her palms in a placating gesture.

After a moment, gazing at Vile with the utmost awe, she put her hands firmly on the ground and pulled herself up. After hastily dusting off her cloak, she stuck her hand out towards him, "Again sometime?"

Vile didn't take kindly to that, no doubt taking her offer as a mockery of sorts. Tenebre watched him get in her face, the shadows of his armour wreathing in anger as he towered over her. Yet she didn't back away, she didn't break his gaze. That carefree grin and look of wonder still plastered across her face. Vile could have killed her in that moment, she wouldn't even have had time to scream, and all she could do was smile warmly.

Tenebrae could tell Vile was irritated, he couldn't blame him. Sometimes even he wanted nothing more than to smack that look off her face. Maybe he thought it would be a waste to kill her, maybe he simply wasn't bothered, but with neither willing to back down he tore away. Not wanting to stare at that face any longer, lest he rip it off.

And just as he did her face dropped, head inclined subtlety to the side, glaring intensely after him. Piercing blades conveying an enigmatic intensity into the back of his armour. There was not a doubt in Tenebraes mind that all she wanted in that moment was to tear him apart. 

It was startling.

It made Tenebrae wonder how much of her was real. Who was the young girl who'd been reserved, brought from a distant land, and who stood in front of him just now? What was the extent of that facade she put up. What was underneath? Was there even a difference? Even those barest of glimpses into something darker, were they who she truly was? Or just another carefully fabricated layer upon more layers.

"Hey, Tenebrae" she yelled, voice carrying across the hall and startling Tenebre out of his crescendo of thoughts, back into his surroundings. Before he could answer she had bounced up towards him.

 He hesitated, "What do you want, girl?"

"Teach me"

Tenebre laughed with no real warmth, “I'm not going to teach you. And after that little charade you pulled? How do I know you'd even be worth it?" It had been meant as something to stirr doubt within her, so she'd go away and perhaps bother Vile some more until he decided to put her through a wall. But she took it as an invitation.

The air in the room became thick and heavy as shadows slithered in the corners. Before anyone could react the other Draíchta within the training hall had been pinned down, wreathing tendrils of darkness coiling around their limbs. Shadows quick and tightening their grasps inch by inch like a pack of serpents. There hadn't been time for a struggle, or a fight, all were incapacitated before they count truely fathom what was happening to them.

The girl looked up at him with a knowing smile.

Tenebrae signed and waved a hand in defeat. Today was truly turning out to be the most bothersome of days, "Let them go girl"

Her smile curled up her face as the shadows unravelled and snaked back into the dust riddled corners of the church. Waiting.

"So when are we to start?" She enquired, leaning back on her heels as though nothing had happened. As though the Draíchta around her weren't shakily gathering their bearings and dragging themselves urgently from the hall.

"This afternoon, before dinner, once I've finished with Lord vile. Though I doubt he'll need much assistance. That is unless you're planning on getting pissed on ale?"

Her gaze shifted at the mention of Vile, to the doors he'd left through, ignoring his jest. Tenebre couldn't pinpoint her expression at that moment. Something between admiration and twisted excitement. She looked as though she'd either like to be as powerful as him, or great enough to crush him.

"You know" Tenebrae started, catching her again, "You haven't had the decency to introduce yourself yet"

All she offered was a curt shrug in response, "In my defence, you never asked me. You just told me where to go and not to go, and we haven't spoken since"

Tenebrae scowled "Your name, girl?"

There was something dangerous pooling in those eyes, something powerful and waiting. In years to come Tenebrae would scold himself for not realising what she was sooner, or what she'd come to be. He had no way of knowing what he would help to create. 

"Rose, you can call me Rose"

*.ﾟﾟ.*

"Where where you all day?'' Aeryn found himself asking his sister, half way into the stuffy excuse for an evening shirt as she bounced through their rooms doors, elated.

Finally after their days spent within the palace, they were heading to the induction ceremony. Aeryn struggled to ignore the nervousness lighting up his veins as he tried to predict what would be happening. Melancholia had described it straight forward enough, but still a little voice called out to him to be on alert. He had to keep his head held high and stay focused on what mattered. Making it back to Gaia in one piece. Nothing would happen, just polite welcomes and dinner with a bit too much wine. Still Aeryn did what he did best. He worried.

"The chapel mostly" she responded with a smile, rummaging through the wardrobe for a suitable dress, " I followed Melancholia around"

"Learn anything interesting?"

She smiled to herself, "Yeah, I did"

Catching his dress sleeve he finally pulled the wretched thing over his shoulder. It was a fine make, sewn a year back for their sister's birthday. A shiny green shirt embroidered with a descending tendril pattern that snaked its way down his ribs. He hated it, "Well hurry up, we're late!"

Rose grabbed a creme gown from the dresser, an aged ceilith that tumbled over her shoulders with bioluminescent tracks that oozed a blue glow. It reminded Aeryn of the old Earthian jellyfish, "Since when have you ever cared about tardiness?" she asked him.

"Since there's a trigger happy maniac waiting for us"

After some time wrestling with his outfit and spinning Rose's hair into a tight braided hairstyle, the siblings emerged from their room, ready for the days events. After a few beats of hesitation, Aeryn sighed and stepped towards the throne room, the guards on either side following suit. Although Rose seemed reluctant, she followed after another moment, and the door hissed as it slid shut behind them.

The guards joined together with another entourage of Pixidain guards that led them down a familiar part of the palace. Although there was plenty of light in the halls, it still felt like a shadow was gaining behind them. The tension in Aeryn's shoulders dissapaited as he spotted other groups of guarded emmiseries, dressed in lavish cloaks and fitted dress wear. All the groups converged in the halls, headed for the same destination

The throne room seemed less cavernous with the number of people in it. Colours of the rainbow dotted across Aeryns vision as he laid eyes on the finery dripping across all the attendees, with rich piles of fabric pooling below their ankles. Aeryn expected nothing less. Outer planetary travel cost a fortune on even the quickest of journeys. For anyone to make their way out here, meant their families or dynasties had to be drenched in gold.

The group he found himself in edged closer towards the throne. Mevolent was sitting upon it like he had been the first day they arrived. His hulking frame towering over them, covered in a sleek black coat that was surprisingly simplistic against the wave of silks and jewels of the attendees.The front strands of his hair hung loose over his face, with his metal circlet resting right above them. Somehow, his eyes seemed even darker and Aeryn felt as though a void were coming to pull him in every time he met the Fathers eyes.

Beside him, Lord Vile was every inch the terrifying General he had looked the first day they'd met. The polished gauntlets of his armour reflected the light of the glowing orbs. He appeared just as he had when they'd been introduced, save for the tails of crimson fabric that fell to his mid-calves. He stood with his shoulders straight and a metal speer gripped in his palms. He didn't move, but Aeryn would wager his eyes darted around the room beneath his mask, searching for any threat.

Aeryn and Rose gave a deep bow, then stood off to the side of the throne, so the other guests could give their greetings. Their hands folded behind their backs as they waited for the pours of emissaries to settle. It was eerily reminiscent of the dozens of times the two of them would stand in Gaias throne room, alongside their siblings. Patiently waiting for the first guests to be presented to them so they could extend their thanks and welcomes.

Melancholia made her way in front of the podium of the throne room, her dark skirt swishing around her boots with every step. She bowed deeply towards Mevolent, her blonde hair falling across her arms. When she straightened back up, she turned to the audience, "The Father will now speak" she declared, her voice carrying across the room.

Mevolent gave Melancholia a nod of acknowledgement as he stood, rising as a behemoth above them with his arms spread wide, "It is with great honour and gratitude that Pixidys XI welcomes you to its fifth gathering of the Dominions. We hope you've found yourselves comfortable, and that you're all well rested from your journeys here-"

"-Pixidys began it's extensions of friendship near a decade ago, and since then we've proudly hosted the representatives and members of all 12 dynasties throughout the Dominion. I pray to the Faceless ones, that we may see another five, ten, twenty others in the years to come-"

"-Pixidys wishes nothing more than for the collective Dominion to see us as we are. We are the first official theocratic dynasty since the time of the first landers. With you, we hope to share our love for our gods, and show you our ways. We are not a vindictive clan of scoundrels, as so many like to see us, we are a community of faith. One that raises one and other to their greatest potential. We hope you too, will share with us your faith, your culture, your language. All are welcome on Pixidys IX-"

"-In this time of great waiting, all eyes are turned on us. Let this gathering fill those eyes with joy and understanding, rather than fear and hate. On behalf of myself, the General and the Church of the Faceless, treat our planet as a home of your own. We have many plans ahead of us, and your support towards us is vital in seeing our wishes granted-"

There came an eruption of claps from the audience, though Aeryn could tell it was somewhat strained. Beside him, he witnessed the hushed whisperings of royals as well as the look of approval across some emmiseries. There was still a reluctance towards Mevolent and Pixidys itself, but the people seemed to soak in the sincerity of the Fathers words, and the clapping grew louder. Behind him, he even heard a few cheers amongst the guests.

"-Please, do make your way to the sunrooms. A great feast awaits you, my friends. Let us dance and drink together in our newfound solidarity"

At this, the guards opened the doors to the throne room once more. The Father and General strode out first. The piles of guests all filed out behind them, Aeryn and Rose being some of the last to leave.

They all moved as a group down the hall towards the sunroom, as they did Aeryn kept his arm tightly looped with Rose's. They didn't want to loose each other in the sea of emmiseries all flowing through the halls. It was a tight fit with the sheer size of the attendance. Squeezing past each other while they made their way down. Neither of the siblings said anything, but they were both stiff as could be, and Aeryn could practically feel the anxiety bouncing off of his sister.

The doors to the sunroom let in the throws of guests, all eager for a bite to eat and cup to drink. Across the towering expanse of the sunroom, circular tables, alike the one in the dining hall, were scattered about. Piled with a filigree silverware and interesting foods. The sweet aroma pierced through the air towards Aeryn, and he felt his stomach rumbling. Above them a dome of glass shimmered in the same way the Plasma Shield had done back on Gaia. Probably an attempt to quell the radiation seeping through with the sun. The other emmiseries had settled themselves across the dining tables. A meek voice, sounding strangely like his father, argued it was probably in his and Rose's best interests to sit with some of Gaia's top contenders, to try and establish more connections. But the exhaustion still hadn't escaped him and he was sure Rose felt the same. Conversing in idle talk with a pretentious few elites wasn't exactly something he was eager to jump into.

Aeryn spent the better part of the dinner scoffing down platefuls of whatever the cateres handed him. It was delicious. A light bread and mixed fruit, alongside the same odd meat from breakfast, bathed in a sauce thats spices tingled on his tongue after he'd swallowed. For all this bother, the food outdid everything about the evening.

"Yo, princeling. You okay?”

It took Aeryn a moment to realise Anarchy was calling him, and he jumped in his seat when she lightly tapped his shoulder. She'd abandoned the Athéans table and slithered up to occupy the seat next to him.

“Uh, sorry. I zoned out for a second. What did you say?”

“I asked what you thought about this whole crap?” Anarchy asked, the crystals in her mauve dress twinkling from the orb lamp at the centre of the table.

“Oh.” Aeryn blinked. “It was fine. The usual nonsense”

Anarchy went to reply, but she was interrupted.

“I thought it was nice actually,” Rose cut in, and Aeryn sent her a stern look, “Mevolent didn't try to pull anything. And he seemed genuine for that matter" Behind them, there was a loud curse as one of the attendees tripped over his coat leaving the dining room, probably drunk. Aeryn hid a smile behind his hand as Rose huffed. “At the very least it was over quickly" she muttered under her breath.

On the other side of him, Anarchy stifled a laugh, "So this is the sister? I'm Anarchy Blues" she introduced.

"Rose. Rose Fell" she replied. Touching her hand to her forehead. A traditional Gaian greeting for newcomers.

Anarchy smiled, "Oh I know you. Aeryns told me a good bit"

Rose chimed in, "All good things I gather?" locking eyes with Aeryn, a warning grin curling up her face.

Anarchy snickered and Aeryn slapped her sleeve. "Knock it off Blue's"

"Hey, hey! I surrender, I surrender" she said, raising her hands above her. Her attention vered towards the table of Athéans, boasting loudly and tripping over themselves as they tried to dance, "Wanna get out of this place? The duke from Astréa is already off his head on synthetics. I don't want to stick around for that trainwreck"

Aeryn was about to refuse, but then Rose cut in, raising her brow, "Sounds like you two have a fun night planned?

Anarchy snorted, "That's hilarious shortie. This lousy bastard? No way in hell"

"Ha. Ha" Aeryn drawled, tapping the back of his sister's chair, " But I've gotta keep an eye on Rosie here" 

To his surprise, Rose shrugged him off and shooed him, "Oh enough of that. You go have fun"

Aeryn blinked, "You sure?"

"I've been meaning to bug Melancholia about a few more questions. But I'll probably turn in for the night soon. I don't want to get caught up with a bunch of drunken slobs"

"I like this one", Anarchy said, then bugged Aeryn out of his seat, "Adventure awaits us my loyal steed. Let's beat it!"

Aeryn couldn't have hoped to reply before the girl practically dragged him from the sunroom.

*.ﾟﾟ.*

"You’re a bitch, you know?” Aeryn mumbled as he was dragged through the hallways. They both had slipped out unnoticed. It should be dangerous, unguarded in a place like this. But the thrill of the evening hung tight to Aeryn, and he found he didn't really care.

They headed out into one of the smaller hallways that connected from the right of the palace, running hand in hand and pressing themselves behind the stone pillars whenever the heard a sound. Aeryn was grateful to be rid of the dinners formalities. Chances were by an hours time the majority of the party would be too intoxicated to walk. The last time Aeryn had stayed long enough to witness something like that, was on his first tour across Gaia, when the politicians sang a merry tune, gargled and off key, and far too loudly.

Their footsteps echoed across the stone, bouncing off the walls in an almost melodic rhythm. Aeryn was leaning heavily into Anarchy's side, his eyes squinting in the dull light as he trusted Anarchy to guide him blindly through the halls. At this hour, the palace staff dimmed the lights down to simulate night, even though the sun was most certainly beginning to rise. Though it was probably just their luck, they couldn't hope to escape the dinner without the added veil of darkness. They turned another corner, and ahead of them, Aeryn watched a green eyed man turn the corner. Anarchy caught him before he could take another step, pressing them behind a pillar, out of sight. She brought a finger to her lips, but it was the urgency in her eyes kept him quite. The man peered up and down the hall, then shuffled into an alcove in the wall.

Anarchy pressed on, Aeryn following at her heels. When they passed by it though, they paused.

The alcove was actually a door, one that was easy to miss. It was coloured the same pale sandstone as the rest of the walls, with only a peak of sliding metal running along the rim giving away it purpose. Without the dim reflection of the metal, Aeryn doubted he'd have ever noticed. As the pair looked to each other, they slowly pressed themselves against the doors cool edge. What drew his attention first was that this one was cracked open a tad. A wayward stone caught in the slider that allowed a seem of light to burst through. And he could hear voices inside.

The voices were far too soft for him to make out. But through the tiny sliver of light that escaped from the barely cracked door, Aeryn was able to make out at least three figures talking in hushed whispers. He caught a glimpse of green eyes, and a dark metal.

Vile and two other men. Even though he couldn't make out what they were saying, he felt the strain in their hushed whispers. The green eyed man pointed towards something on the desk and Vile was nodding, any expression hidden beneath his mask. 

Aeryn and Anarchy could have only been there a second, when Vile began to lift his head as if he could feel the weight of their stares. Anarchy yanked Aeryn down the hall and away from the door, heart pounding in his ears.

“What was that?” she asked softly, eyes crawling with a worry he'd never seen before, "I thought Vile was supposed to be in the sunroom. I didn't see him leave"

“I don't know” Aeryn whispered back. “But whatever it was, it can't be good"

Anarchy grabbed him and wrapped an arm round his, tugging him forward. A lump was steadily forming in his chest as he looked back to the alcove, wondering what in the Gods names had they accidentally witnessed. Anarchy nodded with a grim expression, and leaned further into him. Glancing between him and the door they'd scurried away from.

It didn’t make sense. Why would a General and two men be having seemingly secret, conversation? Maybe they were councilors or one of Viles' underlings. Whatever they were, it was still odd. On Gaia it wasn't uncommon for his father to have his own meetings. But seldom were they conducted in this manner. And he was never, ever to be called away when they were entertaining guests. At least, unless it was an emergency. Truth be told, Aeryn couldn't be sure.

Reguardless of any of that, Aeryn needed to pay more attention to Vile. He'd spent too much concern over Mevolent and hadn't even spared a thought to his General. If this was a game of chess, then it felt like he was only playing with half the pieces. There were too many possible enemies. Too many possible outcomes to keep track of. And Aeryn had never been good at chess.

It wasn’t like there was anything he could do to change that for the time being though. So he just took a mental note of Vile, and picked up the pace behind Anarchy. It took a few turns until he realized they were heading to the cave she had brought them to on their first meeting.

"You want to go outside?"

"I need-" She began, her voice carrying a slight tremble, "I need somewhere to think"

"Yeah" Aeryn said, "I think I do too"

*.ﾟﾟ.*

“I had a feeling I’d find you here”

Rose snapped her head up from the pages of myths on the pad she was reading. Rose knew she should’ve felt afraid when she found herself meeting Mevolents chilling gaze across the library. But, she was too exhausted after the day's events to be afraid anymore. 

"You seem like a person who seeks knowledge", He continued, flicking his hands between the pad sets across the shelves. 

For a brief moment Rose found herself awe-struck and mouth agape, being in the same room alongside the Father. Instead of offering a typical polite greeting, Rose set the pad down, and shrunk into her seat. “Were you searching for me then?” she replied sheepishly.

Mevolent hummed, his coat rustling as he walked over to the chair she was sitting in. He didn’t sit beside her. Instead, he stayed standing, strands of dark locks falling over his pale face as he looked down at Rose. He was imposing even while she stood, sitting down made the canyon of height difference that much more apparent.

"Do you spent a lot of time in libraries?" he asked. 

Rose dipped her head, not wanting to look him in the eye, as though he were a wild beast that could attack at any moment, “I just wanted to pass the time"

“The dinner not to your liking?” he pushed, his cold eyes sending chills down Rose's spine. “I relate to you on that front. Meaningless hostings have never been my appetite either”

The weight of Mevolents eyes was like maggots wriggling under her skin. Like he was looking straight through her into the confines of her head she kept clutched so close. She hated that look. Like she was a puzzle, an intrigue, rather than a person, and more than anything she hated how powerless she felt in the face of the Father. This felt all too familiar. She thought back to the times on Gaia when her father looked her over in a cold gaze, almost willing her to defy him. It was a challenge. But for what, she had no idea.

“Whatever you think you’re doing" she began, "It’s not going to work,” Rose took his challenge narrowing her eyes and looking straight at him. “You don't have to pretend you know me. I don't trust you to know anything about me"

There was a beat of silence as Mevolent blinked at her, not anticipating such a response, before a slow smile spread over his face.

“Good. You shouldn’t trust me,” Mevolent told her, his teeth glinting in the faint light. “But there is one thing I think you should keep in mind, especially regarding the others here.”

“What is it?”

Mevolents smile grew. “If you can't trust me, then you certainly can't trust the other's. Tell me child, has Pixidys ever colonised a planet for its resources? Has Pixidys ever desecrated an entire ecological system for wealth and gain?" He shook his head as he continued, "No. But they have, haven't they?"

"That doesn't mean you're not planning something" Rose spat, words edged with a razor 

Mevolent eyed her with a raised brow, something about him felt like the glider's back on Gaia. How they'd curl up before striking for an attack, "You've heard anything and everything about us. But do you have any idea what it is we actually want?"

Rose shook her head. Her heartbeat thudded in her ears, racing against her ribcage.

Mevolent nodded to the page of the pad Rose had left open on her lap, "Have you read them. The myths?"

Rose shook her head shyly, "Only briefly"

"You seem like someone keen on knowledge" Mevolent pushed, his cold eyes sending chills down Roses spine, "Would you like me to tell you them?" He whispered, crouching down so he was no longer standing over Rose as he sat.

Rose looked at him through her brow. This was a game, and even with the curiosity ebbing against her, she knew she couldn't refuse. It posed to much of a risk. Instead of an answer, she bobbed her head in agreement. A minimal act of defiance, but defiance all the same

Mevolent sank into the chair next to her, rolling his shoulders and letting them slump as an ease overtook him, then he started. "The legends say the 4th quadrant of the universe, what we now know as the 9th through 12th divisions, was previously ruled by and home to the Faceless ones. Beings of energy with no physical bodies, that used an advanced form of the sight to inhabit the body's of trespassers and eliminate them-"

"-The Church of The Faceless believe it was they who developed the sight, being creatures of energy. In the years of the beginning of the Dominion, a young heir named Ezroh learned the ways of the sight from them. He was deemed strong of heart by the gods, welcomed to the planet, and with him he brought armies and built the beginnings of an empire-"

Ezroh. She'd heard the name before, spit on the tongues of the Gaian citizens affiliated with the Brotherhood. Another branch of the church of the Faceless. Her father had been adamant she ignore it, To loose yourself in faith is to descent into madness. Don't go looking for insanity Rose. It was one of the few things she'd found herself agreeing with her father on. Gaius, in particular, had always rejected religion as an affair beneath him, despite officially being both the monarch and head of the Odeiséon faith on Gaia. He was sure to push that disdain onto his children.

"-At first he listened to the wisdom of the Faceless ones, spreading their guidance and swearing to never misuse the sight for his own gain" Mevolent seemed to shift then, his eyes locking onto her own and snapping, "But he betrayed them. His armies learned a derivative of the sight, the impure ways that we primarily use to this day, and began a galactic conquest of blood. Upon this discovery both sides fought a gory ten year war that saw Ezroh as victorious-"

"-The Faceless ones were banished to another realm through 'The eye of gods', it's the back hole at the centre of our solar system. But they managed to drag him with them. With the Faceless ones banished and Ezroh dead, the ancient ways of the sight were lost to time, as punishment for their misuse"

"So what is it?" She asked, eyes narrowing, "What do you want?"

To her frustration, Mevolent chuckled at this, and reached out to squeeze her shoulder, "As we've always wanted. To worship our gods. But the other Dominions don't seem keen on it"

"They say you're all raging zealots. That you'll destroy the Dominion"

"Change is difficult for many. Most disregard the finest assets because they fear their differences. But they just need to be shown the truth. Tell me, how many times has your father pushed you to the side in fear of what you could do"

Rose ignored the way her stomach lurched. Fear. No one could ever fear her. She had no power of her own, no use in the grand game of the Dominions. Even if she had a place, would she ever want to be feared?, "I can't do anything"

The last words were little more than a whisper, hanging in the air between them as the resulting silence draped itself over Rose's shoulders. Mevolent tilted his head to the side, "Perhaps not by their ways. But I see someone with great potential"

Rose stayed quiet for a bit. Not wanting to delve deeper down the train of conversation they found themselves on. It hurt too much, to think she'd never belong in what was supposed to be her family.

"They're not all gone are they?", Rose whispered, as though it were a secret, "The original sight users?"

"Very good. You're a student of history?" 

"No" Rose told him, thinking back to her pathetic array of lessons, "I just like to read"

"Knowledge fills the universe, my child. Keep it up. But you're right, here we still us the old ways of the sight, but only very few of us"

"What do you use?"

"Why don't I show you tomorrow. It's too early now, and it's easier when the sun starts to set"

Rose had to stop herself from sounding desperate as she asked, "Where?"

"Ask the guards to take you to me, come tomorrow's dusk. I'll let them know beforehand"

Mevolent smiled, not a toothy grin or taunting curl of lips, a genuine smile. Like he was truly glad she'd said yes. He sat up and made his way to the door, stopping just as Rose called out after him, "Thank you"

He turned to meet her, "Always be grateful for the gifts of knowledge. Ezroh was a young man who let his own shortsightedness cloud him. I don't want the same for you"

Chapter Text

Centuries ago now, stood a father and a daughter, hand in hand, ready for the end.

The first to attempt to resurrect the Faceless ones. Some argue their attempts were genuine, others, a stunt to bring more to their faith.

Whatever the reason, in the end it was all futile.

With their sacrifice came an era of new, of those who sought answers and peace, turning to the Church of the Faceless for what they so desperately craved.

From the seeds of the Church bloomed The brotherhood, and the rise of Alphanium. Derivative practices of the same religion.

I saw them, when looking into the years behind us. The remains of a family, a father and his daughter, standing before their own demise. Now that I look forward, I wonder do they still live on, in others.

✧.*☬*.✧

"What were you going to show me?"

"Come here,” Mevolent said, moving further away from the doors, towards an open platform that gave a perfect line view of the main frame.

Rose trotted after him, staring at the room in awe. Unlike the rest of the palace, the main frame was primarily built from a deep metal, similar to Viles' armour. Pieces of blinking machinery strewn about, and lording over the room stood a gargantuan oval window. 

It was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen.

The lighting of the rising sun bathed the space in a soft flare. Above their heads shifted from shades of white to a bright orange. But below them, the soft shimmers of blue poured up. Rose wasn't sure why until Mevolent tapped her shoulder and led her forward. Rose's eyes shifted away from the window ahead of her, and down towards the second layer of the floor. Past the piles of computers and black metal, where she noticed a trail of humming wires winding up towards the light. Connecting to a glass basin in the room's centre.

Narrowing her eyes, Rose stepped closer. Although it was difficult to make out in the murky waters, she realised it was a person. She realised it was Mevolent.

“What is it?” Rose whispered, leaning over the platform to get a better look.

“We call them bodies,” Mevolent explained, the blue light casting a soft glow over his face. “They're synetic suits made from our DNA. Each takes at least a month to fully develop. Have you ever heard of the practice of bodies?"

"No", Rose breathed.

“I'm not surprised. They're only practised here, on Pixidys,” he chuckled, stepping behind her and motioning towards the cables, "They're made from the branches of a Phaunus tree. They grow under the surface. Really it's more of a root system than the tree's you're used to. We stretch the bark, until it's taut. It gives a type of string that's wound into the cable. It's all entirely natural. The wires create a pattern to simulate neurons and chemical reactions in the brain. Along these we project our consciousness into the body"

"That's, that's incredible" Rose replied, wide eyed, the words slipping out of her before she ever thought to reel them back in.

Mevolent made a noise of understanding, "Isn't it just? It was the first form of sight taught to us by the Faceless ones. But I'm the only one here who can use them" Rose didn’t miss the slight dip in his words when he said it. She thought back to all the rumours she'd heard back in the Acropolis kitchens, none ever mentioning anything regarding bodies, or the fate of their practicers, "But one's all we need. These suits were developed to not need blitz packs for protection. See the seen mesh over the skin? It's a built-in shield for the radiation. It won't burn up, even at the sun's highest hour"

"Can they die?" Rose asked, still totally transfixed on the twitching husk within the tanks.

"They're not really alive" he answered, "There's no blood, just a cooling gel. No organs either. It's just a vessel. If the sight is strong enough in the user. They can heal themselves and their artificial body"

"Can you do that?"

"I was taught the elementals ways of healing as a boy. That extends to my own body as well as this suit" Mevolent leaned closer to her, "Do you want to try it?" A hand made its way onto her shoulder, Rose didn't try to shrug it off, being too encapsulated by the body in front of her.

"I can- I can do that?" Rose gasped. Her hands twitching about. Then suddenly, she was thinking back to her time on Gaia. Of all the thinly concealed accusations her father and siblings liked to throw her way, Can you do anything? Could she? Or would this prove to be another failure upon failures.

Gaia. The last place she’d felt like she knew the path her life was taking. Empty days watched over by book pages and dismissive relative's. A lifetime of marching towards a future she never got to have a say in.

Had she ever been herself back on Gaia? When she was just desperate to conform to what everyone wanted from her?

A perfect daughter?

A humble Child?

The apologetic excuse for a sight user?

That version of herself felt so far away now. The girl that would crumble under criticism and speak only in the formal etiquette that was expected of her. A girl who would probably never make much of herself, clasped in her family's ways. A predestined path she never wanted. Doomed to forever be the 'Other' Child of Gaia.

"That all depends on you. I'm more than happy to let you test that theory here"

A beat passed between them and she nodded.

Satisfaction flickered through Mevolents eyes, making them almost glow in the same intensity as the sun pouring through the window. From the platform, they descended the winding staircase, until they were right up against the wires, "Once you make contact with the veins they'll attach. It'll hurt, but only for a moment, I promise" he looked at her, really looked at her. Instead of the short darts sent her way by her father, "I said before you couldn't trust me. But I can promise you nothing happens here unless you want it too. I'll honour that word"

The veins sprung up, burrowing into her skin and rolling under her hand. It stung for a second, then the pain eased out to a dull throb. It was a foreign sensation, feeling the wires slither beneath her near painlessly. Rose panicked for a moment, her eyes growing hot, she wanted to change her mind then and there, and rip the strands out of her skin. But the warmth of the hand, still perched on her shoulder, calmed her and the wires finally stopped wiggling.

"Now" Mevolent began, his voice soothing,"Leave your hand behind. That is no longer belonging to you. It's just a hand, a fake. Let your real arm be over there, across the branches"

With a panicked look Rose's gaze settled on the tank. Waiting, praying for something to happen. Then itt twitched

"Did you see that!" Rose inhaled, the burning in her eyes fading as glee overtook her.

"Keep going. Focus"

Rose fluttered her eyelids closed, reaching into herself. Trying to remember the first times she'd made the link between her and Aeryn's psyche. She supposed it couldn't be all that different. When she opened her eyes, the hand moved again

"That's it. Try closing a fist"

Within a few breaths the fingers of the body curled inwards and gripped themselves tightly into a fist. Rose suddenly realised she couldn't feel the hand attached to her body, as it lay slack against her side. She thought to herself, wave your hand, and instead the body's hand across from her gave a gentle wave.

She laughed, flicking her unoccupied fingers "Oh my god. I'm doing it. I'm actually doing it"

Mevolent beamed towards her, "I told you you had potential. I saw it in Vile when we first met. And I see the same in you"

Rose looked towards him, joy pouring from her smile, "Can you….Can you teach me to do more?" 

"I'll teach you to do everything. I can make you better Rose. I can promise you that"

She turned back to the body's hand, rolling it over and wiggling the fingers. She giggled with the excitement bubbling inside her. The other hand flapped around the air with a frenzied and unfiltered elation. She could finally do something. Something that proved she wasn't entirely useless. That she wasn't the disappointment Gaius had always seen her as 

Sheepishly, she asked him again, "Can you really teach me?"

"I haven't lied to you yet have I?"

*.ﾟﾟ.*

There was a knock on his door.

Jolting awake, Aeryn's heart slammed against his ribs as he instinctively reached for the other side of his bed. His hand touched the mound of cool blankets his sister slept in, and the visceral retching in his chest subsided, if only by a bit.

The knocking repeated itself, louder, more urgently this time.

Coming back to himself, Aeryn stared at the blanket smoothed over his legs, before glancing towards the door. A clock told him it was the middle of the night, and his sleep-addled thoughts only supported that claim.

Who the fuck was knocking on his door at this time of night?

Trying to shove down the anxiety buzzing under his skin, Aeryn pushed the blankets off his legs and stumbled over to the door. Even in his half-asleep state, he still felt a mountain of worry in his hands as he shakily slipped open the door, and wasn’t prepared in any way for what was waiting on the other side. 

"Couldn't sleep?" He grumbled looking at Anarchy, trying to shake the sleep from his eyes.

Anarchy narrowed her eyes, "No", she said, "I've been thinking about the other night actually. Something seems wrong. Have you noticed there's been more guards stationed down the halls? It was a nightmare trying to get here"

Now that he thought about it, he'd seen more guards scurrying about than usual. But figured they'd upped the security for the emmiseries.

"Yeah. I guess there has been"

Anarchy opened her mouth to respond, but hesitated before closing it again. Her eyes darted behind her, like she expected someone was there

Even in the gloomy light of the castle at this hour, Aeryn could make out the way her shoulders were shaking. She looked as nervous as he felt, like it was taking every ounce of willpower to keep from running off, "Sometihings happening. I feel like we're all about to fall into some trap. I wanna check something out"

Aeryn grinned, "What? Too scared to go alone?"

"I'm serious here" she snapped, sure to keep the volume low.

He sighed, knowing he wasn't getting out of this, "Okay" he replied, against the protest of his body, still half asleep.

"Do you know where your sister is?" Anarchy asked.

"She's right here", he said, pushing the door open a bit wider to show her.

"Good" was all she said, turning her gaze back up the halls, looking for any threat.

"Are you really serious about this? You're really scared?"

"Aren't you?"

He thought about it, then as he did the anxiety buzzed inside his ribs, giving him his answer. "Yeah, I think I was getting too comfortable"

As quietly as possible, Aeryn turned to grab his coat, carefully trying to dampen the rustle as he shifted it over his shoulders, as not to disturb Rose. Once he was back at the door, he glanced back and saw Rose's eyes were still closed, and the slow rising of her chest uninterrupted.

While Aeryn didn’t like the idea of leaving his sister alone while she slept, it wasn’t as if he could refuse Anarchy's claims any longer, that something was going on. Besides, it would only be a few minutes. Even if Aeryn couldn’t get any information, he wasn’t that much of a nervous wreck that he couldn’t leave Rose alone for ten minutes.

Clenching his jaw, Aeryn hurried out of the room before he could talk himself out of it. Anarchy took the lead, choosing a random direction. He started after her, walking down the dark and empty halls of the palace, the cold stone floor seeping through his socks and making a chill run down his spine.

There was something hollow ringing in his chest without the comfort of his sister at his side. Since they’d arrived on Pixidys, Rose had rarely been by his side, either down in the training rooms or wandering around the palace. But this was the first time Aeryn really felt that separation as his anxiety pounded inside his head.

Still, he wasn't going to get answers sitting in that room, so he forced himself to keep walking. At first, their direction was random. He wasn’t sure where they were going. It wasn't until Anarchy rounded a corner that he realised she was leading them near that room he’d seen Vile and the two other men talking in.

Before he could get to the door to see if they were still in there, he heard footsteps. Immediately Anarchy pulled him aside and ducked into a corner. Pressing himself against the wall, Aeryn wished he'd had his sister's talents of sight and begged for the shadows to hide the pair as he watched the door to the room swing open. Light spilled across the stone floor, and Aeryn watched Vile step out, air softly whooshing in and out of his mask. His head twisted around the hall, and Aeryn felt Anarchy wince when his gaze fell in their direction. But Vile didn’t focus on him, and Aeryn breathed a sigh of relief when he realised they hadn’t been spotted.

The pair watched as Vile shut the door behind him, turning down the hall back in the direction of the dining room. It didn’t make sense for him to go there at this time of night. The food had likely already been cleared, and if he was hungry, he could just call for a servant to bring him a late night snack couldn't he?

No, Vile had somewhere to be. And if Anarchy's hunch was right, it was related to whatever he’d been discussing earlier.

Aeryn was grateful he hadn’t worn shoes as he followed Anarchy after Vile, down the hall. They kept close to the wall where the shadows would cover them if needed. But they were playing with a Draíchta here. Nowhere was really that safe, not even in the shadows. The pale glow from the wall orbs danced across the floor in long bursts, and Aeryn flinched every time he had to walk through a patch of light. Anarchy made sure to keep them as far from Vile as she could while still keeping him in his line of sight.

Vile seemed to know exactly where he was going, ducking down different hallways with practised ease. When he’d been walking for only a few minutes, he stopped at another door to knock on it. Aeryn hung back, watching as Melancholia stepped out. The two nodded, exchanging a few words neither could make out, perhaps in another language, before they continued walking in the same direction as before.

Aeryn saw Anarchy clentch her jaw, they hurried down the hallway, determined not to lose sight of Vile or Melancholia.

It wasn’t long before they reached the dining room. Unlike before, the door had been left open. Vile and Melancholia walked into the room, and the pair hung back, ducking into a small alcove nearby. Then, Aeryn listened.

The voice's coming from the door way took on a sifter tone, the words blending together with a sort of musicality Aeryn couldn't quite decipher. It took him a moment to recognize they weren't speaking Orthodox, this was something else.

"What are they speaking" he whispered to Anarchy, keeping a close watch on the two figures in the doorway, to make sure they weren't heard.

"Menkhís" Anarchy answered, still crouched against the wall, "It's the official language here"

"Can you understand them?"

"A bit" she replied with a scowl, "I studied it the last few times I was here. But I'm sure as hell not fluent"

There was a silence that stretched between them, where Aeryn thought this would be the end of their midnight escabade. Then Anarchy shot her head around to him, "Hey. You can link up right?"

Aeryn hesitated, "Yeah, but I've only ever done it with Rose"

"Take my hand", she said hurriedly.

"What?"

"Just take it idiot. Made the link"

Anarchy was clasping his hand before he even had a chance to gather his bearings. With a huff he let himself distance from his surroundings, trying to establish that invisible thread between them. Focus, he told himself sternly.

It took a moment, but suddenly the lilting tones of the foreign language became comprehensible. Anarchy was translating the voices to him.

Aeryn had to stop himself from laughing, "I didn't know the link could do that"

Anarchy grinned, "Pretty freaky right?"

"Could you us it then? The sight?"

Anarchy scoffed, bringing her attention back towards the door, "Something like that. Now be quiet"

A hearty voice rang from in front of them, “Hello everyone” Melancholia greeted with what sounded like a shuffled bow, sounding like she was smiling at the rooms members. “Thank you for joining us at such a late hour. Are the others going to be joining us?”

“Tenebrae didn't say” Another voice explained, "Told me he needed some rest and to get lost before I could get an answer out of him"

“That certainly sounds like him. I can take a post outside the door,” Melancholia offered, and Aeryn jumped, ready to speed off. But Anarchy kept him grounded with a quick look. “That way I can open it up for him if he decides to join.”

“I want to take him over this” A gruffer voice said, sounding unsure. “We can leave the door open for him. There's no one around at this hour. If he doesn’t arrive soon, we’ll assume he fell asleep.”

“Someone might overhear if you leave the doors open, Baron” Melancholia told him. Clearly trying to keep her tone polite, but the underlying scold snuck out.

The voice huffed, “Take a post outside then to make sure no one is eavesdropping. You’ll still be able to hear our discussion, right Miss St.Clair?”

There was a pause, and Aeryn was extremely grateful they'd already tucked themselves into the alcove, hidden from view of the main hallway.

“As you wish, Baron.”

There was the sound of footsteps as Melancholia presumably settled herself outside the door. Aeryn pressed himself further into the wall, and Anarchy did the same. Even though he knew Melancholia wouldn’t be able to see them from this angle.

“It's clear” he heard Melancholia announce after a moment. Aeryn pressed a hand against his mouth so no one would hear his sigh of relief.

The sound of a hiss filled the halls as the door presumably shut. Still, Anarchy wasn't detered. Peaking out from the alcove she scanned their surroundings, before crossing the hall and nestling against the opposing doorframe, keeping herself low.

They'll hear you idiot

Stop crying. Get over here

Aeryn groaned inwardly and the sheer stupidity of what he was about to door. Leaning from the alcove he pushed himself forward and over next to Anarchy. The pair pressed their heads close into the door, looking around in intervals for any threat. The voice's from the other side came distant, but clear.

"We need to get this done quickly, you agree don't you Serpine” a new voice said, and Aeryn stiffened at the husky rasp of Vile.

Serpine. The name rang familiar. His father had gone over the names of all the key figures on Pixidys IX. If his memory served him correctly, that meant this was Nefarian Serpine, the Lieutenant General. Why he was there Aeryn couldn't know, but it only served to grow the smothering ache in his chest. 

“No shit” , Serpine huffed. “Well, either way, it'll be done by tomorrow morning. We’re still in the process of securing the palace. The emmiseries are all in their rooms for the evening. Their little entourages won't be too hard to take out”

“I’m aware. The communications have been jammed, so there's no worry about anyone sending a distress signal, and the staff are currently being notified according to Mevolent.”

Aeryn heard Viles' deep timbre calmly respond with, “Yes. But they're the least of our concerns. Even if someone does manage to send a call for help, we've got plenty of hostages to deter them. That's what all this formalic jargon was all about, right Mevolent?"

Mevolent. As in, Father Mevolent himself was attending some clandestine meeting and talking about keeping them hostage. Aeryn bit the corners of his mouth and cursed himself, he should have been keeping a closer eye on the Father. Clearly even with the paranoia he'd brought with him, it had not been enough.

Aeryn felt like he was going to be sick.

Mevolent hummed like he was pleased. “So our only issue now is keeping our guests under lock and key, correct?”

“Yes, that’s our number one priority right now,” the gruff voice from earlier, The Baron, replied. “According to the guards stationed. We're still running checks. But there have been some concerns brought up over the emmiseries"

“Concerns?,” Mevolent muttered, not sounding pleased whatsoever. “You're worried about them using the sight?”

“To my knowledge, many of the emmiseries aren't well versed in the teachings. A few of the older ones perhaps, but they shouldn't be too much of a bother" Vile explained. “They're only children after all"

“We've been slowly increasing the security throughout the palace, just in case things get ugly", Serpine cut in.

“Very good. Hopefully once the palace is secured we can bring the emissaries to their knees with minimal difficulty” Mevolent said, and Aeryn grit his teeth imagining Rose being pounced upon by an unsuspecting attack, “Until then, your number one priority is to keep everyone inside. Am I understood?"

"Yes sir!"

"Another thing. No harm is to come to the Child Rose of Gaia. Not even a scratch. You can do as you please with the others, just try to keep them pretty"

"You're going soft on a foreigner ?” Serpine asked. “From what I've seen she does have potential. But isn't it a bit risky?"

“Oh, I have no doubt it is,” Mevolent agreed, and Aeryn dug his nails into his palm. “Consider it an investment. If she refuses to cooperate, we can leave her with the others. Though I'll say I don't quite see that happening ”

“Then what are your plans for her?” Serpine questioned.

A beat passed. And then another.

Then,

“I'm still working that out, but I have a few things in mind,” Mevolent said, as if that wasn’t a blatant non-answer. “I want to work with her. Let's just say that. I see potential, it would be a crime to let it go to waste"

"What about the other one? Her brother?"

"Don't kill him. I want to work with them both if possible, I’d rather stay on good terms with them both. It’ll make things easier in the long run.”

Aeryn reeled from the doorway as if he'd been burned. Across from him Anarchy's face held the same utter horror he was sure plastered his own.

They needed to leave. They needed to get out of here.

They needed to run. Now

Without needing to be told, Anarchy clambered to her feet and took off down the halls.

We need to find your sister she said through the link, her voice carrying a heavy tremor, We need to get the fuck away from here!

Aeryns ears were ringing and the pain in his chest blossomed into his back. The cold air blasted through his feet as they ran through the corridors. They hurried towards his room, the breaths burning in his chest. But despite the cold, his thoughts were still racing and spinning every which way, and he could tell through the link that Anarchy was in the same state.

Mevolents words echoed through his mind with every step he took. I see potential, it would be a crime to let it go to waste, they were going to use her. They were going to use his baby sister for some nefarious scheme and there'd be nothing Aeryn could do if they didn't get back to her in time.

So lost in his own head, Aeryn didn’t even realise where his feet were carrying him until he found himself racing down the familiar hallway of his personal room. Anarchy still in front of him, running with everything she had. They no longer cared about the noise they could be making, they had to get Rose. 

Aeryn screamed into his mind, and hoped to all the gods she would hear him, Rose.

Aeryn? And Aeryn almost cried with the relief of hearing her voice, 

Where are you? Are you ok?

I'm outside my room, he could almost hear the frown of confusion through the link, I'm fine- What's wrong? You sound winded.

We're coming for you. Stay where you are.

Aeryn? What's happening?

Aeryn didn't respond as the ringing in his ears became a roar of fury. Anarchy whirled around and twisted her fingers into his shirt, yanking him down so he'd keep up. They sprinted down the twisting hallways until they managed to stumble back in front of his room. Rose had been walking, accompanied by two Pixidain guards when the thunder of their footsteps made her twist around. Seeing the two guards with her made something spark in Aeryn.

Aeryn had never been the best student of the sight, but in a fraction of a second he might have been spontaneously blessed with all the powers of the mythical heroes of Gaian folktales, as the blast of wind he sent knocked the two soldiers to the ground

Anarchy didn't give them a second to recover before she jumped on the guard to her left, sending them sprawling across the floor. A sickening crunch came, then he stilled. But Aeryn didn't have time to dwell on it, with the full force of his body he threw a punch at the remaining guard. It wasn't a good punch by any means, but it hit its target, knocking the man to his side. Anarchy pounced his way, delivering another hit and the guard dropped limbliy to the ground.

"What are you doing?" Rose yelled, leaning to crouch over the soldiers just as Aeryn yanked her elbow. Rose didn't seem harmed and that was all that mattered to him. They couldn't stop now. Reinforcement could be there at any second.

"We have to get out of here!'' He said, hoping the urgency filling his voice would be enough of an explanation. 

It wasn't.

"Aeryn what's happening" she cried, digging her heels into the floor to slow their stride. Glancing between Aeryn and Anarchy as he tried to pull her along. 

In his panic he whirled on her and screamed, "They fucking lied Rose. They're all fucking liars"

"Aeryn and I overheard them" Anarchy cut in, "They're going to use the emmiseries as hostages"

Rose shook her head, "Wait. Just wait a second. What did they say?"

Aeryn clasped her shoulders, managing to tug her a few steps forward, "They said they need you for something. They're gonna keep us locked up here and use you for whatever shit they're planning"

"They're not going to hurt us. They wouldn't do that" and she said it with so much conviction that Aeryn so desperately wanted to believe her.

"Maybe not us. But Anarchy, everyone we else here is just bait. We have to leave"

"Wait! Do you even know what they're planning?"

"Do I need to?"

"Let's just think it over"

"There's no time!"

The deafening sounds of footsteps bounced towards them, Aeryn felt his stomach drop and a knowing horror made Anarchy's face pale. They were here.

"Let's go", he shouted, and finally Rose seemed to get the message. Grabbing hold of his hand and running alongside them

"We need to get to the hanger" Anarchy cried, turning towards him, but her eye's widened as she yelled, "Look out"

For a split second he didn't notice the firm grip on his hand disappear until he was already near the hall's end. A yelp made him turn his head. Behind him, a guard had Rose pulled close to him. The panic inside him swelled, and he went to go to her defence until he was stopped by Anarchy tugging his sleeve. “They're coming ”

The rapid increasing sound of footsteps made themselves apparent. It was over.

"Aeryn we have to go!"

Aeryn looked between Rose's wild eyed terror and Anarchy's worry. If the soldiers caught them, she'd die.

"Mevolent said he wouldn't hurt her, but we're dead" Anarchy said over the footsteps. They were almost here. 

Panic was swirling around his mind like a familiar friend. His thoughts were racing as the words spilled from his lips. He couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think as the soldiers got closer and closer. He had to make a decision and he had to make one now. Anarchy was right, but his sister….

This was his fucking sister.

“Aeryn h-help me!” his sister said, stuttering over her own words as she tried with all her might to escape the grasp of the Pixidain.

Clenching his jaw, Aeryn shook his head. “I’m so sorry. I'm sorry"

“Dont leave me!” The betrayal in Rose's voice felt like a knife sliding right between his ribs. Still, he backed up more.

“No no no no. No, Aeryn please" he heard her scream. Tears were pouring down her cheeks as she punched the soldier's arm over and over again, still his grip never waivered. The brown and red coats of the guards made their way into his line of sight. They were out of time.

The soldiers were pouring up the hall now. Aeryn backed up a bit more, a hole tearing itself open where his heart should be, “I’m so sorry” and then he turned and ran.

Then, before he could say anything else, he felt Anarchy grip his hand and they started sprinting the opposite direction.

“AERYN!"

Aeryn ignored the blinding pain in his chest and ran as fast as he could, his hand wrapped tightly around Anarchy's. The soldiers' footsteps drowned out the sounds of his sister screaming as they ran past the throne room, and Aeryn shoved down the tears blurring his vision as Anarchy led them to the hangar.

The soilders were gaining behind them. They weren't going to make it. 

They weren't going to make it.

As they tore up the halls, skidding around corners and tearing off in pure adrenaline. He hadn't just done that had he? He hadn't just left his sister there. A sudden urge to run back for her almost overcame him until the hanger's entrance came into view. Beside the doors, a control panels room. And beside that, a fuse box jutted from the walls.

Aeryn, for once in his life, had an idea.

"You go up ahead" he said, coming to a stop and lurching his hand from her wrought iron grip, "Get a ship going, I'll catch up"

"Seriously?"

"Just trust me"

Anarchy panted, "I hope you know what you're doing" and took off into the hangar.

On his knees, Aeryn pushed the air between the seems of the metal fuse. When a pop of the hinge came, he tore the metal door away, discarding it behind him. Hurriedly, he snapped his fingers against the light box. Nothing, another click, then nothing. He cursed under his breath but kept clicking. If they tried to leave with the guards so close on their tails, they'd be caught. Mevolent had said he wouldn't be hurt, but he hardly trusted that. They'd probably kill them right there and then. He'd almost snapped his fingers raw when a spark finally manifested itself.

Aeryn recalled the time he'd visited the military bases on Gaia, when he'd tried to play a trick on the Gaian flight unit. There'd been a box just like this one, that held the wires of the flight control pannels. He'd wanted to laugh as they tried to get their systems working to no avail.

What he hadn't known, is that they connected to the automated fuel tanks .

It could have been a disaster if he hadn't been caught by the traffic controller. He'd been stuck on how easily he could have unknowingly taken so many lives in an instant. So relieved it hadn't worked.

But this time, he begged it would work.

A fire steadily grew, but Aeryn didn't wait to see if his plan worked as the footsteps grew louder. Instead he barreled into action, running like all hell after Anarchy. The whirling of a hovership booting up became his guide as he soon spotted Anarchy in the window of one of the ships.

She better know how to fly one of those damn things.

Aeryn ran for the hovership in the clearing, hearing the boots of soldiers drawing closer and closer behind them, the popping of their blasters barreling past them by mere inches. Aeryn heaved with all his might, trying to reach the ship where Anarchy waited.

For a terrifying moment, he thought he wouldn't make it.

Then everything burned.

A roar of an explosion shook the earth from under him as a blinding hellfire shot up, consuming the soldiers behind him. He heard their screams be quickly overtaken by the thundering fire heading his way.

Their plan had worked, but Aeryn couldn't spare a second to taste his victory. The blast crept up his heels, he felt the scorch already tickling against his neck. But he kept running. Ahead of him, at the edge of the hanger, the hoverpods engines whirled as it began lifting, the boot flicking open just in time for him to clamber on board.

"Get us out of here!" he screamed, but that was all Anarchy needed. Flicking the bottoms in front of her. The hull rattled and Aeryn dove for the passenger seat, clipping his seatbelt in place, before he felt his body forcefully pushed up against the seat. 

They were flying now, still feeling the jolt of takeoff and the blast chasing them out of the hangar. Anarchy yanked the steerer wildy, dodging the blasters that shot from the mountains. 

"Hold on!" Anarchy cried, frantically pulling on the gears. She pulled up the Hyperloops program, barely managing to punch in the first line of the activation code when they were flung to the side by an impact. Sirens and warning alerts engulfed the hull as the ship continued to rattle uncontrollably.

"The hell was that?" Aeryn cried, hands clutching his head in a brace.

"Shit", Anarchy's eyes blew wide as the screens lit up in malfunction warnings, "Bastards hit our tanks"

Before Aeryn could let himself think he felt the pod beer sharply to the left. They screamed in unison at the pressure coming down on them, their seatbelts barely keeping them from toppling across the ship. Anarchy cursed and pressed down on the accelerator as hard as she could. The blasters were still zipping by them, anyone could hit their engines and then it'd be lights out for the pair. Then suddenly everything snapped as Anarchy and Aeryn were both slammed against the seats, the shuttle rushing forward.

The whirls of the engines let off a blue hue as the Hyperloop took shape before them. But the ship was still rocking violently from side to side, being buffeted back and forth. The screeching of metal filled their ears as he watched pieces of the ship tear off, whipping through the sky like discs.

Anarchy yanked the ship back on course with all the strength in her arms, and his stomach swooped as they were yanked back up into the sky. The blue around them was getting brighter as they got closer into the tunnel, and Anarchy fought with a grunt to readjust every time the blasters pushed them to the side.

Every movement of the shuttle was a struggle, a suffocating fear clasped Aeryn's chest and it pounded like a wild animal against his ribs. He fought to take a single breath, clenching his teeth until he was sure they'd crack under the pressure. This wasn't happening. This couldn't- damn it, this couldn't be happening. If they kept flying, they were going to die. If they stopped flying, they were going to die. The ship was going to be blown apart in the air.

The loop groaned in front of them, the blue stream circling the ship and swallowing them whole. Still everything clattered and another wave shook the ship. Aeryn gripped his seat, vibrating with the force of the tunnels energy. Hyperloop travel had never been the smoothest, and with their ship hanging by a wire Aeryn thought they'd be pulled apart right there. 

The jolting dipped for a moment, then after what felt like aeons, everything finally stilled as the blue light grew darker. Replaced by the all expansive void of space.

They had made it.

Something returned to him from a lifetime ago, of his father telling him in times of crisis time slows down. That it was a gift for an emissary, those imperative few seconds were a decision had to be made and quickly, those seconds meant all the difference between friendship and war. The world around Aeryn dulled into a haze as a ringing in his ears drowned out everything around him. This was the moment Aeryn needed to make a decision, but he couldn't begin to process a single thing. 

Aeryn didn't understand what was happening. He couldn’t move. His limbs stayed still, gripped by a heaviness despite them leaving the Hyperloops tunnel. As he stared unfleetingly into the space before him, breath catching in his throat, a full voice was breaking through the ringing.

“Aeryn. Aeryn!” Anarchy cried out, catching his attention and pulling him from the haze. “Can you hear me idiot?”

Aeryn blinked for a moment then bolted upright, jumping as he was forcibly thrust back into the reality of his situation. “Yeah-" he said shakily, "M' good"

Anarchy looked like she'd like to question him further, but instead she turned back to the monitors. The skin of her face was a stark white against her dark hair, now unkempt and jutting out her scalp after the ordeal they'd barely survived through.

"We… We need to figure out where to go now,” Anarchy said between pants. Swallowing the shakiness in her voice.

“Do you have a planet in mind?” Aeryn asked, unbuckling his belt to join her at the hull. His gait drew unsteady as he slowly collected himself from the storm of terror that had blown him apart.

Shaking her head, Anarchy tapped a few buttons on the screen in front of him, pulling up a map of the nearby systems. They needed to find a planet that lay outside of the dominion, one that had no alliance with Pixidys. Preferably one that hated their guts. The fuel monitors shone a blinking orange, the tank had taken some damage during the takeoff, their time was running out, they needed to find the closest planet that fit that criteria and fast.

Anarchy scrolled through the map for a few minutes, pulling up data on some options before returning to the browser in search. disregarding planet after planet when they saw they were either within the confines of the 9th Dominions control or allied with them. That left their options meager and pitiful, It seemed near every nearby planet had some relation to Pixidys or the Church of the faceless.

Aeryn cursed his father for flinging them head first into this mess.

It took some time to dig through all the data, too much time. But as the monitors bled into a warning red, Anarchy squealed in triumph, they'd made it past the borders of the 9th Dominion and just as they did a beacon of hope gleamed across the screen. Their systems had found a planet that had no relation to Pixidys. As soon as his eyes landed on the name, his breath caught in his throat, because there was no way Mevolent would follow them to this planet even if he knew they were there. Mevolent may be mad, but he was no fool, he wouldn’t go near this place unprepared, no matter how badly he wanted to kill them.

The only issue was that if they landed on this planet, they very well could be killed just as quickly as they could have been on Pixidys.

Biting back a wince, Aeryn edged closer to the screen, eyes running over the planets name and associations, "It's gotta be this one" Anarchy said, staring at the screen with a look of dread.

Aeryn straightened up, a foreboding defeat settling in the pits of his stomach “You're kidding me" 

Anarchy shook her head and tore herself away from the screen as if it had burnt her “Aeryn, it’s the only nearby planet not affiliated with Pixidys, and besides” she said, tapping the fuel monitor still growling an angry crimson, “It’s our only option.”

“Our only option? You’re seriously saying our only option is Xiulum? Come on, there's gotta be something else" hastily he flicked through the browser some few pages before anarchy slammed her hand across the device.

“Listen to me you idiot" she snapped, "This is our only option. Xiulium is the only power on this side of the galaxy that can rival Pixidys' and it's the closest planet we've got. So unless you want to hurdle through space like a god DANM meteor this is our best option" she took a deep breath and removed her hand off the screen, settling back into her chair, "If we go there and the Mothers grant us sanctuary, then no one's gonna be able to touch us"

Aeryn scoffed. “Yeah, if they grant us sanctuary. You’ve heard the stories about them, the Crimson Mothers, haven't you. They used to be allied with Mevolent for god's sake. Who's to say they're not still buddies?"

“The mother's are dangerous, but there's no reason for them to send us back. They broke allyship for a reason, let's just hope those same reasons will stop them sending us back” Anarchy explained, she sounded like she was trying to convince herself of this course of action just as much as she was trying to convince Aeryn. “They have no quarrel with Gaia or Astréa. And I’m sure being trade partners bumps us up a few points. We've got enough fuel for one loop, just about though. If we mess this up we're done for.

“This is- no, this is fucking insane, An. These lot are worse than Mevolent. Has he cut people's throats to the bone? Was he a renowned assassin? No! But they are!”

Anarchy frowned. “Aeryn-"

Aeryn's hand pulled across his face in disbelief. “Were not not seriously doing this right? We can’t go there. You have to find somewhere else.”

“Aeryn, this is our only option.”

“No it’s not.”

“Yes, it is.”

“It can’t be.”

“It IS.”

“But-”

“Aeryn!” Anarchy suddenly shouted, cutting him off. “If you hate my choice so much, then what do you think we should do instead? Huh?”

Aeryn stared at him for a moment, opening and closing his mouth. When a few beats of silence passed, he huffed to himself. He knew she was right and he was angry that he knew she was right. But the Xiulium dynasties were previously intertwined with Mevolents family and faith. What was stopping them from sending them right back or worse. They may have since cut ties with Pixidys but that changed little. It didn't mean they weren't walking into a planet of nutcases worse than the last.

Anarchy glared at his silence, “That’s what I thought. You don’t know what the fuck you’re talking about, okay? I get it alright. Neither of us know what we're walking into, but anything's got to be better then ending back on Pixidys. We've got one shot here. I’m the only one who can route us on this piece of junk so why don’t you shut the fuck up and let me do what I need to do to keep us from getting fucking killed!” Anarchy snapped, her voice lined with the freshly sharpened edge of a blade as she slammed her fist down on the console.

Aeryn looked at her for a moment, knowing that their faith was already as good as dead. "Okay" he said half heartedly, "Punch it in. We'll aim for Xiuliums capital"

Anarchy nodded solemnly, tightening her belt and taking a long breath to steady herself, "Alright" she said, "Let's do this"

Hyperloop travel was never something Aeryn enjoyed, he thought back to all the times he'd thrown up on tours across Gaia. Buckling himself back in his chair he clenched his eyes shut and did something he'd never thought he'd do again.

He prayed.

The steady humming of the jet engines beat under his feet as he felt the vortex close around them, a deafening screech and pooling lights behind his eyelids told him they'd entered something they could never turn from, and between chants of prayers he begged the gods that they hadn't made the wrong decision. A whirlwind sensation took over his body, making the bile crawl up his throat, he bit his tongue to keep it at bay and tried his best to measure his breathing in tune with the rhythmic whirling of the Hyperloops tunnel. 

It was only a blink till they left the tunnel, but to Aeryn it always felt so much longer. The ding of the monitor caught his attention, signalling they had entered Xiuliums atmosphere as he opened his eyes to the planet in front of him. Lights dotting the expanse like a cluster of stars 

Aeryn prayed harder at that, prayed they weren't flying to their deaths.

*.ﾟﾟ.*

"Let me go"

Rose spun around in the grasp of the Pixidain guards, trying to listen their hold on her. She'd sent shadows against four men before they'd been able to stop her. But now the cold clash of the cuffs wrapped round her wrists encased her in their binding sheild and she remained firmly at their mercy.

They left me, they left me, They fucking left me! Her mind was screaming in a mess of confusion and pain. She didn't understand what was happening, she didn't know what awaited her in the next few hours and she was terrified.

The guard to her left continued his feeble attempts to subdue her, "Calm down. Just calm- Ouch!"

"This one's a bitter huh" the other cackled, making the broil in her bloodstream burn hotter and she tried to fight again. 

"Let her go", the booming voice of Mevolent made the guards drop her in an instant. Rose would have been grateful, if she hadn't been so overcome with rage.

"You fucking asshole" she spat, sending him a look of untold fury, "You lied to me"

"I didn't lie," he replied simply.

Rose gritted her teeth. The anguish of her brother abandoning her had been enough already, she didn't want to bare another hurt, "Yes you did"

"Did I?" Mevolent said, his brow raised, "I was going to tell you. Once everything was secure. I promise"

He reached out a hand to comfort her, but Rose snapped her teeth in front of it, "Your promises mean jack shit to me!"

Mevolent frowned "Do they?" He said, something worryingly akin to sorrow on his tongue, "Who's the one who said they'd project you. Who said they'd stay by your side? And who's the one who left?"

They left me. 

But hadn't everyone?

Perhaps they'd been there physically, but her family had always been keen to leave her behind. Keeping her at a distance, scorning her every move, a thinly veiled attempt at telling her to get lost. Then Betha left her behind, not even a note of goodbye. There one minute and gone the next, as though Rose had meant nothing.

And now Aeryn had left her too.

What was wrong with her? Why did the people closest to her despise her so? Was she really so unyieldingly feeble that she mattered so little to them? Why couldn't she, for once, be a priority for someone. Anyone.

Rose had spent the better part of her life alone, closed off, abandoned. Even when she was a child. She'd never been allowed to play with the kids her age, a result of Gaius's paranoia. The staff had only ever been a comfort when her father paid their wages, they didn't care. Her siblings wouldn't look at her, too scared they too would fall out of favour with their father just by being near her it seemed. Aeryn had been her only shining ray of hope through all of it, and now even that had been crushed beneath her.

Rose glared daggers into Mevolents eyes. There had to be a reason, that she'd been left behind. Always left behind. She didn't matter how poor of an argument it may be, she just needed a reason. "They wouldn't have left if you hadn't tried to hurt them"

"I had no intention of hurting them. Did they not hear that? I have have no intention of hurting anyone here" 

"But your fine holding us for ransom?"

Something flashed in Mevolents eyes, and Rose shut her mouth in fear, "Okay then" he said, "Leave then. Go after your brother, or go back to Gaia. In the end it's your choice"

She shook her head, "No it's not. This is a trick isn't it?"

"No trick" he said, and it really sounded like he meant it. "My only question is do you want to go back? With your brother, to Gaia. Is that what you really want?"

No, is what she thought. But she kept quiet.

Why would she ever want to go back there? In honesty the situation she found herself in wasn't much worse than back on Gaia. Forever trapped in a prison of others making. A path she never wanted or cared for, laid for her. 

She didn't want to go back there, but she wasn't sure she wanted to stay here either.

Mevolent sighed, lowering himself to her height as though he were speaking to a child. Rose almost had to look away from the sadness that appeared in his face, "War makes monsters of men, I won't deny it. Sometimes good people must do bad to achieve peace. That's all we want here, Rose. The Dominion has only promised co operation if we eliminate our ties to the Church of the Faceless and abandon the 'Eye of gods'-"

"-I cannot do that to my people, my followers. But I cannot let them starve either. The dynasties have cut off almost all trade with us. Did you know that? And nothing grows here. It's almost all imported. We need those imports-"

Mevolent closed his eyes with a grimace, like the thought alone was too painful for him, "It's a necessary evil. No harm will come to them, I swear it. But I need the other emmiseries to keep my people alive. You can run back to Gaia, and tell them everything. Bring an army back with you to free them and wage war against us. But are you prepared to deal with that blood on your hands?"

"Shut up" she screamed.

"You don't want to kill people do you? You don't want to go back there. You said it yourself, you wanted to be more. More than a spare child" Mevolent leaned in closer to her, eyes staring straight into her, "I can do that for you. I can make you more. I could've made your brother more. But he was too short minded to see the entire picture"

Between shaky breaths and a measured anger, she replied, "Why should I believe a word you say?"

"I haven't lied to you yet? Have I?"

"You've lied this whole time!"

He shrugged, "I never lied. I just withheld information. I said I'd host the emmiseries. I did. I said this was a mixing of cultures. It was. I just left out the finer details. See, I never lied" he tilted his head at her, like an animal observing another, "You know politics Rose. You're not naive. You're talented, you read people, you know what these things are like. They all lie, but me? I simply keep some things to myself"

Rose didn't want to think about how much sense he was making. She didn't want to agree with him. But he was right wasn't he? She'd seen her father's political underlings lie straight through their teeth to get what they wanted. In the Dominion they played a game of wits and sneaky moves. Was this really any different?

Mevolent went to put an arm around her, stopping short as she flinched away. Then he asked, "Ask me any question now child. I won't withhold anything from you anymore. I promise"

Rose felt like a little girl again, under the thumb of her father. And in a hurt, frightened voice she asked, "Are you going to hurt him? Are you going to try bring him back"

"No" Mevolent answered, with a finality that made her trust the words he spoke, "I would never do that to you. I'll bring both of them back, completely unharmed, you have my word"

Rose's body shuddered with a sob. She croaked out, with a voice that sounded so weak, "You won't kill them?"

"They're innocent in all this. I would never waste a life like that. I refuse to. Just as I refuse to let my people die because of other dynasties disagreements" Mevolent placed a hand over her arm, this time she let him keep it there. It was warm, and she was tired, "I have a duty, Rose. I must see to it. Even if I have to tow the lines of morality. Do you understand?"

The true weight of all that had happened finally bore down on her like a floodgate of agony. It was everything she'd held in over her lifetime. And here, now, in the worst possible place imaginable. It all came crashing down inside of her as sobs wrecked her small frame, "He- He left me"

"Oh my child" he said soothingly, "You didn't deserve that. I'll bring him back I promise"

"But he left me" she whispered, the break in her voice shot out around them, "He saw me there, and he just ran away"

"Rose" he sighed, and somehow it sounded like a parent trying to comfort their child, "I would never leave you like that"

Mevolents arms wrapped around her body. Rose might have tried to fight them off earlier, but she was in pain, she was confused.

She hurt.

"Shut up", she said, but found herself accepting the hug regardless.

Chapter Text

When humans fled the earth, and began their great crossing, they left much of their own behind, to burn in the fires of judgement.

The first landers arrived on Gaia years later, with technology primitive compared to their ancestors. Old Earth had become a paradise of advancement and equality. Genetical engineering whipped out all diseases, natural disasters obliderated. But when the fire came, there was little humanity could do against it other than run.

In the wake of their destruction, humans returned to their old ways, taking after the ancient books they'd brought with them as example. Monarchy, arranged marriage, and social hierarchy became the norm. Humans regressed after all traces of their past developments became obsolete.

One practice that never reached its former heights of glory were religious practices. More than half the dominion settled in atheism, feeling betrayed by the old gods of Earth who'd done nothing in the face of their destruction. Many of the royal families, despite being heads of their respective planets faiths, still mocked the idea of religion as something beneath them.

Still humans do as they have always done, they adapt, they grow, they change. Listen to my words carefully reader, when I say change is not always noble. It can be cruel, it can be disastrous, or it can be hope. That is something you will come to see as I have soon.

✧.*☬*.✧

Ciarans nearly lept out of his skin when his sister materialised in front of him.

"Jesus Christ!"

If it were not common knowledge among the household of Roses' difficulties with the sight, he would have assumed his younger sister had taken to tele-manifestation, a type of teleportation of sorts, practised by small branches of Draíchta Though, had she managed such a feat he reckoned the responsibility of informing their father of Roses' sudden abilities would fall on his shoulders. That was a conversation he wanted to avoid, especially if he had to explain that she had come into a discipline as unfitting as tele-manifestation. Father wouldn't be pleased.

Rose blinked. The drawing room gleamed in the blue tones of winter. The wallpaper had been redone some years back, replaced with icy periwinkle panels that reflected the light pouring through the towering windows in an almost luminous glow. Ciarán sat sprawled across a Svæitgarian carpet his father had commissioned. Painstakingly sewn to match the curling down-turned patterns of the wallpaper, within its centre sat the emblem of the Fells. The silhouette of a fair woman. The synthetic fire in front of him crackled, sparkes pranced towards him, falling just short and landing on the tiles of the grate. Rose was clutching a blanket close, looking towards the fire hopefully.

"Where the hell did you come from?"

She pointed to the door with an exasperated expression, or as exasperated as one as unemotive as Rose could look, as if it was the only obvious conclusion. But how would Ciarán know? For all he knew she could have crawled through the window or hidden under his chair, she was certainly small enough to do so.

"Well- well, you shouldn't be here. My tutor will be here any moment for lessons and if they find you here you'll be in big trouble", She just stared at him, his threat falling on deaf ears. Defeated, he took to the only logical method to rid of his sister, begging.

"Come on Rosie I've got to practise"

She frowned.

"You can't be here, I'm doing older brother stuff"

She pouted, lower lip quivering and looked about to cry. Dropping his shoulders and surrendering with a groan, he took the girl gently by the shoulders, his sister was adorable. 

"Please don't cry"

She pouted harder.

"Okay, okay fine. Five minutes. What do you want?"

She held out her hands, frowning as sparkes flicked from her finger tips.

He chuckled, "Father's always saying fire is supposed to be one of the simplest of the elements. Between you and me, I've never had an easy time with it either. Mother used to say healings were my real gift, but father doesn't like those all that much"

Kneeling up on the carpet, he reached towards the desk nestled between the couch and fireplace. Grasping a candle that sat in its china holder and placing it between the pair.

"Here try this, something easy"

Between one moment and the next, the candle was glowing softly. His sister's eyes had blown wide, crawling towards it, gazing at the tiny light with the utmost awe. The light made the china burn with a golden radiance. It was of the expensive kind, imported far across the space, with a beautiful contorting spiral running through it.

Rose leaned over, her tongue peaking through her lips in her endeavour to put just a bit more light into it. The flame flickered for a moment, but nothing more. Rose's face fell.

"Don't cry it's alright" 

She puffed her cheeks wide, turning red in an attempt to stifle her light sobs, Ciarán thought his heart should melt there and then. 

"Here why don't we read this'' Rose looked eagerly at the dark leather bound book he drew from behind him. It was one of the older books in the library, predating the great crossing, bound with an old method, pages worn and fraying. The title was handwritten in an emerald ink and curled font that Ciarán could hardly decipher upon his first reading. Opening the book he smoothed over the stained pages lovingly, he'd been deep into the elegant writings before his sister made her presence known.

"The merchant of Venice, an old ertheain play. My Orthodox tutor has me studying it. It's a bit drab but the scene we're reading right now is quiet the climax"

Hoisting her across his lap he opened on where his teacher had left off. Ciarán had thought it strange his father had wanted him to study an Orthodox play when his own gatherings of the language were still pitiful at best. But such worries had been quickly danced away when his father informed him it would be necessary for his future to communicate effectively with the other prominent families. There were an abundance of them in Gaia, being a planet so entrenched with the cultural teachings of sight. The Veirs, the Fountains, all as proud of their mother tongue as the Fells. However across the Dominion, there were others, just as, if not more powerful than his own. The Déilīts of Svæitgar, The Eazqadim of old Syllabi and the Crimson family of Xiulium. Families he'd one day marry into perhaps. Linguists that spoke not just their native language, but others as well. Those families all spoke Orthodox fluently, he'd need it should he converse with them some day, once he was old enough.

The Fells, to put it simply, were in high demand. All the prominent families in the Dominion were. The oldest and wealthiest dated back as early as the first landers. The pool of such ancient families continued to decline as they prefered to to keep marriage, to keep blood, within the inner circles. Apart from a select few, though, his father tended to sniff the air in distaste at the mention of them. Ciarán would like to call him hypocritical, but such comments would not be without consequences, and he found himself nodding in wordless agreement. Fiadh, his own mother, had been of fine breeding as one of the housekeepers had said once. It was meant as a compliment. Ciarán felt it was a rather vulgar statement. But the Lyres, despite their wealth, were a young clan. The Fells and Lyres had been close, with their estate a short Maglev train away and a shared border of lands. It would have been foolish to make an enemy of each other. One of his older nannies, who had raised his father before him, had said Gaius and Fiadh had been especially friendly. Often chasing each other around the gardens, however she'd never have thought they'd be wed.

It had been a rather rushed affair, one Gaius was keen to forget and bury with the remainder of the Fells transgressions. He'd been engaged to one Pandora Louche, beautiful, rich and most importantly a royal, of the Sirlər dynasty in the 2nd Dominion. But when word spread that the family had grown increasingly enamoured with the Church of the Faceless ones, spineless devil worshippers who slowly lost themselves to reason, their plans to wed had come to an end. To cover up such an embarrassment, a hasty engagement was established between his parents and what remains is history.

"I don't understand what they're saying all that well, but the pictures help '' Fine and delicate illustrations snaked across the parchment with dancing blobs of water-colour pooling within the corners of the drawing. It depicted a courtroom scene. Two femininely shaped men in incredius cloaks standing before a grey bearded man, wildly clutching a set of golden scales (Ciarán thought it to be the most ridiculous waste of money. Servants used the scales, servants shouldn't need gold)

Pointing to the cloaked figures he spoke, 

"These two are women, they're very clever. The nasty man here wants to take a pound of flesh from a man as repercussions for a loan. They've just tricked him"

Rose tilted her head as if to ask How so?

"Well, the contract he had done up said he was only entitled to one pound of flesh, nothing more nor less. And he could not spill a drop of blood. There would be no way to obtain the flesh without spilling blood, so he was forced to relinquish his requests"

Rose shook her head, no doubt disapproving of such heinous acts. Her attention sprawled across the pages, until it fixated on the two clad women. She frowned in confusion. Ciarán had reacted in such a manner himself upon his first reading of the play, "Did you know that in the old days they didn't let women do certain jobs. They're not even allowed to go to school, they're supposed to just stay at home and clean all day. That sounds awful doesn't it?"

His little sisters' frown deepened. 

"The two characters here are smarter than all the men in the courtroom, Portia and Nerissa. They're the heroines of the tale, but they're forced to disguise themselves as men or they wouldn't be allowed to judge. How ludicrous is that Rosie!"

Rose didn't reply as usual but Ciarán spotted the beginnings of a grin pulling across her lips, 

"You don't talk much"

"It's a waste of energy"

Ciarán snickerd, returning to the pages of the book, flicking through the artwork and pointing to the furnishings of the opening scene, "Father wanted to refurbish the landing like this you know, he's fond of the eastern style or I suppose I should say the old interpretation of the eastern styles"

"Miss Harrington was thankful, she said the fabrics were a fools conundrum to order. Besides the garnishings are coy"

Rose was unnaturally quiet but when she did speak Ciarán always had to remind himself that she was five. Then again she'd had a most unusual upbringing listening in on Bernadette's gossipings and whatever dratted speil is discussed below stairs. She had an air of invisibility to her and knew everything in the house. She hid in corners, under tapestries and behind couches, she moved through the house silently as if she was nothing more than part of the decorum. She was small and quick. Unless you were looking for her you wouldn't see her.

Rose was only seen when she wanted to be.

And how Ciarán envied that.

"The others asked me to fetch you"

Rose came out of her daydreaming, closing the book her brother had gifted to her all those years back, "They sent a general to get me? Why not Melancholia, this is surely a waste of your time?"

Vile shrugged. His armour clinking as he did so, "I like to fetch the new recruits myself"

Clenching her jaw, Rose glared over her shoulder, "Is that what I am now? I never agreed to be your pawn"

Vile laughed as though she'd just told him a joke, "You said you didn't want to leave. Mevolent and Tenebre are teaching you. I think that qualifies as recruitment"

"But I'm not part of your faith," Rose stated, folding her hands in front of her.

He chuckled, "Neither am I"

"What?"

"I choose to serve Mevolent" Vile insisted, "I don't care for the ways of the Faceless ones. I only care about what Mevolent can give me. Otherwise I wouldn't be here"

"You, don't think they're real?" Rose asked, looking down at her hands. He was like her then. Two faithless people, so different, but still finding themselves on Pixidys. With Mevolent, all the same.

Vile groaned, "They're real alright. I just have no interest in worshipping a race of manic gods"

"Manic?" Rose said, raising a brow.

Vile snickered, and Rose could almost see the smile beneath his mask, "Mevolents never been to find of sharing that part of their story. Ezroh fought against them because they wanted to enslave his people. They're not necessarily gods of peace"

Rose nodded, "That's what they said back on Gaia. And they called their worshippers lunatics"

"Would you do that?" Vile asked, and Rose could see he was looking her up and down through the slits in his helmet. Considering her for a moment, "Would you serve a faith you have no belief in? If it brought you closer to what you desired?"

She thought of the times she'd tried on Gaia, to follow after her families ways. Just to find a place she belonged, "I suppose I would"

"We all seek to gain things. No matter what we must do to achieve them, we persevere. It's one of the few positive traits of the human race"

Rose leaned back in her chair, thinking of her next words, "What do you seek?"

Vile shrugged, "Peace maybe. Or perhaps I simply enjoy the thrill of battle"

"That's not a goal though," Rose said with a scowl.

"No" he admitted, gaze fixed on Rose, "But it's a plus. Truly what I seek is vengeance"

"Vengeance?"

He nodded, but didn't say anything.

"Did you serve the old Father?" Rose questioned further.

"The Nythes? No, I had no interest in their affairs. I was a humble citizen before Mevolent"

"Would you go back, do it again? Follow him, I mean?"

"I can't go back. This is what I chose. I made my bed. So I'll follow it until the end" There was something final in his words. Carrying the same weight of a judge. Like the grand bellow of Judgment Gaia's god, Talamh, brought down upon her foes. Something of a harsh heaviness and sadness all the same.

Vile began walking out of the room, seemingly trusting Rose to follow after him.

She did.

When they entered the negotiations room, many of the seats were already occupied. Bar two. One next to Mevolent, and another next to a fair woman who sat to the Fathers right.

Mevolent met Rose's eyes with a small smile, "Hello Child. I thought you should sit in on the discussions"

Rose only nodded her reply. Vile occupied the seat beside Mevolent and Rose took the remaining one. Awkwardly shuffling into her seat and trying to avoid all the eyes so painfully fixed on her.

"Vile and Tenebre you've already met, but please let me introduce the others" Mevolent said, leaning back in his seat and gesturing to a hard faced man with the brightest green eyes Rose had ever seen, "This is Serpine, the Lieutenant General. He's in charge of the 112th division and black ops squads"

"Nice to meet you" she said meekly. But Serpine only offered her a nod of his head.

Mevolent continued across the table, "This is Baron Vengeonus. He's the primary importer here on Pixidys. All our economic growth is thanks to him and his family"

"Pleasure" the Baron replied in a lilting tone. He was almost as big as Mevolent, with bulging muscles. But he wasn't as tall. A stubby man, with a pointed beard of black with thin wisps of white.

"Melancholia is Captain of the Draíchta units. She reports directly to myself and Tenebre, who's the head Cleric of the order"

"Lady Rose," Melancholia said as she bowed. 

Mevolent turned his head to the woman next to him, an inexplicable wave of utter affection cast across his face. He placed a hand upon hers, "And this is Serafina Dey, the high priestess of the Church of the Faceless, and more importantly, my Queen. She's been on some business in Cibya in the northern hemispheres"

"It's wonderful to have you here, Child Rose" she said, and Rose thought she might melt with the warmth that touched her words, "My husband has told me much about you these days"

"This is Rose, Child of Gaia" Mevolent introduced, "She'll be our student for the time being"

The rest of the table dipped their heads at her, in customary respect. Rose reciprocated by touching her forehead to her finger.

Serpine scoffed. "The traditional Gaian greetings for foreigners, right?"

Rose hunched in on herself, eyes downcast, "It's for outsiders yes. But also for those you aren't close with yet"

"On Pixidys we have no such difference in greetings" Serpine said, as he extended his hand in a close sign, like he was chopping some invisible force in half, "That is how we greet here. Foreigners, citizens and royalty"

"You bow though" Rose frowned.

Serpine simply gave a shrug of his shoulders, "It's another extension of respect, yes. But that is a newer custom"

"Serpine, go gentle on her", Mevolent chided.

"If she's to stay here she has to follow our way" he snapped, and Rose thought it odd he could be allowed to speak to the Father in such a way, "Isn't that right Child?"

"Rose is one of us," Mevolent said, a clear warning dancing on his tongue. "She's ours as much as you are Serpine"

Rose glared, "I'm not yours, you know? I said I'd stay, but nothing more. I'm not going to be your tame Draíchta"

There was a heavy pause as the table stared at her, the words that had slipped off Rose's mouth. But that didn't mean she didn't believe them. There was a chance Mevolent might decide she was useless and toss her aside, like everyone else, if she angered him too much. But so far he'd put up with her. Perhaps the words had stumbled out because she was growing too comfortable.

Instead Mevolent cocked his head to the side, a smile of understanding playing on his lips, "If that is what you wish for then so be it. Still I said I'd no longer keep secrets from you, I intend to honour that"

"Do you really think a Child of Gaia should be here?" The Baron asked, folding his arms.

"She said she doesn't want to leave just yet", Mevolent pointed out.

"She's still the child of a foreign power," he said with a snarl. And Rose thought she should like to wipe it off his blubbery face.

Letting out a slow breath through her nose, Rose glared at the Baron before answering, "No"

"Parents already disowned you, have they?" The Baron wickedly grinned. Raising his chin as if to lord himself above Rose, "You're to be declared a bastard then?"

"No" she spat, curing her nails into her palms. Sure to leave red crescent moons across her hands, "I don't want to go back there. I have no use as a Child of Gaia, it would be disrespectful to continue using the title. You can just call me Rose"

Mevolent huffed, "Don't think like that dear. No information that we know of had reached Gaia so far"

"Not yet" Serpine interrupted, "But we're still pursuing her brother and the other emmisery. It won't be long till they reach another planet. We lost the ship's signal just outside of the 9th Dominion, heading for the 7th. It's in their hands now"

Mevolent considered his words in silence, then he said, "Then preparations need to be made. I want every able body in the reserves ready to deploy by the end of the hour. Make sure the sirens are fully functional in case we come under attack. I'll speak to my people to calm them, they'll follow my lead"

"They won't get far in that ship. But say they make it to the 7th Dominion, what Dynasties are we looking at that could help them?" 

"The major powers are Xiulium and Svæitger. But both are heavily closed off to outsiders. They might also head for one of the planets under them, like Førann or Phloes. Possibly the moon's of Shiva?"

Tenebre nodded from the shadows, and spoke for the first time, "Indeed they will. What about the Child, what are you planning to do with her?"

Rose wished they'd not speak to her as though she weren't in the room. It reminded her of her father bickering with her tutors, drudging on about her poor skills but not having the decency to say it to her face. 

Mevolent looked to her finally, "That entirely depends on you, Rose. What do you want?"

Rose was silent for a moment, thinking, "Can you get my brother back?"

"Of course"

Rose glanced around the table, expecting to see the other's staring at her like she was an insolent, pathetic child. But instead she met waiting gazes, all patiently waiting for her next words. Did that mean they would listen to her? Or could it just be they already knew her answer, "I take it you want something in return?"

Mevolent shook his head, "I said it before, if you agree to it. But don't pressure yourself into doing something you don't want to"

"Well that depends, what do you want from me?" She asked, eyes fixed to the table in front of her.

Mevolent turned to the others, clearing his throat, "She's shown skill at using a body"

"What?" Serpine snapped.

The Baron cut in, "That shouldn't be possible. There hasn't been another body user in decades"

"Yet she's right here" Mevolent gestured, "Make preparations to grow another. If you'll allow us Rose, we'd like to take a quick sample of your genetic code. It's integral for the new body's construction"

Rose blinked rapidly, perking up, "A new body?"

"You'll need one of your own, if you agree to help us. And I can offer you more in return for this, not just retrieving your brother"

"Well what can you give me in return?"

"I promised you knowledge. But I can promise you something else, I can give you a home here"

At this, Serpine scoffed, "You want to give a Gaian citizenship?"

"We're all descended from the first landers on Gaia. She has just a right to citizenship as any of us do" Mevolent agreed, sending Serpine a glare that made him snap his jaw shut.

"Can you really use a body girl?" The Baron suddenly said. Eyes fixed onto her, inspecting over her like she was some wild creature.

Rose only nodded.

A smile snaked up the Barons face, "You were right Mevolent. She certainly does have potential"

Rose turned back to Mevolent. He said he could make her better, give her all the knowledge she'd craved so much back on Gaia. And up until this point he'd been a man of his word. Deep down Rose knew she shouldn't trust any person sitting before her. But could she really trust anyone back on Gaia either?

Her father would scold her at her hesitation for such an opportunity. So despite herself, she said "I'll accept your terms"

"Wonderful" Mevolent said with a clap of his hands. And Rose was sure he knew she never would have denied him in the first place.

*.ﾟﾟ.*

The wormhole jump to Xiulium could have only taken minutes, but it could have been hours with every jolt of the ship making Aeryn's deep seated anxiety strain. Despite the fact that he knew there was no way for Pixidys to follow them from beyond the 9th Dominion boundaries, Aeryn kept checking to make sure there was no tracking signature on the ship. There wasn’t the first time he checked, or the second, or the third. It wasn’t going to magically appear, especially not while they were going through a Hyperloop, but he kept checking for his own sanity anyway.

Anarchy spent much of that time in her own silence, continually checking their location to see if they'd reached Xiulium. Her fingers tapped against the screens periodically in an anxious tick, with a grim look of despair as deep as the one he felt.

And then, the Hyperloops dive shut off. The ship jolted with the sudden stop, and when the view outside the front window came into focus, Aeryn almost forgot his worry as he sucked in a sharp breath.

They had stopped right above Xiulium, just outside the planets flight space. They wouldn't be detected yet. Looking down on it, Aeryn's vision became dotted with the shifting lights from the capital city, Cerephim. He'd heard of the technological giant Xiulium was renowned for, but seeing it was another thing altogether. The lights against the dark night produced a beacon he could have spotted miles away. All different tones of the rainbow coming together in a technicolor burst. But that was just the top layer. From his lessons he'd been told there were entire undercities. It was all in stark contrast to the bioluminescence of Gaia's cities, built within the large divots that formed sporadically within the flat green plains of the planet's geography.

To his left she saw Morrigans peak, a mountain range. There were so few on Gaia, besides the one Cyrenes halo had been built on. But even the emposing heights of Gaias great peak couldn't compare to the one he saw in front of him. To say it was massive would be a cruel understatement.

"It's beautiful", said Anarchy, stretched over the console and staring down at the planet with wide eyes.

"How do they even grow anything down there? I can't even see a patch of farmland", Aeryn asked, still glued to the window.

“Hydroponics” Anarchy guessed, although it was a weak one, "The planet was originally mostly covered by water. Maybe synthetic foods or tissue culture? Either that or it's all imported like on Pixidys"

Aeryn raised a doubtful eyebrow. Anarchy shrugged before turning back to look down at the planet.

“Are you sure about this, An?" Aeryn asked after a moment, his voice precariously fragile.

Because Aeryn wasn’t sure about this at all. He had no idea what the Mother's were going to think of their pleas for sanctuary. The Mother's were said to be ruthless and powerful, but they weren't fools. From what Anarchy said, there was no reason for the Mother's to kill them or hand them back. At least that's what he hoped.

But also, that was only based off of Anarchy's word. The Mother's had previously worked alongside Mevolent. China sorrows had been a high standing figure in the Church of the Faceless, while Araminta had worked as his assassin, before she took power over the Crimson Dynasty. They could be entirely different people when Anarchy and Aeryn found themselves face to face.

That was just something he was going to have to find out on his own.

“I’m sure,” Anarchy said, trying to hide the way she was twisting the hem of her shirt between her fingers.

Aeryn didn’t say anything in response, and Anarchy seemed to be relieved. With one final breath to steady herself, Anarchy tapped a few buttons on the control console, slowly accelerating the ship down into the atmosphere of Xiulium.

They entered a thick cloud layer, or perhaps it might have been smog, the entire view outside the ships windows turning to nothing but a gloomy void, the now dimmed city lights being their only guide. Aeryn pressed his face against the glass, warm breath clouding it as his wide eyes tried to search for any shapes in the swirling dark mass. Anarchy kept her focus on the screens, she had to rely on the instruments to know which way they were going, and continued the descent as carefully as possible.

Once they broke through the initial layer, the heavy void cleared only to reveal a thriving city of neon, so unique from anything either had ever seen. Aeryn at the very least, didn't have to fear they'd been transported to the wrong destination. Nothing within the Dominions came close to the blinding lights of Xiulium.

Then, there was the sound of beeping as a message filtered through the radio.

Jumping in her seat, Anarchy pulled on the steers, halted their descent and hit the button on the radio to accept the incoming message.

"Identify yourself"

“Hello? This is, um, ship 70048 reporting from your upper atmosphere. Do you copy?”

It was a mans voice, slightly gargled by the static over the line. He sounded impatient, almost annoyed that he was having to talk to them through a radio. Aeryn saw Anarchy tense as she pressed the button to turn on the communication mic.

“Xiulium do you copy. This is ship 70048. We read you, do you read us?”

There was a pause, and then the man's voice returned.

“Ship 70048, there is no record of your tracking signal and therefore we cannot identify your origins. State your planet and your purpose immediately.”

Taking a breath to steady himself, Aeryn shared a nervous look with Anarchy before she turned on her mic to reply. “The ship originates from Pixidys XI. But not the inhabitants. There are two of us. Pixidys has attempted our capture, we request sanctuary from the Mother's"

Another pause, much longer this time. Aeryn leaned back in his seat, wrapping his arms around himself while Anarchy continued tapping the screens.

Then, the voice broke through.

“Request denied. Pixidys ships are not permitted to enter the 7th Dominion. Xiulium is not accepting applications for sanctuary from any planet at this time”

It was as if the ship itself had folded unter the gravity's pressure to crush any hope Aeryn might have had. No. They couldn't go back there. The fuel tanks were near empty, and that was if they didn't burst within another few minutes. This was their only option, their last resort.

Anarchy took a sharp breath, ignoring the panicked look Aeryn was already sending her way, as she leaned forward to turn on the mic again.

“No, please, you don’t understand-”

“Listen to me, ship 70048. By decree of the The United Alliance of the Galactical Áohlos Dominions, we are under no obligation to accept sanctuary from opposing planets. Exit our airspace immediately or we will be forced to take extreme measures.”

“I understand that but-”

“You have two minutes to begin your ascent before we consider your presence a hostile threat and will be forced to shoot you down"

“Please wait-”

“We will not accept sanctuary”

“You have to-”

“No galactic law requires us. You have one minute”

“Can I just-”

“No-”

“This is Aeryn Fell, Child of Gaia, I have an emissary of Astréa, House Blue, on board" Aeryn suddenly snapped.

The voice fell silent. Both waited with baited breath, shooting a terrified look towards each other. Anarchy looked ready to vomit, fingers digging into the armrests.

“Am I speaking to the Child of Gaia?" The man asked after an agonizing stretch of quiet.

Dragging his hands through his hair, Aeryn forced himself to straighten up, making his was closer to the mic. “You’re speaking to Child Aeryn Fell of Gaia. The daughter Anarchy Blues of Astréa House Blue is sitting next to me. We have evidence of an Pixidain intergalactic plot against us and many other Dynasties. Please, we are requesting Sanctuary"

Another beat. Aeryn focused on the sensation of his heart trying to claw its way out of his chest. The man took another long silence, but through the fuzz of static Aeryn could here him speaking distantly to another person.

“Request for emergency sanctuary, by order of the Xiulium military has been accepted" The man then said, the sharp edge to his words having softened the slightest bit.

Blinking in surprise, Aeryn saw a prompt blaring across his console screen. [Sanctuary request accepted]

Anarchy didn't hesitate, tapping the buttons on the console. The engines whirled and the ship jolted as they began their descent. Aeryn dropped his hands from the console, sharing a nervous look with Anarchy as they began to descend closer to the surface.

It was odd. One moment, all Aeryn could see on the surface of Xiulium was the close gathers of colourful light. Then, he was able to make out a slightly darker series of buildings below the mountains, and soon he was able to recognize it as metal. Bright red landing signals flickered on, and Aeryn finally was able to see a circular platform in one of the darker areas.

The ship landed gently against the landing platform with far more grace than Aeryn thought Anarchy possible. As soon as they had touched down, the platform shook as it retracted downwards into the ground itself, making its inhabitants both jump in their seats.

“All of our hangars are under the surface. Once the platform stops moving, drop your ramp and exit the ship. I’ll be waiting for you outside.”

That was the last Aeryn heard from the man before the radio went dead. All around the hypership, Aeryn could see nothing but flat, grey walls as the platform dropped them deeper and deeper beneath the surface.

“Do you think this means they’re gonna let us stay here?” Aeryn whispered, clutching the arms of his chair.

“I’d like to think so, but I’m not sure,” Anarchy admitted, the inside of the ship lighting up with shades of red from the lights embedded into the metal walls.

Aeryn clenched his jaw. “I still think this is a terrible idea.”

“Yeah, well, we’re here now so there’s not much we can do”, she quipped.

After Anarchy fell silent, the seconds dragged on like hours as they crawled impossibly far down into the crust itself. Eventually though, the descent began to slow, and the metal platform they were on dropped into a cavernous space.

The hangar was entirely made of metal. Standing walls with rivets bulging from their sides filled every crevice surrounding them. It must have taken years to dig out. Other ships were settled into different spots along the hangar, most being sleek, stealth models that Aeryn wasn’t familiar with. But they looked far more advanced than the typical kinds. People in military-esque uniforms rushed around, holding tool boxes or pads as they attended to different shuttles and control consoles. It was well lit with the same blinding white-blueish hues he'd seen from the atmosphere.

The platform stopped moving so suddenly, it made Aeryn smack his head against the back of his seat. While he could see the far end of the hangar from the cockpit, he couldn’t see the ramp since that was on the back of the ship. Meaning he had no idea what was going to be waiting for them when he let the ramp drop.

This better not be a mistake.

Anarchy flicked a button and behind them he heard the sounds of the ramp lowering, light flodded the inside of the ship. They stood together to exit the ship. Aeryn fought the urge to press his hand into Anarchys, not sure if she'd smack him for it.

Walking down the platform felt all too familiar to Aeryn, like he was arriving right back on Pixidys, ready for his own demise. A sullen silence hung over the pair when they spotted the man below them. He was tall and handsome (or at least Aeryn thought so) with brown hair and a clean shaven face. The uniform he wore hummed with LED lights, sending a dull glow of yellow over his clothes.

"You're names?” he said, and Aeryn recognized his voice as the one on the radio.

Stiffening, Aeryn glanced at Anarchy, who gave him a pointed look. Since he was the Child of Gaia, he ranked above her, he had to introduce himself first in any given situation. 

“Aeryn, Child of Gaia" he introduced stiffly, bowing his head and wondering how many times he was going to have to do this.

The mans expression turned neutral, but a hint of surprise made it's way into his brow, "How old are you?"

"Seventeen, sir"

His frown deepened, like he wasn't satisfied with that answer. But instead of replying he diverted his gaze towards Anarchy.

“Anarchy Blues of the House Blue, Astréa" she said bowing as he did.

His eyes sharpened when she said that. “You’re the one I was speaking to over the radio, correct?”

Anarchy nodded. “Yes. I was piloting.”

Strangely, his expression softened at this, but it was such a subtle shift that Aeryn almost thought he imagined it. “I am Captain of the royal guard. You can call me Dexter vex"

Dexter Vex. Now that was a name he recognized. From Aeryns knowledge he'd been a miner back when Xiuliums status had been that of a resource planet. Alongside the famed militia unit, the dead men, he'd joined the Crimson Dynasty in securing independence from their invaders.

“Will we be granted sanctuary here?” Anarchy asked suddenly. Not being one to beat around the bush.

Dexter shrugged. “I’m not sure yet. That decision entirely depends on the mothers"

Great. That really didn’t help them at all.

Still, Aeryn nodded in acknowledgement at that. Trying to remember the monotonous hours of etiquette lessons he'd been plagued with, "We appreciate the Mother's granting us entry to Xiulium. We give you our respect and thanks, we hope they'll hear us"

Instead of responding to that, Dexter just huffed out something that could’ve been a laugh. Then, he turned his back on them, marching forward. 

As they followed the Captain through the hangar and away from their shuttle they noticed movement all around them. A small unit of guards joined up with their group, which didn't help Aeryn's fears. Before they left the hangar entirely, Aeryn glanced back to see a hoard of guards descending on their ship, presumably to search it for any weapons. Aeryn wondered if they'd take it apart or confiscate it. With luck, if the Mother's denied their sanctuary, they could fix the fuel tanks and send them off to find another planet. But that was just wishful thinking.

Leaving the hangar, the all sleek walls changed to a mix of metal and glass. Beyond them, Aeryn could see the peaks of city life, neon colours and holograms distorted in the reflection of the glass. The ceilings were lower here, enciting claustrophobia. Though Aeryn's father had said Xiuliums built into every crevice of the planet. There was no room for lording ceilings.

Coming up from the halls the scenery changed again, another line of glass greeted them, but it was stained, depicting bloody battles and a time before them when water covered everything. Aeryn thought to himself, if they were historical or mythocal protrails. But he didn't get a chance to ask as Dexter stopped in front of a set of doors.

Dexter rolled up his sleeves, pressing a few buttons on what looked like a watch around his wrist. The doors shimmered and disappeared, and suddenly they were face to face with the Mother's.

This must the throne room, he thought, as Dexter lead them further into the room. Once they passed the space were the door had been, it fuzzed again and the door had returned.

The mother's sat on thrones of marble, the same light as Dexter's clothes burst behind them in a radius of red. It clashed against the icy blue-white lights that appeayto snake between cracks in the marble under their feet. Above the thrones sat two radient women, dripping in velvet. To his left an unearthy beautiful woman wore her midnight hair across her shoulders, wefting down her ribs over a white gown that glittered with iridescent nanoparticles that shifted from green, blue and silver. Next to her a red haired goddess took Aeryn's rapt attention, any words he might have had died on his tongue. Anarchy found herself shuffling to sit straighter. Aeryn couldn't blame her.

The woman's being radiated an authority that demanded the room's attention despite her soft face. Even from where she sat, Aeryn knew she was tall, with strong features and rounded deep blue eyes. Her hips slanted dramatically in a curvaceous figure and burning red locks glowed in the rays of sunlight that spilled through the windows on Pixidys. The dress she wore was simple but elegant, a neat red with dewy earrings. Despite her obvious status she appeared underdressed in contrast to her wife.

These were the Crimson Mother's, the final deciders of their fate.

After a few seconds of observing them, the dark haired Mother's dark eyes fell on Aeryn, “These are the ones you spoke of correct"

Beside him he noticed Dexter slide into a bow gently, "Yes, your majesty"

"State your business here" she said, her voice commanding, "Who do I speak to?"

Anarchy near smacked Aeryn into a bow, he complied in an award suffle, "You're majesty, I am Aeryn Fell, Child of Gaia. Lord of the Dynasty Fell. And this is-"

"Anarchy Blues" she cut in, "Of house Blue. I am an emmisery of Astréa"

The dark haired mother's eyes sharpened, and she tapped her fingers against the arm of her throne in impatience, "I am China Sorrows, Mother of Xiulium, and consort to the Crimson Dynasty. What is your business?"

"Oh no need to be so cold to our guests" the red haired woman said, her warm voice startling Aeryn, "Please on behalf of my wife and I we welcome you to Xiulium."

The red haired Mother stood, returning a bow that almost knocked Aeryn off his feet, "Araminta Crimson. Mother of Xiulium and Lady of the Dynasty Crimson. It's nice to meet you. I understand from the Captain here you've come a long way. Guards please do get them a chair, you must be so tired"

Aeryn gaped, opening his mouth to respond when Dexter tapped his watch again. Twin circles in the ground formed in front of them, and a set of stools crept up with a hiss.

Araminta gestured towards the stools with a bright smile that could have made the galaxy itself bow and fight for her, "Do sit, please"

Anarchy and Aeryn looked to each other, before taking a seat. Araminta returned to her own, "If you can manage, could you tell us why you've come here? You're both a long way from home"

Aeryn blinked. “Uh, yeah, we’re both- well, it’s complicated"

“Take your time dear” Araminta asked, furrowing their brows in concern, "What has happened"

Shit. This was going to be awkward to explain.

After a second of hesitation, Aeryn shot a pleading look at Anarchy. But she was entirely engrossed in the Mother's, wide eyed and mouth hanging open. Aeryn signed and cursed to himself.

“Okay um,” Taking a breath, he dragged a hand down his face as he tried to gather his thoughts. “We seek sanctuary on Xiulium. The Father of Pixidys, Mevolent-"

China cut him off with a snap. “Mevolent? What's that radical got to do with this"

Araminta placed a hand on her shoulder, which seemed to momentarily quell the anger bubbling under her. 

“He had announced a meeting of several Dynasties," Aeryn continued, wringing his hands in front of him. “It was a trap. He's intent of keeping the other emmiseries and Children hostage in exchange for trade benefits"

“Oh my god,” Araminta muttered, bringing a hand to her lips, eyes blown wide.

“We believe our lives were in danger. They expressed desire to harm us. We overhead it all” Anarchy explained, wincing at the words. “We managed to steal a ship. I lead us here. Our fuel tanks were damaged during the take off. It was our only option"

Horror washed over Aramintas face as her eyes flickered between the pair. China remained steeled, but Aeryn couldn't ignore the way her hands shook, “Im so sorry. I can't believe someone would put children in harm's way, for their own gain. Please, can you tell us anything else?"

“We only overhead their initial plans. The guards came for us straight after" Anarchy replied 

“God that sounds horrible,” Araminta said, folding her arms in her lap. “Were there any others that managed to escape?"

Aeryn sucked in a sharp breath at the thought of rose, "No. We had to leave my sister behind when we escaped" he admitted, dropping his eyes to the ground, "The guards had gotten to her before we could. Apparently Mevolent wanted her for something. He said he had potential"

"That bastard" China huffed, clenching her teeth.

“I’m so sorry,” Araminta murmured. “Do you know if she's safe?"

There was a moment of silence as Aeryn clenched his jaw, refusing to meet her eyes. Araminta didn’t push, simply waited. After a few beats, Aeryn took a shuddering breath and straightened back up. “Mevolent said he wouldn't hurt her. But she'll never be safe as long as she's on that planet"

Aimsey frowned, reaching out a hand as if to comfort him. He gave her a grateful smile, although it was obviously lined with pain.

“I’m really glad you’re safe now at least,” Araminta told them after a moment, giving them a small smile. “We've dealt with Mevolent before. We know how cruel he is. You wish to seek sanctuary here, on Xiulium?"

“That’s the hope,” Aeryn huffed, leaning towards Anarchy's side.

Araminta beamed, "Then consider it granted"

China shot her a look, "Dear, shouldn't we discuss this in more depth?"

"Nonsense. These children, children, China have just escaped the clutches of a tyrant. One we know all too well" Araminta said, looking at China, who lowered her gaze at her words. Araminta waved her hand, "Please Dexter, show them to a spare room"

"Thank you" Aeryn said, the relief washing over him, "Thank you so much!"

"No need to thank me, dear. Rest up now. We'll discuss this in the morning. I'm sure you're both in desperate need of a rest"

*.ﾟﾟ.*

"Stand up straight,” her father gruffly reminded her, squeezing her shoulder as Rose straightened her back.

Biting back a grumble, she picked at the edge of her dress sleeve. It was stiff, the coarse fabric pricking her arms. The floating fabrics were typical of Gaian tradition, but in recent years cut geometric garments were all the rage, and the royal family had taken a liking to them. Much to Rose's displeasure. The frilled edges were rustled by the wind, and Rose tried not to think of how grating it was to hear the faint clicks of metal hitting against each other, as the hovership descended before her.

She didn’t understand why they had to get so dressed up for this. Bernadette stood next to their father in a tight green gown, imitating leaves. Gaius was in one of his fanciest suits, a bright viridian and cream, billowing out around his shoulders like a cloud. Her other siblings were with them, also dolled up in more ornate versions of the same clothing Rose was wearing. Aeryn had seemed to hate it just as much as Rose, babbling complaints in a mixture of actual words and mutter's.

For now though, he was quiet. Gaius and her siblings were as well. Her father was holding Bernadette's dress sleeve, edging her closer and keeping his other firmly on Rose's shoulder. It wasn't usual for her to be standing next to their father, but before the ship's arrival, he'd been adamant about the importance of this event, and wanted Rose on her best behaviour. As the ramp to the shuttle lowered, she took a shaky breath.

According to Gaius, after their mother's illness kept her confined to her bed chambers, he'd arranged a flight of Svæitgarian soldiers to be deployed in the palace for the foreseeable future. It was in part so he could keep more eyes on his children. As well as soothe his growing paranoia. Rose thought this was bound to have the opposite effect, surely his measures to keep them close could only lead to them being pushed away.

Also according to her father, the Svæitgarians were bringing a student of Captain Leticia Rye with them as well. Apparently the students mother was Svæitgarian, while her father was a former emmisery of Gaia. Gaius had supposedly taken comfort in the idea one of Gaia's own was part of the new hires. Rose didn’t know what the purpose of all this extra security was going to be, but Gaius warned the student was going to be charged with following Rose, and she was already dreading having some random adult keeping an eye on her in her father's place.

The ramp reached the bottom of the landing pad. The guards beside them saluted, and a group of women began to exit the ship.

The women reminded Rose of the decedent warriors she'd seen in the picture books. Draped in fur hides and metal gauntlets. Each one had their hair done up in tight locks, pulled out of the way of their harsh faces. Their faces were painted down the middle in a dark blue. Svæitgar was planatarity locked, half the planet a scalding land of fire, the other trapped in a freezing winter. All of the women had chains twisted over the tops of their tunics like armour. She had to admit, they looked incredible and fierce.

None of the women smiled as their bright eyes looked over the royal family. As they began to fan out into a line in front of them though, Rose noticed another Svæitgarian who had been hidden behind the others.

She was a kid. Close in age to Rose. Her face paint covered most of her face, but Rose could make out green eyes and hair that was almost the same shade of black as the twilight sky they'd travelled through. Her head was bowed, and Rose couldn’t stop herself from wondering who she was.

Once all the women had lined up, Gaius bowed and his children followed suit. The grip on her shoulder tightly pushed her into the bow.

“I, Ríthair Fell of Gaia, Welcome you, members of the royal Svæitgarian guard, to our planet,” he said, giving the women a strained smile.

The women all fell into bows, one stepping forward, "We thank the Ríthar for his hospitality and hope our services will be of use to you"

The woman at the front did not smile back. The brown locks framed her harsh face. If Rose were to guess she would assume this woman was the Captain. Instead, she glanced between the children, narrowing her eyes. “These are your children?”

Gaius nodded. “Yes, this is My heir Bernadette Fell, and her siblings, Ciarán, Tonje and Aeryn ” he said, gesturing between her brothers and sisters. “And then…” he trailed off, giving Rose a look telling him to introduce herself.

Stepping forward, Rose bowed, although it was stiff. “Rose Fell, Child of Gaia,” she said, wincing when she stepped back and her father's grip returned.

“Of course,” the woman huffed, folding her arms “This is the child you spoke about on the Call Ríthair"

Rose kept her eyes on the ground. Gaius squeezed her shoulder again.

“Indeed she is” Gaius said after a moment, his voice tight. “I was told there was a student of yours being brought along on this trip, Ms Rye?”

The woman’s narrowed eyes softened, and she turned around, gesturing for the young girl to step forward. The girl did, blinking rapidly as she twisted her fingers into her furs.

“May I present my student, Betha Due of Svæitgar” the woman, Leticia Rye, announced, resting both her hands on the girl's shoulders. “She may be stationed wherever you see fit. While she is a student of mine in the sight, by Svæitgarian standards she's more than capable at protecting any of your children, physically speaking"

Gaius blinked, hazel eyes wide with surprise. He recovered quickly though, giving the girl a gentle nod. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Betha.”

The girl, Betha, dipped her head in respect. “It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Your Majesty.” Her voice was far softer than the woman’s was, and judging by how hunched over she was, she was just as nervous as Rose.

The woman then tapped her shoulder, before nudging her forward. Betha nodded, taking a breath before she stepped right in front of the family.

“Your graces,” she said stiffly, curtsying to her siblings. Then, she turned to Rose, and curtsied again. “Child Rose. By request of the Ríthair I am to be your personal guard" she continued, clearly reciting some script she had been forced to memorise.

Rose's eyes shot to her father, she hadn't agreed to this, she hadn't even been notified, but the stern look of her father stomped any protests she might have had. Looking back at Betha, she had to admit, she was curious about her. Especially because she couldn’t remember the last time she’d gotten to spend time with someone the same age.

When she met her eyes, she gave her a small smile.

Rose smiled back.

“You seem down dear”

The comment was casual, thrown at Rose in a way that was probably meant to be some kind of attempt at comfort. Or maybe it was Serefina trying to appear empathetic, trying to make Rose think that she actually cared. The woman could be considered a saint in her church. But to Rose, she was still the wife of the man who was imprisoning the other emmiseries. Who could probably have her killed. Patience, the ultimate weapon of a diplomat. Had Serefina not had it in abundance she'd never have been so devoted to an order such as the Church of the Faceless. Rose wasn't so naive to think this was anything other than a politician doing what they did best, playing the long game.  

Rose wasn't sure what they could possibly want with her, sure she could use bodies, but did that really mean anything in the grand scheme? She wanted to trust them, she desperately wanted to. But there was a small voice in her head that warned her against it. Still, she could feel herself warming up to the idea of Pixidys IX, of staying there, of learning the sight. But still the anxiety creeped in as she wondered what they needed her for. 

Serefina was warm and kind, her end goal was, however, was a mystery to her

“Really?” Rose snapped back, words dripping with sarcasm. She hadn't meant it to come off so harsh, but the exhaustion and nerves had raged inside her too long, and she didn't care to keep them at bay.

Across the room where she was standing in the doors frame, Serefina chuckled fondly, “There's no need for hostilities darling"

“Or what? You’ll kill me?” Rose challenged cooly.

It was stupid, to rile up the people who could wipe her existence away in a heartbeat. But Rose figured they would have done that already, and if they were in any way keen on killing her they should just get it over with. There was a beat as Serefina met her eyes, smile dropping and looking more exasperated than actually upset with Rose. It was a low blow, she had to admit, but it’s not like she was worried though. Serefina had fought in Mevolents war against the Nythes, but she had left her days of war far behind her, all they were now was a taunt for Rose to use as she pleased. She didn't need the woman's help or her insistent hovering. She needed to be left alone. If Serefina wanted to break her defences then she'd snap right back with an attack of her own. Just because she'd agreed to stay here didn't mean she was going to let anyone walk over her. She'd left that behind in Gaia.

Serefina signed and trudged closer into the sitting room. It was a quiet day in the palace, but cold. The synthetic fires had been lit in the early hours and had continued to be tended to throughout the day. Pixidys had hit it's windy season. Icy air blasted through the doors and a cold damp was seeping into the walls. It was a quaint spot in the palace, on one of the higher floors. The official sitting room ran adjacent to the library, always buzzing with activity. Even when she'd first arrived with the other emmiseries, she'd only ever found herself down there in the late hours of night, when it was mostly empty. But here it was more tolerable. No guests ever bothered to set foot in the upper sitting rooms. It was far smaller, with only a single window and bare stone walls. A worn couch and armchair took up most of the room, with no space for more decor, and only a single light orb.

The room was the very definition of unremarkable. The fireplace however was anything but. An old stained wood of a species Rose didn't recognize, carefully hand carved decades ago, with knots and curls. It depicted the myths from the Church of the Faceless, artistic interpretations of the 'eye of gods' and carvings of gods and giants. The centerpiece showed Ezroh, cast down into the void of space, pulling the Faceless ones with him. Rose liked to lose herself in it, tracing over the face of Ezroh or looking for the Phonous tree's root hidden across the piece.

Rose tensed as Serefina sat next to her, doing all she could to avoid her gaze.

Serefina wasn't the kind of woman to give up it seemed, especially in the days that passed from their first meeting. Rose could hurl all sorts of venom and profanity at her, but she'd diligently stand through it. When Rose screamed to leave her be, Serefina would oblige her, but by the morning next she'd be back at her side again, hovering. So Rose didn't protest her presence. She wasn't afraid of her, but she wasn't comfortable either.

"It's near midday you know, breakfast would do you some good. There's plenty still in the kitchens", Serefina told her as she gently reached for Rose's cheek. Soft and long hands that didn't do justice to their years spent clutching a longsword. The gesture was simple, Serefinas hand looked almost comforting.

Rose flinched away. The voice in her head screaming she shouldn't let herself fall for it.

"I'm not hungry,'' she said, not meeting Serefinas eyes.

Serefina frowned in concern, "Has the cold made you sick? You seem off today"

Rose snorted bitterly, "In case it hasn't been obvious. I've been off for a long time"

"You know what I mean"

"Do I?"

The silence found them again, like it always did. In the past days Serefina had visited her diligently, every morning and night. With a story to tell, or invitation to dinner. Rose had declined her each time. Unless Mevolent requested it, she saw no reason to budge. Rose found herself far too tired to do much about it. Hoping to herself the woman would grow bored of her soon and leave her be.

"Did I ever tell you of my family?", Serefina asked, but Rose felt God's hand was pinning her down and mockingly sealing her faith. Just go away, she said to herself, willing the elder next to her to hear.

"Trust me" she groaned, rolling her eyes, "I don't care to"

Mevolents wife ignored her, "My family's standards started at perfectionism. They married and bred and raised their children to be strong players in the Dominions game. But I wanted none of it. I left for the one place they'd never find me, here on Pixidys. And met Mevolent and found my faith and suddenly everything just felt right-"

"-They have never spoken to me since. Nothing else was ever good enough for them. I'm considered a disappointment in my family. Now that I've found my way away from them, I want to change my family's name to something kinder, more human. But it took me a long time to come to terms with that. That I'll never be who my family wanted. When I was your age, I was so lost. Both in the world and in myself. I tried to be what my family wanted, but no matter what I did, I just didn’t belong anywhere. I was all alone”

Rose's ears were ringing in the silence that followed. That was wrong, a trick, a ploy to gain her trust. Serefina didn’t just say all those things, because that was how Rose had felt every day of her life.

Lonely.

Without saying a word Serefina moved herself closer. Those gentle hands reached out again, brushing the hair from her face.

“It’s why you remind me so much of myself dear. And my husband too. We were both so young and afraid. But we yearned to bring change. When I was young and afraid” Serefina told him, her voice soft. “All you want is to belong somewhere. With people who care for you genuinely. But you're losing yourself now because you don't know who to be. You’re alone, just like I was”

No, Rose thought, she was nothing like Serefina or Mevolent, or anyone here. Right? Rose didn't need her to pretend she understood, she needed to be alone, away from things. But did she really want to be? She was so desperate to hear someone understand her, to finally have someone who wouldn't leave her. But what if this was all a ploy? A trick, a thing of deciet. Would they leave her behind as well once they had no further use for her? No, Serefina didn't, couldn't, hope to understand her. No one could. Serefina was just trying to get her trust. That was all, and Rose wouldn't fall for it.

But-

But how did she know? How could she see so plainly into Rose's mind. How could she read aloud that suffocating loneliness that Rose had been cursed with for so many years. Rose had never let her mind speak, not on Gaia, not anywhere. Her truth was only ever met with hostilities, she wouldn't make that mistake again. 

And yet somehow, Serefina understood. 

There was a haze in her mind as her thoughts began to buzz. Rose felt the thump of her heart beating too loud. Her eyes were burning and her breaths came shallow

"I found a new family, a better family. Who took me in and loved me and raised me to my position now. I want the same for you dear. I want you to feel like you belong" Serefina said quietly, touching her cheek.

“Get off me,” Rose snapped, feeling her voice about to crack, pushing Serefina's hand away. But that didn't deter her. 

"You're scared aren't you" she said, with a soothing warm Rose wanted to bury herself into, "But you should know nothing happens here unless you say so"

Rose looked to her, "How can I trust you?"

"I could say the same thing about you. How do I know you won't run off, and tell the Dominion of our plans. That's the funny thing about trust, it has to be earned. I don't expect you to trust us. I certainly didn't when I first arrived. But I can promise you a home here, with us"

Home

Rose had never had a place she could really call home. Just a space with people who make it clear they cared not for her. Her family treated her at an arms length, but, then again they made clear they wanted to use her from the start. They wanted a powerful sight user to marry off to the Dynasty with the highest price. Yet on Pixidys they always gave her a choice, they respected her, even if they were to use her, would that be so bad? At the very least they could give her something too, love. Rose thought to her brother. Wouldn't it be better for them both to stay here, with people who treated them as equals instead of inanimate chess pieces? 

Against the voice in her head, she said, "Id really like that"

*.ﾟﾟ.*

Aeryn awoke to the soft trails of light creeping into the bedroom. It took him a moment to realize how strange it was, waking up in the morning, rather than during the night hours on Pixidys. 

Surprisingly, there was no moment of blissful, hazy ignorance. As soon as he was awake, he knew where he was. He was on Xiulium, and the events of the previous few days hit him like a brick. They'd been here days now, locked up in their rooms, but it still felt like he was right back on Pixidys. Anarchy was still fast asleep in the bed beside him. He was jealous she could be ignorant in her sleep for a while longer, before they began the day of begging the mothers for help.

Rolling over, Aeryn rubbed his eyes and pondered the previous events. It was odd how welcoming Araminta had been. Almost too welcoming. Was she secretly planning to send them back? Gain their trust before flinging them right back into the hands of Mevolent. At the very least, China's hostility was something he was more used to from the Dynasties figureheads. But she was only the Mother consort. The real decision was entirely up to Araminta.

Before he could allow himself to spiral deeper into his thoughts, a knock came from the bedroom door, then a polite voice rang out.

“Hello?”

Aeryn blinked at the voice. “Hello?” He muttered back, his voice rough.

"Who am I speaking to?"

“Aeryn,” Aeryn grumbled, resting his head back down on the pillow.

“Child Aeryn, would you like to have breakfast brought to your room again, or do you and Miss Blue's plan on going to the dining room to eat with the others?”

Others?

Frowning, Aeryn lifted his head again. “What do you mean by others?”

Did this person, a servant probably, mean the Mother's. Aeryn wouldn't have imagined they’d be allowed to eat at the same table as the two of them, the guests on Gaia had always been given separate dining arangments to the rest of the Fell family. However if that was the case, it could be invaluable for gaining more time to talk things out further.

“The Children of Xiulium take their meals in the guest halls, bar dinners. They've invited you both. The Mother's like to have their own private dining quarters though.”

Oh. Well, that’s what Aeryn expected.

While a part of him wanted to say that he’d rather take the food in their room, he also knew they couldn’t just hide out there until the Mothers made time to meet with them again. Besides, they hadn't been introduced to the Children of the planet yet, Aeryn wanted to see who they were. If he could gage some information out of them before he met Araminta and China again. They had so little time to prepare their pleas, and Aeryn wanted to use it to find out as much as he could about the Mother's.

“We’ll go down,” Aeryn said, rubbing sleep out of his eyes.

“I’ll escort you up shortly. Please take your time l, if you need anything I'll be here”

Glancing to his left, he saw Anarchy's face half-smashed into her pillow, a bit of drool trailing out of the corner of her mouth. It would be criminal to wake her up, when she looked so peaceful. Reaching over, Aeryn poked her in the cheek.

“Get up, idiot. We gotta go to breakfast.”

Letting out an incoherent grumble, Anarchy smacked Aeryns hand away. “I know, I heard you talking,” she muttered, turning her face more into the pillow. “And you're the idiot here"

“C'mon, the Children will be there. We should learn as much as we can before we meet the Mother's again”, Aeryn explained, already sitting up.

Anarchy groaned. “When the fuck did you become all strategic and shit” she mumbled. “Can’t you just let me sleep?”

“Im gonna get dressed. Get your sorry ass up in five?” Aeryn said, huffing as he pushed the blankets off his legs. There was another unintelligible complaint from Anarchy, muffled by the pillow, but Aeryn ignored it as he got to his feet and walked to the wardrobe

Opening up the closet doors, Aeryn eyed the clothing he’d brushed over the night before in search of pyjamas. He could see some rather plain looking tunics, dyed in Xiuliums traditional red. A blood soaked crimson that represented the Dynasty, not like the browner shades on Pixidys. Along with some sets of pants and coats, glittering with bright neon shades, and some complimentary colours like whites and blacks.

Aeryn searched to find whichever set looked like it would fit him the best. He got changed while he heard Anarchy shuffling behind him

A few minutes later, Aeryn found himself standing in front of the wardrobes mirror, getting a good look at his reflection. He looked terrible, more so than when he arrived on Pixidys. The events of their escape had left their mark in hollow cheeks and deep bags under his eyes. His hair looked unkempt, he wasn't used to having his natural curls on display without the servents streaking gel through it to tame, back on Gaia.

He stared at his reflection for a moment too long. Even though nothing explicit had changed about his appearance, he felt as though he looked five years older than he had a few days ago. There was something painful behind his eyes, something that reminded him of the look Rose gave him as he had ran away like a coward, leaving her behind.

Aeryn winced thinking of his sister. Was she alright? Had Mevolent taken his frustration at their escape out on her? Mevolent had said he had no intention of hurting her, but how much could Aeryn really trust his word?

”You left me,” he could almost hear her say, her voice slithering around his mind like a coiled snake. ”You left me.”

I’m sorry, Aeryn thought to himself. But he knew he would never get a reply. And the only possible chance he'd have at reconciliation was to bring the entire force of the Dominion down on Mevolent and bring her back safe.

Aeryn shook the thoughts out of his head, turning back to Anarchy who was sitting up on the bed, dragging her fingers through her hair, leaving it frayed at the edges. She glanced up at Aeryn, and he tiredly pointed to the closet doors. Getting the hint, Anarchy sighed and stumbled out of bed, wandering over next to him

“You're wearing that?” she asked, smoothing out the hairs that stuck up.

“Found it in the closet,” Aeryn shrugged. “Most of it looks about your size though"

Anarchy shrugged, "If it fits your short ass, then I'll be fine" 

"Hey! We're the same heigh"

"Nah-ah" Anarchy said, waving a finger in his face, "I've got two extra inches on you. You're family must be really short"

Aeryn snorted, "I'm not short. But yeah, Gaius and Tonje are tiny as hell. Ciarán too. But Bernadettes like six foot"

"She got the good genes then" Anarchy replied, "Now turn around"

Aeryn did as he was told and focused on his dress wear. The coat he had grabbed was made of a thick, velvet-like fabric that was dyed a deep shade of red, with a trail of soft lights snaking down the interior. It was a tad bit long, with the hem of the coat reaching his knees, and the pants he wore bunched at his ankles. He tucked them into some high rise boots he'd found to solve the problem. Bernadette had always joked he had chicken legs, and he supposed he couldn't deny it with how the fabric hung loosely down his thighs. Damn I gotta eat more chicken. Anarchy put on a similar outfit, although the coat she grabbed was a lighter shade of red, with leather accents. Aeryn would guess that the fabric would drive her mad after an hour, he hated the feeling of it himself. Tight and constrictive. Hopefully she wouldn't bully him out of his coat for a swap.

Right as they had both finished getting dressed, there was a knock on the door that made them freeze. Walking over to the door, Aeryn did one more cursory glance around the room to make sure Anarchy was ready, before he pressed a button on the wall to make the door slide open.

They made their way through the metal halls towards the dining hall, but when they arrived there was already someone waiting for them. Two actually.

"Hello there", Aeryn heard when they entered the room.

Anarchy and Aeryn jumped at the new voice. Looking at the dining table, Aeryn saw a tall man glancing nervously between Anarchy and Aeryn. He was ridiculously tall, with silk blonde hair falling behind his back. The lilac shirt he wore was finely pressed and decidedly tamer in colour compared to the other clothes he'd seen people wear. The glasses on his face tipped at the edge of his nose. Aeryn could tell in an instant he was the Mother's son, he looked the spit of Araminta. Both stood tall with strong features and rounded deep blue eyes.

The person sitting next to him was dressed in a very expensive-looking teal blouse embroidered with pink and periwinkle stitching patterns that reminded Aeryn of the city lights. Their mauve hair had been pulled into twin tails, their tightly curled hair poking out from the ties. They wore lots of silver jewellery against their dark skin, from necklaces to rings to earrings. All embellished with the Crimson Dynasty symbol. Three circles inside each other. Both were most likely very wealthy, and if Aeryn had to guess he'd say they were the Children of Xiulium.

"Uh. H-hey" he stuttered, giving them an awkward wave.

Anarchy shuffled next to him, at the very least trying to keep her cool, "Yeah. How's it going?"

Anarchy sat down next to the blonde, and Aeryn followed. Hunching over to rest his elbows on the table. His eyes darted around, never settling on one single thing. The ceiling sat low with glimmering lights shifting in colours. His fingers tapped on the table, and it was obvious he was nervous. 

“I'm Anarchy, this is Aeryn ,” Anarchy Introduced, "We're from-"

"Oh! You’re the emmiseries! They told me about you guys- ", the blonde said.

"You're the ones from Pixidys right?"

"Genesis!"

"What? Was just asking"

"Gaia actually. And Anarchy's from Astréa. But yeah, we came here from Pixidys"

Genesis shot a thumbs up, "Nice one. How'd you get off, security there is nuts?"

Merlin sighed, "I'm sorry about Gen, they're blunt" 

"Nah they're fine", Anarchy said with a laugh, "Stole a ship and nearby got our asses blown up. But hey we made it"

"Cool!" Gen said, their face oddly set in a deadpan.

"Gen-" Merlin groaned "Aras not going to be happy"

“Wait, you call the Mother by her name?” Anarchy cut in, eyes narrowing as she looked Merlin over.

Merlin blinked, shrinking back like he was trying to curl in on himself. “Uh, yeah. They're um-"

"Your Mother's right?" Aeryn said.

"Yes! Sorry I've been rude" Merlin said, offering a small smile, "I'm Merlin and this is my younger sibling, Genesis"

Genesis gave a piece sign, face still a deadpan, "Sup"

Now that was very interesting.

Aeryn thought to himself that this would be a great opportunity to get information on their new hosts, straight from the people who knew them most intimately. Genesis might be difficult, but Merlin…

"Will either of you be at the meeting tonight?" Aeryn enquired suddenly.

Merlin jumped, almost leaping out of his seat, "Meeting?"

"Yeah Araminta said she wanted to talk some things out, about our next move, how long we'll stay here"

"Oh yes! Mother always invites me to these things. She says it's necessary for when I become The Father"

"So on Xiulium the concession goes by oldest?" Aeryn asked, knowing he was possibly pushing his luck prodding so much.

Merlin nodded, "Oldest regardless of gender. It's like that across most of the Dominion I believe. The only exceptions I think are Svæitgar, Theandrios, Iomí and-"

"Gaia"

Merlin nodded, "I don't know much about Gaia to be honest, they seem to keep to themselves"

Anarchy looked at him, "We could say the same for you. Xiuliums pretty new in terms of the Dominion. Ye used to be a resource planet right?"

"Yes. It was mined out for the water reserves. Some of the water in the cave systems was incredibly pure. Mother said it hadn't been touched by anything in centuries. The other Dynasties mined most of it, but after mother took power she managed to conserve a few small pools"

"Damn" Anarchy giggled, "Your mam sounds badass"

Genesis snorted, "That she is"

"So what about Gaia and Astréa" Merlin muttered, seemingly unsure of what else to say, "What's their story?"

Anarchy shrugged, "Astréa is pretty mixed. There's a bunch of gems below the first crust and other energy mines. It's close enough to Gaia that it was colonized pretty quickly when the first landers started to spread out"

Aeryn thought for a second, wondering what he could say about his home planet without giving much away, "Gaias got a lot of arable farmland. But most of the wealth comes from the artifacts the first landers left. They're protected under some protocol"

Genesis but in, "I heard Gaias a powerhouse in synthetics smuggling"

Aeryn cracked, throwing his head back, "Yeah, Gaius likes to turn his head to those things. Hey, I guess it makes good money"

"You have books too right" Merlin asked excitedly. The waves of nervousness no longer beeming off of him, "Not on tabs, like proper real books"

"Yup, whole library of them. But it's only for historians or the royal family"

Genesis looked just as excited, "Is it true they cut your head off if you take one out?"

"Genesis" Merlin gasped, "Who told you that?"

Genesis shrugged, "Doesn't matter"

Aeryn shook his head with an amused smile, "They don't cut your head off. But yeah, if you take one without permission it's a death sentence"

"That's bullshit" Anarchy scoffed.

Aeryn grinned in agreement, "Danm right it is. But I guess a dumb population is easier to manage"

"All hail Anarchism", Anarchy cried. Raising her fists into the air.

The servents cut off their talks, carrying in dishes and setting them down in front of then. Aeryn leaned over the table to get a better look at the food. It looked like a type of meat, boiled in a stew alongside some dull vegetables. Aeryn winced, it looked foul.

"What the hell is this?" Anarchy snarled. Putting a spoon into the stew and stirring it around with a look of disgust.

Merlin tilted his head, like he wasn't expecting her reaction, "Ara thought you'd like the national dish. It's called cotyle"

"What is it?" Aeryn said, feeling his stomach rumbling. Whether that was from hunger or the absolute horror of a stew in front of him, he couldn't say.

Merlin continued after popping a piece in his mouth, "In the early days, before lab farms, everything was imported. Bólach was the cheapest, they breed them everywhere. So the miners started making this because it was really their only option"

"But you have other dishes now. What's the point of still eating-", Anarchy gestured to the slob in front of her, "-This?"

"Mother thinks it's important we remember our past. It's important for development. I know everyone thinks Xiulium only cares about advancements. In technology, society, culture and everything in between. But we like to remember our past, it's important to learn from. We only really eat cotyle on special occasions or festivals"

"This looks like mud" Aeryn groaned. Pushing the vegetables around the bowl.

Merlin curled into himself, in a quiet voice he said, "You don't have to eat it if you don't want to"

Anarchy laughed, "Yeah right. I'm starving, right Aeryn" she said sending him a look

Aeryn licked his lips, "Yeah. I'm famished"

Aeryn took a deep breath and readied himself to possibly run to the toilets. when the food fell on his tongue his mouth was assaulted with an assortment of spices, the texture of the meat and veg alike was perfectly cooked, soft, almost melting down his throat. It was delicious

Aeryn threw more into his mouth, slurping up the bowl. Anarchy mirrored him, loudly smacking as she gobbled down the dish, "Fuck this is good"

"What's the old phrase?" Merlin asked, smiling now, "Don't judge a book by its cover?"

"Old phrase? That's ancient Merlin" Genesis smirked.

Merlin ignored them, focusing back on Aeryn, "Tell me more about the books"

"Sure thing Blondie"

*.ﾟﾟ.*

Dexter came and lead the children away from the dining hall. He'd come with a summons from the Mother's, breaking the light atmosphere Aeryn had found with the others. They all moved as a group down the hall towards the negotiations room, Aeryn kept close to Anarchy. Neither one said anything, but they were both stiff as could be, and Aeryn could practically feel his anxiety radiating across the hall to the others.

The Mother's joined the group from the right wing, the family's personal wing. Araminta send them a small smile, then spoke a few low words over Dexter's shoulders. China kept her face hardset and looked straightforward. Aeryn could see the slight hairs sticking up in the back of her hair. Had she had a rough night? Was she worried? That couldn't be a good sign. What if she had spent the night tossing about in fear of a Pixidain fleet coming for them, coming for Xiulium? Would that fear make her send them back?

Aeryn hoped he could at least change her mind if that was the case.

Merlin and Genesis began to make their way into the negotiations room first. Before he could step inside though, two soft hands settled on each of his shoulders.

Araminta was on Aeryns side, touching his shoulder and leaning close to his ear all the same. “Try not to worry too much, dears" she said, her voice giving Aeryn a type of comfort he had never known. “Nothing within this meeting will be set in stone. We only want to ask you a few questions. Get the bigger picture"

“And preferably any insight you might have on how to finally rid us of that Madman” China huffed, before stepping over to her children. Araminta did the same, dropping her hands from his shoulders and gesturing at the door for the pair to go first.

Aeryn was reeling over the fact that Araminta had casually offered an ease for his worries. No games. No power plays. Not like on Gaia, where everyone had an ulterior motive. It was just raw kindness that sounded so genuine. Of course, this could be an attempt at tricking them, but it seemed too simple for that.

With his thoughts spinning wildly in his head, Aeryn made his way inside the negotiations room with Anarchy looking just as bewildered as he felt. The others had already taken their seats, leaving two chairs at the end of the table. The pair sat opposite the family. Anarchy and Aeryn sharing a quick look and trying to steel their nerves.

Gritting his teeth, Aeryn straightened up in his seat and pointedly tried not to look in Aras gaze. Afraid that glowing gentleness would make everything tumble put of him. Make him loose any sense of control over his emotions. Beneath the table, he squeezed Anarchy's hand, and breathed a small sigh of relief when she squeezed back.

“Alright, I’m sure you’re all quite tired from your journeys here, so today’s meeting won’t take up too much of your time,” Araminta began, folding her hands in front of her. “Please, try to tell us as much as you're comfortable with. Even insignificant details, so that we might be better equipped to discuss our next courses of action over the following days.”

Immediately, Anarchy stiffened as Aeryn tried to hide a wince. They both knew they'd need to speak about the events on Pixidys. Their escape too. This was something he had been expecting. This was what the meeting was all about. Still, that didn’t make it any easier to talk about.

Aeryn figured it would be up to him to speak first, being the highest of rank between him and Anarchy. Really he shouldn't be the one to do this, Anarchy could probably keep a clearer head than he could. But he pushed those thoughts down and straightened his back.

“I’ll try to, uh, not get too rambly with this,” Aeryn began, blinking fast as he struggled to focus his gaze on one person. 

“Take your time, and just explain it as best you can,” China then said in a surprisingly gentle voice.

Aeryn nodded, closing his eyes as he took another breath. His grip on Anarchy's hand must have been painful, but she didn’t make a single move to pull away.

“We travelled to Pixidys for a meeting between emmiseries and Children of many of the Dynasties”, he told the group, keeping his eyes fixed on the centre of the table. 

"How many?" China questioned, frowning at him.

"Ten" Aeryn replied, "All but Svæitgar and Xiulium. We overheard the Father Mevolent and his Generals talking about keeping the emmiseries hostage. He wants to make a deal between the Dynasties. In return for keeping his food exports up, he won't hurt them"

"That sounds like a short term plan" Araminta said, her face moulding into one deep in thought, "He can't keep the emmiseries forever. It might get the trading bans lifted for some time. But once he hands the emmiseries back over he'll be feeling the full force of the Dominion fall upon him and his people"

China nodded, "You're right. That means there's another motive for all this"

Araminta returned her attention to Aeryn, "What else happened?"

"We tried escaping with my sister, The Child Rose. But-" Aeryn said, after several long moments of silence, taking a deep breath to try and calm his pounding heart, "We had to leave her behind. The guards were coming. Mevolent said he wouldn't hurt her, he needed my sister for something. He said she had potential, but I'm not sure for what"

"Why did you leave her?"

"Genesis-" Ara began warningly, sending a stern look to her youngest.

"No Ara, Genesis is right" China interupted, resting a hand on her wife, "I know it's a difficult thing to talk about, but we need to know why?"

Aeryn took a shuttered breath, "We tried to convince her to come with us. She didn't believe us at first, said Mevolent wouldn't do anything to us. By the time we got her running it was too late. The guards had got her"

China's eye's widened, eyes focused intently on him, "Aeryn can your sister use the sight?"

"Y-Yes. She's a Draíchta"

Araminta looked to China, "You don't mean-?"

"I do", she said grimly, turning back to Aeryn, "Have you ever heard of Mevolents namesake, and his daughter Arkéios?"

"No we haven't", Aeryn said, shaking his head.

China straighted herself, hands curled over each other, as though she was ballining her nerves into oblivion, "My family were heavily involved in the Church of the Faceless. It's a tale we all grew up learning. The first Mevolent was a saint, him and his daughter were the first to attempt to breach the eye of gods, to return the Faceless ones-"

"-Arkéios was originally a Draíchta. She and her father used bodies together, but they were consumed by the eye of gods. In the Church, they believe Mevolent a messiah. The reincarnation of the original Mevolent sent to return the Faceless ones. But he can't do it alone"

Aeryn frowned, "You think he wants Rose to help him? No way, she's barely a Draíchta. She has talent sure but she's never been able to pick up any discipline of the sight besides it. And she wouldn't help him. Our father drilled in the hatred of the Faceless ones to us"

The trails of Aeryns voice echoed in the air, Merlin shrunk back in his seat, looking un-comfortable. Anarchy stayed unaturally still as the words sunk into her. Aeryns own heartbeat picked up thinking back to his sister, remembering the way Rose's cries echoed off the halls, how Anarchy was desperately clutching the back of his shirt and struggling to run.

Aeryn glanced at Anarchy. They both knew well enough this wasn't a trail of conversation either of them wanted to go down. But they needed answers.

"The Ríthair is a difficult man" Araminta muttered bitterly, picking at her nails. "I imagine forcing a child into one set of beleifes would just push them in the opposite direction. A direction Mevolent might take advantage of"

Anarchy cut in, "So you think he wants to bring the Faceless ones back?"

"Keeping the emmiseries hostage could work in the short term" China explained, lifting her head a bit, "None of the other Dynasties would try to stop them breaching the eye of gods. That has to be his real plan. Once they've returned there will be no stopping him"

Genesis tilted their head, "He really thinks he can bring them back?"

"He's a madman" China huffed, "Of course he does"

"But that's impossible" Merlin cried, scowling deeply, "Why don't we just wait him out. There's no way he could hope to bring back the Faceless ones. Once the other Dynasties realise that they'll come for him"

"But what if he can" China muttered, "What if he's already found a way?"

Aeryn sent her a pointed look, shuffling in his seat, "What do you mean?"

"Black holes act as gateways to other universes. But once you enter nothing can leave. That's the theory anyway. In those universe's there are millions of black holes that lead to billions of other dimensions. It's almost impossible to navigate. Unless someone is guiding you" China explained, "The original Mevolent made that mistake first. Both him and his daughter went through, in their bodies, leaving no one to pull them back. No one to guide them either. The body was destroyed in the eye of gods grasp, and once their enemies set foot on Pixidys they killed both Mevolent and Arkéios. The Father has been the only body user for the last few decades. If he could find another, such as your sister, they could keep a link while one of them entered and the other pulled them back"

Aeryn frowned, "It would rip them apart. The only way the Faceless ones could of survived it was because they had no physical bodies"

"The art of bodies involves projection of the consciousness into another form" China continued, "While they do use biological suits to avoid fighting with the host over conscious control. But if someone could project themselves through the eye of gods, into a Faceless one. Then theoretically they could lead them back"

Anarchy suddenly spoke up, "You think Mevolent is training Rose to bring the Faceless ones back?"

"It's the only reason I can see him sparing her" China said, "Mevolent has some of the strongest sight users on his side-"

"Like Vile" Aeryn interrupted, a deep scowl on his face.

"And many more dear" Araminta said, face curled in disgust, "He'd only keep someone if they could give him something in return. The only thing he truly wants"

Anarchy scoffed, a bitter thing, "So what can we do?"

"I'll have to consider that" Araminta mumbled, her finger rubbing her chin, "You said Xiulium and Svæitger were the only Dynasties not represented on Pixidys right?"

"That's right", Anarchy replied

"Then we start there. Leave us please. We'll try get in contact with Svæitgar and explain everything to them. But I can't promise anything"

China nodded at her wife and waved her hand, "You're dismissed"

Anarchy sat up quickly, the chair squeeking behind her, and dipped into a bow, "Thank you, Mother's"

Aeryn scrambled into a bow, "Yes thank you"

Araminta smiled, "Don't thank us dears. Try to make yourselves comfortable while we take care of this for now"

The pair nodded, and turned to leave. Before they heard Araminta speak up, "Another thing-"

Aeryn blinked in surprise, "Yes?"

"I thought it would be better for my children to show you around. Think if them as people you can come to if you have questions"

Merlin lifted his head, "If you're not comfortable in your rooms, your welcome to stay in mine or Genesis's"

China chuckled, "Let's not get ahead of ourselves Merlin" she said, smoothing down his blonde hair.

Anarchy grinned, not sly or mischievous, she looked touched, "That's very kind, but we'd like to stay were we are for now"

Araminta dipped her head, "Of course. Please get some rest. It's exactly what you both need right now"

Chapter Text

I spent many a time alongside the Child of Gaia. But I must have you know, while Aeryn Fell was a boy of great potential, he was no hero, no messiah come to rid the world's of evil. He was just a boy.

The paths of faith in the Dominion lead to many roads, but all bare the teachings of a great one foretold. A spectacle for all to bare witness. In the Church of the Faceless, they believe Mevolent a messiah, in Alphanium they worship the Oighdaor. One who brings peace and unity, or sorrow and destruction. Yet who's to say which is which? All of humanity have their reason, can an action truly ever be evil?

Spectacle, that's all it is. Perhaps there are chosen ones in this voidless universe, but for now, in my time, they are not here. The heroes and villains are all simply pawns in a game. Spectacle's for all to see, but nothing more.

In my younger years things seemed so black and white. Good and evil. Right and wrong. In my adolescence everything became grey, I questioned all. I believed everyone, no matter how vile, to have reason.

And now, after all I've seen, well, I truly don't know anymore. That's for you to decide, reader.

✧.*☬*.✧

"Why don't I take you both into the city? It might be a good way to get things off your mind"

Aeryn looked up from his food and frowned at Merlin. It had been a week since their first breakfast together, while the oddness of it all still hadn't worn off of him, Aeryn found it easier to fall into the routine with the Children each day that passed. This offer was a first though.

They had all gathered in the dining room. Himself, Anarchy, and the Mother's Children, all greedily tucked into another Xiulium dish of some kind of mushroom and stock. Aeryn still had his spoon in his mouth when Merlin sprung the question onto him.

"You can go into the city?" he asked, mouth full of food, "Don't we need guards?"

Sure, Aeryn had learned to sneak off in his teens, but before then his father had placed the tightest security feasibly possible onto him and his siblings. Aeryn and Rose found their ways around it, but that was partially because they were never Gaius's priority. There wouldn't be a hope in hell of Bernadette or Ciarán being able to leave the Acropolis unaccompanied. And certainly not to any area amongst the 'common folk'. 

Genesis snorted into their soup and Merlin waved his hand nonchalauntly, as if Aeryn's mention of guards was ridiculous. "Not at all. I do go out in a glamour to protect our privacy, but it's very safe, especially in the city centre"

"You really don't need guards?"Aeryn muttered, taking a long sip of his breakfasts broth.

From his side Anarchy scoffed, "What?" She said, folding her arms incredulously, "You need a babysitter or something?"

Aeryn punched her shoulder. Anarchy retaliated with more force than really necessary, but then again this was Anarchy. In that sense Aeryn wasn't all too surprised when she crushed him into a headlock.

Merlin seemed a bit concerned at their bickering, probably worried Anarchy might actually fling him across the table. But instead of voicing it he shrugged, "Mother trusts us to take care of ourselves"

Aeryn managed to finally shove Anarchy off him (Not before she almost pulled a chunk of his hair out), yet still found himself hesitating Merlin's offer. He knew the streets of Gaia's capitals. Knew all the area's to avoid and who would keep his anonymity. But here he didn't have that blanket of protection. Here he didn't have money or status to bribe his way into things, he was just a foreign boy. But maybe that could work in his favour? No one would recognize him, and besides, being cooped up in the closing walls of the palace wasn't doing him any favours. He was going stir crazy and no amount of tech pads or wandering could fix that.

Anarchy didn't share his apprehension, and Aeryn was starting to wonder if she'd ever felt any in her life, immediately responding with a "Sounds good"

When he turned back to him, he knew the look she was giving him meant he could either join them or have his ass kicked. Sighing, he knew his fate was sealed, "Sure, what could go wrong?"

But he couldn't deny he was curious.

The day went by in a blur of conversation and an agonising wait till the sky settled into a deep night. As Aeryn lay twisting in his bed, waiting for a tell tale knock on the door, well into the after-hours. Not being able to get his mind off an adventure. A chance to finally do something and get his mind off everything happening. Anarchy sat in the bed next to him, mirroring his plight. Shuffling her hands around in silence.

So when the knock finally came, both raced to scramble for the knob, eager and ready to meet Merlin and Genesis on the other side.

When the door opened, Aeryn frowned at the shiny locket in Merlin's hands. Anarchy meanwhile, chuckled, clearly amused, "Aw friendship bracelets. You shouldn't have Merlin"

Merlin blushed a scarlet red in embarrassment, "Uh no I-"

"They're glamour pods, idiots. Here-" Genesis grabbed the necklace from Merlin's grasp. Placing it over their neck and pressing its centre. One moment Aeryn was looking at Genesis, with their wild, brightly dyed hair and young face. The next moment, he was faced with someone older, with braided hair and blue tips. "-Ta-da! Tap 'em when we get out and boom! New face"

"Cool" Anarchy said, giving hers a light touch before she was encased in another face. A muscular blonde with her hair tumbling into cut stair steps. It was unnatural to see someone else in place of his friend. Still the uncanny shock of it all brought with it the buzz of excitement underneath his skin. 

When Aeryn put his necklace on he noticed his clothes morph into a dark jacket. Patches lined across the sleeves with slogans written in colourful graffiti paint. His hair felt longer, brushing against his back in an uneven purple. He figured if he had a mirror he'd look like hot shit.

"I gave Aeryn the ugly one" Genesis snorted.

Aeryn grumbled, there were no mirrors here, he better not have a crooked jaw or anything,"Oh c'mon!"

They started through the castle, while Genesis and Anarchy joked at Aeryns expense and he complained. Following Merlin's lead they stepped into the far edges neither Aeryn or Anarchy had been willing to venture. Merlin however moved with a knowing ease, he had grown up there after all. If Aeryn ever got the chance to bring them back to Gaia for a visit, he'd be sure to show them all the secret nooks he'd discovered in his youth.

Merlin brought them through a pair of remarkably plain doors, into what Aeryn would guess was a spare room of sorts. In the main section of the room, there were rows of pews pushed and folded against the far walls, with more of those delicate stain glass depictions Aeryn had seen on their arrival. Looking close though, he noticed some of the artwork didn't line up. On one, the planet of Xiulium basked in an expanding light, with hands reaching up to it. A universal image in Odeiséon, worshipping the planet itself as a heavenly deity. While on other sections a white shapeless creature towered over people and worlds alike, gifting them fire, building mountains, carving cauldrons to hold the oceans. 

The Faceless ones, no doubt.

The children stood under a dome of opaque blue in the twilight that rose high above them, with jutting lines of metal travelling up the walls and meeting in the centre, like an arch of heaven.

Through the glass, the soft twinkling in the night sky broke through in moving constellations that lit up inside Aeryn's eyes. From their descent, he'd thought the stars wouldn't be visible from the surface, but the palace was a distance from the city, atop a low mountain. Perhaps the light pollution really couldn't reach them here. 

This must have been a room of worship, by the looks of things. Most Odeiséon prayer rooms were bare, reserved for those who couldn't find time for their faith within nature. The elderly, the sick, or people who just needed a quiet space to think. Aeryn hadn't seen any temple's of the Church of the Faceless before, but he'd heard they'd included altars and a podium in some. He wondered briefly if the pews could be folded over into a makeshift stage for ceremonies.

The accommodations made his head spin. On Gaia, there had always been a mix of Atheism and Odeiséon. Still, seldom did he see places of prayer, and Gaius had certainly never made time to invest in them. Even on other planets, they kept the faiths strictly separate from mingling with each other. Fearing being tainted by 'non believers'. But here, the open space seemed like it could be used for any number of religious gatherings. The Brotherhood, the Church, Odeiséon as well as possibly Alphanium. It was strange.

Their little group made their way towards one of the largest art installations. One of an imposing mountain range overseen by a fiery haired woman, standing above. Aeryn thought it resembled Araminta, maybe it had been a commission when she took the throne, or just a coincidence. Merlin ran his hand along the steel lines holding the glass together, before stopping right above the gilded woman's knee. He pushed down, and with a click, a small chunk of the glass opened into what looked like a small alcove.

Merlin dipped his head and went in first, beckoning them after him. Inside was a narrow passageway, unseen from the outside and silent. A void of darkness stretching down the length of the tunnel into oblivion. Merlin and Genesis looked unphased, creeping into the clustered passage. Aeryn snapped his fingers and a stout flame fluttered across his fingers, easing his nerves somewhat. Beside him Anarchy's face was drawn in a tight line and he could tell she was nervous despite her bold front. In their defence, this was exactly the type of place a serial killer would lead their would be victims.

"What is this?" Anarchy breathed, taking in the small alcove they found themselves in.

"It's a passage" Merlin answered, traversing his way slowly in the dim light, "The palace was built on the ruins of the old one. It leads right along the river bank into the city"

"You have rivers?" Aeryn asked with a frown. From what he knew, Xiulium was a dried pit compared to the once abundant planet of water. The rivers should have been drained decades ago, with all the scrambling for the planet's steadily declining surface water supply.

"Only a few artificial ones. Mother's trying to bring back the natural landscapes. There used to be a Quey all the towns were built beside, but then the surface drained and now all the streams are underground. Cerephim had one, Ozmans way I think they called it? But it got so polluted from all the mining and waste the old rulers thought it cheaper to just drain it"

Aeryn grimaced, "Waste?"

Genesis snickered, the sound bouncing through the passage, "Shit, Aeryn. People used to dump their rubbish in it. Toilet water too"

"That's disgusting" Anarchy muttered with a scowl, "Do I gotta plug my nose when we get out or something?"

"Oh no no. It's perfectly clean again" Merlin assured with a light smile, "But according to Mother, when she was a child, some of the older locals said it used to reek"

"Lovely", Anarchy grumbled 

Surprisingly the walk only took them twenty minutes. Had they used a Maglev train it would have only taken a minute or two, but Aeryn hadn't had a good chance to stretch his legs, so in that sense the journey was worth it. The passage led them out beside a body of water, bellow a set of steps leading up to the streets. Aeryn had to stop himself from gasping when he got a good look at it.

Gaius had been right. The Xiuliums really did pack themselves in like sardines. Clusters of high rise buildings sat on top of each other, built into any space possible, leaving only a few narrow alleyways between them. The buildings are razor sharp and asymmetrical in build, illuminated with blaring neon lights, competing for attention. The lower levels more so, with brightly coloured shops where hoards of citizens clustered outside of. There were hologram advertisements everywhere too. A floating campaign with a flickering voice preaching some industrial odds. Another of a green haired woman carrying an umbrella, the handle glowing. It was unlike anything he'd ever seen, overrun by the liveliness of its inhabitants

Merlin led the way, down streets packed with people in the same extravagant clothing he wore. Covered in artistic stitching and blinding LEDs. The fabrics were different from Gaia. Sheen chrome effects and razor sharp lines seemed all the rage. Perhaps this was where the elites of Gaia took their inspiration from?

They stopped for a few short minutes, at a fabrics shop for Merlin and a trincket store for Genesis. But nothing caught Aeryn's eye yet, he was too encompassed by the rainbow hues in every direction. Until Anarchy gave his shoulder a tap.

"I want that jacket" she said, looking between the crowd, at a small group of officers on break.

Merlin piped up, "There's a market on septers row, we could find you something similar"

"No" she said with a grin that could only inspire mischief, "I want that jacket"

"Anarchy, th- that's a guards uniform" Merlin stuttered, eyeing her nervously.

"Perfect. Aeryn get me the jacket"

"Get it yourself prick" Aeryn snapped, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"I'm too tired. And you've got noodle arms that need work", she got behind him to give his shoulders a nudge, "Off you go"

Aeryn groaned, but didn't refuse her. That was a particularly pointless endeavour he wasn't bothered with. Anarchy could snap his arms and fling him over to the guards if he said no, so better to get this over with, with his arm still intact.

Steadily, he made his way over to the guards. Standing near, but far enough away to blend in with the crowds while still keeping an eye out for an opportunity. It came when one of the younger cops excused himself behind one of the alleyways, presumably to take a leak.

Great, Aeryn thought, making his way behind him. His steps took on an awkward shuffle. Aeryn had been hoping to appear collected, but he was pretty sure he just looked constipated.

"Hi uh-" he said nervously, staring at the guard. But when their eyes met, the guard's face dropped with a look of relief. "Can you help me find the toilets?"

"Sure thing dude" he said with a carefree smile, "The mall district's got a public toilet in it. Right at the end of the street there. But if you're really bursting there's alleyways all round us"

Aeryn chuckled, he liked this guy. But then the mission at hand came back to him, and he balanced on his heels trying to figure out what to do now, "Thanks dude… so nice jacket"

Real smooth Aeryn.

To his surprise the guard seemed to beam at that, "Pretty neat huh? City guard uniform. Gets me a lot of fellas at the club. Hey what can I say, people like a man in uniform" The cop gave a twirl, showing off the leathery red fabric as it reflected the city lights. Aeryn had to admit, it was a really cool jacket.

"Cool. I'd uh, sure love to have one"

"Oh really? Awesome. Hey hold on-" he stuck his hand in the coat pocket, shuffling around for a bit only to produce a flyer and shove it in Aeryn's hand, " -There's a training camp on in the next few months. It won't get you a job right off, but it's good for experience. Plus the guard city colleges love this kinda thing on a resume"

"Uh actually-"

"It's a pretty good way to get a feel for the job before you start. Because I messed up big time not taking that course. Got thrown right into things on day one"

"Sounds neat but-"

"Hey it's a great job though. Wouldn't change it for the world or anything. I get it people ain't too hot about cops and shit but trust me this job is-"

Aeryn's torment was hastily ended by one Anarchy Blues, whacking a steel bin lid against the guards head. Merlin was looking rather horrified, while Genesis held their stomach in uncontrollable laughter as the guards face pulled into something of shock, then fell into an unnatural droop as he slipped over in front of them.

Bummer

"What the hell was that for?" He pointed. He could have definitely gotten that jacket if she'd given him some time. Definitely, there was no doubt about it. And he could have gotten the guy's number if karma was on his side.

"You were taking ages" she said with a pointed scowl, "Don't be so slow next time"

"Hey I had him!"

"I think he had you dumbass"

"If you just gave me five minutes -"

"More like five hours. You're really a pushover ya know?"

"Uh guys-" Merlin interrupted, slithering nervously next to them with Genesis in tow.

"Not now Merlin" Anarchy grumbled, not bothering to look his way.

"Guys"

"What?" The pair screamed at him.

Merlin didn't have the opportunity to finish when a horde of officers rounded the corner, to witness the unlikely sight of four teens standing over a crumbled city guard.

Anarchy, for all her worth, reacted the quickest, "Oh shit, scatter!"

Aeryn didn't hesitate. The guards started on them, screaming at them to stop, but Anarchy gripped his sleeve and near dragged him round the alley corner, behind the building's covers of darkness. Merlin and Genesis raced behind their heels panting and consistently whipping their heads around to see if they'd gotten away. Yet still the guards were there in pursuit.

"This way", Merlin yelled, his voice and steps fading as he veered off with Genesis through an adjacent alley. Anarchy tried to steer them around after him, but the guards were too close. So instead they continued on and hoped Merlin could lose them in the street crowds.

The pair ran through the back streets of Xiulium, and though they were faster than the city guards, their clothing and shoes kept hampering their speed. After a while they started gaining quickly. Aeryn could feel his heart drum in his chest, like the fear he'd felt running through the Pixidain palace, like it was only a matter of time before they closed the distance. Anarchy pulled him left and dashed down a side street, more than likely thinking they could lose them if they could find their way onto a main street. It wasn't until they had ran all the way down the dim lane that Aeryn realised it was a dead end. A damp, flat wall, with only a few dilapidated window ledges that looked ready to crumble.

They were trapped. Aeryn whirled his head around to see if they could turn and get back to the open street before the guards realised where they'd gone? No, there was no time. The guards came fumbling round the bend, standing in the alley entrance. Not running now. They knew there was nowhere the pair could go. Aeryn cursed to himself, They can't catch us, they can't! The appeared certainly of their capture overwhelmed him. As though they were right back on Pixidys, the terror and adrenaline circling through them at the knowing that if they were caught, everything was over. What if the city guard dragged them back to the Mother's and they booted them back to Mevolent for their disrespect? What if they choose to just be rid of them and be done with all the mess they've caused?

C'mon up this way, he heard Anarchy's voice rattle in his mind, touched with the same lingering horror he felt. She jumped and caught one of the ledge's, a few stones creeping off onto the ground, but it held firm under her weight as she pushed herself up higher. Aeryn had no other choice but to follow.

Where are we going?

Hell if I know. But it's away from them

They made it just over the ledge, to a set of rusting metal stairs leading to a roof door. It was a long shot, but it's all they had as the city guards started firing balls of fire and streams of power towards them.

A stream of energy soared past Anarchy's head, singeing the tip of her ear. They clambered up the stairs, trying their best not to slip as they closed the gap between the roof's door, only three flights.

Aeryn lagged at Anarchy's heels, spluttering like he'd never heard before. Gasping for a breath that never filled his lungs. They were slow, too slow and the guards were close.

Two flights

They neared the top of the landing. Edging closer to the hint of the rooftops steel door, moonlight pouring through its cracks. Aeryn begged it not to be bolted.

One flight.

The clobbering of footsteps along the alleyways floor changed to ones pounding across metal, mingled with the gruff yells of the city guard echoing through the enclosed space, bouncing through his skull. Now was not the time to get distracted. 

Now

Anarchy flung her arms back to Aeryn, grasping his hands and throwing all of their weight into the door. The hinges burst and the door screeched across the cold roof top. 

Shit.

The building they sought refuge on had two parallel alleyways on either side. Even if they could jump it, the sharp incline of the buildings roof next to them would send them straight to their untimely demise. There were no exterior stairs, no drain pipes to climb off. No way down.

Well, one way down.

The voices grew louder, frenzied, as they closed in on them. No time to think. Anarchy desperately scanned their surroundings for any alternative means of escape. She wasn't an elemental or a Draíchta, she couldn't use anything here to get them down. Aeryn heaved beside her, his skin felt clammy and a patch of spittle clung to the corner of his mouth, he'd take a guess he looked like he'd collapse any minute. But they were out of options and no way in hell was he letting this be the end of things for himself or Anarchy. They'd escaped a planet of nutcases and Aeryn wasn't about to let them get caught by some amateur cops.

Anarchy's face moulded into one of knowing. She had a plan, a plan that probably involved a lot of pain on his end, but it was better than anything he had right now. She knelt next to him, and whispered, "Aeryn I know it hurts like a bitch, but get a hold of yourself, we've gotta do this. Only way off of here is down" 

Aeryn raised his head for just a moment to glare at her. If he could talk he'd say, You owe me so much fucking food after this. 

She smirked at him, "Get us out of this and I'll buy you all the nuggets your tiny heart desires"

The footsteps alerted them both. A line of guards launched themselves from the stairwell to the roof. The head of the operation himself stood ahead of them. A wave of his hand was all it took to have every blaster pointing in their direction. The dude was stubby and bald, with a fuzzy moustache that looked too big for his face. He smelled bad. 

"The hell's your name?" Anarchy asked.

"You-" The officer snarled, but Anarchy wasn't one to listen to an authority.

"You look like a John"

"As executive director of the city guard I place you…"

"No Luke. Definitely a Luke. What do you think, Aeryn?"

Aeryn coughed in what he hoped she'd understand was agreement. 

"….Under arrest for assault on a city guard…"

"You know what, maybe I'll stick with John. Luke's aren't usually that bald"

"Can you please shut up!"

"Sorry Luke"

Luke signed, "My name is not Luke. Be quiet and let me arrest you!"

"Listen Luke, we're kinda in a hurry. So if you could just let us leave that would be great"

"What part of I am arresting you don't you understand? You've committed a serious criminal offence"

"Luke, we're gonna miss our show, it's the finale. That would be a criminal offence"

"No, this is not negotiable. I am placing you under arrest"

"But you haven't arrested us yet. It's late, can't we just call it a day and leave this whole thing behind us?"

"Stop this nonsense. You're under arrest right now"

Aeryn finally caught his breath, eyeing Anarchy as he felt the breeze around him pick up. She grinned, "You know Luke, to be under arrest we do have to be wearing handcuffs. You haven't caught shit old man"

They bolted for the roofs' edge before the guards could blink. Aeryn threw himself off the edge first, tumbling down the building's side, fast approaching the ground. As Anarchy leaped off the edge she twisted to look at the executive's dumbfounded expression, flipping him off as she disappeared over the edge and plunged towards the concrete. The acceleration picked up as he dove, Anarchy behind him, scrambling for a hold and finally clasping his hand. They soared closer and closer, the wind rushing past his ears as they descended. Closer and closer to the footpath.

Now.

Aeryn's hand flew upwards and the wind followed his command, encompassing and launching them high above the skyline through the clouds. Aeryn's heart might have skipped a beat as they climbed higher. He'd used the wind to float before, but he'd never been able to fly. It was a kind of power he'd never felt before, as if the dile had been turned all the way to ten. At some point they started screaming, but Aeryn couldn't hear a thing over the howl of the wind in his ears. The tingling of unfiltered power tumbled under his skin in a way he'd never felt before. It felt different, it felt charged, it felt mighty.

It was freedom itself.

Anarchy turned her head about and scanned the buildings of Cerephim, looking for a landing site. One that wouldn't shatter their knees preferably. She stuck her finger in front of him, spotting the empty park a few hundred metres off. It was one of the more mellow parts of the city, with only sparse groups of drunken students capable of spotting them. Aeryn was reminded of the time he'd ran into a group of them at a bar of Gaia. He'd once convinced a drunk girl she was holding a baby duck. The poor girl had named said baby duck, Simon. She was rather distraught to learn Simon was a handbag.

The wind dipped and the pair wobbled dangerously. Anarchy laughed, and Aeryn couldn't help but join her, this was too fun. As they shook unsteadily again in the air, Aeryn smirked and wondered if it would be easier if he dropped Anarchy. As if reading him, she grabbed Aeryn's jacket tighter as their altitude dropped, not wanting to fall. The tops of the buildings drew closer, windows glimmering as they flew overhead, the wind weaving through the streets, rustling the jackets of the few wanderer's. They set down in an abandoned lot and Aeryn promptly threw up.

Anarchy's face scrunched in disgust, "Don't pass out. I'm not gonna carry you back princeling" she warned, dusting off her jacket.

"Thank you so much for saving us" Aeryn said, doing his best to mimic her voice, "We couldn't have pulled that off without you. Of course I'll help you home"

She grinned, "Don't get vomit on my boots"

*.ﾟﾟ.*

"You're lucky I don't send you right back to Mevolent. How dare you put my children in harm's way"

Aeryn flinched at the way China's words cut across him. He was sitting, hunched over in shame before the Mother's, after he and Anarchy had been caught trying to sneak back into the place. Dexter had nabbed them the second they came through the palace and practically dragged them both before an enraged China Sorrows. Aeryn kept his head low and eyes towards the ground as if he was dealing with a wild animal before him. Anarchy wasn't fairing much better. They both kept themselves small, bracing themselves for another sharp growl to be sent their way.

Araminta was doing what she could to keep her wife's wrath at bay. There was a hint of a soft smile curving on her lips, a smile Aeryn always found could rid of his inner turmoil. But with every shout that came from China it seemed to drop lower and lower. Replaced by concern. Whether that concern was for her wife or what her wife might do to Aeryn, he couldn't know.

Araminta brought her hands to her wife's shoulder's, in a feeble attempt to calm the situation, "China dear, they're teenagers"

China brushed her wife's hands away, still radiating a scalding anger, "I don't care. Merlin and Genesis could have gotten hurt"

"I thought your kids were sight users" Anarchy said suddenly, making Aeryn wince. 

Shut up, he barked inside her head, and she shot him a look of daggers.

China stuck her finger in Anarchy's face and spat, "Don't vex me further girl. We've given you our hospitality and you repay us by putting our children in jeopardy. I should have you both thrown in gaol for this"

"Oh China, don't fret," Araminta said in a lulling voice, reaching for her wife's hand, "You know how we used to be during our teenage years. Always causing havoc"

"Not like this Ara" China replied.

Araminta turned her attention towards the disgraced pair, and continued despite China's scorn, "Merlin is a jumper you see. But it's a recent development, and Genesis only just began their studies. They haven't advanced much. I like to let them into the cities to learn their way around their people. It builds character I should think?"

"Police chases are not what I'd consider character building Ara. We should send them to the mountains, let the druids deal with them" China huffed with a dismissive wave of her hand.

"There's no need for that," Araminta reasoned with a tilt of her head.

"Then what would you have us do" China asked, a brow raised that almost seemed to be a challenge.

What would they do? Aeryn felt his heart thump against his ribs as he gritted his teeth to prepare for whatever came next. Would they throw them in a cell, ship them off to another planet where Mevolent could get to them? Or worse, would they be sent right back to him?

Aeryn wanted to smack himself for his stupidity, for his utter lack of self control and self preservation. Distantly he thought of Rose. If she'd been the one to escape, she wouldn't be in this mess. Rose had always known how to conduct herself far better than he ever could, with being constantly under the scrutiny of their father. Even when she bent the rules she knew how to go about it and seldom got caught. She'd have probably negotiated an army to her siy at this point. Yet all Aeryn could do was disappoint. It seemed that was all he'd ever be good for.

Araminta looked the pair over, then after a beat she sighed, "Confine them for a bit maybe? Then we could see about perhaps getting them into Merlin's lessons, if that's what you two would like?"

Anarchy blinked, "You want to ground us, then, teach us?"

"I do want to teach you both" Araminta replied, her voice was soft but left no room for an argument, "But yes. I think grounding is a fair punishment for the time being. You've both been through alot, I'm sure your judgement is clouded. Do try not to cause too much trouble, I wouldn't want my wife here getting too angry. She's somewhat difficult to bring down from a rage"

"Araminta!" China cried, her cheeks bursting into a scarlet hue.

"We're involved in this conflict now China, whether we like it or not. Genesis and Merlin as well"

"But they're our children Ara"

Araminta frowned, "Which is precisely why we should have been more focused on their lessons. This is a good thing, we can see our errors now. If they can't handle one night alone then they should have the opportunity to improve so these things don't happen again. If Mevolent is planning what I think he is, they need to be prepared"

Araminta turned towards the pair, her face ever radiant but holding a stern twitch in her gaze, "Now, do you have anything to say?"

"I'm sorry" The pair mumbled in unison, nodding their heads downward.

Araminta returned a nod, but China simply scoffed and folded her arms, "Just get out of my sight"

Reaching over, Araminta touched both of their shoulders in a gesture so comforting Aeryn could have forgotten they had ever been in trouble, "Rest up while myself and my wife talk things through. We'll see you come breakfast with our decision"

"But-" Anarchy began, though she was quickly cut off by the look Araminta sent towards her.

"Anarchy my dear. I wasn't asking. Go to your rooms please"

*.ﾟﾟ.*

"Where are we going?"

"There's someone you haven't met yet"

Mevolent had asked for her that morning, again. Rose had felt an otherworldly urge to listen to what he had to say, to follow him, be by his side. An unbroken loyalty, despite the events of the past weeks. Mevolent had smiled when he saw her, giving her the traditional Pixidain greetings that felt strangely comforting. His smile had been dripping with something that could’ve been pity, and Rose might've mistaken it for pity a few weeks before. But it wasn’t pity. It was something else. Something Rose wanted to identify as genuine joy.

Right then though, Rose might have just been desperate to see anyone greet her with actual happiness. She was a maelstrom of conflicting thoughts and feelings as all her time on Pixidys, of that strange comfort coursed through her. It could have been joy, yes, or it could just be her mind seeing what it wanted to see.

Then he'd whisked her off down the palace halls without another word. Vaguely, Rose started to notice the slight changes in the architecture. Grander pillars and rouge tapestries to ward off the cold. The entirety of the hall appeared more ornate with artistic sculptures of foreign trees, memorabilia from the war period, and another planet Rose didn't recognize. It took her a few moments to realise she was in the Father's personal wing, where Serefina and the General's had their quarters.

But Mevolent didn't stop, still trudging forward without a note of hesitation, so she followed him. The hall led into a mamouth dome building, with what looked to be a humble stables and pen area. Decorative trim broke up the pale stone. The walls themselves changed as they made their way further into the space. They appeared to have been coated in a whitewash with a dab of yellow to give it a youthful glow. 

It reminded Rose of when she was a child. When Miss Harrington, the housekeeper, led her round the back, down what she called the area steps that lead straight to the kitchen in the basement. "We don't use the door, that's for you and the family. We're to remain below stairs, you see"

The mews were less grand, piles of barrels and crates stacked next to hay bales and discarded tools. The stables stretched to a 'U' shape, taking up the better part of the court. There were swarms of stable hands and guards flitting to and fro, keeping busy. It all buzzed with frenzied excitement. The sands crunched beneath her feet as she was led towards the stable doors.

Upon entering Rose was met with an unlikely figure. One that caused her to jump back behind Mevolent with a sequel. The person, or thing rather, had a gruesome appearance. Pin holes under its eyes and mouth stretched with every movement, saliva and some other liquid seeping through them. Had its eyes and mouth sewn shut and reopened again? It certainly seemed that way with some loose threads still looking to have been left behind in the pores. It had abnormally long limbs and a bloody scab instead of a nose. Tall, ugly and green.

The creature's lips took on a sneer when it saw her, "Nice to meet you too girl"

"What, what is that?" Rose stuttered, peeking out from behind Mevolent and wincing every time one of the creature's spindly limbs twitched.

"That is Dr Nye. He's a personal scientist of sorts. But he used to work for the Nythes. He developed the Krôl for them" Mevolent explained, not seeming in any way startled by Nye's presence. Yet still not protesting Rose using him as a shield to cower behind.

Rose frowned, peeking out a little, "I thought they were native?"

"Nothing's native here, except the sand and a few root trees. Animals shouldn't be able to survive here, but Nye genetically engineered these beauties" he said, waving to the row of Krôl lounging in their cages.

Nye gave a nod of its head, "I worked for the Nythes dynasty, all the way back to the first ones". Its voice was ragged and coarse, as though all the moisture in its throat had been sucked dry alongside the land outside the palace. 

Then Rose hesitated, The first ones, as if the first of the Nythes? The Nythes dynasty had reached back centuries before their defeat. That wasn't possible, for Nye to be amongst the first of them.

"How- how old are you?"

Nye tutted, "Young lady, didn't anyone ever tell you it's rude to ask a person their age?"

"Very funny Nye," Mevolent mumbled, like he'd been putting up with Nye's quips for quite enough of time. Perhaps it was as old as it said.

"Were- were you one of the first ones here. Descended from the Faceless ones?" Rose couldn't think of any other reason it would be able to survive so long. There had been old technology on Old Earth that lengthened age. If the book's in the Gaian library were accurate, humans could have lived as long as 200 years. But those pieces of equipment had been left behind in the Great Crossing, and from her knowledge no one had been able to replicate them yet.

"I am quite old, child. But it's not divine intervention I'm afraid, just simple science. My body's a genetic mish-mash of hybrid DNA. I've lived a long time thanks to it"

"Nye calls itself a creanga," Mevolent told her, "An advanced type of chimaera"

"Um- Nice to meet you" she said, in nearly a whisper, but didn't offer her hand to greet him.

It looked her over a few times before answering, "You must be the girl from Gaia. Rose is it?"

She nodded.

"Are you here to show her the Krôl?" It asked, turning its attention to Mevolent.

"Yes. That first. But I also wanted to know if you would like to try claiming one?" he said, looking down at her now.

Don't trust him

The voice in her head was deafening, but oh she wanted to. Was it so terrible she wanted to finally trust someone?

I haven't lied to you yet

Mevolents words bounced off the walls of her skull. He hadn't lied to her yet. He'd hidden truths, but so had she. Over her life she'd hidden so much of herself in fear of others' consequences. She'd hidden herself from almost everyone. Except Betha and Aeryn. And look where that had gotten her. Maybe though, he'd be the one to finally stay. He'd promised. 

"I think I'll take you up on that offer" she replied, grinning like a child eager to open a present.

Mevolent and Nye led the way down the row of stables, all fitted with steel bars and removable hatches. Next to each were copper plates with writings in Menkhís that she couldn't understand.

"This here is Temesia, my girl," he said, stopping at one of the stalls and giving the Krôl inside a soft pet on her head.

Temesia had a lizard-like head, with a long snout that nuzzled into Mevolents hand, attached to a slithering lean body that took up most of the enclosure. It had no tail, but deep rounded eye's, glassy and pure. Oddly enough, it was a little cute with the way it seemed to purr.

There were more like her within the other pens. Some vibrant oranges and mixes of blue, others with flaking grey scales and thicker bodies. Long tongues and clean kept nails. Across the other end of the stables, one of the pen doors rattled in place. Accompanying an eerie shriek of something massive. Rose whipped her head towards the noise. The pen way poorly lit, but from the shadows the outline of a mammoth beast was unmistakable, "That ones loud"

"That's Melpodike" Mevolent said with an unpleasant scowl, "He's not very friendly"

Nye scoffed, "To you maybe, Mevolent. He's all bark no bite really. Everytime I feed him he licks my finger"

"He nearly bit mine off last time I tried that"

"Melpodike?" Rose asked, moving closer to the stable to get a better look through the darkness.

"It's an old name of someone Pixidain warrior" Mevolent explained, keeping close behind her, "Said to be the embodiment of judgement and tragedy"

Nye scoffed, "That's an old tale from the Nythes. Never you mind, girl. Astraeus and Anake have no riders. They're much more behaved. You can choose either if you'd like"

"Krôl are only ridden by the military or the royal family" Mevolent explained, placing a gentle hand on her back to lead her forward, "They used to be a sort of right of passage in the Nythes time. It's one of the only traditions we've kept since the end of their reign"

Rose sucked in a hesative breath. Royal family. There were implications there. Ones that Rose wasn’t sure she wanted to acknowledge. On one hand, it could be a show of power from Mevolent, letting her have one. To demonstrate they had so many Krôl, even an unimportant foreign Child could have one without consequence. The other way she could think about that was something she wasn’t sure she was ready to consider. Because it held the same implications that Mevolent and Serefinas gentle words and warm hugs came from.

In the end, she just decided not to think about it for the time being.

Mevolent went to hand her a bucket full of misshapen meat. She brought the bucket to Astraeus' pen first, throwing a piece of meat he gobbled up. When he was finished he scurried into the depths of his cage, curling himself inward and eying her like she was something to fear. Rose tried again with Anake, to the same reaction. Something felt wrong, they looked shy and apprehensive and Rose just couldn't see herself with either of them.

They didn't feel right for her.

Turning back to the other pen, shaking and rumbling from the creature within, she inched her way forwards, closer to the squealing darkness.

"Careful Rose" Mevolent called after her.

"Let her off Mevolent" Nye said, patting his shoulder with one of it's limbs, "Slow moves girl, you don't want to startle him"

Advancing on the cage, she was able to get a better look at the beast. Melpodike, she could tell, was fierce. Gold and firey eyes at the side of his head stared straight into her, pouring over her to deem her either safe or a threat. His body slithered with fluid whips and movements almost like a dance that Rose couldn't help but be enticed by. And his scales, his scales could have been an artwork. A dusty umber with splashes of golden flakes and scarlet. As if the fires of the stars themselves had been laid upon his skin. He was breathtaking.

As Rose came closer, so did he. The throaty grows fading away into what could only be described as a distorted purr. Melpodike brought his snout out to her hand, and Rose gave his forehead a scratch. That seemed to elicit his appreciation as he rolled his head further into her hand. Rose giggled and continued scratching, bringing her other hand under his chin, which made Melpodike lap out his tongue in bliss.

Mevolent stared on, eyebrows raised, "Huh I thought he wasn't friendly?"

"He's plenty friendly" Nye chuckled, "He just doesn't like you"

*.ﾟﾟ.*

"So, it's Ríthar for father and, oh what's the other one? For mother?"

"Mónya"

"Mon yeah"

"Make the 'o' longer. Mooo- an- ya"

"Ok I think I'm getting it"

Rose snickered at her friends absolute butchering of the language, "You've got to learn quickly. Gaius isn't going to be happy if he catches either of us speaking Orthodox. You're here a year already"

Betha groaned, throwing herself down on the plush grasses of the Acropolis gardens, "I don't understand why he's so high strung about any of ye speaking Orthodox. Everyone in the Dominion learns Orthodox"

Rose shook her head, "Not here. Gaius said something about maintaining appearances"

"If it was for, like, cultural purposes then yeah, I'd get that. But seriously, appearances, he's nuts" 

"That he is," Rose chuckled, then picked up the books in front of her, "Now, back to sentences. You're writing is illegible"

"Oh c'mon Rosie" Betha moaned, grasping her arm in a pleading gesture, "Orthodox was all we spoke on Svæitgar. I know less Dituri-Llewellyn than Nádulrá"

"Is it difficult? I'd like to learn it one day if father ever lets me visit Svæitgar"

"It's fine to speak, but it's a nightmare to write. There's so many rules" Betha said with a pout, clearing remeniscimg on a time she'd been forced to attempt the language.

"At least it can be written" Rose pointed out, "Some places only have audio files or tabs. Like the moon's of Shiva or Pixidys"

"You'd cry if you ever went there, no books. You'd be bored out of your mind" Betha said with a snarky tone, giving Rose's shoulder a shove.

"Shut up!"

"How do you say that in Nádulrá? I'll need it a lot since I'm staying here"

Rose smacked her, "For your information it's Whisht"

"Thank you"

"You're not going to be acting so smart when I start teaching you the Mbéal ö Mónya. You'll be awful no doubt"

"Don't be cocky" Betha quipped "And why does your family need their own bloody language anyway? It's pretentious"

"Yeah no kidding. On the bright side it's easy enough once you've got Nádulrá down. So why don't we get back to Grammar"

"You're torturing me, you know that? This is unethical"

"Whisht!"

"Someone's cheerful"

Rose raised her head from the pages of the book she'd been losing herself in. As surprised as she was to see the Mother of Pixidys, Serefinas presence wasn't unwelcome. In fact, Rose had been venturing into the library more and more in hopes she'd run into Mevolent or his wife. Despite her predicament, she strangely enjoyed their company. They respected her, and asked for her opinions. Treated her like she was wanted. Like she mattered, "Hello Serefina"

"Reading again are we? What's this?" Serefina said with a smile, coming behind Rose to peer at the book pages.

"Just a book of Gaian myths," Rose explained.

Humming, Serefina considered her for a moment, before she took a seat next to Rose, "I've read a few of these. The boy and the dog is my favourite. What was his name? Cucull?"

"Cúchulain" Rose corrected, pushing the book so it lay between both of their laps, "It's actually an Old Earthian folk tale that the first landers adapted"

"Ah yes. It's a bit gorey for a children's tale though. When my mother told it to me first I had nightmares for weeks"

Rose shrugged, "It's just a story"

"It could happen though" Serefina argued, "A boy killing a hound with a stick, it's not out of the realm of possibility. Maybe that's why it scared me so much"

Rose frowned, still gazing at the pages, "He didn't kill the hound with a stick. He hit a ball with the stick into the dog's mouth. It choked"

Serefina shuttered, "Awful isn't it? The myths certainly don't like to shy away from violence"

"My father wanted to name my brother after him, he ended up naming most of us after the myths. Aeryns named after the ancient land in the stories, Tonje after the old faeries. And Ciarán after one of the saints"

Serefina was silent again for a few long beats. When Rose finally glanced over at her, she saw that the Mother was watching her with something warm flashing through her gaze. Something sentimental.

"You know some of the myths on my home world are quite similar," Serefina said. Something in her face softened then, and all Rose could imagine was how it looked like the glowing light of the sun personified. "I suppose we have the first landers to thank for that. Do you know any myths of the Muraiki? The loathly lady?"

Rose blinked in surprise. The myths of the loathly ladies had been told to every child with the 1st Dominion and most of the 2nd. It had always been an integral part of their childhood, one of the few things Rose had been able to enjoy throughout her upbringing. It didn't matter how suffocating life became on Gaia, there was always a comfort of having Talamh there to guide her. Of knowing loathly ladies would reward her good behaviour and inevitably punish anyone who wronged her. Even if they had only been stories, and she had steadily grown out of them, they still offered her their comfort. And that was all she'd ever needed.

Blinking, Serefinas words suddenly struck her then. Serefina was told the myths, which meant she had more than likely lived in the 1st or 2nd Dominion. Had Mevolent been from there too? It was a development she should have probably given more thought to, but instead she shoved it into the back of her mind. She didn't want to be interrogating them, she wanted to continue her quaint talk with the Mother. And that's what she did.

"Too many," Rose huffed.

"You know what they called me once?" Serefina leaned in to say, "They called me a loathly lady. Like the legends. They said, a high king showed an old hag great kindness and she repaid him with love and a home by the sea, she transformed from a wrinkled old woman to a beautiful woman with hair the colour of fire", Her fingers brushed her own locks, absently. Even though her hair was a few shades lighter than Rose's, she could spot the thin strands of amber that reflected the orb lights, "They say loathly ladies, if shown kindness and loyalty, can transform themselves and their consorts into something lovely and powerful. Or they can take it all away"

Rose nodded, smiling to herself as she remembered the tales, "They called Talamh that once too. An archetypal loathly lady"

"The goddess of Gaia?"

"She's the goddess of much more. War, death, destiny. She knows it all. And she's no loathly lady, she's something much more powerful"

Serefina seemed to examine her for a beat, then she laughed, "There were many sightings of the old gods during the war here you know. Talamh, Muraiki and others too. They said she came before the screams of death. A beauty amidst all the violence. A calm before the storm. I think they feared her more than they feared the reaper"

"The reaper signals death, Talamh promises it"

"And the headless Tar éipall rides us to the afterlife, is that right?" Serefina asked, leaning back on the couch with a grin.

Rose nodded.

"She's a heroin of yours it seems. Talamh?"

"Not really. I just like the stories", Rose replied with a shake of her head.

Serefina signed, "I always wanted to read them to my children. Sing them the hymns from the Church, legends of the Faceless ones. The stories from my old home. I wanted them to see the world we'd bring to them"

"You still can," Rose assured her, tentatively placing her hand on Serefinas. The action made the older woman smile, "My parents had me young, but I've some aunt's who took their time. I'm sure you'll read to them one day"

The aura of the Mother seemed to shift at that, her glinting eyes turned downcast as she hesitated for a moment, "I'm afraid not", Serefina huffed bitterly, "Even with our technology nowadays, some things cannot be done"

Rose didn't reply for a few moments, suddenly caught off guard, "Oh. I'm sorry"

"Don't worry dear. It's just not meant for some of us. Besides-" Serefina reassured her, tucking her arm closer around Rose like she was trying to soothe her into a hug. "-I have everything I need here already"

*.ﾟﾟ.*

"You're not sneaking out are you?"

Aeryn nearly launched himself backwards from the fright Merlin had given him. He had been in the completely inconspicuous process of sneaking out for the night when Xiuliums Child had materialised behind him.

Sue him. Everything in life was whirling out of Aeryn's control. His relationship with the Mother's was strained, he was being hunted by a Galactical dictator, and for all he knew his sister was rotting in a cell somewhere on a planet he had no way of getting to. Aeryn's thoughts were spinning around inside him and god he was sick of it. His ingenious plan wasn't one without risks, if he was caught again, China might truly stand by her word and kick him back to Mevolent. But then again the anxiety was becoming suffocating. And even if the cons outweighed the pros, Aeryn was willing to do just about anything to get his head clear, even for a night.

He'd done it before. Ran out in the middle of the night after a fight with Gaius. To lose himself in the capital nightlife. Even if he knew he'd recieve an even harsher lecture the next morning, he didn't care. He couldn't find it in himself to stop.

"What? Going to tell on me?" Aeryn challenged, recovered from his earlier fright and looking Merlin dead in the eyes.

Merlin stayed silent.

Aeryn's chest puffed in triumph as he smirked, "That's what I thought. Look dude, I just need to get some fresh air, I'll be back before you know it"

"You can get fresh air on the palace roofs" Merlin offered, a tad too quickly, "I can show you the way?"

Aeryn grinned, "Very funny"

Merlin sighed and Aeryn wanted to commend him on his hasty surender. He needed to learn sooner or later that nothing got between Aeryn once his mind was made up. "The guard station switches every half hour. There should be an opening by the left wing wall, there's a false evergreen next to it. You won't miss it"

"Thanks, Blondie. You know I think I'm starting to like you"

"Please don't get into trouble"

"You're cute. Troubles my middle name"

*.ﾟﾟ.*

It was dark in the alley. Aeryn felt the metal wall of the building he was leaning against scrape into his skin as he curled into a ball at the building’s base. He felt so ill and so tired. Every movement brought with it a wave of fatigue that made him just want to sleep right there. Maybe the weight of everything happening was finally deciding to crush him, or maybe he'd just taken too many synthetics.

If he had been home, on Gaia, the best thing he could have done was to drag himself home. To that hollow case of a house, where he'd never felt comfortable or safe or wanted. Where he'd be awoken in the morning to a tussle of words with his father or hearing one of his siblings being scolded by a man who was supposed to love them. But never seemed to have any to give.

The best thing would truthfully be for him would be to crawl his way to the palace, to Merlin's meek smiles, to Gens sharp wit, to Anarchy's slags that somehow managed to cheer him up. To Araminta, where she would look at him with nothing but kindness. Perhaps some gentle words to let him know he'd done wrong, but at least he'd know they came from her concern instead of anger. But he couldn’t do that. He couldn’t look her in the eye like this. She'd already done so much for him and he pathetically repaid her generosity with more trouble than anyone was worth.

So he balled up like a thrown out piece of paper that’d fallen out of the dumpster further down the alley. After all, he’d practically been thrown aside by his other family. Perhaps even Merlin, the boy with everlasting patience, had grown tired of Aeryn’s pestering. So wasn’t he already close enough to thrown out paper? Yes, and this thrown-out paper was tired and rain-splattered, and ready to sleep on the pouring streets of Cerephim. Though he’d wake up aching and sore, what would be new about that? 

A car door closed, followed by a pair of expensive-sounding shoes that delicately stepped onto the concrete. A soft and silken voice mumbled something, gentle and warm. Aeryn pulled his head out from under his arms and groggily looked up at the red-haired angel smiling at him, the streetlights making a halo around her as she put her arm under him and helped him up. Aeryn protested meekly, but shut up as the taller woman pulled him into her strong and sure embrace, holding him tightly to her side as she led him out of the alley. 

It was probably the synthetics, but in the dim light of the alleyway Aeryn could only interpret the woman before him as Fiadh nettles. The Mother of Gaia. The woman with fiery hair who he never saw or spoke to. His mother.

"Mam, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Aeryn choked out a sob as he leaned against his mother.

"Oh dear boy, you have nothing to be sorry for” The woman rubbed his shoulder and pressed a kiss to his temple and Aeryn grimaced at the thought of his mother’s lips touching his greasy hair and skin.

“How did you find me?” He managed to say as she helped him into the back seat of the sleek metal vehicle she’d stepped out of. How could she be here? She should be back on Gaia, rotting in her chambers and refusing to speak to anyone. Refusing to acknowledge her son's and daughters. 

“I have quite an abundance of eyes across Xiulium, one of them saw you in the bar and informed me” The red haired woman took a crocheted blanket from a bag on the front seat and laid it over him. “My dear, you look ill. If you were having a rough day, you should have told me," she slipped into the back seat beside him and waved her hand to the driver. “The palace please. I’ll call the Mother consort and inform her of my whereabouts.”

“Don’t care for me. I can’t stand to be cared for. I can’t stand the disappointment.” Aeryn wiped away his tears and curled to face the window away from his mother. He felt guilty about the harshness of his words and wanted nothing more than to tell her his life’s troubles as she held him and told him she was so proud of him. But he knew, he knew he’d disappoint her. He expected her to move away from him, to distance herself from his foulness, but she didn’t. His mother simply pulled the blanket over his shoulder and rubbed his back as the car started driving. The car ride passed in relative silence. The woman made a few taps on her pad, but she mostly just instructed the driver on music and directions and kept her hand gently on Aeryn’s shoulder without saying a word to him. 

Eventually, they veered up a large hill, the glass walls of the royal palace coming into Aeryn's distorted view. The walls stood tall even among the false trees surrounding the grounds. The iron wrought gates swung open with an electric zap, then shimmered closed behind them. In the glow of the morning, Aeryn felt the building itself was sparkling in his gaze, blurry and blobby in the early morning mist. The red haired woman got out of the car first and then helped the still half-drunk Aeryn out, just in time before he dashed to the bushes and threw up the wretched content of his stomach. 

"Zeph, if you would like, you may get some sleep in one of the lower floor bedrooms. The kitchens are in the basement, there should be some food in there you can help yourself to.” His mother said to the driver, who nodded and said something Aeryn didn’t understand before driving off. She then turned back towards Aeryn and helped him through the family's doors around the side. It appeared to be continuously growing, climbing higher and higher. But that was just Aeryn's addled mind playing tricks on him. It was similar to the one he’d grown up in, but with more artistic displays and fewer poetry books and decor. 

The woman helped him up one side and to one of the bedrooms on the second floor. She pulled him into a burgundy and yellow room and the adjoining bathroom and rubbed his back as he collapsed over the toilet, sick. When he was done, she handed him a warm wet cloth and combed his hair back with her fingers as he washed his face. Laying on the bathroom floor, Aeryn finally got a good look at her face. With the effects of everything he'd taken wearing off, the face of his mother no longer was contorted, instead it wasn't his mother looking down on him anymore. 

It was Araminta.

He realised how tired Araminta looked, and then that she was wearing an overcoat over silk pyjamas, and her hair was falling out of her braid. Aeryn wasn't sure how to respond. 

“I’m sorry you lost sleep over me,” was all he could manage, voice still hoarse from his retching.

“My dear boy, I’d rather lose sleep than lose a life,” she smiled radiantly and Aeryn felt he’d be okay. “Now let’s get you to bed. Rest and gain your energy, and we’ll talk about what’s a matter in the morning,” and next he knew, he was in the bed of the burgundy and yellow room and wrapped in clean warm blankets. 

Sleep overcame him, and even through his half drunken mind, Aeryn Ruse knew he had someone, finally. Even if he had nothing else.

Chapter Text

Visions are often things of unreliability. 

It's a jumpers role to navigate through their sight, to witness the past, present and future. But with so many shifting possibilities, branching away from one and other with even the most mundane of choices, it is difficult to know where the future might lead.

A jumper may see a village lay in ruin, only for that fate to never befall them. They might see a warrior survive the bloodshed of battle, only for the soldier to be killed afterwards. Rarely do things come to pass in the order they expect it to.

But sometimes, whispers of visions make their way into reality. On Xiulium the Child Merlin saw the coming of two foreigners. Likewise on Pixidys, the jumpers prayed the visions they saw of the firsts Mevolents return would come to pass. In the end they got their Mevolent, their messiah

Now they await the return of Arkéios.

✧.*☬*.✧

Waking up was the very last thing Aeryn wanted to do. His eyes were uncomfortably sticky, crusted together with the tears and grime from the night before. There was a throbbing pain hacking through his skull, and he supposed he had the synthetics to thank for that. There was a vague sense of nausea sitting in the back of his throat as well, and he had to shove the back of his hand against his mouth in fear bile would creep back up it. The idea of eating breakfast was enough to make him gag, but he knew the only real cure for him was a full stomach. So tentitivly, on sore joints, he pushed himself up. Letting the yellow bedsheets pool around his waist.

Yellow? Why were they yellow? The bedsheets in his shared room with Anarchy were always white.

Aeryns recollection came back to himself in pieces, as did his his absolute embarrassment on the whole ordeal.

He ran his fingers through his hair, tangled and damp still, cringing to himself for the fool he had been.

He’d wandered into the heart of Xiulium. Drunk and looking for trouble.

His shoulders wrapped around something warm and solid. Araminta.

He’d spilled so many pathetic, stupid things to her because for a short while, he genuinely thought she was his mother.

"Oh gods I fucked up" he mumbled, shamefully burying his face into his hands.

"I wouldn't say it like that

"Shit. Oh my gods! You scared the crap outta me” was the first thing tumbling out from Aeryn when his eyes landed on Araminta, comfortably perched on a golden window seat. Momentarily forgetting she was the Mother and leagues above him in status. When his bearings came back to him, he hastily tried to stand up and apologise, but only managed to tangle himself in the bedsheets, falling gracelessly.

"Sorry," he groaned from the floor.

But Araminta didn't seem any bit offended, instead she chuckled, "That's quite alright dear. Here let me help you"

"I'm good, I got it, don't worry!" he blurted, shakily getting to his feet. Aeryn tried to keep his attention set down on his feet. Partly to keep his waning balance and partly to avoid looking directly in Aramintas eyes.

"Sit down, please," Araminta said, patting the spot next to her on the window seat, "Rough night I take it?"

“I feel worse than I look,” Aeryn complained, following her request and sitting right were he was almost shoulder to shoulder with the Mother 

“I’m sure you do,” Araminta muttered, eyes lingering on his face. She paused then, glancing between the detailed exhaustion lingering across Aeryn from the night before. If Aeryn knew better, he'd say she looked worried. 

A pang of guilt shot through him at her sorrow, "I'm sorry, that I left again. That you had to get me," he paused, brows scrunching into a frown. "Why did you come get me? Why not send the guards out?"

"I think the last thing you need is any more guards trying to hunt you down," she began, brushing off his shoulders, though Aeryn didn't think his clothes were dirty. He let her do it, enjoying the light touch, it gave him a strange sense of shielding. "Besides, I'd do the same for Gen and Merlin. Gen especially, I've had to fetch them from the cities quite a lot. It's no trouble really"

"Thank you. Really"

Araminta smiled a heavenly glow, "No need dear. Clean yourself up, a shower will do you well. I'll have Dexter escort you downstairs when you're ready"

"I don't need supervision. I'm not gonna take off. I'm not stupid," Aeryn joked, although it was half-hearted.

"Aeryn. Darling," she began, her tone kind, but firm, "You're wobbling on your feet as we speak. I don't think you'll be taking off anywhere in your condition. I'd like to see you making it to breakfast without a head injury preferably"

"Oh right" Aeryn laughed, scratching the back of his head.

Without needing to be told twice, Aeryn headed for the bathroom as Araminta retreated from the room. Once he stepped in the shower he let the warm water wash away all the guilt and confusion of the night before. It was a tough stain on him, however, and it lingered through him as he got himself dressed for the day. Aeryns legs were screaming at him, joints stiff and achy. But he did his best to ignore them alongside the odd emotions bouncing inside him, as he squeezed the remnants of moisture from his hair and went to open the door.

When he opened it, Dexter Vex was waiting for him, leaned against the wall with a scythe in hand. Humming with electricity and etched with old carvings.

Sigils. Aeryn thought to himself, though he should have hardly been surprised. All the major dynasties, houses and their militaries used sigils for their weapons. There wasn't much of a point in using blasters unless it was aerial or space combat. Bullets of any sort were useless against a sight user. One shift of the winds or blast of shadows and they'd fall off course, never to hit their mark.

Gaius had said Xiulium was too young to have them, which wasn't hard to believe. Many of the younger and smaller dynasties still struggled getting sigil plated weapons, partly because of their sheer expense. Then again Araminta had mentioned they were close with Svæitgar. And if there were ever a powerhouse of sigil industry it was Svæitgar.

“Are you alright?” Dexter asked, in a wobbling voice. Aeryn could see that he was trying his best to hide a smirk.

Aeryn nodded. “Just hungover.”

Dexter made a noise of understanding. “Araminta let me know she was going to get you. I’ll admit, I was surprised. I didn't think you'd have the guts to sneak out"

“I guess I’m trying to keep you on your toes,” Aeryn jeered, settling into the casual atmosphere Dexter provided. “Don’t think it was really worth it though. My head's a wreck"

"Honestly I thought you'd handle synthetics better. Heard Gaias a powerhouse when it comes to drug manufacturing"

Aeryn huffed. “I don't touch any of the heavy shit. Basic synthetics are legal so they're stupid watered down. Word of advice don't touch the hard shit, they put all sorts of crap in it"

At this, Dexter let out a harsh laugh. “You're a piece of work kid, hope you know that"

Folding his arms over his chest, Aeryn snorted. “Wow. That was rude, prick”

Over his shoulder, Dexter flashed him a sharp smile. “Right back at you…” he trailed off, squirting at Aeryn. “You know, my wife has a thing for dealing with brats like you. Ram one of these right up their arse"

Dexter lifted the butt of his scythe, mockingly waving it towards Aeryn with no real intention to strike. Still, Aeryn pushed the end away with a grin, "Watch it asshole, I could report you"

In response Dexter simply cackled, "Ara's not gonna do jack. She'll be happy I sorted you out. Nah. There’s not gonna be any ass kissing here, kid”

Aeryn threw back a laugh from the deepest part of his chest. Their playful bickering would only last a short while longer, because it was only one more turn before they were entering the dining room.

The circular dining table was glimmering in the morning sun, as if to say greetings. Stacked high with an assortment of food in the centre, and towards the end sat Merlin. Nose deep in a text pad.

“Well go on,” Dexter said after a moment had passed, giving him a nudge “Hurry up and eat. Don't want you collapsing"

Scowling at him, Aeryn made his way into the dining hall. Catching the attention of Xiuliums Child, who peeked up. Poorly, he stifled a cringe upon looking at Aeryn's state, "Do you want to talk about the other night?"

"Araminta already babbled all my business to you then?" He sighed, his good mood evaporating as he took a seat at the opposite end of the table.

"No, I saw you come back with her"

Aeryn frowned, pausing as he was about to grab a slice of bread, "Saw us?"

"Visions," he said, tapping the side of his temple.

"Oh right. That sounds freaky"

"It's annoying, but enlightening. So what happened?"

Shrugging, Aeryn replied, "I took a few too many synthetics. Ara picked me up"

"That sounds like mam"

Aeryn snorted, "What? You go downtown to part often?"

"No. But if I did I'd know she'd bring me back safe if something were to happen"

"It must be nice having a mother like that"

"Aren't all mother's like that?" Merlin questioned, his brow creasing.

Glimpses of red hair and sullen chambers ripped through him. Of bleary eyes and harsh words. It took Aeryn a bit too long to respond.

"No,"Aeryn clenched his jaw, and moved to push to his feet. “They're not"

“Why did you leave?," Merlin cut in, backtracking on the subject, a hand landing on the table as if to keep him from standing.

"I needed fresh air"

Merlin raised a brow, "I may not have your experience, but I'm not naive. Why did you really leave?"

Aeryn figured Merlin would be the most useless diplomat in the Dominion. All the Fell children had been expected to be trained in diplomacy, what better head of politics than your own blood? That was how the Fells thought anyway. And one of the most important lessons they'd been burdened through was that of subtlety. Merlin was kind, like his mother, but blunt. Aeryn would guess he didn't have a lying bone in his body. However it was endearing. He couldn't deny that.

Aeryn had been taught to hold his tongue in these situations. Hold his cards close so the enemy could never gain the upper hand. That was what he'd been taught on Gaia.

But he wasn't on Gaia. Aeryn was on Xiulium. He was angry, he was frustrated and most importantly, Aeryn was tired, "Promise you won't laugh"

Merlin flashed a gentle smile, "Promise"

"I used to do it alot back home, on Gaia," Aeryn confessed, shame settling like a blanket over his shoulder. “ I'd just get this- this feeling that I'm stuck or locked up. That everything's out of control and I just need to do something for myself. Even when I know I shouldn't, even when I know I'll get in trouble, I can't stop myself from leaving. I just want to go and forget about everything for a bit"

"You feel trapped? I can ask mother to give you a larger room?"

"It's not like I'm physically trapped. It's like, metaphorical. Like I just feel like the walls are closing in on me and if I don't leave I'll be crushed by them"

Blinking, a kind of realization flashed over Merlin's features. Like he'd finally come to an understanding. Then, he smiled, "Genesis used to be like that, always running away. I never understood it"

"Genesis?"

"They're adopted, from the outer circles of Cerephim," He explained, "Mother spotted them one day on the streets and couldn't help herself. Ara's always wanted to be a parent, but she was never able to have kids. It took some time, but eventually Genesis trusted us enough to know we'd always be here for them, that they'd always have some place to return to. They always thought we'd leave them behind like their parents, so they figured if they left first, they could avoid that hurt, you know?"

"It's not like I want to leave forever, I'm grateful your mother offered us Sanctuary. It's just, I don't know I need to be away from everything"

"We all deal with things differently you know?"

Aeryn narrowed his eyes and stuck a fork Merlin's way, "Don't try to therapize me"

"I'm not I swear," he spluttered, raising his hands in mock defeat, "I just, want you to know someone's here to listen"

"Are you adopted too then?"

"Yup. But I'm related to Ara. She took me in a while after my parents passed. They were cousins. But I spent a lot of time away from home. Mother was preoccupied with getting everything up and running after the revolution. She didn't want me being apart of all that so young, it wasn't safe-"

"-My relatives were, how do I say this, traditional. They never seemed to want me there at all. I spent so many days waiting for my mother, but when she finally came to get me I knew I was really going home"

Aeryn smiled to himself, "It must be nice to feel like you've found a home. Both you and Genesis"

"China told me Gaius is a traditional man. More Ríthar than a father I take it?"

"Yeah I guess", Aeryn shrugged, "Why are you listening to me at all? I appreciate it but- I don't know I guess I never thought anyone would bother the time for me"

"I shouldn't be telling you this," Merlin said, leaning closer, "My visions have always been a bit unreliable, but I saw you. Years back, arriving here. There's more to come but I think you're going to find a place for yourself soon enough. My visions they've been stronger since you and Anarchy arrived"

"You've seen my future?"

"Only bits, the orders all messed up. It's more of a feeling, that I know everything will work out eventually"

Aeryn wasn't sure how to respond to that. His eyes drifted downwards,"I don't believe in fate. It's hard to believe anything could work itself out in this mess

"You don't have to trust me, I don't blame you. But at the very least I think you're going to like it here. More than you ever have on Gaia"

Smiling to himself, Aeryn thought about what it could mean to stay on Xiulium. Without his father's harsh words and family's look of scorn. He could stay couldn't he? It's not like he had any real responsibility upon Gaia. The only real duty a fourth born son could ever have was marriage, and the very idea of that made Aeryns nose wrinkle. Maybe they'd let Rose stay too, their father would be happy to finally be rid of him. His two greatest failures out of his way. 

Rose would like it here. She'd enjoy shifting through the trinket shops with Genesis, and Aeryn could already tell she'd love Merlin and all his odd quirk's. They'd probably spend their days in lessons, studying the sight until Anarchy dragged them all down the town for a night of banter.

"I think I'd like that", Aeryn replied finally, grinning.

But in between those fleeting moments of peace, Merlin's face panned to a severe expression. He opened his mouth, as so to speak, then closed it again. Like he wasn't sure how to say his next words.

"I've seen other things too", he began slowly, taking an apprehensive breath.

Aeryn frowned, "Like what?"

"A girl, clad in black. She was powerful, omnipotent eve. He learned forward. Aeryn I think he sighed She had….her face-"

"Jesus there you are idiot", Anarchy cried, prying open the dining hall doors and flinging them outwards with a sharp groan. Genesis strolled behind her, and in the face of whatever chaos Anarchy was bringing with her (As she always did), any hint of his prior conversation with Merlin was forgotten.

"Hey An" Aeryn sighed, already feeling a headache prodding at his temples.

She wacked him. 

"What was that for?" Aeryn nursed the top of his head, side eying her hand as if she would hit him again.

In his defence, she most certainly would.

"You scared the living shit out of me. You never came back to the room. The hell were you?"

"I just went into the city, geez"

"Without me. Asshole?"

"I don't have to bring your ass everywhere"

"Yes you do. I can tell you're a lightweight. Who's gonna keep the creeps away when you're too pissed to function?"

Aeryn was about to bite back when he stopped in realization. A smirk spread across his face

"Awwwww", he cooed, "You do care"

She hit him again, "Shut up. I need someone to bully. And gen is mean"

"Thank you", Gen deadpanned.

"So you only came back this morning?", Anarchy questioned further, "How'd you get back in?" 

"Came back last night actually. Araminta came and got me"

"You're kidding?"

"Nope", he answered, popping the 'p'.

"Oh we're fucked"

Gen laughed, "Nah mam's super chill. She put you in a room in the personal wing right Rynnie?"

"Don't call me that", Aeryn grumbled.

"I could go back to calling you an idiot?"

I want a new room," Anarchy sulked, "How dare you"

"I could ask mam," Merlin offered, "Actually she was already thinking of moving you both to the east wing. Since you'll be staying a while"

"Sweet. I'm sick of sharing with Aeryn. He's messy"

"It's not just my socks on the floor bitch"

*.ﾟﾟ.*

The feeling was foreign, but somehow, so right.

Rose knew she wasn't standing in her own body, she was simpley a consiousness controlling a suit of flesh. But it didn't bring with it an un-comfortable sensation, or a feeling of entrapment. She felt free.

There were still a few kinks to straighten out with her body, the movement at times was fluid, reciting from a second nature she'd never realized she'd had. Other times her steps came wobbly and uncertain, like a baby taking their first steps. But even still she thrived through every minute of it.

The sun burned against her eyes, still she couldn't tear herself from it. That empowering gas giant granting Pixidys with an ever reaching light. The warmth trickled her skin, if not for the body her skin would blister and char, but instead it stayed smooth and pale.

"They told me the sunsets here we're the most beautiful things in the universe," Rose breathed, her attention entirely engrossed in that radiant sun, basking in it.

Mevolent was next to her, grinning at her wonder, "Right here, when I first took dominion over this new world, I was born again, staring at this exact sunset," he finally managed to pull her attention away from that ball of magical fire, clasping each of her hands between his own. Instead of the sun, he replaced her gaze, "Child, here you start a new chapter"

"Does that mean, that I can stay here?" She asked, "Are you going to tell me everything? What you're really doing here?"

Mevolent chuckled, not a cruel bitter laugh, he sounded happy that she knew.

Rose was no fool, despite how her family liked to treat her as such. And she knew by all accounts, that neither was Mevolent. He knew very well this ploy involving the emmiseries wouldn't last, and it would only be a matter of time before the dynasties wiped him and his people out completely. 

It hadn't taken her long to figure out. But once she finally had, rather than being encased by fear and terror, by anger that he had threatened a war of her doing if she left, she didn't feel anything. Rose didn't care why he did it, but knowing someone wanted her to stay so badly, that someone needed her so badly, brought with it a warmth into her chest she wanted to cherish.

"Soon you will understand everything, I promise you that. But I never wanted you to leave. I knew your importance, your potential, the moment I set eyes on you" he admitted, staring into her eyes with so much adoration she was almost taken aback. No one had ever deemed her someone important, no one had ever looked at her with so much joy before. A puzzle piece slot into place and she realized this is what she had been missing. This is what she felt she had deserved for so long. To be looked upon with anything other than discontent. To not be replaceable, a failure.

"We have a name from the old religion," he continued, "Of a great warrior, Mevolent, who first tried to bring back the Faceless ones. I took his name when I ascended the throne"

Mevolent paused, his face taking a serious frown, "Do you know the teachings of rebirth?"

"Some," Rose said, quietly, almost a whisper, "The wards of sight say our energy needs to be returned someday, that we are only lent it"

"The Church believes in something greater. Yes that energy connects us, but do you know what also connects us who use the sight?"

Rose blinked, "What?"

"The Faceless ones. We believe pieces of them broke off in the eye of gods, and made new beings. We believe the second generation of sight users, those who came after Ezrohs conquest, are the pieces of the Faceless ones reborn again-"

"-The great warrior Mevolent was one of these, and it is said he would be reborn again in another. The Church believes I am him, come again. Now we wait again for his daughter"

"His daughter?"

"The ancient one, who is innocent, not evil. They called her Arkéios. She reminds me a lot of you"

There was something lying under his tone, a type of care Rose had only ever heard a few times in her lives. One so alike how Gaius would praise Bernadette with such pride emanating from him. Something so…. parental.

No. It was just her mind seeing what it wanted, right? She'd been longing for her father for so long. For his attention, his pride, hell, just to speak to him like they were genuinely family. Yet no matter how quickly her studies advanced, no matter how much she trained her sight, she just never was good enough. Rose was just a Draíchta that spat on the image of the Fells pristine bloodline. Gaius had said, years back now, that the Draíchta were no better than the Church of the Faceless. Religious fanatics that saught to disrupt the careful balance of the Dominion, to allow themselves to befall into such dark arts. Weither it be the unsettling rituals of the Draíchtas markings, or the dedication to resurrecting a race of cruel gods, in the end it was all madness.

It had been easy, so easy to believe him. Rose had heard the dark dealings of the Church and Pixidys. She'd felt the fear claw inside her when their journey to the planet began. She knew fanaticism when she saw it. So she believed every word her father spoke to her in snaps and biting disdain. Rose trusted his word, that the Church was dangerous, that the Draíchta ways were beneath them, that Mevolent was the villian. Rose trusted him when he said the Fells had been dealt a misfortunate blow with her birth, but she'd been lucky to be born on Gaia, not surrounded by lunatics.

So why did Pixidys feel so much more like home?

Because if Pixidys and its rulers treated her with such kindness, if Pixidys' seemingly mad goals were to better the lives of their inhabitants, then that meant Gaius had been wrong. Not just about Pixidys, not just about Mevolent or the church or Draíchta. He'd also been wrong about Rose. And if he'd been wrong that would mean Rose wasn't useless, she deserved praise, love, she deserved more.

But Rose didn't want to let herself dwell on it. Still the struggle to not yield against those thoughts seemed to become ever more challenging. She let out a bitter laugh. “I don't think I'm anything like Arkéios, I'm not brave, I'm a coward” She croaked, forcing down a sob, "Why are you telling me this?"

A heavy silence hung between them as Mevolent shared a look with her, his mouth pressed in a thin line. The seconds ticked on, Rose's breaths began stuttering in staccato.

"Did I ever tell you where I came from?" He said suddenly, intently staring into the eye of the sun's glow.

"No, you didn't," Rose replied, shaking her head.

"Neither Serefina and I were born on Pixidys. Serefina came from the 2nd dominion. It's where we both met"

"Serefina said that. But I had no idea you-"

"The sisters of Murkéal. Where the legends of the Muraiki were born. It's a small ring of planets under the 2nd Dominions rule. My family were low standing stewards there. Part of the Brotherhood you see?"

"Is that where you first learned about the Faceless ones?"

Mevolent nodded, "My family were heavily aligned with the Brotherhood, but they teach the false ways. They used the Faceless ones name for power and control, not for love. They had wealth, but were far from the elite's of the second Dominion families. They'd have done anything to advance their status. My family weren't interested in their faith, just using it to control the masses"

A sneer curved over his lip, and he looked as though he'd like to spit in disgust, "So I came here. I chose a path for myself, away from the eyes of my family. I built a church, I built a home, and-" he said, in a stuttering breath, "- I built a family"

Mevolent turned himself to her, waiting. Rose wasn't sure what he wanted her to say back. No words came forward.

“I said you could stay here, but do you recall what else I said to you?” Mevolent asked, stretching a hand out between them, "I said I could make you better. And I intend to keep that oath to you"

Rose looked towards his outstretched hand. At those lethal hands that had won him the throne. So full of scars and pain she'd never understand. Somehow, though, they seemed so gentle in their tender reach.

Mevolent said she had potential, something no one had ever uttered in regards to her name. Mevolent had given her a body, and taught her more in these weeks than she could have ever hoped for. He wanted to teach her more, to give her more than what her family offered her. Mevolent was offering her a place, a home. Rose just needed the ambition to take it.

What did Rose want?

She wanted to be great. She wanted to have power, show the galaxy what she was capable of. She wanted to be more.

“I want to be more” she whispered, putting her free hand into Mevolents. “I want to be so much more"

Mevolent smiled at her response, so full of pride, "And I promise you such, dear beígo"

Beígo. The Menkaís language was known for its gentleness. Soft lapping words tumbling together peacefully, in a kind of order that lulled the hardest of minds. Romantic many had called it. But that word, the way he said it, seemed so full of adoration. Rose hadn't put much effort into learning much Menkaís recently, only just truly starting to speak Orthadox as though she were native. Yet just as she was about to ask it's meaning, Mevolent silenced her with one look.

"However, I do need something from you. If you want to be great there is a path we all must suffer through. If you deny it, nothing will change, I swear it. But if you accept-" He paused, taking a long exhale, as if he was envisioning the future ahead of him, "-You will be revered"

Rose found herself smiling, imagining herself as Arkéios. A young fearsome girl, facing death for her family and faith. And she decided, before Mevolent could say anything else, she'd do anything he'd ever have asked of her.

*.ﾟﾟ.*

The morning came and went and Aeryn, Anarchy and the Children of Xiulium found themselves amongst a hoard of other sight users, ambling over rugged terrain to reach a shared goal. The cliff faces were steep, smeared with winding pathways between deep cut slabs of limestone. The divots in the rock reminded Aeryn of the open plains and large canyons on Gaia, but in a miniature form. Each step traversed shot pain up his feet and Aeryn had nearly fallen twice from the open caverns between rocks. Exercises of any sort had never been his strong suit.

A week had passed since their rendezvous in Cerephim, until finally the Mother's had called them down to the meeting rooms after breakfast, to discuss their next steps. Anarchy had been looking at him with a frown of concern, trying to reach into his mind to ask how he was doing. He'd ignored her. It wasn't a topic he had any interest in discussing further. Only offering her a nod and with that she'd let him be.

"You are to be taken to Morrigan's peak," China said suddenly after they'd all taken their seats.

Anarchy frowned, "The mountain range?"

"You're sending us away?" Aeryn croaked. It seemed they really had grown tired of his incopitance, and he wanted so badly to go back and do it all again. Maybe if he was lucky Mevolent would spare them, he'd said he needed hostages after all.

No. Mevolent already had the Astréa emmiseries and Rose, he didn't need them for anything. He'd kill them just to be done away with the bother they'd caused.

Araminta noticed his plight, offering him a warm smile, "Only for a couple hours dear, don't worry. You'll be back here before noon. Won't they, China?"

China nodded, "Many of the pilgrims like to stay a month or two, but I suppose if you insist Ara"

"Many of the others will be headed there," Araminta continued, "We need all the manpower we can spare in the case of Mevolents forces attacking. Your grasp on the elements have improved dramatically in these past weeks, Merlin, as well as you Gen. All the wards of the sight take a short pilgrimage to the mountain. For many Elementals it can unlock the last and most difficult element, earth. But for others it let's known underlying abilities you might not be aware of"

"You should also know," China said, "That Morrigan's peak is notorious for granting strong visions to its pilgrims. It doesn't always happen, but it's still something you should be aware of"

"So when do we leave?

"Prepare your things for the morning"

"Keep up slowpoke" Anarchy jeered in front of him, hiking up the rocks like it was second nature to her. Perhaps it might have been, Astréa had a great deal of mines, and that more than likely meant her family had wandered through the loose stones and open crevices that came with the industry.

"I'm trying," Aery panted between laboured breaths, "How the hell are any of ye managing this?"

"Mother's taken us up here in the past," Merlin explained from beside him, "She loves long walks"

"Plus the rocks are cool," Genesis remarked, hopping between the stone slabs with a practised ease. It ignited a sort of jealousy in Aeryn, right before he narrowly missed craning his foot into one of the grikes.

Anarchy gave him a sharp pat on the back that nearly toppled him over, he glared at her after regaining his footing, but just barely, "Knock it off ass"

"You're just sulking cause you suck at this" she scoffed, dancing over the edges without a hint of hesitation.

Gen snorted, "I could do this as an infant"

"Cut it out guys, he's just tired," Merlin whined.

"We're all tired. You don't see us complaining"

"Yeah cause I'm the one who had to fly your ass off that building" 

"You sucked at it"

"Shut your mouth"

"Can you guys please keep it down?"

"Shut up Merlin," they all snapped in unison, which made their fellow travellers attention turn to them. They all took a few apprehensive steps away from them, and honestly Aeryn could hardly blame them. He was just about ready to fling Anarchy or Gen into the stratosphere.

"You're gonna give me a headache," Genesis moaned, for once fed up with their antics.

"Awww poor Gen" Anarchy mockingly cooed, swinging her arm across the youth shoulder.

Gen tried in vain to remove the unwanted arm to no avail, simply scoffing, "Watch it crispy" 

"You can't make fun of my scar. That's discrimination. That's- that's. I don't know the word but it's bad"

"Don't care"

"Hey guys please keep it down," Merlin called out, "We're nearly there"

When their group breached the peak of the mountain, Aeryn was remarkably underwhelmed. He'd been under the impression that the peak had some mystical prowess, or at least that's what the tabs he'd read had alluded to. At the very least he expected a church or some other hall of worship. But all that greeted them was a mount of limestone rocks and an upturned stone slab, littered in simple carvings.

A thin woman climbed up on the stone mound and ushered them closer. Bobbing her hands outwards to signal they be seated. The travellers around them did so dutifully, and Anarchy shoved Aeryn onto his backside before he could even think of being any bit uncooperative.

"Energy united us all," The woman, a preacher he gathered, began, "It cannot be created nor destroyed. Only borrowed. We borrow the energy of the Earth's for our short lives, and with our passing we return it. In the ways of the sight, we take from the energy around us. To move the earth, to light a flame, to bend the waters. From elementals to the Draíchta, to the links and visions of jumpers, all connect to the flow of energy. And here, atop Morrigan's peak, that energy is at its greatest"

What the hell ever happened to, Hello

The preacher placed her hand on her chest, amplifying her drawn in breaths and the rise and fall of her rib cage for them all to see, "Keep your breathing steady. Feel the flow of energy through you. Feel the rhythmic forces of your heart beating. Visualize the power used to keep it beating"

The travellers around them took her instructions on board, pressing their eyes shut and losing themselves to the whispering words of the preacher.

"This is dumb" Aeryn muttered, opening and closing his eyes. Shuffling about, unable to sit still on the rocky landscape that dug painfully into his legs.

Anarchy didn't share his struggles, keeping her eyes firmly closed, "Shut it idiot"

The preacher's voice grew louder, filling the air, "Find the lines of energy flowing through you. The spaces between which you take the wind, the forces you use to push waves. Find what links you to the sight and follow it"

Aeryn tried, tried to imagine a string tying him all together, like a puppet on wires. Leading back to the master of it all. He might have sat there for hours or seconds, he couldn't be sure. Following the imaginary wire in his head, clueless of whatever destination it might bring him towards.

Visions came to him in mixed flashes

The earth rising to swallow them all.

Merlin, the visions clear as day unfolding in his mind, as he sporadically wrote what he saw on crumbled pieces of parchment.

Anarchy, a wave of power overcoming her, bringing her to her knees.

Rose, his baby sister, cutting through Xiulium military like it was second nature

Aeryn, seeing through the eyes of a body that wasn't his own

Aeryn woke up on the ground, being shaken violently. Blurred specs fluttered in his peripheral, and distant voices only just pierced his ears. The light of the sky above him felt too bright, burning even. He pinched his eyes closed again, but the action was only followed by more vigorous shaking.

Slowly, the world came back to him. The lights grew dimmer, he could feel the hands clasping around his shoulders, and the distorted blur in front of him became a person. Merlin.

"Aeryn what did you see" he quavered, eye's darting all over Aeryn, blown wide in fear.

The situation still had Aeryn reeling, but steadily he pushed himself up into a seating position. Scrambling to gather his thoughts, "I don't- I cant- what the fuck was that?"

"Morrigans given you a vision," Merlin revealed, shoulders dropping in relief, "We've all had one"

Turning to his surroundings, Aeryn noted the others looked pale. The taunting mischief relentlessly glued to Genesis and Anarchy had vanished, replaced by shuttered breaths and wringing hands.

"What did you see?" Merlin questioned the others. Aeryn could tell he was trying to come off as composed for his sake. But the adamancy pouring through his words gave way his nerves.

"A battle", Anarchy muttered, "A bad one. Guess who was on the losing side?"

"We don't know that yet," Merlin said in a reassuring tone, placing his hand on her shoulder for a moment, before returning to Aeryn. "What about you, what did you see?"

"I saw all of you. I saw Rose too, but she- she looked different. She had all these markings on her. And she was with them, with Mevolent. I could just tell something bad was happening"

"It hasn't happened yet, Aeryn. It's a vision, they're not credible, whatever you see might never come to pass"

"But it felt real" Aeryn gasped, "I've had this gut feeling that something's going to happen, and what if this is it? What if I can't save her?"

Aeryn looked to Merlin, eyes wide and pleading for any form of consolation. That Rose would be okay, that all of them would be okay. But Merlin was quite. Instead, after a drawn silence, he said, "Did you see anything else, anything at all that might help us?"

"I think, it's crazy," Aeryn began, running a hand through his hair, "But I wasn't in my own body. My hands my face, they were someone else's"

Merlins face dropped ten shades right their, and Aeryn felt his stomach drop, "We need to go back to the palace. Now"

Merlin jumped up and helped Genesis to their feet. Turning on his heels and setting his sights down the mountain, already moving with a haste Aeryn had never imagined him capable of.

"What's happening" Anarchy cried after him, doing her best to yank Aeryn after her, almost bolting to keep up with Merlin's panicked strides.

"I'll explain on the way," was all he offered, as they descended the peak and left a group of incredibly confused travellers in their wake.

*.ﾟﾟ.*

Rose's eyes hurt.

And still they stayed open, fixed on Nye across from her. A silent observer to its grim affair. It shuffled through a tray of instruments, slowly, its frail legs spindly and long, manoeuvring through its work station like a spider. Careful in its steps on a web, silent to its prey before it leaped a solidarity strike. The pause was welcomed. A temporary respite, before she felt it cutting into her face again.

She jerked at the restraints binding her. Nye grunted, pulling it's hand away. They'd spent days bound in this macabre dance. Over and back again. When Nye dug just too deep or Rose gasped in bouts of pain. They'd pull away, just for a moment. A moment. Then once it came and went Nye would pick up its tools and continue its work. And Rose would lie with heavy rivets of perspiration rolling from her scared face, biting her tongue. Wondering, Why? Why did I do this to myself?

In the end it had an easy choice to make, despite the pain: Mevolent wanted to make her more, a strong player, and who was she to deny him. He'd strung together starry words of encouragement. Promise of knowledge, of power, of acclaim. All she'd ever wanted. I can make you better, Mevolent had said with a smile. And she had agreed so quickly, as his eyes bore holes into her own. Inescapable and unwavering, with so much promise. And Rose had fallen for it, too. She'd barely whispered, I want to be more, because if she'd said anything else, everything would have tumbled out of her. She'd almost replied, I’d do anything for you. She feared that if she’d said the words out loud, she might have meant them.

She was afraid of this strange loyalty to him. It had come so quickly, too quickly. There was no explanation for it, no reason. Was this what devotion meant? Was this what those blind sighted followers of old gods sought for, a comforting obedience? She wanted to think he cared for her, that she was finally someone's priority. Not a dissapointment. But in all honesty, even if he saw only her power, a pawn on a chess board that he'd gladly throw away with the board if he couldn't win, a soldier to be rid of once it lost its purpose, she'd have still done anything for even a comforting lie. And so here she lay, in agreement.

Perhaps they'd doomed her to this back on Gaia. Keeping her at a distance, always quick to bite when she made a mistake. Always shielding her from knowledge, from sight.

Always keeping her alone.

Alone. In the wake of such isolation, how could she not be desperate? Desperate for someone to fill that oozing hole of loneliness. So much so that she would have done anything for a glimpse of praise, a single 'I love you' or an 'I'm proud' and she'd have levelled mountains if they asked. Even if those impossible requests had been from the mouth of a stranger.

A soldier had come in, chatting to Nye about schedules and reports. When he'd seen her he'd laughed, "What's a kid like you doing down here?'' He'd said, eyeing Nye somewhat warningly, "How old are you pet?'' and reached out a hand to ruffle her hair. 

"I'm near 16" she'd replied, leaning into the touch. Aeryn had done that when they were kids, his hand felt like a bygone promise between siblings to stay together, to protect each other. Absently she leaned closer, there was still someone there. Someone to give her something she so rarely had, she didn't care if it had to come from a stranger. It was nice.

"Quite mauling her", Nye snapped, shooing the soldier away. The comforting pressure atop her head went away and she found herself missing it. Always missing it.

When he'd asked her to do this, she'd replied quickly. She knew if she let herself speak any longer, she would have said, Don’t leave me behind. She would have said, Don’t make me go back to who I was before you. Please, don’t leave me alone, not again.

And so Nye worked.

The sigils had been the longest bit. They were considered a rite of passage in the Draíchta order. Carvings along the skin that filled with a bold black ink. It had been one of the many rituals Gaius had gagged over. To Rose, however, there was something beautiful to it. In the Draíchta teachings, life can only be born from the energy of death. That was to be remembered when they used the sight. They said pain was the smallest scale of death. When a child cut their knee, or nicked their finger they unwittingly would condemn thousands of cells to their deaths. Death of the smallest of scales.

So in that sense, the greater the pain. The closer to death.

And the closer to death, the closer to truth.

What that truth was, no one really had a notion, but there were theories. Perhaps access to untold amounts of power, or ascending the physical plain of existence. Some believe it would show the meaning of life or all of time itself. 

Rose had thought about those theories many a time as she laid on that steel bench. Anything to distract her from the agony. Small booster markings danced up her arm and a few others down her upper back that Tenebrae had said would help with the transition of her new power in training. Nye had added to the ones on her arms, gently curving over existing patterns to twist the design together. It had hurt. But that zeal, that yearning to be something better for someone. To be in control of her next move in this twisted game, had been enough to swallow down that pain.

But then he'd started on her face

Nye had already done a small one, beneath her eyeline. A test, he called it. A sequence of knots and notches signifying all plethora of meanings. Strength, protection, awakening. Nye had added to it once more, tracing dancing curves down her cheeks and back across her eyelids to above her eyebrows and coming to sit at her nose bridge. It was undoubtedly beautiful. She'd forgotten the pain of all the rest when she'd seen the sketch of it. Rose had begged him to continue, to keep working. In return he'd sent her a sly smile, Are you sure? This will hurt quite a bit I'm afraid, and like a fool she'd told him to press on.

When the blade met her face she hadn't been able to stop herself. Back contorting in seized movements and, absently, she curled her fingers into her fists. Held them so tightly she felt her bones scream in her palms. Maybe she screamed too. Or perhaps her throat had been too scratched to produce a sound. It didn't matter now, did it.

Another slice of the scalpel. Another scream.

Her face was damp. Was it sweat or was it tears now? Rose no longer cared. She no longer knew enough about herself to care. Why had she been made like this, moulded to something so unyieldingly pathetic. Always crawling after someone, someone else to care about her, to stay with her. Who was he supposed to be now, without Mevolent? Without Serefina? Why couldn't she have said no.

Who was she supposed to be without them?

Alone. That's what she would be. A living body sentenced to rot within the Acropolis walls. Like her mother. A fitting end to someone so hated, so out of place in all the delicate ways of the Fells. In a family she wasn't supposed to belong to. Alone. That's what she'd always been, alone. One too many knights on a chess board. An black tile in a sea of white. An old book left to rot. 

Something deep and buried came crawling up her chest, something she'd always felt, even all those years ago. Something raw and cold and seething. She’d never felt this anger before, not even when she'd first learned of Bethas' departure, when it all sunk in at once and she realised she had never once been a priority to anyone. It was anger beyond anger. It was hate. If she had a mirror, if he looked at herself now, he’d see the same look in her eyes as she’d seen in Mevolents and his generals, spat in disgust of unloyal sinners. This hate didn’t belong to her. But still here she was, carrying it, feeding it, loving it.

If Mevolent had asked her to fight now, she wouldn't hesitate to say yes. And she would win it alone. She’d be their shadow, stalking through their blindspots, sending knives of darkness to impale their enemies. She would not let anyone on that battlefield forget what she was. She’d do anything now, just to give this anger in her somewhere to go. I’ll follow you anywhere, she thought to herself, but it didn't feel like her. In all this, who was she?

Because whoever she was at this moment, she didn’t think it was herself.

The bursts of pain halted their onslaught as the sound of Nye's scalpel fell against the cold metal tray. Rose took a breath she hadn't realised she'd been holding, the agony had stopped. A dull ache crept across her face when her eyes twitched, but it was manageable. It wasn't burning. When she heard footsteps behind her, she assumed Nye was cleaning up, hearing the gentle clatter of surgical tools clank against each other. Shuffling through equipment, then her own face met her

"I thought you'd like to take a look,'' it purred, adjusting the silver mirror in its grasp to show her the best angle, "Some of my best work I'd like to think", it said more to itself.

A foreign reflection stared back at her. Sweat ridden, exhausted, but somewhere beneath all its haze, was her. Gentle glimpses of the girl she was before. Before salty tears and fury. Before Mevolent. Glimpses, however, was all they were. Now stomped beneath Nye's additions. The reflected eyes found Rose'. One its typical hazel, so mundane to her that she needn't spare a glance.

The other looked different.

An azure glaze, pale as a frozen tundra that had not tasted spring in centuries. Encased by an ever coiling void spilling across her cheeks, her brow, her nose. That reflection was not her own. It was alien, a stranger, it wasn't hers. It wasn't Rose Fell looking at her anymore.

"What do you think?"

She watched her own eyes flash dangerously, grinning.

"It looks like me"

Chapter Text

Alphanium

A denomination of The Church of the Faceless. They worship the Oighdaor, thought to be the Faceless ones born again with intentions of peace. Because of this, many Alphanium practicers like to avoid conflict where possible, and remain adamant their planets and dynasties keep out of the wider Dominion affairs. The concept of rebirth was also taken from the church's teachings, with followers believing the figures within their myths and histories will be reincarnated.

Bláir flower

A purple flower found on Gaia. It is not a natural species, one only introduced when the first landers arrived. It is described as having a white fleshy like body, with purple petal like structures bursting out from it's tip and is usually found in fungal groves.

Blasters

Weapon technology which shoots electric charged bullets. While they were used widespread between the 50-200s, their use died out shortly after the second Gaian civil war. With sight being more popularized, and no longer just taught amongst nobility, blasters became obsolete.

Blitz packs

Thin sheen suits used on Pixidys XI to protect wearers against the ultraviolet radiation constantly bearing down upon the planet. Their protection span ranges from a half hour to three full days. Afterwards the suit requires a minimum of 8 hours to recharge fully before it can be used again.

Blue ëora 

The Blue ëora is a type of bird from Old Earth, brought over in the Great Crossing. It was genetically engineered back on Earth to be both visually appealing and friendly to humans, used as a pet for richer families. Initially the birds specie's largely died off due to inadequate food sources, mainly fungus, being incompatible with their digestive system. But with the introduction of grain and wheats, and few natural predators on Gaia, the ëora population boomed. It is a cross between a blue finch and pigeon and survives off a diet of grain.

Ceilith

A type of chemise dress popularised on Svæitgar in the 300s. It is almost entirely made from a tulle woven from a plant on the banks of the Blasjø river's.

Cleavers

An elite unit appointed as the royal guard. Cleavers dress in a grey uniform to distinguish themselves from the main military on Svæitgar. They are forbidden to speak, hold titles or marry, and their faces must remain covered. This is to dispense any sense of identity they may have. Through the powers of jumpers, they operate psychically, almost like a hive mind.

Crenga

The name for a chimaera mixed with human DNA. Currently Dr. Nye is the only known Crenga in the Dominion.

Crucible 

A small assemblance of high Sanctuary officials and Jumpers which create the psychic links between Cleavers. Their secrets and methods are kept heavily guarded.

Cyrenes halo

A major hyperloop construction within the mountain above Gaia's capital city. It's used as a transport link both around Gaia and as a connection to other planets. In the case of space travel, the hyperloop redirects ships to a large hub just above Gaia's atmosphere, which itself links to other hyperloop tunnels across the Dominion. It is not for public use, only utilized for shipments or travel by the royal family.

Ditituri-lywellen 

The official language upon Svæitgar. Brought over from the knowledge landers had on Gaia to encompass elements of Nadúlra and Finnish. It is both a spoken language as well as a sort of sign language. The signs use single hands for verbs, nouns and subjects, while link phrases and short words are used by the other hand. One hand is raised above the other to show which words are coming first. They involve short, precise finger movements to create patterns to visualize, which translates into words. This language can also be used by the blind with skin on skin contact.

Dituri-Mejä 

Another subsidiary of Dituri-Llewellyn is DiturMejä. It involves partial rhythms in the ground that mimic Morse code. Only sight users can hope to understand this version of the language, even then it takes many years to differentiate the natural and artificial rhythms, and is typically only used amongst the Nobility.

Draíchta 

A discipline of the sight that manipulates shadows. It is possible to manipulate light sources, but the practice is considered inefficient, only undertaken by a small group of sight users, and has mainly died out. Many Draíchta, particularly those belonging to the Draíchta Order, believe their powers come from the energy of death itself and often have a macabre connection to death. Because of this, the Draíchta way is the only sight discipline with religious elements attached to it.

Elemental

A branch of sight that involves the manipulation of fire, earth, water and air for both offensive and defensive purposes. Typically many Elementals use the elements of air and fire. Both water and earth are notably more difficult to manage. It is the most common use of sight within the Dominion, with more than half of all sight users taking it as their discipline.

Faceless One's

A race of old gods, said to have taught the sight to humans during Ezroh's conquest. They are beings without a physical form, instead using the practice of bodies to project their consciousness into humans. Following the ten year war against Ezroh they were banished beyond the 'Eye of Gods', leaving many to wonder if they're dead, alive, or little more than a story.

Féilthán

Another of Gaia's native fauna. Similar in appearance to a butterfly or dragonfly, the féilthán has a long brightly coloured body and pale wings. It is bioluminescent and nocturnal, its brightly coloured appearance helping it to blend with the fungal colours of night.

Festival of Féildeirach

A winter celebration, held each year on Gaia. The festival began following the first successful harvest upon Gaian soil by the first landers. They sang and drank and shared the fruits of their labour amongst each other. Over the centuries it has evolved to a widespread celebration, where the citizens partake in seven long days of extravagance. Upon the final day, a day of prayer, the lights are dimmed and the dancing stopped. With festival goers giving thanks to the deity Talamh in church ceremonies and burning offerings in large synthetic bon fires.

Geimh Vintav

A Svæitgarian celebration in honour of 'The monsters without name'. This event takes place at the beginning of the lunar cycle in what would be the month of April on Old Earth. The holiday gives thanks to the Oighdaor, and peace of their reincarnation. An effigy of an Oighdaor antler is filled with berries and other foods to leave in the woods as an offering to the creatures. This also ties into the myths of Roght ut. A famous warrior who was given an Oighdaors antler to defend it from four hunters.

Gliders

One of Gaia's native creatures. Their bodies consist of a thin, pale, flowing membrane that allows them to lilt through the air with Gaia's low gravity. Their diet mainly consists of insects and smaller flying animals, as their body is often mistaken for clouds. Unsuspecting prey fly into the creature's snare.

Juggernaut boots

Weighted shoes used to pull wearers closer to the ground. To avoid the upward pull of Gaia's gravity.

Jumpers

Admired for their psychic abilities, jumpers can place their consciousness forward or backward in time to read the past and future. But the future itself isn't finite, instead it is made up of branches of constantly shifting possibilities. It is the role of a jumper to decipher what actions will lead to which future, and for that reason this practice is the most rare and revered of the sight's disciplines.

Lines/ Links

They are psychic connections, or lines, between two people. Through the link, users can speak within each other's minds or even translate languages. This discipline is not taught, a natural inclination to the discipline is the only method of learning it. Siblings and close friends are known to link more easily.

Mbeal ö Mónya 

A derivative of the Nadúlra language, with heavily influence taken from old gaeilge. The language is only spoken among the royal family, and quiet literally translates to “The Mothers tongue”

Menkhís

Pixidys, language is typically very straight to the point, lacking words such as "by", "as" or "of" completely. The language does not change depending on gramour (Male, female, plural or singular) nor past or present tense, it entirely depends on context and is difficult to translate for non natives. It follows the SVO rule.

The language is almost entirely vocal based, with a person's tones and facial expressions being used to provide context. Because of this there are no written sources on Pixidys, only audio files. For deaf individuals, they are taught to feel the vibration of the shifting tones of conversation with devices that convert audio files into pulses, appropriately named Pulsars.

Morrigan's peak

The largest Mountain on Xiulium, composed of mainly limestone rock and only measuring 506 metres tall. Previously mostly underwater, it was born from the exploitation and mining of the planet's water. The peak is though to have a mystical attachment to the gods, Morrigan in the Odeiséon faith or The Faceless ones in The Brotherhood. Many who traverse the peak, regardless of their discipline of sight, gain visions atop the mountain, one's with far greater accuracy than typical visions.

Mother Caalixie Déilīt 

One of Svæitgars rulers, who took to the throne in 348 GC, until her death in 357 GC. Many records of her rule were destroyed following her passing. She was despised by her people, hoarding wealth and leaving her citizens to starve. In her reign she murdered thousands to instil fear amongst her subjects, but would be overthrown and publicly executed. Her daughter, aged only 12 years old would be crowned as a puppet monarch, Mother Zephryn Déilīt.

Nadúlra

The main language spoken on Gaia, is developed from old Irish with some influence of English, it was one of the first languages to break off from English in the beginning of the Dominion's formation. Simple link words use only a single letter. Unlike its predecessors, the language does not change for "he" or "she" pronouns. Words change depending of plural or singular phrases, such as the term for mother in Gaia can be Mónya or Mónyé.

Odeiséon

The official name given to a collection of polytheistic religions that believe the planets themselves as gods. This religion is made of a subset of multiple beliefs across different planets, all with their own names and interpretations of their gods. It is the main religion practised on Gaia, where their planet is seen as the physical embodiment of the deity Talamh. There are also a collection of lesser gods in this religion, for example Báschán (The planets moon), who are used as mythological tools to explain the planet's formation, seasons and ecology.

Oighdaor

A type of ice elk found of Svæitgar, thought to be the reincarnation of the Faceless ones. They have a short fur coat of white and brown patches, with large branching antlers. These creatures are blind and use the Dituri-Mejä to navigate. It is from them that the first Svæitgarians learned their unique type of sight.

Orthadox

Orthodox tongue is a variant similar to old English and is taught across the galactic Dominion. It is spoke mostly on Xuilium as the language is viewed as inclusive for many migrants to the planet.

While languages like that on Pixidys and Gaia are purposefully difficult to learn due to both planets closed off nature, Orthodox is designed to be spoken across the galactic federation and is a key tool for travellers.

Plasma hazer

A clear shield that covers over most of Gaia's larger cities. It offers protection from rain and the harsher elements, but that is not its official purpose. The hazer is primarily used to regulate the gravitational pull to 9.8 metres per second squared (m/s2). This gives a gravitational pull closer to Old Earth's within cities. While smaller towns and village's use juggernaut boots instead.

Ríthar 

The Nadúlra word for “Father”. This is considered the highest position of authority within the Dominion, similar to that of a kings. However it is not a gendered term. The tradition of the eldest male heirs being crowned Father was abolished in 246 GC with Gaias first female monarch, Fidelma Fell. Gaius Fell currently holds the title of Ríthar.

Sanctuaries

The Sanctuaries are in charge of the elite training programs for Svæitgarian sight users. They take children of roughly five years in to begin their discipline in the way of sight and combat. Once soldiers are prepared, they are funnelled through the military and shipped out to various dynasties. They act as the heads of military, and report directly to the royal family.

Sight

A collection of abilities, from the mastery of the elements to psychic powers. The disciplines under it are Elementals, The Draíchta, Jumper's, Sigils and Lines or Links (Depending on the region of the Dominion).

Sigils

A type of ancient rune connected to the sight. One any user of the sight, regardless of their discipline, can undertake. The language of sigils takes a minimum of ten years to study, but true fluency can take decades.

Sigil weaponry

Runic-like symbols carved into various weapons to give them greater strength and use. Sigils have a variety of uses, from mending broken swords to flaming shields. The most popular use of sigil armoury are metal weapons such as metal mindelions or scythes, carved with sigil markings that produce a kinetic energy.

Sporus trees

Native to Gaia, these 'trees' are really fungal shoots that have branched outwards above the surface. They are bioluminescent in the dark and previous acted as pathways, being planted beside roads between towns to light the way.

The Brotherhood 

A denomination of The Church of the Faceless. Unlike the church, they believe the banishment of the Faceless ones was what brought sight to flourish among humanity, not the gods themselves. In this faith, the Faceless one's are viewed as a warning that would bring the ruin of humanity. Though many still pray thanks to the gods for their sacrifice and wish them luck beyond the 'Eye of gods'.

The Church of the Faceless

Founded on Pixidys IX, the religion has been in practice for hundreds of years, dating back to the early 100s GC. The religion preaches worship to a race of ancient dirties found on Pixidys IX. The legends say the 4th quadrant of the universe ( Modern day 9-12th division of The United Alliance of the Galactical Áohlos Dominions) was previously ruled by and home to the Faceless ones, extraterrestrial beings with no physical bodies that used an advanced form of the sight to inhabit the body's of trespassers and eliminate them. The Church of The Faceless believe it was they who developed the sight, being creatures of pure energy.

The Great Crossing

A mass expedition taken by the survivors of Old Earth. They would eventually land upon Gaia in the year 32 GC, as the first landers. Though the planet had been previously inhabited by a small number of researchers who'd been learning about the planet to officially label it a habitable exo-planet. Year's passed within the Dominion would be counted from the year humans left Old Earth, GC, the years since the Great Crossing.

The order of Eden

A subset of Odeiséon believers who focus on nature. They are popular upon Xiulium, with many citizens wishing to rebuild the natural landscapes the planet once had.

Chapter Text

I saw the old earth before it fell

At its greatest, humanity stood on the precipice of gods. Their technology, their power, towered high above anything replicated in the centuries following the Dominion's creation. Even now, six hundred years since Earth's destruction, we still come no closer to their heights.

Humans, like the stories of old, flew too close to the sun. Old Earth became a planet of metal and blinking lights, devoid of the natural landscapes of azure and viridian hues. It was barren.

It should have been the end, but it wasn't.

Humanity adapted, as they always had. When nature became obsolete, when food became scarce and rivers dried, when winds died out and their methods of energy conservation became null, they flew to the sun.

The megastructures I've seen were fascinating, great dark blocks encircling the sun and harnessing its never ending strength. They built underground harvests and cities through the crusts. The sun's glow across the earth eventually faded to random blinking specs fizzling through the few gaps of the structures, so they made light sources brighter than the stars.

When there was nowhere left to build they took to the skies, a great helix of metal encased the planet of old earth, where many flocked too leaving the cold earth near empty of human life.

Then, the solar flares hit. 

It was a single mistake, a single error of mortal judgement that cost humanity everything. When the flare hit, the electrical circuits blew, and in hours the once megastructure, the pride of humanity, hurled towards earth to signal their end.

They had mere hours to gather whatever they could. Data, artefacts, people. But not enough. The few who escaped found a new home as the ones left behind held their families close and watched the sky rain hellfire.

I always wondered what they could have been, had it not been for that one mistake. I wondered what I could have been, would I even be here?

Mistakes are inevitable, it is a part of human nature that no medicine can cure. Even mistakes that seem so tiny and insignificant can destroy a world.

✧ .* ☬ *. ✧

"Didn't expect to see you here."

It was late in the evening and the library had all the lights turned off, but the faint light pouring in from the window outside was enough for Aeryn to walk by as he made his way to one of the couches in the corner of the room where Merlin sat.

Xiulium’s Child slumped against the cushions of the chair as he rested the pad against his thighs.The light of the screen bathed his sharp face in a gentle glow. When Aeryn came closer he noted him scrolling through the texts on the pad.

It was a piece of text on The Grave. He'd read it before some time ago, in his history lessons. The first use of nuclear weapons in the Dominion's history. Arms just barely salvaged from Old Earth grew over the decades until humanity possessed the potent deadly powers of life or death itself.

Inevitably as humans always do, they chose death.

During the civil wars that plagued many of the growing dynasties, those devices left a belt of five planets known collectively as Excalibur declared inhospitable. The ruling dynasty of the newly established 4th Dominion perished alongside them. In the aftermath power was passed to the surviving family members on what would become the Dominion's new capital, Ivamon. The only good thing to ever come out of that situation was the ban on nuclear arms (Not that the Dominion's really had any use for them, with sight growing so popular) but this was in 200 GC, and gods know humanity liked their deadly toys back then.

An inhabitable exo-planet located just outside the Dominion's borders was chosen to designate the nuclear waste. The planet was hit several years later by a rogue meteor which ignited the arms and destroyed part of the planet's orbit. As of now it was considered the Dominion's greatest failure. Dubbed "The Grave", with any unfortunate explorers given only a single message upon entering within a radius of over 100 kilometres of The grave:

 "Prepare to meet thy Gods."

Why Merlin was reading about nuclear arms, Aeryn didn't know. But he figured he should probably ask if Merlin was feeling ok. The idea of a future Father of Xiulium reading about weapons of mass destruction wasn't something that sat right.

"Are you enjoying the bedroom?" Merlin asked suddenly, startling Aeryn from his thoughts, "Mother gave you the Lirainian suit. She had an upholstery phase and spent the summer fixing it up when we were young. The colours are lovely don't you think?"

"The colours are fine," Aeryn hummed, falling into the chair next to him.

Merlin smiled, giving him some semblance of reassurance, and put the pad down. "I know it's quite the change. But on the bright side the royal quarters are much closer to the library don't you think?"

"Yeah that's good I guess. It's the one place Anarchy sure as hell isn't setting foot in"

"Still fighting?"

"We're not fighting, she's just being weird"

"She'll come around. Visions can mess with your head a bit, that's all. One you both get around to talking things over everything will be back to normal"

All Aeryn gave in response was a quiet hum. He should say something more, a thank you. Merlin had done nothing but try to make him comfortable, yet there Aeryn sat in the evening dark, making the situation anything but comfortable.

"How do you deal with them then; the visions? Do you act like that, like she has?"

Blinking in surprise, Merlin looked taken aback. Not necessarily in a bad way. He just seemed surprised Aeryn had actually said anything else. "At first, yes," he nodded. "Visions are complicated and the effects vary from person to person. The old seer in the Order of Eden was high on ecstasy half his life. But others are more withdrawn afterwards. I didn't speak to anyone for days after mine. Everything became so blurry and confusing" 

"I guess that makes sense"

"They mess with your perception of time," Merlin explained, placing the pad back on its desk, "They can make you paranoid too, and that can screw the next vision so it's not a wonder jumpers are so few nowadays and why their readings aren't so accurate"

"Do you, do you get the feeling things are set for you? Like-"

"Like you're reading through a history book?" 

Aeryn nodded, folding himself back into the chair. "Everything just feels so set right now. Like I have this feeling something's going to happen and there's nothing to stop it. Everything has always been set for me. My father made sure of that. But even now that I'm finally making a fucking choice for myself it feels like I'm just being lead on. Like there's someone else pulling the strings"

"I feel that too," Merlin replied, and Aeryn found his shoulders sagging in relief. He was unaware they were ever tense in the first place. "It's as if I'm living someone else's story. I sometimes feel I'm living through pages written before me. Sometimes I get visions that feel more like hazy memories. It's hard to tell what's real, between what I remember and what's to come."

"So how do you know what's real? What's you and what's something else?"

"All I can do is hope. They say history repeats itself, don't they? In that case, hope is all I have, Aeryn."

Aeryn didn't think he liked that answer.

He didn't like it because he understood it so well.

*.ﾟﾟ.*

"Again."

Rose parried a swipe from Vile’s shadows, feeling the prickling sensation of death itself radiate from it. Rose returned him a blast of darkness.

"Stronger!"

Rose did her best to drown out Vile’s stern instructions and dealt another blow, feeling her dark hair flick around her face. She hadn't bothered to put it up lately. Not that it mattered. She couldn't do the intiquit braids alone, and besides, loose hair seemed the default on Pixidys. Unlike Gaia, no one bothered with heavy styling. Rose decided that she liked it better this way, not having to waste time on something so pointless as hair.

Vile moved to send another flurry of shadows her way while Rose readied to block his assault, but before either could continue, Tenebrae clapped his hands together to signal their spar was at its end. Rose couldn't see Viles expression beyond the dark metal of his helmet, only his monotone voice that gave her no insight into his genuine thoughts.  "You're still struggling to anchor your feet. You'll fall if you try to fight like that."

Training with Vile had brought with it a sort of exhilaration Rose hadn't known possible. Every lunge she dodged, every spike of shadows she met with her own made her feel stronger, made her feel powerful. In the Draíchta training rooms she could lose herself with Vile. Fight out all her frustrations and afterwards collapse in a heap of victory. She'd never actually beaten Vile, then again she wasn't sure anyone ever had, but the feeling of progress, of her sight finally having an opportunity to grow, was all the victory she needed.

Despite how much she appreciated such an opportunity, despite how much help she knew Viles remarks offered, it still irritated her. Most things did these days.

Rose huffed at her training partner, taking a heavy breath to steady her heartbeat. "Do you ever offer any encouragement?"

The general simply shrugged. "You asked to spar. We spared. You asked for criticism and I've done just that. I wasn't aware you wanted encouragement?"

"I'll remember that next time then."

"Don't bother much with Vile here, he's a man of few words," Tenebrae said. "Your Orthodox is getting better. You're at a decent speaking point"

"I did speak it, you know, back on Gaia sometimes," Rose thought it best not to add who she'd spoken it with. The memories of times spent curled up in her chamber alongside Betha ran parallel to Rose's knowledge of Orthodox. Times she'd cherished now weighed down by her melancholic absence. Rose feared if she'd said anything more that those emotions would pour out of her.

"But not as often as to keep fluency I'll bet. How many times did you go back and study?" Tenebrae asked, drawing Vile and Rose closer with a gesture.

Rose shook her head, "Too many. Though It's easier than I thought it would be. Here it just comes second nature."

"Three months of constant use would have anyone picking it up easily," Vile stated flatly.

Rose rounded a scowl at him that could have made Mevolent cry, "Don't try to put me down. I've worked hard."

"I never said you hadn't. As a matter of fact I think your bearings of Orthodox are well enough to start studying Menkaís. Don't you think Tenebrae?"

The high priest gave a nod of agreement, "What better a time than the present?"

"Menkaís is harder isn't it," Rose said thoughtfully, brushing off her sudden anger, "It's all about tone. Everyone says it's impossible for foreigners to learn. I didn't realise it had anything to do with Orthodox?"

"It doesn't. But many of the resources we use to teach foreign emissaries are in Orthodox. You forget no one outside the 1st and 2nd Dominion's speaks Nadúlra," Vile answered with that monotonous tone that was really starting to irk her, especially when he jabbed, and suddenly her frustrations returned.

"Can I ask you both something then?" She said, keeping her voice steady and hoping none of her emotions seeped through. Rose did enjoy Tenebrae and Viles company, she'd just had a difficult time with her own feelings lately. The last thing she desired was to take it out on either of them.

"I can't guarantee an answer," Vile shrugged.

Tenebrae rolled his eyes, "I'll answer, girl, if he's not inclined to"

"Ok then. What does beígo mean?"

Vile snorted, rattling his helmet, and beside her Tenebrae indulged in the first fit of laughter she'd ever heard from him. Rose found herself turned towards the floor, hiding a flushed face of embarrassment and a frown. 

Once they'd ceased their fit of giggles, Tenebrae finally offered her an answer, "It means little or small."

Oh. 

Small, Mevolent had been calling her small.

Rose was small, that was no secret. The Fells in general were small for Gaians. With the low gravity of the planet, it wasn't abnormal for its citizens to exceed a stature of six, upwards of seven feet. In contrast Rose stood less than five feet. But something about the way Mevolent said it, beígo, never made it sound literal. In that case, the only conclusion Rose could draw was that Mevolent was calling her…weak.

"Is that all

"Yeah," she mumbled, "I guess it is"

"Alright then," Vile replied, appearing none the wiser to her internal conflicts, "We'll meet tomorrow at sunset. Tenebrae here expressed a desire to oversee your progress with the bodies. Don't be late."

*.ﾟﾟ.*

The children sat curved around the warm heat of the fireplace. Content to simply enjoy an evening without worry, lounging and joking about. In the weeks since his vision there hadn't been much news for Aeryn to devote any time to. Nothing had been heard from Pixidys and the Mother's were still attempting to secure a summons with Svæitgar. So in that time all Aeryn could really think about was his vision.

Merlin had tried explaining it as best he could but Aeryn couldn't manage to make sense of anything. Supposedly Morrigan's peak sat atop the epicentre of one of the planet's magnetic fields. The energy there was at its greatest for sight users to harness. Some; the ones more prone to the Odeiséon faith, believed it to connect to the heart of Morrigan; the goddess of Xiulium. Though seeing as the faiths weren't as common here most trusted the more scientific explanations.

"It's nothing like Gaia", Aeryn had said to him. Wrapped in a knitted blanket one cold afternoon as he and the other boy sat in front of the blazing fires. "Odeiséon is everywhere, all our festivals are based around Talamh or Bascán. Even Gaius takes part. Only for appearance though, but still."

Merlin hummed in agreement, "The faiths have never been so common here. It makes sense I suppose, Xiulium was discovered far later into the Dominion's creation. It's only since the revolution people have actually taken to religion. Back during the colony days the major houses were atheistic and they didn't tolerate their workers indulging in anything that wasn't lining their pockets with wealth. But now it's started growing slowly. The Odeiséon followers built the Order of Eden. There are even pockets of Faceless worshipers with the Brotherhood."

"Order of Eden?" Aeryn prompted, scratching his chin. It wasn't a name he'd ever been familiar with. Then again Gaius had strayed his lessons from teaching much of anything about the Dominion's religions other than the ones practised on Gaia. "Never heard of it."

"The Woman we saw on Morrigan's peak is one of their druids. It's a denomination of Odeiséon but they mainly focus on maintaining and rebuilding the natural geography of Xiulium", Merlin explained. "Ara's popular with them."

Aeryn found himself chuckling, "Sounds like a bunch of hippie's to me."

"They're certainly very entwined with nature. But it's a good thing. They're the ones who discovered the sight's intensity on the peak."

"Does everyone get a vision when they reach it?"

"No not always. Ara took me and Genesis up lots of times when we were kids. I hadn't started getting visions up until three years ago. The order of Eden thinks visions are from the Gods in time's of need."

"Times of need? They're gods aren't they? What do they need from us?"

"Perhaps they're not so godly."

Aeryn let out a snicker, "Good one. Let me guess, the Brotherhood thinks it's the Faceless ones?"

"Mhmm. But the Brotherhood aren't so much worshippers of the Faceless ones. They believe in them of course, but they thought it the best they were banished. Instead they celebrate everything that came after them."

"Lunatics", Aeryn muttered

"I don't think that's fair to say. They're far less radical than the Church. But some of their methods are certainly extreme. They tried to ban any pilgrims to Morrigan's peak. They thought the visions were wills from the Faceless trying to cloud judgement. To lead people towards a path to free them. They had good intentions."

"Well what do you think? Magnetic poles, or Gods?" 

"I don't know really. I don't follow the faiths you see. China says visions are just states of mind. Placing your conscience forward in time. I don't think there's any heavenly intervention for the most part."

"You don't think? But you don't know for sure."

"Anything is possible. Perhaps we do walk among God's."

Aeryn was shaking himself from his head when a knock came from the door. Everyone startled, momentarily trapped in immobility. Seated in the plush couches of the family's common rooms they hadn't been expecting a summons. Aeryn jumped up before the other's could, opening the doors to see Dexter waiting on the other side.

“Children of Xiulium, and guests," he nodded. "The Mother's wish to see you”

Biting back a sigh, Aeryn stepped back to grab his shoes as he listened to the other's shuffling off the couches and doing the same. No one spoke up. No one protested. If the Mother's were asking their presence without a notice then it called for something important.

A few minutes later they were following Dexter down the halls. While a part of Aeryn's mind was racing as he tried to figure out what they were being summoned for this time, another part of him felt strangely calm. Far calmer than he had been in some time. The anxiety was still there. The fear and frustration spinning inside him. But it felt distant. Maybe it was because for the first time since he'd left Gaia, Aeryn knew he was going to be safe. The Mother's, Araminta, wouldn't give them up to Mevolent. And this time Aeryn firmly believed that.

A glance to his left revealed Anarchy, frowning. They hadn't spoken much since the incident on Morrigans peak. Their new room arrangements left even fewer opportunities for any kind of conversation. Aeryn's newfound calmness hadn't extended to her. She'd spent most of the previous weeks stuck inside her head, quieter than he'd ever seen her. Wrapped up in the images she'd seen atop the peak that she refused to share. He'd catch her sometimes, looking him over like she'd been trying to figure out how they all fit together. How everything might go so wrong so quickly as the visions foretold.

Reaching into his mind he tried to speak with her. Everything alright?

But he was just met with silence.

It wasn’t long before they reached the throne room. There had never been a large amount of security there. The Xiuliums seemed far too confident in their technological defences to warrant any extra guards. But today a line of soldiers in the crisp Xiulium uniforms of red and gold stood waiting for them outside. Dexter  dipped his head to them before taking a step back. The Children knew the routine and waited for the shimmering doors to open for him to guide them into the throne room.

There was a pause though.

“In accordance with intergalactic treaties, when you enter you’re only to speak Orthodox. If you try to speak any other language that’s grounds for suspicion of conspiracy,” Dexter suddenly said. His face was far more serious than Aeryn had ever seen it.

“We’ve literally only been speaking Orthodox since we got here,” Anarchy pointed out, frowning at him. “Why would anything be different now?”

Dexter tensed, “You’ll understand.”

And that was all the explanation they got before the doors shimmered and Dexter was gesturing for them to follow him inside.

Inside the throne room China and Araminta were in their usual spots. Looking for all the world grander than Aeryn had ever seen them. Dripping in long fabrics and jewels, brash and beautiful. Twisted gold filigree adorned their fingers. It was once considered a sacred ore in the colony days, being hidden beneath miles of ocean and rare hot springs. With all that, It didn’t take a genius to figure out that this was formal court attire. Aeryn stiffened as he realised that this was the most formal of a summons he or Anarchy had witnessed since they'd landed.

“Children of the Dominion” Araminta began. And Aeryn tried not to think of how strange it was to hear her say the words in the royal and formal notations, rather than the lighthearted and tender way she'd been doing for so many weeks now. "My wife and I do apologies for the sudden call, but we have little time.”

Anarchy narrowed her eyes, “Little time for what?” She asked, replying to the Mother before Aeryn could. He could practically see the tension wound deep into her shoulders.

“You know how I told you that we’ve been trying to get in contact with Svæitgar?” China questioned, to which the Children nodded. “We received a summons from the acting Mother Regent. They wish to speak to us, and you, shortly."

Oh.

Despite their division these last week's, Anarchy shared an identical look of shock with Aeryn at the news. Dexter's cryptic warning suddenly made sense considering his and Anarchy's understanding of multiple languages. Suspicion of conspiracy had been enough to trigger wars in the past days. Or in more modern times, grounds for the dismissal of treaties. Something he was sure the Mother's would be adamant not to risk. Especially with the 9th Dominion bordering them.

But would they help them?

That was the real question. Svæitgar often removed itself from the politics of the Dominion. Soldiers were their main export. Specially trained guards taught the way of the sight, they were fierce and loyal. That was Svæitgars primary concern, not politics. As long as their exports stayed high enough they liked to keep to themselves. Like Gaia, they closed themselves off because they didn’t care about the rest of the galaxy. If they had something to gain from working with other planets, they would. Otherwise, it wasn’t something they’d bother to concern themselves with.

Most planets were content to let them be. With many of the Dominion's army's relying on their training, they never tended to bother them. Particularly with the Svæitgarians' unique teachings that made their sight potent and lethal.

That was before Aeryn even mentioned they were Faceless one's worshippers. Regardless of their supposed friendly terms with Xiulium, If they had any side to be on, it was Mevolents. Aeryn didn't see how they could get anywhere with this meeting other than a dead end.

Araminta gestured for the children to come stand by the throne. The Children of Xiulium stood at Aramintas side. While Anarchy and Aeryn placed themselves next to China. Part of Aeryn was tempted to swap positions to feel Ara's reassuring presence next to him instead of China's open coldness.

It was then Aeryn noticed one of the guards push down one of the masked panels on the floor. It made a subtle hiss as through the ground a flat disk rolled out. It settled itself towards the bottom of the thrones platform, before unravelling into a clustered circle of much smaller disks.

Though Gaia wasn't known for their technology, preferring more traditional physical meetings, Aeryn had still seen a projection ring once before while touring the military bases. It was only ever to be used if time called for immediate action. Not a common occurrence in his lifetime.

A dull hum emanated from the rings on the floor. Without thinking, Aeryn straightened his back and felt Anarchy mimic him. The pair shuffled closer to the throne to ensure they were in full view as a string of text hovered to life before them.

“Intergalactic call incoming. Source: Svæitgar. Do you accept?” A robotic female voice echoed out from the ring.

Araminta nodded, “Yes, I accept.”

The hum cut off. Replaced by a harsher drone as a beam of light shot from the centre of each ring, converging towards a single point. Aeryn blinked as the beam expanded into an unintelligible shape. Then the droning dipped in volume as the light finally morphed into a legible screen.

There was a single figure present in the hologram. She seemed young. Close to Aeryn's age if not a bit younger. Shades of pink and white hair cascaded down her shoulders in shiny curls with blue green eyes set above a splattering of white freckles over her nose. Against her dark cheeks were wisps of white paint, curved bands following the natural inclines of her cheekbones, and a snowflake-like pattern dotting her forehead. Aeryn remembered Betha telling him of the paints she used to wear. A dark splash of blue that coated the left side of her face to represent her home planet. It was the mark of a warrior. This must be the mark of royalty then. Along with this, her hair was partially tied in the front. Two bands of hair wound in silver sat in front of her shoulders and the rest pushed behind. Across either side of her head a leaf motif of silver curved into the sides of her face. A headpiece as opulent as this no doubt signified a very high status.

“Are you receiving me?” Araminta asked as soon as the hologram stopped flickering.

The girl nodded, “Yes, I am. Are you receiving me?” Her voice was tinged with the delayed buzz that came with speaking over a projection ring. On Old Earth they wouldn't have had such imperfections in the technology. But that equipment had been lost to time. The Dominion was only left with the basics.

“We are receiving you,” Araminta confirmed, pushing to her feet. “Thank you for taking the time to speak with us, I'm sure your schedule is rather full. I am Araminta Crimson, Mother of Xiulium. Beside me is my wife, China Sorrows, the Mother consort.”

China and Araminta both bowed at her as they introduced themselves. But once they finished neither moved to give any of the children a signal to introduce themselves. As such, they remained silent and still.

“I’m aware of who you both are,” the girl replied. Her tone was not rude, but with her harsh accent she sounded anything but kind. “I am Novienya Déilīt, Child of Svæitgar. First of the procession and heir to the throne. My mother is preoccupied with other business and I am the acting Mother Regent. So you’ll be speaking with me on the matter you contacted us about.”

Oh. This was the child next in line for the throne to Svæitgar. Betha had spoken a few times of her relationship with a noble standing heir on Svæitgar, whom she'd previously been stationed to guard before Rose. He hadn't thought it was a royal station though. Distantly, Aeryn wondered if they could be related. Many of the dynasties held obsessions with keeping blood pure and possessed close relatives.

 It was an outdated concept. After all, the sight used to be confined to the noble houses and they hadn't wanted their power to spill out into the common folk . Even if those beliefs had long since died out, the nobles liked to keep it in the family.

Aeryn wanted to vomit just thinking about it.

He didn’t miss the slight dip in her words when she said her mother was preoccupied. While it was possible that she had other business to attend to, it didn't seem likely that she'd press a call from another dynasty's Monarch onto her daughter. Could she be ill? Perhaps Noyinya was preparing to take over her duties if she was. He took in a shaky breath. If the Mother of Svæitgar really had taken ill that could complicate things. 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Child Déilīt. Or should I call you Novienya so as not to confuse you with your mother?” Araminta asked. Sitting back down on her throne.

Even through the projection, Aeryn didn’t miss the way her brows twitched at Aramintas words. Yet all she responded with was, “Novinya is fine.”

Another figure hovered in, a Svæitgarian advisor more than likely. She snapped at them. Her voice low, but sharp enough to cut through stone. “No. You will only refer to her as the Child Déilīt or the Mother Regent. Is that understood?”

To Aeryn's surprise, Araminta paled at this. She nodded and as strange as it was, she looked taken aback.

That was wrong. Araminta was the Mother of Xiulium. A kind spirit and leagues ahead of this woman's status. She wasn’t one to be spoken down to. Not with the reputation she possessed. Then again that was just another example of how little Svæitgar cared for the Dominion's etiquette.

Part of Aeryn, the chaotic side who spat in any face of authority, approved of her sheer honesty and disregard of any formal position Ara might have. The official hierarchy across the Dominion's had left a bitter taste on his tongue since his early teens. It was dumb, it was stupid, and he hated it. Mainly because it prevented him from cursing out the stuck up senators he'd had to deal with in past years.

Aeryn was no angel. He could be polite when needed but he'd never enjoyed it. If that made him an asshole then sue him. But still even from his point of view this lady was just plain rude. And the other part of him, who'd begun trusting the mothers, who lounged in the palace far more comfortably than he'd ever in the Gaian Acropolis, wanted to bite her ankles off.

Bitch , he thought. Barely keeping the word to himself.

“My apologies, Mother regent,” Araminta corrected, clenching her jaw. Looking as close to annoyed as Aeryn had ever seen her.

Satisfaction flickered through the advisor's eyes, making them almost glow. “That’s better,” she hummed, leaning back in her seat out of frame.

Novienya seemed to glare off camera but didn't move to correct her advisor, "I’ve been told by my advisors that you’ve granted Child Aeryn of Gaia and Anarchy of House Blue Sanctuary to protect them from the Father Mevolent. Is that correct?”

Araminta nodded. “Yes, that is correct. I have gathered them here alongside my children." Araminta turned to Merlin, nodding her head in approval.

In one swift movement, Merlin stood forward and dropped to a bow, "I’m Merlin Crimson, Child of Xiulium. First of the procession and heir to the throne. Lord of the Crimson dynasty and ward of the sight." His bow was deeper than Aeryn thought possible with his tall stature. Aeryn could see how he was twisting his fingers into the hem of his jacket to try and hide his nerves.

When he stepped back, Genesis moved to take his place. "Genesis Crimson. Child of Xiulium. Second of the procession. Protector of the Crimson dynasty."

"Protector?" Novienya questioned, perking up.

"I do not use the title of lord or lady," Gen explained. Their proud grin was almost audible. 

Svæitgars Child returned them a smile of her own. "I like that. Perhaps it's a title I should use upon my ascension?"

Aeryn heard a voice snap through the hologram, a sharp Novienya before the Child flinched and settled her smile. For the first time since the call began, Novienyas gaze shifted and her eyes landed on him and Anarchy. Araminta noticed this and gestured to both of them.

“My dears, introduce yourselves to the Mother regent,” she ordered.

Looking at him, Anarchy gave him a nod telling him to go first. But when Aeryn stepped forward, Novienya spoke up.

“Shouldn’t the girl go first?” She asked, furrowing her brows.

Aeryn froze, confusion settling on his face, unsure how to proceed. There was an awkward beat of silence. He shot a pleading look at Anarchy, which was only answered with a shrug. Clearing his throat, Aeryn continued.

“I am the Child of Gaia, so it’s customary for me to introduce myself first,” he explained. Hoping his voice didn't come across as rude. Gaius often scolded him by claiming he couldn't be polite if he tried. Aeryn had to admit it was one of the few things he often agreed with the Ríthar. But this time no offence seemed to cross Noyienya.

Instead she let out a soft laugh at that. It wasn't cold or mocking, rather she seemed amused. “I don’t really care what your titles dictate. By Svæitgarian standards the women introduce themselves first. That is unless you're the Child of the host planet. You’re a Gaian boy. A guest here as the Mother informed me. So the girl is the one who should introduce herself first.”

That was definitely strange. But also another example of how differently Svæitgar operated in relation to the rest of the Dominion. Most planets elected their officials to be monarchs of the first born, or in Gaias case, the one most equipped to rule. The title of Father was the highest rank in the dynasty but it wasn't a gendered term. Both men, women, and others could use the title. Svæitgar was one of the few planets who's succession went in terms of gender. The other planets who did this were notably patriarchal, but on Svæitgar it was a matriarchy. The firstborn daughter would rule after the Mother passed. 

Without a word, Aeryn stepped back so his shoulders were brushing Anarchys. He saw her take a deep breath before seemingly forcing herself to step forward again.

“Anarchy Blue's of House Blue, Astréa,” she introduced. Bowing before straightening back up.

“Astréa, that's quite a ways away,” Novienya pointed out.

“I came to Pixidys as an emissary,” she explained. 

Understanding dawned on the Child's face. So the news of Mevolents plot had reached throughout the Dominion. Aeryn hoped that was a good sign.

“Ah. I see.”

With that, Anarchy took a step back and Aeryn repeated what he’d done before to introduce himself. "Aeryn Fell, Child of Gaia. Fourth of the procession and Lord of dynasty Fell."

There was a beat of silence as Novienya stared at them both. Through the screen her face was unreadable. Her eyes skimmed them up and down. Something akin to curiosity settled behind the blue.

Or perhaps it was pity.

“You wished to inform me of a recent development? ” Novienya said after a moment, eyes flickering back to the Mother's. "Regarding Mevolent?"

"The Father has imprisoned the emmiseries and Children of many of the dynasties. Including the Child Rose of Gaia. We believe his intentions are to re-open the 'Eye of Gods'"

Novienya leaned over to whisper into one of the advisors' ears. They replied in a hushed tone and Novienya nodded before she straightened back up again, "We have no business with the other dynasties. How should this concern us?"

"The Faceless ones are a threat to us all," Araminta continued. "The dynasties are vulnerable, their heirs held hostage, and we believe he'll move to attack whether it be before or after the Eye is breached. But I believe Mevolent won't stop. He'll come for Svæitgar like the rest."

"And you want our help I take it? You wish to wage war over fairy tales?"

"Come here children," Araminta beckoned Merlin forward. "My son Merlin has seen visions of war. The other children too-"

"Unreliable," Novienya cut in, waving a hand dismissively. "If you have no further evidence then our talks are complete."

"From Morrigan's peak," China said suddenly. "The visions received at its peak are far more reliable than what's considered typical. Are they not?"

Novienyas face hardened. Flickering her gaze across the children, "What dif you see?"

"War," Merlin responded shakily. "A battle of blood on Pixidys. And you Mother Regent."

Novienya looked to her side and whispered something to the person on her left. Then she nodded, "What else?"

"The Child Aeryn has seen visions on the same peak, of the practice of bodies."

Her eyebrows raised, "Bodies you say?"

Aeryn took a tentative step forward to address the Child of Svæitgar, "I was in another's body. Fighting for control."

"Mevolent poses a sore topic on Svæitgar," Novienya explained. "When we heard of this summit on Pixidys we issued an emergency recall of all our troops to defend the planet. Why should we put our soldiers in harm's way?"

Araminta stood straighter than Aeryn thought possible, "We can stop this at the source Mother regent. Svæitgar and Xiulium are the only dynasties Mevolent holds nothing over. If we're to stop him it will be up to us. I wish to send my children as well, to hone their skills on Svæitgar. You have more of a connection to the elements and bodies than any of us could hope to."

"Pixidys is surrounded on all fronts by its sister planets. The remnants of the Nythes armies rival even Svæitgars. Previous invasions posed heavy casualties and that was before Mevolent increased the Dominion's security."

"We escaped them once," Anarchy countered, ignoring the harsh glance China sent her. "There were pockets of unoccupied space. We can break their defences."

"Do you really think Mevolent won't have accounted for that? Whatever field you flew through will be swarming with defences now."

"But there's still a chance. To-"

But Novienya didn't let her finish, dismissing her with a wave. "We are neutral as of now. Bringing over a foreign Child, one that Pixidys is hunting, is sure to break that neutrality."

Aeryn stood forward, trying his best not to snap, "You won't be neutral to Pixidys for much longer. Mevolent's after the dynasties that imposed the trade restrictions on his planet. That includes you."

"The concerns of the other dynasties do not involve us. We will not fight Xiuliums war," she said, sniffing in a mild annoyance.

"Then teach us. Please?"

"I cannot allow that."

Ara signed, something that nearly made Aeryn jump back. She wasn't one to show any degree of irritation. "Hypothetically speaking, if Xiulium was to be overtaken by the Pixidain army or If we decided to take your lack of cooperation as an act of betrayal, legally speaking all trade would be risked? Including the water reserves on our planet. The snow across Svæitgar is contaminated and only produces a fraction of your drinkable water. Most of it comes from Xiulium, correct?"

For the first time, Aeryn saw genuine panic in Novienyas eyes, "Y-Yes, but-"

"And while most of your power is generated from hydraulics, you're still in need of our technology to keep those systems running, yes? Your heating compartments are all of Xiulium make."

Novienya hesitated. Another voice came over from beside her. Refuse them . But she looked conflicted.

Ara knew she was breaking through now. Aeryn watched her push down a smile. "Our family's worked alongside each other even before Xiuliums revolution. We have a shared history to remember Mother Regent. Please, we don't know the full extent of his plans. What if this is our only chance to defeat him?"

"I-"

" Novienya ," that voice came again from off camera. "I told you, refuse them"

But Novienya didn't refuse them, instead Novienya glared.

"I am the acting Mother regent and a Child of Svæitgar. Xiulium has served us well since I was a babe. An act of war on any of the Dominion's, Gaia, Xiulium, and others alike is by extent a threat to the balance of the entire Dominion. Including Svæitgar. By my order I grant you permission to arrive on our planet. And use of our military powers."

"Novienya-"

" Child Novienya. And Mother Regent. My degree holds the weight of the Mother Déilīt. Issue the captain to prepare the Svæitgarian army for defence and combat. Should it come to it."

The words of the Mother Regent left no room for argument. Aeryn heard the shuffle of advisors rushing away, presumably to inform the military of Novienyas orders. 

"My apologies for my rudeness. We will expect you by the weeks end. It's the least we can do in the service the Crimson dynasty has provided us."

"Thank you, Mother Regent," Ara beamed. Dropping into a curt bow. "And I apologise sincerely if my words came as a threat. But I hope you understand our desperation."

"There's no apologies needed here. In fact, please accept my own on behalf of our rudeness. We hope to see you soon."

With that, Svæitgars Child faded into a slew of distorted pixels. And finally, the light from the projection disk cut out. Leaving them alone again in the throne room.

Genesis was the first to speak, "So what now?"

"You'll need to pack your things dears," Ara said, giving Anarchy and Aeryn an apologetic look. "We leave in three days time for a new world."

"Again?" Anarchy mused to him, the first words she'd said directly to him in days.

Aeryn nodded, "Again"

*.ﾟﾟ.*

Alone and level sands, stretch far away.

He stood upon the dunes gazing across the barren cracks of a wasteland tucked into the farthest quadrant of humanity's new pocket of power. Another piece to be added to a chess game. 

The sand fell at his heels greedily. The more he moved the more he felt the gentle grains toss themselves over him, as if to hold him down, to bury him under and make him one with the desserts. 

If he'd been a pious man he might think the Gods themselves were calling him to cease his meddling's upon this planet. If he'd belonged to any faith he might have thought the Gods were eager to drag him to his demise as punishment for such hubris.

But he was no pious man and he thought the Gods should thank him for his hubris. As it would bring a new age for them all. As while the Gods of Odeiséon were merely foolish stories, the same could not be said for his dear friend.

"Aegir," he called. Flicking the sand from his feet as he moved towards the creature. "My good friend, what brings you here?"

Aegir looked human enough, but a closer look gave him away his true nature to even the thickest of individuals. His eyes were just a bit too dull. His movements were just a bit too orchestrated. And his gait, so disturbingly unnatural. Aegir looked human, but Aegir was not.

Aegir was a wolf in sheep's clothing. A God in the body of a man.

His friend didn't speak most days. Not in any known language. Not in a way he'd be able to comprehend. Aegir and its kind were a far cry above humanity. He supposed that came with the territory of being a God. But it had its ways with the powers of the sight. Filling his head with all he'd need to know from his friend without a word passing between them.

Progress?

The word filled his ears and he looked up to his friend and smiled. "I've assembled an army a hundred thousand men strong as per your suggestions. They learn quickly. The sight becomes them."

And soon it shall become us all.

"Steady there friend. I don't recall such eagerness when I had to beg to become your student."

In our blindness we saw not opportunity, but ruin. We did not see.  

"And you now realise the error of your judgement?"

We recognize our missed opportunity.

"Fear not my friend. Soon humanity will rise above the stars once more. With the Faceless ones alongside us."

Aegir pulled the bodies lips into a smile. And he smiled back.

Together?

"Together."

The dreams, or nightmares really, kept Aeryn on edge for that morning. Nearly every morning he'd woken with the yellow sheets seeped in sweat. Most of them kept him trapped in constant loops of all the times he'd failed Rose. Of all the times he'd turned a blind eye when the Ríthar called her useless. Too scared to face Gaius' anger himself. Of all the times she'd just wanted someone there with her, to talk to, to play with, and he'd shooed her away. Wanting to be alone and sulk in his own pity instead of helping one of the only people who'd cared for him.

You should have been there for her.

He should have spoken to her more and told her he loved her. He shouldn't have let Gaius drive a rift between them. He should have given her the stars.

But even those dreams, those haunting aching memories, didn't quite disturb him as much as the recent ones.

They were so similar yet so different. And they'd only begun after Morrigan's peak.

Aeryn couldn't tell if he was supposed to be himself in his dreams. Standing amongst all expanding sands with someone who felt like a friend. Sometimes they'd talk about mundane gossip. Other times they'd plan strategy for something he couldn't understand. Whatever it was, it was misleadingly peaceful.

There was an undercurrent of anxiety that always followed those dreams. The same biting edge that Aeryn had been feeling for weeks now. That something was going to happen and there'd be nothing he could do to stop it.

Something bad.

Aeryn needed to get out. He needed to distract himself. Maybe if the passage was unguarded he could run down to the city and drown himself in something to make him forget about everything. About Pixidys, about Gaia, about himself and all the things he'd been so useless to fix.

Sprinting from his chambers, Aeryn took off towards the worship room Merlin had shown him before. Dashing past the surprised faces of a few maids. It only then occurred to him that he really should be bringing less attention to himself if he wanted to leave at all. Slowing his steps he rounded the long corridor at a leisurely pace. Though the urge to run still reverberated inside him.

All Aeryn had ever wanted to do was run. Run from his duties on Gaia. Run from any hint of his problems. He wanted to cause problems and run away from them so they'd never catch up. Still as all things do, they always caught up.

But that urge to run, that yearning almost, gripped him at every waking hour now. Since he fled Pixidys XI it had never left him. It only grew.

"Hey you there, what are you doing?"

If Aeryn hadn't been so caught up in his own head he might have avoided the guard in front of him. But Aeryn was an idiot, so he did what he did best.

He caused problems.

Aeryn, on instinct, flung the guard into the wall and he crumbled.

"Oh shit," Aeryn muttered.

Well, when life gives you lemons.

Or at least that's how he thought the dated phrase went? Aeryn had never had a lemon, they didn't exist anymore, so he wasn't so sure life could ever give him any.

Continuing forward with a slightly faster pace, Aeryn finally spotted the doors of the worship room and slinked into the room without sound. Fishing through his pockets he took a drag from the fumer set he'd robbed from one of the servants to calm his nerves

"You really shouldn't be doing that."

"Fucking hell!" He screamed, dropping the fumer.

When he whirled around, Merlin, Genesis and Anarchy all stood staring at him. Merlin looked meek, Genesis looked bored, and Anarchy was failing not to laugh.

"A warning next time would be nice," Aeryn snapped. Retrieving the fumer from his feet.

Merlin frowned, "Did you knock out a guard?"

Aeryn paused, "Uh- it was an accident."

"You're sneaking out again," Genesis stated, blunt as ever.

"No, I'm going to the nursing home to play checkers."

"Technically that would still be sneaking out."

Aeryn shoved a finger in their face, "Zip it pinkie pie. What the hell are ye doing here?"

"We figured we'd come with you," Merlin told him while giving a pointed look.

"Ara will have our asses if we let you stumble through the city alone," Anarchy added.

"No Ara will have my ass if I take you with me. Go back," he grunted, shooing them off.

"Like hell Rynnie. You're a sloppy drunk and I'm not gonna be dealing with fishing you out of the canal come morning."

"Besides, you wouldn't get out alone. They already know you've a propensity for sneaking out," Merlin, annoyingly, pointed out.

He groaned, "I literally went one time."

Merlin sighed, " The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand. "

"In dumbass," Anarchy said, "That means think and don't pull the same shit twice."

"Is that Sun tzu?" Genesis asked belatedly. Clearly not at all listening to anything they had said.

"No it's Sephis Kai", Aeryn drawled.

"Really?"

"Yes it's fucking Sun tzu idiot."

Beside them, Anarchy cocked her head, "Didn't know you could read midget."

"Watch it, Blue's."

*.ﾟﾟ.*

" I see you there you know?"

The raven eyed man seldom smiled as of late. Preoccupied in meetings of strategies and surrounded by fools. A stippled frown remained etched into his features. No one could have blamed him, however, with plans failing and the increased idiocy of his men.

Indeed the raven eyed man seldom smiled. Unless in the presence of his daughter.

A young girl of only five and ten, stood nestled behind one of the war rooms empossing pillars. He'd have commended her on her silence. Not one of his Generals had spotted her peeking on their talks. But this was his daughter.and he knew better.

He was not worried about her listening to any of their strategies, and he let her speak after the meetings when his Generals had left. It seemed to many he was always testing her. And in such a way he was. Trusting her to learn quickly, as one day she'd take his duties to the Faceless ones as her own.

She did not mind being tested. Her obsession with history and warfare was always dismissed as unladylike by others. Still her father would discuss it with her. Reluctant to quell her dreams of being a warrior when that's precisely what the Church needed, regardless of her gender. The raven eyed man let her speak about her interests quite openly. 

"It seems you studied your history far more than your sewing," he commented that one late evening. Beckoning her from the corner she hid behind.

"I was always terrible at sewing," his daughter said. "My governess said I had no eye for detail."

"That doesn't seem to be true," he said. "You remember all of the names of the Faceless ones and the battles of Ezroh. You even know the names of his jumpers and his soldiers' sight. Even I cannot boast that."

"It was the wrong kind of detail for me to know," the girl sighed as she came to sit next to him with a small smile. Clearly reminiscing on the times she'd bored her governess with such retellings 'So unbecoming of a lady' they'd said to him. "But yes, I remembered. I always wanted to fight alongside them, the Faceless ones. Let their strength be my own and their gifts my weapon."

"You will someday, my child. Someday soon," the raven eyed man responded, touching the coils of her tumbling dark locks so like her mother's.

"That's not true," the girl countered. "I'll have to fight off my governess and your Generals before they'd let me fight. Perhaps I'll prick them with my embroidery needles?"

The raven eyed man laughed a bellowing echo. His laughs always sounded harsh and joyless, like he hadn't practised them enough, but in the company of his child their warmth bled through. "It seems to me your lessons in sewing are a good thing then."

The girl smiled in return, "I was getting good with that needle."

"Were you now?" The man grinned in amusement, "Where is this needle of yours now?"

"Right here," the girl whispered, revealing the line of needles tucked neatly into her dress sleeve. "I've decided to save it for Ser Lurecian, lest he tell me once more a lady cannot fight."

"Oh my dear girl. It matters not what they think. My word alone is what should concern you. And when the time comes I will have you fight by my side. I assure you."

The girl shrugged and looked away. She looked as though she might ask him for a sword again. Her personal symbol of defiance. Against the role set from birth by the dynasties within the Dominion. Against the sinners who spat the names of the Gods she held so preciously. 

"But for now I think you should return these. Weapons as these are no use for you," The raven eyed man said. Patting the sleeve of her concealed weapons.

"Because I'm a girl?" His daughter muttered.

"No. Because I don't trust you with one, Kei. You're not ready yet. But you will be someday soon. You may be a little fighter, but you are a fighter all the same."

In spite of herself the girl grinned. She liked to be thought of as a fighter. People used to call her bold and resistant as an insult but she always saw it as a compliment. Strong women were often bold. Strong women were dangerous in the eyes of the men of Pixidys XI, in the eyes of the Nythes, and so she would be their nightmare.

Hundreds of years ago, a father and daughter would smile together in a war room. Bonded in a shared goal. Together until the end.

Hundreds of years later, a father and daughter would do much the same.

*.ﾟﾟ.*

"You like it out here?"

Rose shook herself out of her daydreams. They were on a small balcony perched on the castle's side. A low rise wall was all that stood between them and the capital city of Pixidys XI stretching out in front of them like a bright basalt causeway. In the twilight the city lights of Asphodel dotted the sands, twinkling orange specks in a sea of black.

Mevolent had settled himself on one end of the small landing, elbows supporting his weight as he leaned to get a closer look. Rose sat next to him, legs poised over the ledge and dangling against the wall. A frigid breeze stinging against the healing tattoos across her face.

“It’s freezing up here,” Rose muttered. Although the cold was forcing her thoughts to slow down as she shifted her focus to staying warm.

Mevolent snorted, “Yes, it is. The servants keep the fires running all day. They even take shifts throughout the day when everyone sleeps. Besides them, there's a maintenance crew to keep the heating running. But once outside we're victims of the elements.”

Looking down at the city she wondered how the citizens could possibly feel their fingers doing their daily works. Rose wore a coat not dissimilar to their own. A geometric heavy black fabric that had been carefully embroidered from the sleeves. It must have been expensive to make. And still she was shivering.

Sometimes Rose wondered what life outside the palace walls on Pixidys XI was like. Were the people here happy? Were they proud to live upon the capital planet of the 9th Dominion? Did the harsh conditions make them yearn for another life, or was it something they were simply used to? Did they like their leader, and his brash plans for the Faceless ones? Or were politics and religion not their concern as long as they stayed fed?

Rose didn’t have the slightest idea. But judging by the pride (Or perhaps it was possession) that had practically lit up Mevolents face as he stared out at the city, she would be surprised if there was any discontent in the city at all. Despite all his intricacies, the one thing Rose was sure of is that Mevolent cared for his people. He wouldn't fail on their behalf. He wouldn't let them starve. Regardless of all this political jargon he must know they were innocent. This place wasn’t just a means to an end for his gods or power. It was his home.

A shudder ran down Rose's spine as she wrapped her arms around herself. “Are there heaters in their coats?” she pondered aloud. Staring out at the clean-cut stone structures spanning across the sands. “I'm frozen, but they seem fine.”

“Indeed they do. Kéntos we call them,” Mevolent huffed. “Most of the noble class don't bother with them. It's considered a sign of wealth here. If you can afford not to work outdoors and top of the line heating for your home, there's no reason for a warmer cloak. See their kéntos? They're made from heavy fabrics and linings, but no fancy decor. The price of them relies more on the kind of heating systems inside rather than the appearance."

Brushing the fabric of her coat, Mevolent looked her up and down, "I thought everyone who sees you should know you're one of us," He chuckled. "Do you like it, the coat?"

"Oh this old thing?" Rose replied with a playful grin, "It's outdated don't you think?"

"Very funny," the Father said, still smiling. "For your information it's a commissioned piece. A new design I had made for you."

Rose grinned to herself, "I do like the coat. Thank you."

"I thought you would. Serefina says you speak with her often about the myths. The embroidery is often taken from legends. The one you wear is based on Arkéios."

There it was again. That comparison to a girl Rose would never truly know. Serefina showed her the tech pads with her story. A young girl, Rose's age, who'd rebelled with her father against the Nythes in a desperate attempt to return the Faceless ones. A girl who sacrificed everything for her planet, her faith, her family. Someone Rose wished she could be like. Someone who felt so close but undeniably far away. No matter how vigorously she studied the legends she'd never know who Arkéios really was. A million questions she had for her, forever to go unanswered. Rose wanted to be like that girl. But as it stood she couldn't see she was anything like her.

"It rains on Gaia often doesn't it?" Mevolent questioned, pulling her back to reality. "They say that's why it's so green. So for the life of me I cannot gather why you all wear those flimsy dresses."

"The plasma hazer keeps most of it out of the cities. But it's quite temperate most of the year. I'm not used to the cold."

"Oh how tragic," Mevolent said, the sarcasm dripping from his tongue.

She nudged his shoulder with no real intent to harm. Weeks ago, a young foreign girl would have thought she would have been executed for such a thing. But Rose knew better. She knew he'd laugh and brush it off. Or maybe he'd retaliate with a playful strike of his own in a way that reminded her of the few times she'd had to mess about with Aeryn.

Aeryn.

Her brother was miles away, on some distant star. Rose knew she should be more concerned in bringing him back, or at the very least caring for the protection of whichever dynasty he'd fled to. But she wasn't. Perhaps a small part of her was, but for the most part she couldn't find it in herself to care. They had been close by the Fells standard of sibling relationships. But the longer she spent upon Pixidain soil she realised that didn't really count for a whole lot.

Rose was still angry that he'd left her and escaped with some stranger he'd hardly known. She was angry that he abandoned her. Yet looking back, almost hypocritically she would never have gone with him if she'd known this would be the outcome.

Her home would be Pixidys from now on. She'd be sure of it.

There was no longer any eagerness inside her to return to Gaia. She'd follow Mevolent wherever he led her with a smile on her face. The only real worry she faced was proving she could be an asset to them. Prove she could be more.

Like Mevolent had been. Like Arkéios had been all those centuries ago.

"Would… Would you say I’m anything like Arkéios?” Rose asked, wincing at how fragile her voice sounded.

Mevolent didn’t respond immediately. He considered the question, biting the inside of his cheek as he folded his hands together.

“According to the stories, Arkeios was always more…. childish. That's why people called her an innocent. You may be innocent beígo, but I wouldn't put you as childish,” he began. Choosing his words carefully. “But yes. Sometimes when I look at you, I see her. Like an old memory."

Rose pondered his answer, turning his words about inside her head. Gritting her teeth to hold back a wince at the biting remarks her mind threw back at her. You'll never be enough . "I don't know how I could ever be like her. I think part of me wants to be. But I just don't see it. She sounded so strong and brave. It just doesn't feel like me."

"That's not you speaking though is it? It sounds to me like you've believed everything that's been told to you by others. I suppose that's what makes you such an innocent. You have a strong heart Rose. Gaia, the Ríthar, they just couldn't see it."

"I just never understood why he didn't like me. He was never a warm person, but he always felt so much colder around me. Maybe it was because I learned the sight wrong or I skipped lessons. Maybe I was too bold or a nuisance, I don't know. Everyone used to tell me I looked the most like him. Maybe he just didn't want a failure to look the spit image of him?"

"Did you ever stop to think he didn't like himself?"

"He's the Ríthar, why wouldn't he like himself? His word is practically law. He could play the game however he wanted."

"Even adults have their own insecurities. Perhaps he took his self loathing out on you. Because you reminded him the most of himself."

She paused.

Mevolent continued, "The difficult thing about that is understanding that you could have been perfect. The chosen heir and loved by the people. And still he would have found fault within you. I don't think he ever hated you. He hated himself. He was just looking for someone to unload it all onto."

Rose frowned, "But that's- that's not fair. "

"You said it yourself. He plays his own game. It was never fair to make you play when you never knew the rules. Had I a daughter I'd never do that to her. You deserve to be your own person. And he should have supported that." He brought his hand to her hair so gently, Rose could have hardly felt it, "Oh beígo. You deserve so much more."

Rose clenched her jaw. She knew she needed more, needed clarity. In all these weeks she'd been trying to pose the question. To ask, Why? Why me? But his answer scared her. Everything she'd been working towards could crumble with just a simple answer. She wanted to be here, on Pixidys, with Mevolent and Serefina and all the others. But what if they didn't want her? What if this was all some overdrawn joke? 

“Ever since I came here, you’ve been fixated on me. Every one of our talks, everything you've shown me. You've never directed any of that to Aeryn or the other emmiseries. And I don’t understand why because I’m not the one with the power. I'm no heir, I'm hardly a diplomat,” she paused, her breathing hitching. “I… I’m not important.”

The last words were little more than a whisper hanging in the air between them as the resulting silence draped itself over Rose's shoulders. Mevolent's head tilted to the side, trying to catch her eye, but Rose was scared to look directly at him.

Slowly, Mevolents hand slid down to cup the side of her face. Hard worn callouses of battles long fought pressed into the soft tissue of her cheek. Firm but somehow so light.

Rose was surprised at how warm his hand felt. Especially in the frozen air surrounding them.

“Oh, you are very important, beígo,” Mevolent told her. There was something in his voice that reminded Rose of the soft tapping of rainwater against Gaia's plasma shields. An echo of something long ago. “You might not be the heir, but that doesn’t make you any less important to me.”

Ignoring how her chest leaped at his words, Rose knew she needed to press further, she needed his answer. Finally looking at Mevolent she said, “Why? What about me is so important to you?”

With a featherlight touch, a warm thumb brushed under her eye. “You remind me of old tales. A hero at the beginning of their journey. Ready to change everything."

“I’m nothing like that,” Rose shuddered, words dripping with uncertainty. “How can you think that about me? How can you know I'm not something to disappoint you?”

Mevolent didn’t seem deterred by her. “But I do know, Rose. Because I was so much like you when I was young. I know what it’s like to be wary of everything and everyone around you, convinced that they have no use for you outside of their own means. I know what it’s like to feel completely lost inside yourself, because no one was ever there to tell you who you were supposed to be,” he whispered, stroking the skin of her cheek. “And I know what it’s like to push down the rage sitting behind your ribs. The anger you hold towards fate for dealing you such an unfair hand at life, because something deep inside of you knows you’re supposed to be more than this. But no one else seems to think so.”

An ache heaved in Rose's chest, blinding in its pain. Because someone put it into words. The storm of cold looks and spitting venom of others inside her mind was made up of all those pieces. Spinning and spinning without a direction to go.

“You’re like a mound of sand,” Mevolent hummed, leaning down so they were face to face. “Unshaped and falling. But If you add water, the clay it makes can be carved into something more. Something great. I can do that for you beígo.”

"Why do you call me that? Beígo? It sounds so nice, but Vile told me it meant small,” Rose asked, keeping her eyes fixed on the ground. “Is it an insult?"

Another moment stretched between them as Mevolent kept his own eyes fixed to hers. Unbreaking, unyielding.

“It’s not an insult,” Mevolent told her, sounding as though he was treading a very careful line. “It’s something that was said here a lot as a term of affection, I suppose you could call it.” He sighed then, and Rose glanced up to see his brows furrowing. “It was something parents usually called their children.”

Children . A warm feeling tucked itself underneath her chest as Rose let out a breath she hadn't realised had been held. Grateful it wasn't an insult but still knowing the word itself must have some bigger meaning if Mevolent was using it for her.

"It's better than being called a foreigner," she giggled. She knew she was avoiding the topic that phrase posed, but she didn't care. Asking about it could bring a sort of disappointment she wasn't ready for. Rose wanted to live in that blissful ignorance as long as she could.

"You should spend some more time with the others. Get to know them better. I know they'll like you, but they're military at their core. I wouldn't take it personally. Suspicion comes with their line of work I'm afraid."

"I know. I wouldn't have trusted me either if I were in their shoes. I think it just shows how much they care for Pixidys if even a beígo like me is something to suspect."

He laughed, "What does Pixidys mean to you dear?"

And Rose didn't hesitate to answer, "It feels more like home than Gaia ever did."

"Then show them that. Show them you care for this place and they'll stop being so stuck up. I promise."

"Can't you just tell them to?" Rose asked with a frown. "You're Pixidys' Father, don't they have to listen to you?"

"I prefer my men to have their own minds. Soldiers who only know to follow orders aren't reliable."

"Yeah, I guess they'd just be dead men walking then."

Patting her on the back, Mevolent cast her a look of warmth, "Make some friends. You must have had some back home?"

Friends.

Rose had made her fair share of friends around the Acropolis much to Gaius' displeasure. He would have preferred her to be pals with the upstanding houses across Gaia. Hypocritically, he'd never let her spend much time with them to constitute a friendship. That was before mentioning how unbearably polite they'd all been. Even in her (Thankfully) brief conversations with the children of the other houses, it mainly consisted of false politeness and the most boring talks of weather. 

Rose had much preferred Bethas company, and before her, the house staff. She still remembered Freddie, the apprentice footman's, retellings of their first encounter. Like it was something he took pride in.

Freddie said he didn't think he'd ever see a palace.

Sure, he'd had odd jobs at distant royalty and the homes of great house's alike. All dripping in wealth to some extent. Or at the very least what he considered wealth. But they had been a far cry from the mammoth that stood before him.

The Acropolis sat nestled between the green hills of the base of Cyrenes halo, overlooking the capital city of Boro-Mibhe. A simple gravel road leading up towards it. The gate had been blackened and the crestplate gleamed with polish. The property was cared for extensively. That gate had not a scrap of rust on it. Unless they replaced it often, a part of his mind supplied. Royalty certainly could afford to.

The windows stretched high. Standing to attention with plucked stone arches to frame them. Wider than himself and probably quite the hassle to dust. Beyond the glass panes he could spot hints of the curtains, silk he'd wager. He could see the front of it now as he approached. An imposing crown at the heart of a sprawling estate. The palace itself was an envision of symmetry with its front flat and flanked at the corners with decorative quoins. The front door stood in the centre of it all. Slightly raised with marble steps leading up to it and surrounded by windows and columns. The brass door handle dripped with the morning due, the olive door encompassed by a sheen of the foggy mists.

It was spring and that meant rain. Even if the plasma hazer would keep the wet out, it still dulled everything around him. Freddie didn't like that. He preferred it warm.

Decorative trim broke up the pale stone. The Acropolis marble itself appeared to have been coated in a gloss coat, with a dab of yellow to give it a youthful glow. The landscape reflected its symmetric rigidity. Rows of clean cut hedges and small bunched beds of bláir flowers carefully positioned across the entrance to the palace. But further from that, scattered trees eventually lead to woodland. A sporus tree grove sat untamed in their natural beauty.

There was a beautifully sprung carriage waiting by the front steps. Silky black horses stood at ease, ready to pull the passengers at the crack of a whip. They were freshly groomed and glossy as if they were coated in oil. Royalty and higher standing houses alike preferred the less polluted means of transport. If the distance was short enough not to need a hyperloop then they preferred their horses. Old Earthian creatures brought over in the Great Crossing. Only so few remained. Their value was one of the highest in the Dominion's. A party of three, a man and another two not far off his age, descended the steps from beyond the doors. Lifted into the carriage by a smart looking man in a crisp uniform. They were dripping in embroidered fabrics and laces. Dressed extravagantly yet still weather appropriate. Their voices matched their appearance, bold and elegant. They sounded posh.

Miss Harrington, the housekeeper, led him round the back. Down what she called the area steps that lead straight to the kitchen in the basement. "We don't use the door, that's for the family and guests. We're to remain below stairs, you see"

The mews were less grand. Piles of barrels and crates stacked next to hay bales and discarded tools. The stables stretched to a U shape, taking up the better part of the court. There were swarms of stable boys and gardner's flitting to and fro, keeping busy. It all buzzed with frenzied excitement. The gravel crunched beneath his feet as he was led towards the kitchens.

In his awe he hadn't been watching where he was going. Colliding with a smaller figure and tumbling over a now abandoned wash basket. Freddie fell on his back with a gasp, tangling in the washing, a dirtied sheet pulled across his head. It smelled rancid.

"Watch where you're going,'' said an irritated and surprisingly grand voice. Though he couldn't see who had said it. Freddie still had the sheet over his head.

In a scurried panic he stood upright. "I'm so, so sorry. I swear twas an accident. My bearings have been lost altogether, I'm new." He must have looked right stupid. Waving his hands about with that sheet still over his head, like he was dressing as a ghost. He felt a pair of hands grab the sheet and flinched, figuring he was about to receive a slap. Until the sheet was pulled off and stuffed into the wash basket by a hard-faced girl who was away and out of sight before he knew what had happened.

"Are you quite done Fredian?"

"Coming Miss Harrington,'' he said miserably.

The kitchens seemed full of people. They were sitting around an enormous table on which sat a brown china teapot. A plump lady furiously kneading dough nodded regally, "A cup of tea Miss?"

Miss Harrington nodded back graciously, "Thank you Miss Donn, most refreshing. This is Fredian, the apprentice footman I was talking about. Fredian, this is Miss Donn the cook. She's in charge of running the kitchen's operations."

"Oh thank heavens," the cook squeaked. Her accent rolled over her words quicker. Freddie would guess she was from Viné. The northern continent. "We're terribly short on staff at the moment. You've come to us right on time."

Short on staff? He'd hate to see what a full house would entail.

"The coachman brought your bags to the attics already so no need for a rush. I'll take you to your barracks later. We're right busy at the moment so we'll find something for you to do. Sit, sit. Have a sup of tea while I fetch that whimsey girl."

Freddie's gaze dipped to his glashoes, suddenly aware that everyone in the kitchen was staring at him.

"He's a bit young don't you think?" A light haired girl with rosy cheeks and a smart apron looked him over from beyond the rim of her teacup. "I don't see how we can expect him to do all the extra work?"

"Oh stop fretting Líosfe," rebuked the cook. "He was sent, recommended actually, by the agency so he'll know what's what. Don't you have to finish polishing the china set?"

The girl, Líosfe, went rather quiet at that. Sipping her tea and trying her hardest to look small.

Miss Harrington pushed him into a chair and began to pour another cup, "You must have some tea. You'll have to start soon. Things do get quite hectic around here I'm afraid."

Freddie sipped his tea silently. The china was a simple white glaze coat with a teal band above the handle. It was all wooden mugs for the servants at his last job. Something small but different to his old house. In his very short time at the Acropolis things already seemed a world different. It was bigger, grander, and by all the bustling that meant busier. He wasn't used to being in the kitchens. He'd worked in the stables at his last place and stable boys weren't allowed in the kitchen. Which seemed to be the only comparison to this place. 

"Did you see the family yet?" Líosfe asked him, leaning closer as if that would stop Miss Donn from hearing her.

"I think I saw them leaving," Freddie responded. "They sound stuffy."

"You can thank their grammar tutors for that. Most of em sound that way. Except Rose, she doesn't bother much with them though. She's down here half the time since she was a babe," Líosfe said and leaned in close. "She's got that twang from Miss Donn no doubt. That's a Viné twang if I ever heard one."

"Are you talking about me again Líosfe?"

The girl in front of him was at least a foot smaller. Frail, wiry hands clasped round a bucket of turf. Her hands were blotched a dusty black from the soot that spilled over the bucket's rim with each laboroud step it took to carry. She wore a smart lilac garb, the crest of the Fells sewn across the chest. Overtop sat what was once a white pinafore, now streaked with trails of soot to suggest she'd been wiping her hands across it. A single braid served to tie back her hair. No elaborate hairstyles to suggest her station was any higher than that of a servant.

But if what Líosfe said was true, then she was anything but.

Freddie might not know jack about how a palace was run or how the Children of Gaia might occupy themselves. Still, he was almost certain it shouldn't have involved soot or washbaskets.

"Ah Rose," the cook beamed, "Throw a light on those logs will you?"

"I'm no good at flames I'm afraid Miss."

"Use the matches girl! And be quick about it. I've to make the Misses her toast."

The girl, Rose, trotted over dutifully. Dropping the bucket for a moment next to the stove and striking a match from her apron to light the fire. Freddie found himself standing to greet her once she'd finished. Tapping his fingers to his forehead then chest. The Gaian greetings for friends.

A head for knowing and a heart for care.

"Nice to meet you. Names Freddie."

Rose stared at his hands, then the bucket in her arms and glared. "You made me drop my basket."

He chuckled nervously and sat back down to stare into his tea. All of Gaia knew their royal family to be sight users and Freddie worried he might need to dodge a fireball if he got her too angry.

"Rose, dump those ashes outside; they'll suffocate us all," roared the cook. Her head stuck into the stove with her arse in the air. Freddie fought back his giggles.

Rose huffed but did as she was told, glowering at Freddie. By the looks of her fingers Miss Donn had had her heaving ashes and wash-baskets in and out a good while.

When she left, Freddie snapped his head to Líosfe. "She's a maid? But she's the bloody Child of Gaia and a bit young don't you think?"

"She's your age actually."

Freddie choked on his tea, "But she's tiny. "

"Don't say that to her face, it won't end well,'' hollered Líosfe. Giving him a wack with her newspaper, then smoothing it over.

"Rose is a….helper of sorts," Miss Donn explained. Clearly being one to listen in on talks or gossip. "She's been doing the odd chores around here for some time. The girl bores easily and practically begged Miss Harrington to give her something to do. Not far off from what you'll be expected to do I should think."

Miss Donn squinted, "And don't gossip so loud boy. Rose is perfectly sensible and she's making good use of her time. The Ríthar seems keen to give her plenty of it, so why shouldn't she put herself to good use. The odd labour does well to humble. Use some imagination boy!"

Rose sauntered back into the kitchens eyeing the teapot hopefully and sinking into a chair next to Líosfe, who passed a cup her way. 

Freddie tried to focus on anything other than her. Not wanting to make a worse impression. The walls within the kitchen were whitewashed, but still resembled the marble, only grimier. They were still impeccably cleaner than his last position. Everything seemed to orientate around the curved oak table at the centre of the room. Pots and odd devices of copper hung from the walls with coriander and vegetables drying on hooks. A great pit of synthetic fire was roaring at the end of the opposite wall next to a door he assumed led into the back kitchens. Workers rushed in and out of each, the rooms in constant use. A wooden cupboard held what looked to be an unreasonable amount of china sets.

"What do you think of it Freddie?"

"Hmm?" Freddie brought himself back into the conversation, to see all eyes on him.

"Of the family, what do you think of them? You ought to have seen them leaving. You arrived not long after they headed off."

"They're grand, to say the least," turning to Rose he looked at her sheepishly. "So do I like...bow to you or somthin?"

"Do that and she just might stomp yer head in," tutted Líosfe.

Rose waved a hand dismissively, "There's no need for that sort of thing. We'd get little work done if you were to bow to me at every hour."

"Right just making sure, in case you're to use that sight stuff. The master at my last house used to give us ten seconds if we mucked up before he started tossing fire."

Rose dissolved into a pout, "I'm not so good at the sight."

"Neither is Aeryn," Líosfe said solemnly, as if it hurt to discredit him. "The odd explosion here or there. He's always causing a state."

The entire kitchens flinched as the echo of shattering glass and annoyed yells forced their way from upstairs, followed by the frenzied jangling of the workroom call bell.

"Speak of the devil", Rose muttered.

"It's that dratted boy again. Miss Rose would you please kindly inform that tantalising eejit of a brother that if he breaks another piece of glassware I'll have him glueing it back together by hand." Miss Donn's eyebrows knitted together in a kind of irritability that Freddie suspected might be rather common around the house.

"New lad, fetch a broom and newspaper and go see what the fella broke this time. Oh, and try not to look his tutor in the eyes. Temper's are most certainly fraying."

Freddie's face dropped as Rose snickered into her tea, "Your funeral."

Back then she'd been grateful there was finally someone to treat her as an equal. But now she saw the house staff and Freddie alike for exactly what they were. Employees paid to put up with her and unload the work they didn't want. Because that's all she'd ever been on Gaia. A second thought. A means to an end. A useless Child.

But on Pixidys she wouldn't be useless.

She'd be more.

*.ﾟﾟ.*

The serene buildings of Xiulium stretched towards the stars. Not that Aeryn could see them from here with the light pollution. Though their absence strangely soothed him, as if there was nothing above them at all. No Pixidys or Mevolent. No worries or fears. Just an empty night sky bathed in the rainbow hue emanating from each building. And that more than made up for the stars.

It was a marvel of work, the building himself and Anarchy had perched themselves on. The tallest skyscraper they could have found. It took forever to climb but they had managed it. A glorious sheen of metal and colours. It was a nice building.

It was, however, not a nice building to be falling from.

"ANARCHY YOU PRICK!" Aeryn screamed, grabbing the wind and hauling himself back over the ledge to Anarchy's smug face and uncontrollable laughter.

"Hey rock paper scissors never lies," she said. Crossing her arms in triumph with an unbearable grin.

"You just picked rock and punched me off!"

"Your point bitch?"

Aeryn decided right then and there, that god was dead and he'd kill Anarchy Blue's if it was the last thing he did. Taking a deep breath he sighed, "Nothing. Wanna go again?"

"Sure!"

They chanted rock paper scissors and shot their hands forward. Anarchy had a look of delight when he drew paper to her scissors.

So he pushed the wind and flung her off the roof.

"Opps."

Aeryn stood with his hands on his hips, basking in his earned victory. That was until he heard Anarchy's faint cry of, "You idiot I can't-"

Then he remembered she couldn't fly.

"Oh shit."

Aeryn dove from the ledge of the skyscraper. Reaching his friend just in time to scoop her under his arms and fling her back atop the safety of the building's roof. Flight had come easier to him in recent weeks and situations like these made him particularly grateful for his newfound boost in power.

Anarchy glared at him, "I'm gonna push you off again for that."

"I'll take that as a thank you."

Anarchy scoffed, rolling onto her back, "Whatever helps you sleep at night princeling."

Mimicking his friend, Aeryn settled himself against the cool metal of the rooftop. Glancing up again at the night sky and wondering when he might see the stars ever again. If he even wanted to see them. The sight of those gas giants would mean leaving Xiulium and Aeryn found he dreaded that more and more as the days passed. 

Genesis and Merlin were below them somewhere. Gen was probably attempting to wreak some sort of havoc while their brother desperately tried to quell them. Or maybe they had found their own rooftop to enjoy the grounding chill of the night?

The night air was cold. Aeryn could have bent it around him, but the cold was oddly comforting. It made him more aware of the body sitting next to him. 

"I missed this," he hesitantly began, "Talking."

"Don't yet sappy on me Rynnie."

"Shut up, I'm trying to be nice."

"I like you better when you're bitchy."

"Fuck you," Aeryn chuckled, letting that warm feeling settle over him and snuff out the anxiety pooling beneath his very bones. "Seriously though, what's been up with you? Did I do something?"

"Yeah. You're a prick," Anarchy responded. Not missing a beat.

Aeryn chuckled again. Pushing a hand through his dark hair before slumping back further against the steel, "Seriously though. You've been ignoring me since Morrigan's peak dude. You sure I didn't do something?"

Anarchy rolled her eyes, "No dumbass. Well, yeah you're a prick, but a good prick ya know? You didn't do anything so stop freaking out about it," She insisted. Dark eyes meeting his own, "I just got scared ok. You didn't wake up on the peak."

"What did you see?"

"Blood mainly. And this woman with Mevolent-"

"Covered in tattoos?" Aeryn finished.

"Yeah. Didn't get a good look at her. But I don't know, the whole vision just gave me this horrible feeling. I've been getting that a lot lately."

Slumping into herself, Anarchy folded her hands across one and other. "I didn't mean to ignore you. I just got so scared something might happen to everyone. I just know something is going to happen. I guess I wanted to… I don't know, prepare myself? I don't want to care about people just to lose them anymore. So I tried to put some distance."

"Did it work?" He asked, grinning.

"Hell no," she said, a grin of her own dancing on her lips. "Yer all stuck on me like glue unfortunately."

"Do- do you wanna go home? When we're finished on Svæitgar. With all of this. Would you go back?" Aeryn found himself suddenly asking. He figured now was as good a time as any to pose the question. When the chill of the night's air led to loose lips. The longer he stayed on Xiulium the greater his distaste for his old life on Gaia grew. Like it had just been a stop point in his life. A chapter before his story really began. On Xiulium things moved forward, on Gaia they forever remained stuck in place.

"No I don't think I do," she answered quietly. "Would you do it again? Leave your sister behind all over again if it meant we'd end up here. With them?"

"They're not our family Anarchy."

"You're right. Our families suck."

Aeryn nodded, but didn’t respond to that. Instead he just clenched his hands, wanting nothing more than for a drink to appear in his palm. To burn the back of his throat and make everything a bit more bearable. Still, no drink would appear. He took a shuddering breath as it warmed the inside of his chest.

"I'd do it", Anarchy said after a while. "I know it's selfish but I don't care. I'd leave her all over again if it meant staying here."

"We can't stay here forever," Aeryn argued, but he wasn't sure he really believed that. At the very least he didn't want to.

"What if we could though?"

"What about Rose?"

"Well get her back. I promise."

"I still left her."

"He was going to hurt us, Aeryn."

"He said he wouldn't kill us."

Anarchy looked ready to smack him, arching a brow. "And how much of that do you really believe?"

"Did- did you feel pulled when you were running?" Aeryn stuttered, trying to find the right words for how he felt. "Like something else, an echo of something was pushing you forward?"

Anarchy went quiet for a few seconds, something in her face shifted. Eventually she said, "What do you mean?"

"She's my sister and I just left her. I should have just ran back. It shouldn't have mattered if I was caught. I left her behind and ran off with a stranger."

If referring to Anarchy as a stranger had stung, she showed no sign of it. "If you need someone to blame then I'm right here. I was the one that pulled you away from her. I know he said he wouldn't hurt us but something just told me to run. I don't know if it was instinct or something else. But I knew we needed to run. Even if it meant leaving her. Something just told me we weren't safe, but she'd be alive."

"Do you believe you did the right thing?"

"I do it again if it meant we survive."

Aeryn huffed, "Survival huh? So what do you think? D you think they'd let us stay?"

"I don't want to keep my hopes up. But the Mother's, they're kind. They're so annoyingly good to us, it's weird. I guess I can thank my own mother for how strange this all feels," she shrugged. "I didn't have a mother you know. Well I mean I had one, but she wasn't a mother. She never liked me, she was just…."

"Just someone you knew," Aeryn finished, sending her a sad smile.

"Yeah. She wanted a tool, a politician, something she could use. But I didn't want that. You can imagine how well that went over."

"Gaius was like that too. But my mother wanted nothing to do with us. Having kids was just part of the deal she had when they married. After that was done she kept to herself. Everyone sorta followed suit after that. We all ignored each other."

"But you and your sister seemed close?"

"Close by Fell standards, I guess. But not like Merlin and Gen are. We'd go weeks without talking. I missed so many of her birthdays because Gaius kept everyone away from her. It's her birthday soon, I'm gonna miss it again."

Aeryn hoisted himself up to lean on his knees, the cold seeping into his back and making him shiver, "She's not so socialised. Gaius kept her room away from the family's and he stopped her talking to the staff once they got close. She's smart but she's so young. Anarchy, what if they take advantage of her?"

Feeling a reassuring hand grip his shoulder, he saw Anarchy grin, "If she's any bit like you then she'll be one tough kid. Trust me."

She joked, but Aeryn didn't laugh. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate she was trying to make him feel better. But the exhaustion weighed heavily across him and he was in no mood for humour.

From what Anarchy had told him he supposed they were alike in a way there wasn't much of in this world. How much alike, he wondered. "Is there anyone in your family you do miss? Siblings, cousins. Any family?"

She froze. Her hand retreating to her side and she cast her eyes towards the city below, "Not much of a family to miss to be honest. You get that don't you?"

Aeryn did, painfully, get it. "Rose knew things would go bad. I knew things would go bad. He sent us as collateral. Something that wouldn't be missed."

"They sent the failures."

"Yeah, they did."

"My mother used to call me that y'know," she muttered, something barely above a whisper. "I had a older brother, Donegan, who always did everything right, then there was me-"

"Always fucking up?"

"Always fucking up. I fucked up everything. Fucked up my lessons, fucked up my life, fucked up my-"

He didn't miss the way she touched her scar.

"They sent me to Shiva first. Said they were sending me away for the experience. Bull , I'd never even sat through a conference. They just didn't want me around anymore. They sent me to all kinds of places and all I ever had to do was smile and keep my mouth shut. The other emmiseries, the look they'd give me if I ever said anything."

"They never gave you a chance."

"Why would they?" Anarchy scoffed coldly, "It's not like I'd be good at it. I'd have the Dominion's in war before you knew it."

"That's cause all the dynasties are pricks. Not our problem they're so stuck up."

"Eventually I gave up trying to impress anyone. If they think I'm useless, fine, I don't care. I'll do whatever I want and to hell with the lot of them. I'm sick of all the formal crap. If everyone was just upfront things would get done a lot faster."

"Ain't that the truth,” Aeryn snorted, resting his head back against the metal wall. "It finally feels like I'm actually talking to a person. Not a random shell regurgitating the same crap. Even if you just have to listen to me bitch about, it's nice."

Instead of laughing at that like he expected, Anarchy shook her head. “You’re not that bad, man. If anything, you’re a thousand times better than any of the other pricks I’ve had to deal with."

Aeryn raised an eyebrow. “I highly doubt that.”

“No, I’m being serious. Sure you’re a bit high-strung, but you’re not, like, taking it out on me or anything. I just get to watch you bitch out other people, which is honestly pretty entertaining,” she said, grinning now. “I like talking with your dumb ass, it's easy. Feels like we've spoken for years."

“You just have no friends that's all?” Aeryn joked, the waves growing quieter in his head.

“You're one to talk. You literally just went on an entire rant about how no one likes you,” she shot back. “Cant say I'm surprised."

"Prick."

"I'm gonna put an axe in your back."

"Want me to burn the other side of your face wench?"

Their laughter echoed in a chorus of joy, reverberating through the city of metal. And Aeryn hoped they could laugh like that again for the years ahead of them.

*.ﾟﾟ.*

"Fenix?" Rose asked, glancing back up to Baron Vengenous over the little packet of etched wafers he'd handed her.

"Synthetics basically," he told her, eyes flickering onto the packet. "But this is Pixidain made. Spending all your life stuck in the sand takes its toll and people like to numb that."

Go make some friends . 

For the first time since her arrival Rose regretted listening to a word Mevolent said to her. Perhaps a bit too eager for his approval, she'd sped about the castle looking for people to talk to. She'd hoped for some casual talk over the mythos in the library or a late night spar where conversation came easy. But no, instead she'd ran into the Baron in the personal quarters, who'd been on his merry way for a drink.

No amount of polite declines had stopped him from insisting she join him for 'Just one glass' . And once Vile and Serpine rounded the corner she finally found herself agreeing. Keen to spend more time with the General and lieutenant. To learn what she could about them.

Oh, how stupid she was.

"Ever used them?"

"Here and there on Gaia."

"Hoho! That's cheeky!" He chuckled, barring blacked teeth that spoke of his glutinous indulgences. Within the decay Rose saw sprinkles of pure cut diamonds embedded in the enamel. She wondered if he'd had his teeth encrusted to draw attention away from the rot.

Rose didn't like the Baron all that much. She didn't like his grating laughter or black teeth that poked through his sly grin. His red face or beady brown eyes. Sausage hands decorated in gaudy jewellery and a poorly fitted suit did nothing to help him. Under the fabric she knew he must be well built like Mevolent. But it seemed the tailor might have had a grudge against him, with the suit either bunching or stretching in unflattering areas.

Everything about him irked her. Even now sitting across from him, all Rose wanted to do was curl her body into a tight ball to be as far from him as possible. But Mevolent went on and on about sacrifice and duty to his people, she figured he'd been made to endure his fair share of uncomfortable meetings and unsavoury men. If that's what it took to be useful to Pixiydys XI then who was Rose to refuse.

On Gaia there was no need for her cooperation. Not when she would have never received anything for it. As Mevolent had said, even if she'd been perfect it wouldn't have changed anything. There'd be no happy ending or thanks given for a job well done. There'd only be a type of misery that came with a lonely marriage and children she wouldn't have cared for. Doomed to suffer the same fate as Rose and her mother and the mothers and fathers before them. However, here in the place she now called home, she finally had something to strive for. A purpose for the people who genuinely cared.

And apparently that meant dealing with the scum of the Dominion.

"What about a drink?", the Baron offered. Plucking a glass from the decanter next to his couch and swirling it beneath her chin.

"I don't like the taste," Rose said as firmly as she could. Gently pushing the glass away. 

A sulk dragged down his face, one that ignited the sudden urge to slap it off his face. Before Rose could think to act on impulse, Baron Vengenous huffed and shook his head. "No one does love. The point is it gets you pissed. Go on take a gulp."

"Baron-," Serpine began, a warning on the edge of his words.