by T. C. Edge
I am set to meet with the Prime once more. About what, I haven't been told.
"Go, Amber," the Overseer whispers. He lays a hand on my shoulder, straightening me out, keen eyes looking upon me in that paternal way of his. "You must ascend alone tonight."
"Alone?" I whisper, the thought making me anxious. "You're not coming with me?"
"No, I am not. I have been given no such invitation this night. Go, climb the Sacred Steps, child. Listen to what they have to tell you."
"And what is that?" I ask, looking up at him.
He shakes his head. "That isn't for me to say. I couldn't, even if I wanted to." He smiles again, and turns me to face the steps. Either side, two mighty Titans stand at attention, the way unblocked for me to pass. "Enjoy it, Amber," comes a final whisper. "This is an honour of great rarity. Now go."
The words slip into my ear, and I find my legs moving. The Titans stare out, eyes straight ahead across the square, great statues ever watchful. They don't look down as I step forward, reaching the first step, climbing upon it.
I feel a thrill rush through me as I begin to ascend. Five steps become ten. Ten become twenty. When I've covered at least a hundred, I glance back at the square below, empty but for those I left behind. The moonlight shines bright, creating dazzling patterns on the cobblestone streets. Ahead, the mists remain thick, the pathway yet to be opened. I turn back and continue into it, the fog gathering around me, closing in as I rise.
This time, it doesn't part, no pathway created for my solitary procession. I press on, the grey soup thick around me, step after step as I keep central to the path. I continue to wonder if this is some dream, some vision placed into my mind by the Overseer. Will I wake in my bed, a cold feeling in my gut as I find this all some trick, some ploy?
I choose not to believe that, to trust in my own instincts as I always have. To think - to know - that this is all real. Could it be that the Prime have rethought their decision? Could it be that Elian isn't the man they thought he was?
Hope blooms at the thought as the mists begin to fade, the steps revealing themselves more clearly ahead. The top comes into view, the grand plateau that stretches away to the left and right and off into the distance ahead. And there, upon it, I see the Temple of the Prime looming, a dark shape in the night. Other buildings, those I've yet to enter, rise grandly to the sides; the accommodations of the Chosen and Heralds, halls for feasting and baths for bathing, wondrous visions of architecture that house, feed, and entertain the greatest men and women in the city.
My eyes trace them, wondering where Elian might now live. Within the darkness I can garner few details. No figures appear before my eyes, none of the lofty residents of this place waking. It is silent, empty, eerily so. And then, from the darkness, a light begins to bloom.
It comes from right ahead, within the Temple of the Prime, a soft, glowing beacon for me to follow. Casting aside my nerves, I start stepping forward, a frigid wind blowing across me, sending my crimson robes fluttering. I combat the chill with a pulse of fire, sending a flare through my body. My veins begin to glow faintly within my skin, my robes brightening there in the gloom.
I press on more quickly, the fire helping to settle me, calm me, narrow my focus as I approach the temple. The light within drifts from the rear, a white radiance mixed with warm hues of orange and yellow. I reach the high pillars that mark the perimeter, climb the steps to the great, arched doorway. Ahead, alongside the walls of the hall, I see braziers lit with fire, the glow warm and attractive, inviting me forward.
And there, at the rear, I see two figures within their thrones. White, glowing softly. Perfect.
"Hello, Amber," comes the sound of their combined voices, overlapping, merging into one another. "Come forward. Let us see you."
The voice eases across the space between us, sounding so close. It sinks through me, so glorious to my ears. I begin moving towards it, desperate for more, so eager to look upon them once again. And as they grow clearer, so my smile grows wider, my eyes wider, my heart bigger as it yearns to soak up all it can, latch onto this euphoric feeling and refuse to let it go.
I stop before them at the foot of the stage, gazing up like a child. Two perfect faces look down, an expression of deep affection in their eyes, like those of a parent looking upon their dearest daughter, so happy to see her.
And oh, how happy she is to see them.
"Hello, Mother, Father," I find myself saying, the words coming unbidden. I should feel foolish for uttering them. I know I should, but somehow, I don't. They feel natural on my lips, like sweet tasting water, or the kiss of a lover. And when I speak them, I see the Prime smile.
"Hello, dearest Daughter," they say together, expressions changing as one. "How beautiful you look tonight. Have you enjoyed your stay in your new accommodations?"
I nod, bright eyed, smile fixed to my lips. "I have. I am so grateful for everything I've been given."
"That is good to hear, child. Gratitude is a quality we support and admire." Their eyes change a little as they lean in, inspecting me more closely. "Tell us honestly, Amber. How did you feel when we spoke Elian's name ahead of yours?"
The question takes me by surprise in its directness. I flinch at the memory, though don't try to hide the expression. They asked for honesty and will get it.
"It hurt," I tell them, "but I understood. I would never doubt your decision."
"Oh, but you did, child. And such a thing is only natural. You believe yourself worthy of a higher purpose, do you not? You believe yourself capable of...more."
They put the words in my head, words I cannot deny. "Yes," I whisper. "I believe that."
"That is good. To believe in yourself. To have confidence in what you can achieve. We all have our purpose, Amber. We all fit a role. Yours was never to become our Chosen Fire-Blood. No," they say, heads shaking as one, "your path is of a different course. A...higher course."
I stand, rooted, watching their lips move, listening to their words seep inside me. They resound, echo, set their tendrils in deep, caressing me with every syllable, every sound they make.
"What is it that you want of me?" I ask, words slow, almost robotic.
They rise as one from their thrones, moving forward to the front of the stage. White robes flow as they glide down the steps, Mother moving to my left, Father my right. I turn my eyes to them, one at a time, mesmerised by the proximity. Even so close, their faces appear ageless, beautiful, perfect. That soft glow around them continues to cling.
"You have shown your loyalty to us, dear Daughter," comes a voice, different from before, more feminine. I look at Mother and realise that only she is speaking now. She reaches out and takes my hand, sending a surge of joy through me. "You have proven yourself committed, shown your true desires. Your long, lonely vigil, staring up at this hill, has made that clear to us. Oh," she says, looking up and past me at Father, "we have been watching."
I feel a hand on my shoulder, and turn to find Father looking at me now. He smiles, so handsome, so masculine, jaw wide, chiselled from stone. "You wish to explore, our dearest Daughter," he says, alone. "Your true desires were shown to you when you first faced the trials. That was no trick of the Overseer, child. You have ever yearned to see more of this world, to matter within it. Oh, you can matter. You can matter a great deal."
I'm turned again, back to Mother. She reaches out, lays a smooth palm upon my cheek. "There is something so pure about you," she whispers. Behind me, I hear the subtlest hint of Father's voice, joining with hers. "You are pure of heart, and pure of power. We didn't select you as Chosen, child, because we believe you are more." A frown falls upon her eyes, an unexpected concern within them. "This city isn't as safe as it may seem," she whispers, shaking her head slowly. "There are people who want to take it from us. People who would see it destroyed."
I share in her fears, my expression coiling. I turn to look at Father, and find the same look on his face. "The world beyond our borders has grown wild and untamed,
" he says. His eyes turn towards the grand doorway, to the endless expanse beyond. South, beyond the city, beyond the Fringe, beyond it all. To a world...unknown. "They are gathering out there," he whispers. "Men and women, gifted, powerful; they are awakening. Our society, our future, is under threat. We must act fast if we are to secure it."
"You, Amber, will be part of that," comes Mother's voice behind me. She moves around my side, stepping beside Father. They line up, next to one another, slipping back into that coordinated motion. "Do you wish to see this city safe? To protect your sister? To protect the Fringe and all those who live within it?"
My mind flourishes again with my loved ones, clear as day. I nod forcefully, no space for doubt. "Of course. I will do anything to protect them."
"And us?" they say, as one, voices combining. "What would you do to serve us, dearest Daughter."
"Anything," I say, without thinking. I bow my head. "I will do anything to serve you."
"Good, child. Then you have proven yourself what we thought." I look up, heart hammering. "You will join us here upon the summit," they say, "but not as a Chosen. You, Amber, are to become a Herald. Your task - your gift - is war."
I stare at them for a moment, a silence falling in that great space.
"War?" I say softly. "A Herald of War?"
They nod in unison, voices melting into one. "The fire runs deep in your blood, an endless well of power. It can help to make this city safe from our enemies. With it, you can save many lives. Those of the Fringe. Those of our Children. Isn't that what you want?"
"I...I do," I say. "But..." I halt my words, trying to gather my thoughts. The voice of the Prime comes again.
"We understand your doubts, child. We know it won't be easy. But this is your destiny. This is your purpose." They smile as one, brightening my heart, dismissing my doubts. "We have known of your coming here for a long time. We have foreseen it. There is no stepping from this path, dearest Daughter. It is yours to tread, yours to own. You will achieve greatness among us."
I stand there before them, my head filling with visions. Visions of me, wreathed in fire, looking over the wilderness. Me, a warrior, a weapon, helping to make the city safe from invaders. From those who would see us all suffer. The Fringe and Olympus, they form a symbiotic relationship. I have seen both sides of that now. Without one, the other would stumble and fall. The Fringe provide tribute. Olympus protects them in return, securing their borders, keeping them safe.
My life has ever been simple, my purpose menial. Now I'm being asked to rise higher than all others, to perform a task that will, perhaps, save thousands. How can I deny such an honour? How can I deny...them?
They look at me, and as I did when I met them before, I know I'll do anything they desire of me. I am theirs now, a dutiful daughter to perfect parents. If this is the task they've assigned me, I will see it done.
But then I think of the other Heralds I've seen. All of them men, older, grizzled, weapons of devastating power. The likes of Perses, a totem of a man, the depths of his power only hinted at to me so far. How can I stand alongside such figures? How can I possibly become one of them?
And above all, how can I kill?
"It will take time," comes the single voice of the Prime once again, as though reading my thoughts, knowing my mind. "Time for you to adapt. Yes, taking life is never easy, Amber, but it is essential. You have killed before. You know how it feels."
My mind flares with those blackened bodies, the victims of my explosive awakening before the residents of the city. Over a dozen men and women died that day. I lost control, and others paid for it.
"No death will be harder than those, child." I look up, feel my shame over that day gradually drawn away. "You blame yourself, though you shouldn't. It was an accident. It wasn't your fault."
Mother reaches forward, Father staying back. She takes my hand and squeezes it softly, easing tears from my eyes. "Killing is never easy," she says, just her. "But those you take from this point on will only be in protection of this city, and these people. There is great honour in that. They will not bring guilt. They will inspire only a feeling of triumph within you."
"Soon, you will understand," says Father, drawing my eyes. He steps forward as Mother steps back. I arch my eyes up a little higher to meet his, a pale blue, clear as the purest water. "You will find Herald Perses to be the perfect guide. He will steer you on in this new task."
"Perses," I whisper, thinking of the great man. "He's to guide me?"
"Yes," Father says. "Son Perses will take you under his wing. Listen to him, and learn from him. You will leave with him tomorrow."
"Tomorrow." My chest tightens. "Where?"
"He has work beyond the city," Father says. "And the work of our Heralds is never done. He will come for you tomorrow afternoon. Be ready."
Mother steps back forward, eyes scanning me up and down. She joins Father's side. They become one again.
"This summit is now open to you," they tell me. "You may come and go as you please. Fear not, you may visit with your sister whenever you wish. We know how important family is."
They smile at that, looking at me in an almost...reminiscing way. "You look so like Daughter Alberta," they continue softly. "Yet you will ascend above her, soar higher than she ever did. If you see her on your travels, please tell her we haven't forgotten her, and never will. She will always be thought of fondly here, despite everything that happened."
They begin to step away, not turning, moving back and up the steps to their thrones. I stand, fixed, as they smile down upon me. And then, bowing, I turn and move back out of the temple, across the plateau, and down the steps.
Towards my purpose.
51
I return to my apartment in the company of the Overseer, the first light of dawn gradually approaching as we reach my room, and step out onto my balcony. I sense a slight change in the energy between us, our relationship evolving with my sudden elevation.
Now, as a fledgling Herald of War, I stand at his shoulder, perhaps even slightly above him in rank. Our previous association, mimicking the master-apprentice relationship, is now over. Though I will continue, where possible, to take on his advice and paternal guidance, we are now equals, aligned as leaders within this great city.
He bows at me there under the fading moonlight, a hardly suppressed smile on his face.
"Well, Amber. Here we are," he muses, eyes twinkling, keen and penetrative. His smile widens slowly, before he gazes off towards the city, shining beautifully as dawn draws near. "This city is now yours. Yours to protect and serve. You couldn't have hoped for a higher calling. And I...I couldn't be happier for you." He looks back at me, nodding gently. "How do you feel, Herald Amber?"
It is the first calling of my new title. It doesn't sound quite right. No, that isn't correct. It doesn't sound right at all.
"I guess it will all take some getting used to," I say. I shake my head. "I don't feel like a Herald. I don't feel as if I fit among them."
"Nonsense," the Overseer says lightly. "We all have to start somewhere, and Herald Perses will take you under his wing. Oh, I've tried to lead you, guide you to this point, but my role in your development is now done. Perses will take the reins now. You couldn't possibly hope for a better teacher. Be a good student, Amber, and you will quickly find that this new purpose of yours fits like a tailored suit."
"I...I hope so," I say. My eyes turn up the hill, wreathed in cloud. A hill that is now open to me, its steps a path I can tread whenever I please. "It's all just happening so quickly."
"And that makes you doubt it?"
"Well...question it," I say.
"Good," the Overseer says. "To question is to show that you are still sane, Amber. You remain of sound mind, and prove that your thoughts are your own. I have known our Father and Mother for many, many years. I know them better, perhaps, than anyone. They do not wish for their favoured Children to become mindless slaves, to never question their place in this world. No, they alwa
ys give a choice. They allow free will to breathe."
"Do they?" I ask softly. "The way they make me feel, I..." I shake my head. "Like I'd do anything for them. Is that...really me?"
"Yes, it is you," the Overseer says, laying a wizened hand on my shoulder, squeezing lightly. My eyes return to his. "The Prime have unique gifts, that is obvious enough to you now. They inspire feelings of great joy within us, but don't have the power to change our hearts and minds. They only enliven those feelings that already exist inside us. They let them flourish and bloom, and show us the way forward. You, Amber, feel like you wish to serve them because that is the truth. They inspire that feeling within you. But if you chose to leave, to abandon this city, to return to your life back in Pine Lake...well, that is your choice. You still have free will, Amber. Remember that."
I nod slowly, and take a nervous breath.
"I don't want to leave," I say. "And I do want to serve them, serve this city and these lands. The people I love are here. I suppose, in some way, I've been trying to protect them all my life. Now I can do it on a grander scale."
"Oh yes, the grandest scale of all." He gently pulls on my shoulder, turning me back towards him. "My advice is this," he says softly. "Go with Herald Perses. Get a taste for his world, and see if you like it. If it tastes bitter on your tongue, then perhaps you're not meant for this life." A wry smile lifts on his lips. "I sincerely doubt that will be the case. The Prime...they have a knack for knowing just where someone's talents, and desires, truly lie."
He draws me, in that moment, into a light embrace, before stepping back once again. Above, the skies start to brighten, the onset of dawn softly advancing.
"I understand you're to have lunch with Lady Felina and your sister today," he says. "I regret you may not have the time, Amber. Perhaps a breakfast engagement would suit you better. Would you like to see Lilly before you leave?"
I nod absently. "I don't know if Felina will be available..."
