by S. J. Wist
“The more I fought the longer I was able to sleep and fall away from the reality of nightmares into the world of Dreams where she would always be there waiting for me. Humans who were victims to despair were fragile, brittle creatures. I could only bring her words to keep her from shattering so I could have more time to find a way to reach her. If I had learned of how to stay on her world, I could have protected her forever.
“I felt trapped on Aster, like a mer damned to roam the sea floor despite the light and endless free air well above its eyes. I would always wake up here. I could not die, for death would not allow me to.
“Then I found a way, by the claws of a thousand plumas that were able to cut me free from my somn. Now Daath needed to find a way to free me from Aragmoth so I would be his slave forever. The Atrum had their own Prophecy; that the Cael Daath would return to Aster and lead them in their conquest of Aster and Earth alike. But it would be a conquest fueled by Daath’s need for revenge.
“Now that I’ve finally broken free of the dark prison I was in, I feel as if everything has gone on without me, leaving only fragments of a nightmare in place of the time I have lost. Cirrus and Sybl were waiting for me, and now both of their Fates have taken the place of my own. I was too late to save them.
“They could have destroyed me or left me to my nightmare forever. Friends, it would seem, are something that defies the simplicity of life, death and reasoning.”
There is a Heaven for each of us, and you have both left me so very alone in yours. Nafury looked at his mother’s grave, and then at Sybl’s and Cirrus’ that lay next to it. He felt lost without anything or anyone to guide him to where he should go next.
“If you could save the world by saving one person, wouldn’t it be worth it to try?”
Nafury stood up and looked back. When he didn’t see anyone, he held his breath and closed his eyes. Then he opened them again into a trance.
Sybl stood there, smiling as she waved her hand playfully at him. “Cirrus was right, you are really good with Threads. Even when you aren’t possessed by an evil force and trying to take over the world.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, not knowing what else he could say.
She shook her head. “It’s already forgotten. Soon everyone else will forget and move on as well.”
“What am I to do now without you both?”
“You have lots of wishes left in you, you just have to remember the better ones. I left you one of my own as well to give you a head start.” She spun around to leave, but then turned back to face him again. “Oh, and do me and Cirrus a favor—don’t drop it.”
Nafury blinked, and in the moment that it took him to do so, she had vanished from sight with his trance. Drop it? He walked out onto the ledge of the cave in the Bedlam Waterway as he tried to figure out the riddle. Prophecy… He remembered how Cirrus had teased him about dropping the ‘Prophecy’ that was Sybl before Daath brought her to Aster. She could only mean something that he could hold. Maybe even someone.
“You look as if you just saw a ghost,” Cecil said, landing next to Nafury on the ledge.
“I did,” he replied.
“What did it say?” the blue dragon asked curiously, as Nafury had always had Serena’s ability as a Seer.
“I think there’s another Fay.”
GLOSSARY
Aeger—When the three Aurs existed, the Sylvan Aur was the equilibrium for the aeri and estus Aurs, creating a balance of life and death energy over the world of Aster. When the Sylvan Aur was destroyed at the end of the Last War, this balance was lost, and the estus energy began to spread uncontrollably across the world. The Aeger is a sickness caused by being overwhelmed by estus energy and its related emotions. Those with the Aeger usually lose their minds before they die of starvation, injuries as they don’t feel pain, or they are destroyed.
Aeri—Light energy channelled easiest through Animus Threads by positive emotions such as love, happiness and contentment. Used best as a restorative healing energy, but can be channelled into an intense, pure fire that is most effective against those infused with estus energy.
Aleste—A mermaid who was Lintrance’s first love.
Alexia—A human woman from Earth who Dyaus caught after venturing through a Gate from Mer City to Earth. She later becomes Cirrus’ mother and Dyaus’ Bond. Loved and remembered for her beauty, foresight and singing voice.
Aliyr—Twins on the first Aster were born as a Mei (shield) and an Aliyr (sword). Usually it was the male of the twins if one is a boy and the other a girl. In the case of Bonds on the new Aster, it is usually the male.
Animus—Also known as ‘Thread,’ it serves as connecting lines for telepathy, somning, and can be manipulated by estus and aeri energies to heal or destroy amongst many things. It’s an endless weave of spiritual links that can only be seen in a trance, by trained Novaists or Callers, Awls, or by those who are connected to the inner realm of death and Aragmoth.
Aragmoth—The immense, living essence that supports the world of Aster. The first Aster was destroyed by a moon-size monster of energy, known as the Dragon Moon, that was sent by Earth. After the destruction of their world, the Eminor spirits combined their energies and Aragmoth was formed. Aragmoth defeated the Dragon Moon and absorbed its dark energy into itself and hurled the Dragon Moon’s light essence back to Earth. It then tracked down and absorbed into itself the lost souls of the Sylvans and Ancients. From Aragmoth, the second Aster was recreated within Earth, and the Sylvans, Ancients and Eminor were later reborn onto it.
Asil—The female Fay twin born to Asteria and Daath on the first Aster. She was an airy spirit who could command all six elements. Aragmoth releases her onto the new Aster without her Sylvan energy in her body, making her more of a physical creature. She is killed by Moon before the end of the Last War and then later reincarnated as Sybl.
Aster—A spiritual and physical world existing inside Earth by means of a Great Dragon known as Aragmoth.
Asteria—While most Sylvan on the first Aster were born as twins, Asteria was born as a Sylph—a treasured rarity that was able to exist by itself without a twin. The spirit of aeri energy was chosen as the leader of the first Aster by the Sylvan kind. Aster was also named after her. Her Bond would later be Daath.
Atrum—A black, tower-like castle, on the center of the Suzerain Continent. It serves as the base of the estus Aur, the death energy from the Great Dragon. It provides a heavier light accompanied by rain and haze and it amplifies negative emotions. It is ruled by Vanir.
Atrum City—The city surrounding the Atrum. It has industrialized a great deal over the last ten years due to continued relations with the Falls.
Aur—Concentrated estus or aeri energy, usually from the Soph Aur of Toria or the estus Aur of the Atrum. They lighten and darken most of the atmosphere of Aster when they rise individually.
Awls—A creature or somnus possessed by a Sentry who has chosen to ‘fall’ to Aster and live out their existence. They are natural fortune tellers who can read the Animus Threads connected to one’s Fate. Dangerous if angered or insulted, Awls can utilize Thread to their needs, but cannot alter the Threads of gold. Most prefer to live quiet, solitary lives, which also helps them in avoiding Aragmoth’s wrath. Considered immortal, dark angels and demons by many. They hide in their human-like appearances that are merely an illusion over their true form, which resembles a dark, winged demon when it touches the Animus Threads of Aster.
Ayame—A female phelan somnus.
Berion—A town of phelan on the Torian Continent that is not controlled by the Atrum. Jasper and his Bond, Ishtar, are its leaders. Named after Master Berion who is Jasper’s father.
Bond—Another word for mate.
Cael/Caelestis—The Asterian words for god/goddess.
Caller—An ayame capable of creating a Nova which is a powerful song that affects Animus Thread. Ayame are the leaders of their Packs for this reason, as their mastery over the Thread allows them to control their Packs a
nd avoid conflict where possible. In battle, it is often the most powerful ayame Caller who determines the victorious Pack. Similar rules apply to daoran Novaists, with the exception being that they are all connected to the High Priestess as assistants, instead of being individual leaders like female phelan somnus.
Casus Beli Canyon—Territory of the plumas. Created by Nephena when she hurled Livry across its field in anger of his failure.
Cecil—A 32 year old dragoon, and first born son of Tynar and Trista. His blood falls under the Line of Moon. A mild-hearted dragoon once, Cecil became bitter over the years because of his born blindness, combined with the pressure put on his family by Yri’s influences in Toria. His Bond is Rose.
Celia—Gwa’s human mother, and a scientist from Earth who once worked for the Falls. She later falls in love with Mersael, but she flees when he tries to kill her and his son, Gwa.
Chimeras—Also known as ‘Outcasts.’ Soulless and animal-like descendants of Nephena. Chimera are usually a combination of two or more animals. Many have allowed their bodies to be possessed by the Sentry, giving them souls and a human-like form in becoming an Awl.
Chrison—A 7 year old phelan somnus. Prisca’s friend who mugs Sybl at the Harbor shortly after her arrival.
Cirrus—28 year old son of Alexia. Long, straight blond hair and light blue eyes. Born in an abnormal manner as a white dragon, he killed his mother during childbirth. He grew up for thirteen years afterwards incapable of unsomning into his human-like form. His ‘human’ half is freed shortly after he meets Serena.
Crystal—Daoran descendant of Solar, Crystal was the eccentric and adventurous one of her siblings. Bonded to the late Estar. Mother to Loki and Lintrance. She dies during the pluma attack on the Fay Wall and with her, their unborn sister.
Custos—Monk-like guardians of the Sanctus. A rank that requires five years of training in both spiritual and martial Arts. They were formed by the late ayame, High Priestess Kira. They include the phelan, humans and some chimeras in their ranks. Their Laws are based off of the teachings of the first Aster that revolve around peace and harmony with both Ancients, Sylvan and Eminor alike. Both females and males may become Custos and those who have talent often go on to become Priests, Callers or Masters. They are forbidden from taking a Bond while serving as a Custos.
Daath—A demon from Earth and formerly one of the ‘Four Generals’ or ‘Four Horsemen’ who existed before the Great Flood. He fled to the first Aster to escape enslavement by Hino. Asteria takes him and his army in as refugees, unaware of the consequences it would later bring to her world. She also gives him a soul. Their children are the first Fay of light and darkness; Asil and Erebus.
Damek—Also known as Daath, he is the strongest dark Sentry of the Four Generals and master over death. Asteria granted Daath a soul during his time on the first Aster, and he later falls in love with her and takes on the new name, Damek. When he was destroyed from the attack of the Dragon Moon, one of his bones is later discovered on Earth by one of Nephena’s children and brought to the new Aster. Daath is later fashioned back to life by Tenu and Asil and reconnected with his soul, becoming Damek once again. He disappears after the Last War and is later reborn as Nafury. Daath rejoins with Nafury during his Trial of Somn and the Aeger leads Nafury to his death two years later. With his Curse on Sybl, Daath is able to exist as a more powerful and physical spirit, while searching for a way to get his soul back from Aragmoth.
Daoran—A female Sylvan or female human capable of taking the form of their dragon somn.
Delare—A 300+ year old Awl. The first cat born from Nephena. He becomes an Awl after Tenu drowns him and steals his fur pelt to disguise Damek with it. He sails with his mistress, Gloria, and his friend, Quinn, over the Eternal Waters in hopes of getting his vengeance against Tenu and finding his pelt.
Derel—Cecil’s baby brother. Second son born of Trista and Tynar.
Dragoon—A male Sylvan or male human capable of taking the form of their dragon somn.
Dreamwalking—Leaving the body to move about with one’s psi through the spiritual plane. This is dangerous as it leaves the soul and spirit vulnerable to more malicious spirits. Those with a strong command over spiritual Thread can manipulate objects and even people.
Dyaus—General of Toria’s High Guard. Dark green hair, grey eyes. Brother to Yri, Crystal, Day, and Tynar. A descendant of Solar. His Bond was Alexia.
Efereal Mountains—The snowy home of the chimera Tribes that are led by Xirel.
Elders—The voted council of dragoons and daorans, who assist in upholding their Laws and decisions effecting Toria and the Dragon Caverns.
Eminor—A dark spirit consisting mostly of estus energy. In the days of the first Aster, they were called ‘Nightmare Eaters’ as they fed off of the negative emotions and nightmares that were unneeded by the Sylvan race. Some chose to become the somns of the reborn Sylvan souls, while many still roam the world as the True.
Erebus—The male Fay twin born to Asteria and Daath on the first Aster. He was an airy spirit who could command all six elements. He was destroyed by the Dragon Moon on the first Aster. Asil wove his life Threads to Aragmoth so he could continue to be able to exist in a partial state of undeath on the second Aster. He dies when the Sylvan City is destroyed. His current reincarnation is Kas, whose soul energy is still bound to Aragmoth.
Estar—A dragoon descendant of Tenu and Moon, and twin brother to Trista. Father to Lintrance, Loki and Kayla. He was not able to contact the rest of his kind in Toria for many years after his birth, as Tenu feared the growing influence of the descendants of Solar taking advantage of the vulnerability of his youth. He Bonds to Crystal, but took Yri for some years, where she then gave birth to Kayla. He was an exceptional Healer in combat and his somn held command over plants, like his son Lintrance. He died in combat against the Falls forces on the Torian Continent in a raid.
Estus—A dark, heavy energy most easily channeled through Animus Thread and manipulated through darker emotions such as sadness, hate, anger and jealousy.
Exoir—Griffin somnus, father to Mersael and grandfather to Gwa. He expands the technology of the Falls over Aster using his technical genius. He has an uncommon snowy leopard hide on his cat half as a griffin. Exoir was once Avian, the General of Pestilence.
Fay—A creature that is able to balance both aeri and estus energy within themselves and at the same time. Only two are known to have been born; Asil and Erebus.
Feharin Army—The Sylvan’s army.
Festra—A curved, staff-like weapon that holds a blade within its ends. Though effective in combat, the original purpose of the festra was to control and cut Threads, killing or enslaving enemy names to it. Only Asteria, Asil, Damek and Erebus can fully wield this weapon, as most of the names bound to it will only answer to them.
Fevre—Son of Svarog and Tenu. Yri’s half-brother by Svarog, and half-brother to Estar and Trista by Tenu. Short blond hair, dark brown eyes. A talented blacksmith like his father.
Four Generals—On Earth, they were called the Four Horsemen; Pestilence, War, Famine and Death. When they left Earth to escape to the first Aster, they became Avian, Reol, Gei and Daath. They have souls that were given to them by Asteria and are no longer controllable by Hino. They are acknowledged as the highest and most powerful level of Sentry, Iynx, and Awls.
Gate—A machine that artificially stabilizes a Rift and passage to the Keol, another Gate, or Earth with estus energy. The mer created the first Gate.
Gei—Formerly known as the General of Pestilence, he is the last, true form of an Iynx spirit on Aster who protects the Sanctus. Only Kira is said to have ever seen his human-like form. In an attempt to prevent Kira from falling in love with him, he strips his wings from his back and his ability to hide his form with a human-like illusion weave is lost as a result.
Gloria—A fiery redhead, green-eyed human. Dockmistress of the Atrum’s Harbor on the Suzerain Continent. She oversees all the ships coming and going fr
om the Harbor and trading relations between the Torian Continent. Before coming to Aster, she was a singer.
