Song of a Dead Star

by Zamil Akhtar

  Maybe Saina could help. He messaged her.

  Send me your spectrum.

  Umm, okay...but I was never good at this kind of thing.

  He received it. Her spectrum turned Layla’s ping into blue dust scattered by a red storm.

  That made it even worse!

  I told you I suck at this kind of thing! I’m a terrible conductor!

  But he could still see a faint glimmer of her on spectrum.

  “Kav.” Saina tugged his shirt. She was like a little boy wearing her father’s clothes, if her father was a Keldanese thug. “Look outside, it’s so dark...just like back then, back home, in Qindsmar. Like the sun’s going out.”

  It was so dark the light barely cast into the rising room. As if demons covered the sun with brutal wings, devouring its rays and biting into its core, so it couldn’t shine anymore. Or were they taking the sun away, to some prison in the blackness across the Wall?

  Other Sons had noticed, turning their attention from their leader onto the shade covering their homes.

  Saina trembled. Kav noted nothing had scared her like this. She covered her eyes and dropped her head.

  Stop it, Saina. I won’t lie and say you’re gonna be okay. It may all end today, if that’s what will be.

  I’m not afraid of dying. It’s this dark world that I hate.

  “Sons!” Mezzin boomed. “Don’t pay attention to the shadows. We’re here!”

  The room screeched to a halt. Bright metal doors opened, revealing a new tower floor. Inscribed at the top of the entrance, as if greeting them, were four words: “Welcome to the Garden.”

  Four years ago, a day after that crazy dream, Kav was on his way to work. He thought over it the whole way to work, wondering what it meant and whether his soul or an angel or Nur Himself was trying to tell him something.

  When he got to the construction site, the boss was talking about the remainder of the plan. Something about conducting the structure bit by bit, a lengthy process, brace for long hours, whatever.

  His boss’s lecturing faded as he wondered: will she message me? What’s my move if she doesn’t? I was too distracted with that dream, haven’t figured out my back up plan.

  That’s when he saw something strange in the dirt. A piece of paper stuck out of a little mound. Kav pulled it out and read the words.

  How’d you sleep, construction guy? Have fun in my garden?

  Kav swallowed all the moisture in his throat. What in the blue hell?

  He peered over at the little garden. She wasn’t there.

  I can’t handle this. Is this real?

  “Kav! Get to work, you’re on team three.”

  Did we really have a dream together? How’s that even possible?

  So Kav went over to the team creeping at the base of the structure, which was now a cube of marble. What are they even building? He hadn’t a clue, because he’d been too busy caressing her thighs in his mind.

  I’ll ask her about all this on my break! Hopefully she’ll come out to tend her garden by then...

  That break never came, nor did she. Kav toiled the entire day, and then the boss had them stay late. UHR arrived, and they were still working. Finally, the boss called time, and Kav walked out of the Palace, thinking about how to reform his plan.

  So tomorrow I get her frequency, we talk, do that for a few days. Then I pop the question, as easily as I can, to meet somewhere. Then...

  At home, Mezzin was already asleep. He’d thrown his blanket on the floor and sprawled over his bed like a monkey. He snored in rhythm, hazy and gentle. Kav picked up the blanket and tucked his brother in.

  The snoring became something half snore and half voice. “Kav. Ergggh. Don’t go.” And then the snoring resumed.

  “Sleep easy, bosom bro.” Kav watched the heavy sleeper drool on his pillows. Then he jumped on his own mattress.

  Eyes half open, he stared at the sun beating through the draped window. Maybe I’ll see her again tonight? In a dream?

  But sleep didn’t come. The sun gazed at him through the drape, as if trying to get in his mind. Kav wished for total darkness, so he could find relief in sleep and shade.

  Hours passed as Kav lay there, dying to dream so he could see her. Please Nur, lemme get some rest tonight. If I don’t, when they overwork me tomorrow like they did today, I’ll barely be able to stand up.

  Who was he kidding? The All-Knowing and All-Seeing?

  Okay fine, you know I wanna sleep so I can see her again. I swear my intentions are good. I won’t even touch a strand of hair on that sultry, sultry body of hers. Please Nur, lemme get to sleep. Put the sun out or something so I can rest.

  Another hour passed and UHR was half over. Kav sat against the wall, his head on his knees, wishing he had some milk or honey or pills. But there was nothing in their bare little home.

  Then he received a message.

  You didn’t sleep tonight. I waited for you.

  The frequency was a blue pearl, dripping with aura.

  Layla?

  He could feel his heart in the mattress and the walls, beating and shaking everything.

  Surprised? I wanted to see you again, in the garden. But for me to take you there, you have to be asleep.

  Sorry, I couldn’t sleep.

  Oh, you always have trouble sleeping?

  No...never. First time in a while, really.

  Kav grabbed his pillow and put it beneath his lower back and the wall so he could stay as still as possible. Nothing mattered now except the words when he closed his eyes.

  Lucky. I do, I can never sleep well. It’s not that I have trouble going to sleep, I always wake up after a few hours, and then I don’t feel like sleeping anymore and have nothing to do for the rest of UHR.

  Kav wasn’t sure how to respond. Had he already run out of things to say?

  You can always message me.

  Hahah, you haven’t even told me your name.

  It’s Kav.

  Awkward silence. As awkward as it can be when no light transmits between two people. And in those seconds, he needed that light more than air or water.

  So Kav...what’s your life like?

  That question caught him off-guard. He toyed with a few answers. Should I mention all my problems? No, you’ll sound like a whiner. But I don’t wanna be boring. Then he said something.

  When I was five, I watched my mother die. The man who killed her tied me up, and said he was going to kill me too. So I prayed and prayed to Nur that I be saved. As the man was about to slit my throat, he had a change of heart, and let me go. Doesn’t matter how hard things have been since then, I’ve got no right to complain, because I’m still alive.

  Why did I say all that!? I just jumped twenty steps ahead in the plan!

  After hearing that...I feel so ungrateful. My problems are nothing.

  You can tell me.

  No, I don’t want to complain.

  Tell me, just get it off your chest.

  Okay...well, I’ve been a prisoner in the Palace since I can remember. I was born right here, in Kerb, and the first thing they did was baptize me in the waters of the Deep Blue. And every day, I drink from the Deep Blue and eat fish from the Deep Blue. And I can never leave the shore, I never have, and...the doctors come, and they do tests on me. They knock me unconscious for days, and they tire me out, making me conduct till I can’t take it anymore.

  Oh Nur, this girl has problems. What’ve I gotten myself into?

  Why do they do all those things?

  Because my parents came here for the Blessing of the Deep Blue. And I guess...that was me. So the HEX people, they want to know...what makes me so special.

  Other than the fact that you can invade dreams?

  Heheh.

  So how do you do that? I heard Saint Ad’deen visits people in their dreams and that some living saints can do it too.

  Kav, I’ll show you everything. I need someone to know. Tomorrow, okay?

  Tomorrow?

  Just go to sleep
tomorrow night as usual, okay?

  Okay! Will I get to see you? In real life?

  I’m not allowed near the servants. I have to go, the doctors are here. So please, tomorrow — just fall asleep.

  The elevator suddenly stopped. Zauri jolted; her throat almost came out.

  “This is not good,” Lacan said. “Try to get it moving.”

  Asha fiddled with the control conduit. “To be honest, I have no experience with these...technical things.”

  Merv stuck his finger in the small hole. “Ugh, Shirmian language never made any sense to me.”

  “They’re on this floor too,” Asha said, “they’ve trapped us here.”

  Lacan stuck his finger in. Nothing changed. “The motor is blown. And you’re right, someone did it deliberately. The only other ways down are the stairs, or the other elevator. Considering we’re on the fifty-fourth floor, we know what we have to do.”

  Merv pushed Zauri’s bed off the elevator and onto a new floor. The marble rolled smoothly across the wheels.

  “I know these people, I’ve dealt with them for years,” Lacan said. “If I can give them what they want, we can get through without fighting. But if that’s what it comes to, Asha, are you in good enough health?”

  “I can guarantee a few dozen dead Sons,” Asha said.

  “Where is your army?” Merv asked. “I recall a horde of soldiers when you captured me.”

  “Everyone evacuated hours ago, when the Director declared Hyseria lost,” Lacan said. “We’re all that’s left.”

  The air was moist with dew. Zauri inhaled it and watched vines and hanging plants stream by the ceiling. She felt the smoothness of the marble turn to rough dirt, and the bed no longer rolled but ploughed through earth.

  Breathing in such sweet air strengthened her lungs. The flowers beneath smelled like the reddest musk. It gave her vitality; she sat up on the bed as it moved.

  This place was a floating field. The glass walls were clear, the ceiling high, like a garden in the sky.

  “I’ll do the talking,” Lacan said. “Everyone...be ready.”

  Their small group stopped. A big group appeared in front of them. Keldanese, all armed with blades. Zauri got on her knees to get a good look.

  She’s here. On this floor. In front of me. The blue flare on his spectrum said so.

  But stuck at the back of the troop, Kav couldn’t see her. He waded passed the “STAY OFF THE GRASS!” sign and moved through the crowd to the front. Mezzin stood at the head of the troop, talking to a red-bearded Almarian. Someone Kav recognized.

  That’s the sheikh from Qindsmar. The hell’s he doing here?

  “Sons!” Mezzin strutted in front of his men. “You are looking at a man who has shit on our country ever since TEX took control of Keldan to do the Shirma’s dirty work.”

  Kav closed his eyes. The blue aura was warm on his spectrum, washing over all colors.

  “Our people were stolen from, beaten, caged, and killed, and this man was behind it all,” Mezzin said. “What shall we do with him?”

  Upon opening his eyes, Kav examined the area ahead. Nothing. Just the old sheikh. No blue-haired girl.

  Was all this another spectrum ghost?

  “I never supported the brutal treatment of your people,” the sheikh said. “Hyseria is yours. You fought bravely and gained your freedom. Just let us go.”

  “Go? Go where? You gonna sail off into the sunset? Continue your TEX work somewhere else? Kidnap A’ab babies in another part of the world?” He pointed his sword-arm at the sheikh. “I came here to bring justice, and I will.”

  Cheers erupted. Every Keldanese man in the room raised his blade. Except Kav. He stared at the one he hated most. There was an unreality to Mezzin, as if he was infused with that power.

  Someone appeared. Unreality and threads of blue spun around him too. A porcelain mask on fire.

  Magus Asha.

  Asha was right. Every time I think I’ve found her, I’m brought before a Mask. He was right. I was born to kill Magi.

  “I am the Magus Asha, shield of Eden and disciple of the Qandari Tariqa, the Way that has guided our peoples for two millennia.” The Magus stood face to face with Mezzin, their lights about to collide. “The power I possess has erased nations. Step aside, or I will turn this garden red, and your revolution will end here.”

  Four years ago, on the day that changed everything, the monument or whatever was almost finished. After a sleepless toil, zombie Kav stumbled home.

  When he opened the door, he saw Mezzin huddled on the floor, with his favorite mop — snapped in two. Its twisted hair sat in his lap.

  “Mezzy?” Kav crouched next to him. “What happened?”

  His eyes were dry, like he’d spilt all his tears on that mop. “The doctor said that Mam ain’t ever gonna walk again. Now we got two cripples in this house.”

  “Shit.” Kav rubbed his brother’s head. Above the ear, the way his mother would. “That’s just...shit.” He didn’t know what else to say.

  “Now you’re gonna have to take care of both us cripples. It ain’t right. You’re gonna get tired of us and walk out like Pops did and—”

  “Ain’t ever gonna happen! You’re my only family!” He didn’t stop rubbing his head.

  “Pops hated me,” Mezzin said. “That’s why he left. Didn’t want a cripple for a son. A son who can’t work and can’t do shit for himself. It ain’t right, the way Nur made me.”

  “We’re gonna get through this. The three of us. Sons don’t let Shirmas make us cry. We cry and they win.”

  Mezzin shook his head. “Sons won’t even take me as a man.” He pushed Kav’s hand off. “They love you. But me? They laugh whenever I turn my back.”

  Nothing left to say. Everything broken and twisted. Like that mop. Kav stood. Soreness in his eyes, heavy limbs. Tired of this broken world.

  Mezzin got up too, tossed the mop head. “Imma go for a walk, clear my head. You ought to sleep, you’re working hard. Don’t worry about me, keep doing what you’re doing.” And Mezzin walked out the door.

  Out into the broken world. A world as tired as Kav, standing in this bare house, staring at a twisted mop head. He went to his room and dropped on his mattress. The softness of his sheets cuddled him to sleep.

  A ping bounced off the wall of his consciousness. Like the cry of a deep sea animal, but circular and constant. It brought particles of red and blue that danced together something he could understand. Earth, sky, forest. Flowing water and a pulsing diamond in the sky. Leaves beneath merged into concrete. A small cottage appeared beneath trees. A cute stream surrounded it.

  The cottage door opened and Layla came out. She looked creamier in blue hair, walking down those wooden steps.

  “Come in.” Her smile tasted like honey. “Oh, you know what, first I need something.”

  Kav scratched his head. Everything was solid, earthy, unlike the other night. “What do you need?”

  “Coals, for the stove.”

  “What’s the stove for?”

  “Cooking, what else are stoves for?”

  They walked through a path in the forest. A still place, except for the whistles and flutter of birds. Kav looked around, but couldn’t see any.

  “So...why’s your hair blue?” Kav asked. “It’s nice and all, but I’ve been wondering.”

  “I was born this way. My hair is blue, it’s a blessing.”

  “But outside, you have blonde hair.”

  “That’s just dye. So people don’t think I’m weird.”

  They came to an open area below the diamond sun. A bag of coals sat in the center.

  Kav picked it up. “Umm, what are you cooking?”

  “Shirmian kabab with garlic curry and white-flour bread. I’ll also be making a salad.”

  Kababs revolved around Kav’s head.

  “Kabab! Nice! Let’s hurry!” He ran with the coals. One by one, they bounced out the bag. “But is it real food? Wait...”

  She caught up
to him, holding the coals he dropped in her dress, its purity stained with soot. “Eat and find out.”

  Inside, the cottage was damp and cozy. A fire crackled out of a hearth in the living room. Everything was wooden, unlike any house Kav knew. He reclined on a sofa, a knitted blanket over him, while Layla cooked in the kitchen.

  “You said there was something you wanted to show me,” Kav said.

  “What’s the rush?” She skewered some meat.

  “I’m afraid...that I’ll wake up.”

  She paused and looked away. “Come sit at the table.”

  He sat in a chair at the wood table and twiddled his thumbs. She clanked down a piping hot plate of kabab.

  “Looks too good to be real.” Kav salivated. “I must be dreaming.”

  Peppers and garlic steamed into his nose.

  “Ha-ha — witty.” She sat next to him. “Go ahead and eat.”

  Kav couldn’t resist. He expected to bite air, but juices gushed into his mouth. Chewing, he drained the meat of flavor and swallowed.

  Layla watched him eat. “It’s good, right?”

  “Good? I would sell my soul for kabab like this.” Kav devoured that piece in the next bite. “You’re not gonna have any yourself?”

  She blushed at the compliment — pink cheeks under sapphire eyes. “I’ll have a little.”

  Time tick-tick-ticked on. Only crumbs remained.

  Kav stopped himself from licking them. “It’s been, what, an hour? This’s gonna end soon, isn’t it?”

  “Look, let’s just forget about time. Whatever happens, happens.”

  A wood pecker peck-peck-pecked.

  She led him outside and smiled her honey smile. “So, what do you want to do?”

  I’d better not say what I really want to do.

  “Asking your dream guest to come up with ideas? You Shirmians don’t have any hospitality.”

  “Fine! Let’s go somewhere. Close your eyes!”

  Kav did, and when he opened them, he was in a levship. Clouds of every color covered the world outside the windows. The light reflecting off the clouds painted the room a crystal rainbow. Layla’s face shone bright pink and her hair greenish-blue.