thelegendsoferidar

[thelegendsoferidar]

Aster: Fixing your Fuckups

The finishing touch goes into place on the mana circuit. something I thought I wouldn’t be able to do, I actually did. Just in time for Display to be over. 

A knock comes from the door.

“Come in.”

David steps in, a wide smile on his face. I guess he found out about Display.

“I’m in.”

“I’m not surprised. It’s well earned.” I say. The words are true, but it still stings knowing I didn’t.

“Thanks, so I was thinking I would go out to Morgana’s for dinner then we can stop by… Wait, did you do it.” David points at the circuit.

“I think so I haven’t tried it yet.”

“You have to let me be the first to see it.”

“You sure, I don’t want to bring down the mood if it doesn’t work.”

“You’ve been mopey enough, lets roll the dice for something good!”

I raise the crystal and whisper The Battle of Cinder Bay.

The crystal thrums with Mana and dim rainbow glow is emitted. A few seconds pass and I let my body go slack. “Sorry.” The crystal glows brighter than ever and becomes so hot I drop it. In a flash the room is gone, David and I are standing above Cinirius as plumes of Volcanic gas erupt into the sky. Rocks pelt us and explode into the Gryphon riders. then we drop from the Sky and descend into the city. Godsborn fighting off the invading monsters pass us by as we fly by as though on a horse in a dead sprint. We make our way down the side of the mountain to the Bay where a general has arrayed his army opposite a Myrmidon legion. He stands in the center flanked by his trusted body guards all of them in gold trimmed plate. The Illusion fades and David turns to me.

“What was that?” His face is light up with excitement. “That was amazing. The only thing I can think of that would match that is the 7th level spell Mirage Arcana.”

“Thank you,” I say.

“You have to show the teachers this. There is no way you can be left out of the Display this year.”

“Oh, I don’t think They’ll let me in.”

“You have to try.”

David grabs my hand and we take off to the faculty offices. we run-walk down the long marble hallways the only thing I can think of is the sunshine in my chest and the warmth of David’s hand.

The faculty offices are cubicles of shimmering magic walls in a large room subdivided by department. Most of the lights are out, but a single teacher in the far back taps their foot. David walks with me down the row of cubicles to the Arcane Engineering Department. Professor Kilkenny is at his desk, wrapped up in the boring paperwork of academia. I should have stopped David before we made it this far, but now it got worse.

“David, lets not bother him he’s clearly…”

“Professor Kilkenny. Can we have a moment of your time?”

The professor looks up at his face bright with David and dower with me. He stands up and addresses us with an even and professional tone. “What can I help you boys with?”

“Professor, Aster just completed his work for the Display and it’s beyond amazing.”

“Well. David Aster is a little late…”

“Would it be okay if we just showed it to you, you’ll understand?”

Professor Kilkenny holds out his hand and I reluctantly give him the Mana Stone. he turns it over in his hand looking at the circuitry and raises it his mouth and whispers something.

The crystal thrums with Mana and dim rainbow glow is emitted. A few seconds pass and the room melts away to the streets of Old Town in the Burned district. We fly into the front door of a seven story building with broken and boarded windows. The floor boards are frayed and chipping at the ends, the wallpaper sags and large sections have folded in on itself, and still the building roars with life. room shifts and we fly up multiple stairs and land in front of door 602. The voice of a kind woman rings through the door calling for her kids to come to dinner.

Professor Kilkenny turns off the illusion before it can any further.

“More Ingenious than I was expecting. definitely worthy of Display, but too late. it wouldn’t be fair to the other presenters. there’s always next year.”

David and I walk back to the dorms, my hands at my side. its quiet as we walk, quiet enough for me to dwell on the rejection. I’m sure if I was a better student, more involved with class and the professor I wouldn’t have gotten such a sound rejection.

“What was that? It would have been plenty fair. its not like you would take someone else’s spot. they could have just made time.”

“It’s okay. it feels good to just know I did this.”

David means well.

[thelegendsoferidar]

Chapter 3 – Orion: In The Mines

I descend the stone stairs down to the Dwarven Road; a spiral staircase hand carved by the artisans from Dun Myndd. Mama couldn’t bear to see me off. She said the last place she ever wanted to see me was in her home, right where I belong. 

The staircase goes on forever until I eventually reach the staging area. The room is an elongated arch with crystal lamps every few feet that keep the chamber a warm orange. muscular dwarves load and unload carts with grunts that echo. Waiting for me is the druid bastard who needed to stay out of my life, standing next to him at knee height is a ginger dwarf with a bushy beard and wild eyes. His face is covered with soot which he tries to wipe away as I approach.

“Miss, I was expecting ye I’ll be the caravan lead. Aled Cargh, pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“Orion Swordbreaker.”

I look to the druid and cant hide my anger which makes him take a step back.

“I’ll be on my way then.” The druid says.

“Well Miss, where will I be taking you? yer ticket is good for anywhere on the road. the 11 major settlements are at your fingertips.”

I hadn’t really thought about it. I was too caught up in deserved self-loathing and guilt. “Do I have to decide now?”

“Of course not, you can stay on all the way to Dun Myndd and decide there.”

Aled leads me over to the caravan train; a long line of covered wagons with Aurochs hitched to the head of each wagon. Aled comes to a stop in front of the largest wagon at the center of the caravan with a black and red cover and turns around with a wide grin.

“This one here is mine, and yer ride for the rest of the journey.” he spreads his arms wide to show off his wagon.

I step into the back of the wagon where I have to hunch over to keep from hitting the cover. there is an Elf and a halfling sitting on the right so I sit down opposite to them. The elves eyes are closed as he hums to himself. Beside him the halfling seems bemused by my sudden arrival. He takes an onion from his pocket and offers it to me. when I wave it off he takes a bite, chews a few times and smiles. 

“hyah,” Aled yells. He whips the reigns and the massive Oxen beasts let out a long grunt and the wagon begins to move. The ride is smooth, to be expected from a Dwarven made wagon.

“What’s your name?” The halfling asks in a spritely voice.

“Orion.”

“Like the constellation?”

“The same.”

“I thought Orcs didn’t… oh, makes sense. I’m Pepper-steak. This is Xiao Dan.” The elf doesn’t bother to look up at his name being said. “We’re off to Old Town for the new mega dungeon that’s been found. its going to be an absolute blow out, I’ll have to get a wheelbarrow just to bring it all back. Of course I won’t be walking…” this is going to be a long trip.

[thelegendsoferidar]

Chapter 3  - Aster: In the Mines

Students walk around the main hall inspecting each other’s work. Class went wonderfully today until the professor told us to collect our Displays and find a booth in the main hall. David has the most popular booth. He made a new spell by crossing fireball with cone of cold to create a multistage, multielement spell with a mana efficiency of 4th level. insane shit. some people pass my booth where I have my circuits laid out along with my mana stone that doesn’t work, no one stops to look further. Display was meant to showcase our research to get us a good job outside the university or even more coveted a research position at the university. I have another year to impress someone, but after three years of no promising displays the likelihood I end up another washout hedge wizard is greater than not.

Helen comes up to my booth and takes a look at the pages and mana stone. she’s top of the class in circuitry. she looks at me and I avoid her gaze.

“This won’t work.”

“What do you mean?”

“This layer is a feeder to a layer that will overload from the run off mana.” she points to one of my mistakes in the stone. “Which would have been fine from your original design, but it looks like the work around means you cant use the same run off channel.” She continues to point out the flaws in my work.

“Thanks Helen.”

She smiles the biggest I’ve seen. “Anytime,” and walks away.

I look over what she pointed out and I realize she’s right. The stone won’t work. Rage wells up inside me and I just want to quit, resign myself to the mediocrity I have been destined to. I know I’m not going to be picked this year. at this rate I could work on the circuit for another three years and probably be exactly where I am now. 

 The selection committee comes to my booth, a trio of the Headmaster, Circuitry professor Lioria, and Evocations Professor Fenton. The headmaster nods and the other professor walk on to the next booth.

“Ambitious design.”

“Flawed design.”

“The pursuit of knowledge is a flaw. It is a test of your tenacity to withstand constant failure and setbacks while maintaining the attitude you can learn something new the next time.”

The headmaster looks over the circuit design and the current layout in the stone. he turns the stone around in his hand carefully drinking in each line. “The lines would be difficult for professor Lioria to maintain. try connecting layer 3 with layer 7.” He sets the stone down and continues on.

I pick up the stone and take a look at what he mentioned. it could work.

[thelegendsoferidar]

Chapter 2 – Orion: Shit talking and scheming

A conspiracy of fate made that druid jackass walk up on me. in every other city in Eridar I would be a hero, a protector of the people, but here I’m a ‘murderer’ the monsters don’t care about life half as much as we do. it’s why they kill everyone they meet. Mama knocks at my door. she’s been crying since I got home and the druid told her I was on house arrest until the council decided my fate.

She sits down at the edge of my bed and through teary red eyes asks: “did you do it?”

“I did.”

“Why?” she stifles more tears. “Because my death would be just as bad as the monsters death.”

“That doesn’t give you the right to kill. Only the council can decide those things.”

I resist the urge to argue with her. she’s only known the green pledge her whole life. 

“What right did the monster have to kill that little human?”

I’ve always done things I shouldn’t why should I stop now?

“The Gnoll was doing what was in its nature. it’s a shame, but it didn’t deserve to die.”

“So I should have let it kill me?”

“Orion, you are an Orc. The world knows you are powerful, but what you do with that matters. even in my old age I could hold down a little Gnoll for the druids to come.”

“Its not who we are.” There I go. hurting her again.

“All Orcs have those dreams, but we hold true to our god. The god of Life. Orion…”

the room goes silent and we can’t hold each other’s gaze anymore.

“Mama, I love you. I know I haven’t made you proud, but you’ve been there for me…” A knock comes from the front door. “Through everything.” 

Mama gets up and leaves to answer the door. Her feet barely keep her aloft. I did that. 

time passes slowly in my room alone. The whispers of Mama and that druid are too faint for me to make out. before long Mama calls for me. I step out into the dining room. three druids are seated around the table with Mama at the head. there is the druid who has been ‘counseling’ me beside mama, one I haven’t seen before beside him and the Archdruid of our neighborhood at the opposite end of the table. the Archdruid is dignified in dress and temperament. He has turquoise and malachite braided into his black hair, around his neck is an obsidian and gold necklace, and his robes are finer then the other two. His face hides his emotions perfectly.

The Archdruid motions for me to sit beside Mama and I do.

“Orion, the council of nobles has been lenient. They have found your unlawful taking of life to be justified, but are unconvinced you had to kill the Gnoll.” The Archdruid takes out a scroll and unfurls it. “Orion, you are sentenced to exile.” 

My heart drops and I feel weak.

“You have 72 hours to leave Tilerus on the dwarf caravan secured for you.” The Arch druid continues. “Should you return for any reason you will be returned to Skog. May you serve life all your days.” The Archdruid rolls up the decision and looks sternly at all the faces in the room. “To be cast out from the family is the second worse thing that can happen to an Orc, your mother will be cared for all her days.”

The druids get up and leave. Mama begins to cry and I sink into my fate.

[thelegendsoferidar]

Chapter 2: Aster  - Shit talking and scheming

I round the corner towards the common room and the chatter of my classmates goes from a dull roar to just a roar. I open the door to see Helen and Urbino standing in the center of a throng being held back from blows. Those two are like oil and fire whenever they’re together it’s an explosion. They both look at me and smile like a shark.

In near unison:

“Aster dear, tell this dumb bimbo I’m prettiest girl in the year.” Helen says.

“Aster dear, tell this dumb slut I’m prettiest girl in the year.” Urbino says.

“Ugh,” I look around the room and spot David. He’s a hot guy no questions, a good friend, and a great out when I’m asked dumb questions like this. “David’s the hottest. Sorry I’m not into girls.” I’m into girls too, most people just assume I’m not.

“Thanks man!”

Both roll their eyes and storm off to their rooms. Taking their lead I make it to my room for some peace and quiet.

My room is pitch dark. I pull back the silver and blue curtains to let in sunbeams that reflect off the marble. Everything in the room, except my desk is just as it was the day I arrived. Dust dances in the light as I rub my eyes. I crash into my plush, standard issue, blue comforter and bury my head in the pillow. another day done I guess. Without looking over I swish my steel wand and tick a day off the calendar.

 It seems that’s the only thing I’ve been able to reliably do since coming here. I sit down to my messy desk and the mana circuit. I was able to get a high-end stone from the market at a steal, he didn’t know what he had and the person he bought it from didn’t either. I pull the sheet with this overlays circuit as close to me as possible so I can drink in the details. I take a deep breath and hold my wand above the pale blue translucence and begin to draw bronze lines. The good part about my complex circuit is that if I mess up I can integrate it into a different overlay.

A knock comes from my door.

“Hey dude, its me.”             “Come in.”             David walks in, as he closes the door behind him I take the opportunity to really look at him. His dark mop flows slightly with the motion. When he turns back from the door his deep blue eyes steal my attention. It gets better too for a human man, a wizard at that, his muscles fill up the uniform well. top and bottom.

I turn back to my circuit so I don’t lose control of my aura.

“What’s up?” I say.

“Kind of bored wanted to gossip about earlier.”

“Yeah, what was all that?”

“They got into the same fight they always do. But that wasn’t what I wanted to talk about.” David takes a dramatic pause.

“Well?”

“The change to Wizardkine.”

I put the mana stone down and look near David. “What change?”

“Dude, were you daydreaming in class again?”

“Maybe, What change?”

“There are only three slots for Display this year.”

“They’ve never done that before.”

“I know, word is something big is happening. People have been seen talking with the headmaster lately.”

“Mhm.”

I complete the circuit overlay for this depth and hold it up to the light. The bronze maze runs exactly as I designed it. This is the second layer I’ve been able to get right. The others have to be salvaged in my redesign, which is okay but the show won’t be as good.  

“That’s a wild idea you have there. I cant imagine anyone else would think of it let alone try.”

the genuine compliment catches me off guard and I look at David and smile. “Thank you. its been a lot of work. I might not be able to finish it in time let alone at all.” I can see I’ve lost control of my aura in the way he looks at me and turn back to the desk.

[thelegendsoferidar]

Chapter 1: Orion – The World Anew

“You need to get a handle on yourself. This is not the way Orcs live.” The Druid sinks back into my Mama’s kitchen chair. His long red black hair barely covers his balding head. A smug smile sets into his face making me want to slug him more. I watch, composing myself, as he meticulously takes a fried wheel and plops it into his fat mouth and wipes his hands on mama’s table cloth.

“You don’t understand…” I start.

“Orion dear, we’ve heard it before. We believe that you are seeing things in your dreams, but your…” the wrinkles around her mouth fold deeper into a frown; along with her black hair graying I see the effect I’m having on her.

“Now Seren, we have to be honest about her condition.” The druid Interjects. 

“Your … Madness doesn’t make reality different.” Mama deflates. She always hated calling it Madness. “You need to take up the way of the Orc, dedicate yourself to life.”

“Mama, its not that I want to hurt people.” Saying it out loud always feels wrong. K=like you shouldn’t expect praise for the bare minimum. “I want to protect my people.”

The druid scoffs.

He looks to Mama and back to me.

“Orion you can’t protect anyone, Orcs…”

Maybe I am Mad. I slam my fist on the oak table and it splinters and I point my index finger at the puffed up druid and snarl. “You little shit. Coming into my mothers house and acting…” I can see Mama deflate even more. He got me. “I’m going to walk this off.” No one says anything to me as I slam the door behind me.

I rub my face and stare out across the wheat fields. Orcs as farmers. Why doesn’t anyone see how ridiculous that is. I’m twice the size of an elven man and I have as much muscle as a giant. I was made for something more than hoeing the fields. And this whole green pledge. The faults of peace have not stripped away all that Orcs used to be. I know I’m not the only one who can see it in the dreams. The glorious warbands, the drums, the shaking earth. It’s the damn Reformation, it made everyone Mad except for me. Orcs used to a proud and honorable people. Now we are reduced to the farmers of this cursed planet.

I take the watermelon sized pebble that fits neatly in my hand and continue down the path.  The fields of Tilerus are grand and feed the world, I can feel the connection to the god of life Skog, but it is all empty in my head. Am I really unsound? Do I need to undergo a rededication? I come to a crossroad, a human man is kneeled over by his cart trying to reaffix his wheel. His faded blue tunic and dust beige pants belie the simple life of a farmer. Curly blond hair peeks from his straw woven hat and something moves me to help him without being asked.

“Let me help you.” I say.

The man turns back and smiles. “It would be mightily appreciated ma’am.” His eyes are gentle, the type you want to protect.

I walk over and lift the cart off the ground with one hand. He slips the tire through the spoke and notches the locks in place. He stands up and walks over to shake my hand. His head comes up to my bust. I force a smile not feeling it, but not wanting to be rude in case we meet in a better situation. 

“I won’t forget your kindness.” He says.

“I did what should have been done.” I say.

He gets up into the wagon and smiles one last time before quickly throwing the reigns.

“All the same to me.” He calls back.

I watch the man as he disappears under the rolling hill down the road. I turn around to keep walking and then I hear it. A low roar followed by cackling. I turn around and run towards the man. Each foot falls with a thud sending shivers up my leg, but I keep doing it. Its rare for monsters to make it in from the fields, but when they do someone always dies.

I crest over the hill and see the man lying on the road. His horse has already run off with the cart. The hyena faced Gnoll looks up at me, its right eye is milky. It spreads a wide crimson smile and throws its head back into another cackle sending viscera flying. I grip my pebble in rage. I know what to do. The Gnoll comes running with its spear stretched toward me. With each step it closes the gap I resolve myself. I wind up the rock in to the best pose I can. The Gnolls eyes are wild. Red smoke flows from its nostrils. When the Gnoll is just a few steps from me I take a step forward and launch the rock. I close my eyes on instinct; I hear a sickening thud followed by a splat. 

I open my eyes and the Gnoll is lying on the ground, without a head. I hear footsteps behind me.

“Orion, there you are.” The druid says.

[thelegendsoferidar]

Chapter 1: Aster - The World Anew

Dust drifts slowly from the rafters to the floor cutting through the stained light. The lecture on Arcane Fields in Dungeons goes on and on. The professor lost me somewhere around Inverse Capacitors. It’s not that I don’t care, I just, I’m not cut out for the University. It was better when I just had talent and no mind for where I stood in the magic hierarchy. Shattering those dreams was the second worse thing ever done to me. The first was when I started to question if that was me. Everyone knows we’re the first to exist in this universe, a recombination of our old lives and history, but no one talks about it. The Reformation was supposed to be this second chance for all of us, but for me, I ended up a loser with delusions of greatness.

“And Class, remember that the Wizardkine is coming up. I remember preparing my display. It takes hours to get a successful display, don’t shirk your personal responsibilities. Class dismissed.” See, even the professor is lying about it. I know it gnaws at him too, did he live that or was it memory created by the Reformation.

I stand up and shuffle out of the class with the rest of the students. We walk in a mass through the marble hallway to the third-year dorms. The chattering echoes off the walls making everyone talk louder and louder. I feel like I should talk to them. It’s not that I’m unpopular, the desire aura Cambions give off would make me as popular as I want to be, I just want to be alone right now. The darkness started in my first year, between being average at best and being so far away from Xavia it was hard.

A human woman taps my shoulder. “Aster, What do you think?”

“Sorry?”

“David’s idea for Wizardkine.”

“Oh, it’s the best I’ve heard so far.”

“Told you.” She says turning back to her friend to continue their conversation.

I cut out of the mass of people and turn towards the main hallway. I like to go past The Font every day. It’s quieter and the Mana there is thick, thick enough to supply sustenance to the plants that grow on the walls. Besides eventually I won’t have the opportunity to return to the heart of all magic in Eridar, except for Alumni events or if I get a job at the University. 

The Main hall is silent. The Font is at the center of the room, a vortex of physicalized Mana. The translucent silver blue swirls, folding in new mana as it falls from the skylight. The grand staircase is built around the Font, a white marble covered with plush silver on the left and blue on the right carpet. Vines, flowers, mushrooms, and leaves cling to the wall. The plants are occasionally tugged on by the Mana winds from the Font. Here my body aches less and less from the Reformation. I can think about things with a clearer mind. Like my display for the Wizardkine.

I Want to push the limits of Illusion magic; no one has been able to enchant more than two programmed illusions onto a mana core before. I’ve been working on a mana circuit that will increase efficiency by 1000%. My problem is that carving the circuit requires a more delicate hand and sharp eye than I have, but I know it will work. If I can do it, I can put on an intricate show that would take twenty wizards to pull off.

“Silas, I expect you have completed your tasks for the day?” the voice of the headmaster echoes off the walls below.

“Yes, the vessel is ready…”

I scurry away to the dorms before I’m noticed.

[thelegendsoferidar]

Eridar: Aster and Orion

Prologue

The Reformation aches deep in my soul, calling out for a return to the glory I lived long ago. The gods saved our damned world by taking the parts that remained after the apocalypse and stitching them together. In the time before the gods were active and exerted their will directly on the people. Now we have only the longing they left for us, to put our world back together.

Deep within our bones we keep the knowledge of the old world, but we cannot access it. Yet it still calls to us, feelings of déjà vu and the fear that everything is just a little wrong linger in all of us. In our heads we hold the knowledge of the new world, Eridar.

The twelve chosen species of the gods have come together in this new world. Our settlements built around the temples of our gods are all that protect us from the ravages of the outside world. Dungeons, echoes of that old world, litter the wastes unleashing monsters and violent shadows of our past. To protect our lands the people have formed schools, associations, and sects to teach anyone with promise the way of war.

It is the duty of everyone in this new world to return us to our former glory.

Situated In The Eye, Old Town is the home of Humanity. The humans are the chosen of the Goddess Hilo, the goddess of Knowledge and the Arcane. They guard the Font of Magic from which flows the blood of Hilo, Mana. When this new world came into being the Arcane University was not new, it came from the old world because of this Old Town is so named. Outside the doors of the University and the Parliament building the people are not afraid to build new things, invite new people, and try new things. 

[thelegendsoferidar]

The Map of Eridar

[thelegendsoferidar]

Trains Pass I’m Home Bound

“Believe in the Liminality you know, obey those who know more, fight disorder.”

The Book On Liminality

My face is on fire.

I only have one chance, I can’t fuck it up and become a “Problem”. 

The Library is quiet with the dull roar of my life falling in on itself. My chest explodes with the thoughts like gun shots.

Expelled.

Fractal Investigation.

Guilty.

Growing up the Martin family were investigated, I was friends with Sara, their daughter, and one day the whole family went missing. Of course Mom told me they moved, but that can’t be all there is right?

Focus.

There are more important things going on in my life right now. I have to focus. I count my breath to stop the storm in my mind. 

One.

Gun shots.

Two.

Static.

Three.

Peace.

The book on Liminality sits in front of me like a common object. They say two hundred years ago you would have been killed just for someone to take your book. I pull it toward me, tempted by the knowledge it holds. The point of Liminal studies is to be guided through the mind-altering book, to avoid unwanted pitfalls in thought. The window outside peers out onto the lawn. The sun is begging to set. 

We weren’t told we can’t look at it though. A peek wouldn’t hurt me, right? I open to the first page.

The discovery of Liminal space saved civilized humanity. The brink of existence had been reached through repeated abuses. The people were unwinding from a long run of good times, and no one believed the end was near. Understanding this text is paramount to our continued existence. Liminal space is like a piece of folded paper…

The bell for the last class of the day rings.

My hair stands on end and I go straight into fight or flight. I can feel the difference. Like getting a new arm in a new dimension, but the arm is weak and can’t do anything yet.

Its time to go back home. I collect my things and leave the library. 

The walk from the library out into the main campus is a great opportunity to let the stress go. Fall in Centralia is the best. Just before it gets gross and cold, not too warm, not too cold. I follow the pathway from ULoSE back to the subway alone.

The red light in the ball above the subway entrance flickers making it hard to read the sign, Centralia to Suburbia. My brain buzzes, settling into a headache. The light from the 24-hour cafeteria beside the entrance casts shadows into the bowels of the earth. I’m not afraid of the dark, I just don’t like it when light and dark touch. The feeling of going from something known to unknown is eerie, any step could be right over the edge. I take a sharp breath before heading down.

The station is empty, the Fractals leave just before the last class. I figure that most of the whole student ID business is to help us feel special and know that we’re safe in this school. I take advantage of the empty bench and try and let the stress go, but it just wont. My head is pounding.

I guess the one good thing is that I can just be without worrying if anyone sees. Staying still has always been a “Problem” for me. Mom used to call it wiggles, I would just say I was feeling myself. But either way it used to get me into a lot of trouble in Drills, especially my first year.

The light three lamps down dims. 

It’s the worst when there’s music, I really don’t know how anyone could sit still when music is playing, even elevator music. 

The light two lamps down dims. 

Mom would put on my favorite music whenever she wanted to help me clean up around the house. 

The lamp next to me dims.

Huh, I really miss her. 

The light above me dims.

A reflexive chill runs through my spine.

The maintenance crew really needs to get to work. Are they waiting for all the lights in the city to go out? I think I’ll have to mention what’s been going on to Dad. Someone needs to address it before it becomes a bigger issue.

Skitter skitter, smack.

 What was that? 

Skitter skitter, smack.

I really hope the train comes soon. I’ve been sitting here for a really long time. 

Skitter skitter, smack.

How can the sound be coming from the other side of the gate?

I get up and walk over to the edge of the tracks. The gate is swirling faster than normal. The inky purple turning faster and faster, forming a vortex. The gate begins to bubble at the center and push out. Something is about to breach. My heart pounds inside my chest like the bass drum of a rock song.

Skitter skitter, smack.

The train erupts from the gate and pulls up to the station. When the doors open I leap across the boundary glad to be free from the station. The lights inside are a sterile germ-killing white. I take in the surrondings, looking for the monster under my bed. It was all in my head. I sink into the too thin padding and breathe a sigh of relief when the doors finally close. The train pulls away from the station. 

As I pass through the gate to the In-Between I see my reflection in the opposite window. Thick breaks in the glass trace through my chestnut eyes and hair like my reflection is cast in a broken mirror. My face is pale the tan having been drained out, and the bags under my eyes make me look old and ugly. My skin sags with age I don’t know yet. It last for just a moment but I’m sure I see it all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sun sets opposite my house, the last gasps of day in suburbia cut a pink-blue relief of the tree across the house. A cool spring breeze pushes away the last gasps of the days heat. The dry and dead rose bushes cling to the white picket fence. The neighbors keep complaining, but neither of really know how to take care of them. Mom always wanted to plant roses. Just before the move it was the things she was most excited to do. Our apartment in Centralia couldn’t support plant life like Mom wanted.

“Dad, I’m home.” 

“I’ve got dinner in here. Have something before you get started on homework.”

The news is starts, Milkshake likes the noise, I help dad put away the leftovers and sit down to my differentials homework. I can’t shake the eerie feeling from the subway though. No matter how hard I try and focus on the problems, the feeling of something not being right won’t go away. Like a hand hovering above my shoulder. My eyes rest on the family photo. I try not to look at it, but it somehow feels more comfortable right now. We’re all standing in front of the new house, dad kneeled in between me and Mom. The thing that always got me though is how far Mom stood away from us. When I was younger the Drills sergeant would say focusing on your feelings is a waste of time. I set aside my unease to finish up my work.

The 10 o’clock news comes on. I look up from my completed work, take a deep breath, and stand up. I walk over to the mirror hanging at eye level. I have to see for myself; I fight the urge to focus on the background and look myself in the eye. I see the youthful and very attractive man I wanted to see. The fear subsides.

The couch envelops me. Milkshake curls up in my lap. I don’t especially care for the news, just the thought of deciding what to watch sounds painful so I let it continue. 

Charlie Glass, has short sandy brown hair, pale never seen sun skin, and a grey suit to be adventurous. 

The news woman has shoulder length bleach blonde hair and she wears a complimentary but conservative red dress and a tasteful pink lipstick. She looks like a true woman. 

I would say she looks familiar, but the news station keeps replacing the female hosts so I haven’t learned her name yet.

“Tonight’s top story, the ‘Problems’, who are they, why are they bad for society and what should you do if you meet one,” Charlie says.

“That’s right Charlie, we talked to Lieutenant White from the Fractal task force.” 

They play a whole segment about “Problems” but the thing is I don’t ever really get a sense of what a “Problem” is, they seem like they could be anyone. The whole segment they talk about crimes, social faux pas, and how to pick a “problem” out from a crowd. As the sound winds down it cuts to the Anchor woman sitting across from a man.

“Lieutenant White, thank you for joining us,” The Anchor woman says.

Lieutenant white is a short muscular man, his veins bulge from his intense muscles. He has cropped white hair and his mustache is starting to go grey. His eyes are blue and wild with violence.

“Thank you for having me,” He says back. He seems distracted by something to his left.

“Everyone has been concerned lately, with a rise in crime.”

“The new crime wave has been a travesty.” The officer smiles.

“Yesterday I reported on a triple homicide suicide in Centralia.” The anchor woman pushes her hair back.

“Terrible thing. We identified thirteen related ‘Problems’ as a result though.”

“I was reading about this ‘Problem’ that goes by Gwynevere.”

“Mhm. Weird ‘Problem’ he is. At least we finally have him off the streets.”

“Something good came of it at least. That’s all our time.”

The sound begins to fade out.

“I’ll have to come back then, but remember ‘Problems’ need to be dealt with.” Lieutenant white smiles and walks off camera to the left.

“Will you try and get some sleep early tonight?” Dad calls down.

I turn off the TV.

“Sure. Good night Dad.”

[thelegendsoferidar]

Timothy Miller-Rodriguez

The sun peeks through my curtains, electricity courses through my bones. Freed from the chains of nighttime I jump out of bed. Most morning’s I would need all the motivation in the world to even think about getting out of bed, but not this morning. I get dressed, wash my face, apply under eye cream for the bags, and take my morning medicine. On the way down the stairs Dad calls up to me to get up.

“Dad, I’m awake.”

He comes in from the kitchen wiping his hands on his apron. “You really are,” He smiles. “you’re taking this very seriously. I’m proud of you. You’ll be the first in our family, you have a lot to prove to the people there.”

“Thanks.” I walk into the dinning room and take a seat. 

“I’m confident you won’t be late this time.”

We don’t usually eat breakfast together, especially after mom… and we definitely don’t eat at the dining room table. The nervousness wells up in my stomach. I know how much this means, to Dad and to Centralia. The fact that someone like me, a kid who grew up in Centralia, moved to Suburbia and then got selected for The University of Liminal Or Scientific Education was big enough, but to make into the Liminality program. It’s like a fairytale. I’m being recognized as something more and being given an incomparable life. They say Liminal Auditors live like the kings of old. Mom used to be so afraid for me, but know I can prove my worth.

Dad brings out a plate of Mom’s French toast and eggs and all the emotion comes out in a few tears. I wipe them away quick but dad sees them.

“Son, your mom would proud of you too if she were here.” 

            We eat together in silence, but not alone.

            Dad comes down the stairs in his suit, briefcase in hand. I walk with him to the door. 

            “You know what time you need to leave?”

            “9:20 to catch the 9:30 Train to make the class at 10:45.”

            “You sure you don’t want to leave earlier?”

            “Dad, if I leave any earlier, I’ll be too early.”

            “I know. I just, you know. Have I said I’m proud of you?”

            “You have.”

            “I am.”

            He closes the door behind him and his car sputters away down the road. I sink into the couch in front of the TV and grab the remote. Sunbeams land on the wood floor cut by the white blinds. I get lost somewhere in the light in a hazy sleepless daze. The sunbeams stream down, dividing into rainbows. Each color dances as my eyes lose focus and my body radiates warmth.

Meow. 

Milkshake pulls me back to attention stepping onto my lap. I turn on the TV and vegetate. 

            “This morning our top story is the first day for ULoSE students.”

            “That’s right Charlie we profiled Brock Persky, son of Liminal Judge…”

            I’m lucky all I have to do today is not make an ass of myself. I don’t think I really have the mental fortitude to get anything real done, let alone do school. I was never the best in Drills, but now that I’m in university I have a plan. I’m not leaving school until all my homework is done, no matter how much I want to go home. I got this. I got this. I got this.

            “… I plan on following in my fathers footsteps.”

            “What a bright young man with a future ahead of him.”

            “Up next, Centralia’s blighted…”

            I get up following the lightning coursing through me, how can I stay here when I have so much in front of me? 

The subway station smells like death. It makes it hard for me stay still. Usually the janitorial crew clean up after the body is removed, but they must be late today. Grand Suburbia Station is known for its nighttime flings. I normally use the station a couple blocks from home, but it’s shut down due to maintenance.

My eyes wander around the station, I know I’m supposed to look down at my phone and pretend to enjoy whatever social media post, but it just won’t hold my attention right now. In fact that’s what everyone but me is doing. From the besuited businessman to the housewives headed to the grocery store. The entrance to the In-Between, a gate of inky black swirling with purple, connects the rails to the stations. They say a foot in the In-Between is ten in the Real, but only people who have studied Liminality know for certain. The train erupts from the In-Between and stops at the station, a burst of rancid air rising up with it’s stop. I cover my mouth, but its too late. I’m coughing and my eyes are watering. Following instinct I amble onto the train and look for a seat. There’s one in the back faraway from other people where I wont bother anyone. The train pulls away and I fall into someone. He grabs my arm and steadies me, but his hand is tight and violent and I can feel the bruising.

            “Hey, watch it loser,” 

            What are we kids?

            “Thank you.”

            I finally recover and make it to the seat far away from the guy I fell into. He’s tall and strong with a jawline like a knife. He has perfect skin like pale marble, like the marble they reserve for The Founder. He looks like the kind of jock named, chad, or brock. I feel jealous of his height but at least I have a personality like murder. I bet he was the type of kid who excelled in The Hunts at Drills. He is the sort to hurt people for no reason.

            The train pulls through the gate and eats the car and people and eventually me too. The clouds in the subway are extra fluffy today. The sun burns bright over the train casting shadows like waterfalls onto the grassy plains. I lose myself focusing on a cloud. I map the soft edges and shadows with my mind trying to absorb it all. I run my thumb along the edge of the new bruise. If it weren’t for the needless violence that guy would have been nice for steadying me. As we pull in and out of the station the cloud races after the train but never catches up with us before we go back into the Real. I wonder what would happen if it did catch up? would it be like a dog that catches the car?

“This stop is Francisco Station, next stop is University Station.” 

The announcer calls me back from my daydream and I realize I’ve been looking in Chad’s direction this whole time. Our eyes meet and I turn away first. I’ve struggled with Mindless behavior my whole life. Mom used to tell me to use the 5-4-3-2-1 method. Things have gotten worse since she’s been gone.

The Train pulls through the gate and into the In-Between again. the tracks bump and jolt running through the never-ending warehouse. Each impact sends echoes that reverberate across the concrete and shake rust from the rafters. They keep this part of the In-Between dark so I stare at my shoes. I take in the green and white sneakers. It’s been popular in Suburbia lately to pair them with dress clothes.

            “This stop is University Station, next stop is Strasser Station.”

            I stand up at the same time as Chad, who towers over the people around him, he scowls in my direction and turns towards the door. I hang back from leaving just so I don’t have to interact with him anymore than I already have. 

            The University of Liminal Or Scientific Education is the best and only school in Atlas. People who graduate from here become the elite of Atlas. I got into the Science Program because of my great uncle was friends with the former dean of engineering and reached out before he died. I was put on the probation list for “Classroom Disturbances” my first year, but I got off for my exceptional grades. The Liminality Program was really hard to get into because my family doesn’t have any Liminal Scholars, but the dean let me in after meeting me once.

            I shuffle out with the handful of other subway riders. Ahead of me Chad passes through the metal turnstile. A Fractal checks people’s school ID before pushing a button to let them enter. His M16 rests just above his waist. I’ve only seen a Fractal raise a weapon once, but he didn’t need to use his gun. I flash my ID and push through the heavy metal bars and get on the escalator.

            The campus is built in a tire and spoke fashion. Each department is assigned a spoke, hallway, for classes except for the Liminality department which holds all its classes in the center circle. The outer circle is used for study rooms and teacher offices. It makes it really easy for me to find my way. The escalator rises to ground level, the midday sun splays across the campus in a cloud dappled pattern. The cool autumn air carries leaves across the brick walkway from the subway station entrance. The campus is situated in a special part of Atlas meant for the exclusive use of students and faculty. 

            I walk the brick pathway to the wheel gazing past the trees to the perfect lawn of grass. The wind blows red, orange, and brown leaves from the trees onto the pathway. They used ULoSE as the setting for the documentary The Founder’s Path. We use to watch it at Drills when the instructors feel like doing much. It followed the first class of the Liminal program. It was always a little cheesy, like a sitcom.

            A faculty member hangs an out of order sign on the front door to the building. The guy in front of me groans and I realize what that means and take off running. Its not put together like I should be, but being late is worse.

            I am the last student to make it to class and the professor has started roll call.

I hurry up the stairs to the only open seat in the second to last row in the dead center. I mumble excuse meand sorry, but no one really moves out of the way. 

            “Timmy…” Dr. Smith trails off.

            “Here,” I raise my hand while sliding into my seat.

I unpack my things and look at the astoundingly neat Dr. Smith and Liminality 101 written on the chalk board. It looks almost like a writing machine wrote it for Dr. Smith.

            He looks back down at the roll and makes a mark. 

Great start. Great start.

“Brock Persky.”

            “Here,” They guy from the subway raises his hand.

            Yeah, it isn’t.

            “Clark Palmer.”

            “Here.” 

A tall man with blond hair raises his hand. He’s skinny to the bone, but well dressed. It’s clear he has spent a lot of time thinking about what to wear and what will accentuate his body the best. Despite his skinny frame he is the most handsome man in class, his face so pretty he could be a woman, except for the scar near his eye.

“Dan White.”

            “Here.”

            A man with black hair and blue eyes raises his hand. He might be the most muscular man I’ve ever seen. Maybe even more Muscular than the Privates who would come tell us about continuing with the military during Drills. He’s an image of masculinity chiseled from stone.

            “Right,” Dr. Smith shakes his head and takes a moment to compose himself. “Welcome to Liminality 101. My name is Dr. Smith, Professor Smith or simply Professor. You will call me by no other names.” 

Dr. Smith walks out from behind the table. He’s an old man, but the sort who has retained his attractiveness through attentive care of his body. He has sharp blue eyes, a full head of sandy brown hair graying at the edges, and a well-built frame he hides beneath a tweed suit.

“In this class you will learn the basics of Liminality which your courses after this semester will be built upon. Pay attention to everything I say and do, it will come up in your later studies.”

            Dr. Smith points at the people at the ends of each row and then to the shelves on the sides of the room. They get up without further direction and pass out black books. The people on either end of me offer a book and I take the left one and apologize to the right. He simply passes the book back the end.

            The black book is leather bound with its title written in golden lettering. The Book on Liminality. The original text was authored by Alexander Francisco the first, The Founder of liminality and Atlas, but has since been expanded by his son with the same name, and his grandson with the same name. The words are printed in different colors for their contributors, Gold for the first, silver for the second, and copper for the third.

I run my finger across the lettering, taking in the majesty of the book. How many great minds have sat with this very book? How many would kill me for it?

            “These books and the words they contain are worth more than your individual lives.” Dr. Smith walks behind the table. “Take the utmost care of them.”

            Dr. Smith opens a binder titled Liminality 101 and reads the first page. “Now I’m sure your parents have told you this already, but Grading in this class will be pass fail. There will be no tests, homework, or classwork. I will assess your advancement as I lecture determining whether you pass or fail by the end of the semester. For this reason, and I hope I need not remind ayone again, punctual attendance is mandatory.”

            The class comes to a close as Dr. Smith waves for us to leave. I pack up everything save the Book on Liminality, which I hold to my chest. I gingerly make my way down the stairs hoping no one says anything more to me, when I see Dr. Smith motion for me.

            “Mr. Timmy a word.”

            “Yes Professor.”

            “Do take my words to heart. I don’t want you missing any part of the lecture.” A smile spreads across his face. “As the only first generation Student of Liminality you have a lot to catch up on.”

            “Yes Professor.”

“The discovery of liminal space saved civilized humanity, …there in that fold in between a dream and the waking world where thoughts and desires affect reality I became a god.”

The Book On Liminality

[thelegendsoferidar]

The "Problem" With Timothy: Prologue

100 years ago the Collapse put an end to the old humanity. The people had drowned in their own wickedness, blissfully unaware of how they were dragging everyone down with them until it was too late. 

Alexander Francisco, The Founder, saw what was coming and tried to warn everyone. In his time he went to great lengths to make the coming end aware to the humanity of old. All of it fell on deaf ears. But in his labor he found freedom; Liminality. 

With his new study The Founder created a SafePlace for humanity to heal. Atlas, named for the literature of old. It was the will of The Founder for Atlas to be created, and it is the will of the Founder that guides us today.

♪ The Founder ♪

            The Sergeant gets up from his chair and turns the light on. The stark white florescent light casts shadows on his face making him look like a grim statue. Standing in front of us he looks like he wants to say something, to commemorate the moment.

            The bell rings.

            “And that’s the end of your final year of Drills.”

            Everyone applauds and politely gets up to go.

            Is that all there is?