Candles burned brightly against the hollowed out walls of the underground cavern, wax dripping rhythmically into their bases. The flames danced, casting writhing shadows throughout the halls as a chorus of unsettled whispers accented by sudden sharp voices echoed from one of the chambers. The Womb of Sabatt, as the subterranean temple had been nicknamed so long ago, was alive this night with unaccustomed activity.
Many figures, robed and clothed in a wide array of colors paced alone and in small groups as the members of the Fellowship Council reacquainted themselves with each other. Council meetings were not called often, and that one was indeed called caused the congregation to speculate about what news could be forthcoming. Men and women, Huumunn and Syrynykk spoke sotto voce of "false alarms" and "premature concern" within their tight groups, while others spoke of the Church, Cult, and Freemen activity.
The sylph-like figure of Sabryenna slowly weaved her way through the huddled bands of priests and mages offering an occasional nod and smile, or handshake. Green eyes as rich as Sabatt's long-gone meadows glimpsed at each and every face as she made her way towards the table's head, her usually jovial expression replaced by one of solemnity and concern. Following her lead, the others took their seats and quieted.
"First, I would like to thank you all for making this difficult journey; I know what many of you risk by coming out into the open. We have much to discuss this night, as unsettling news has reached me from the Fellowship's contacts abroad.
"It has come to my attention, that the Church of the Nuclear Messiah is in the process of developing a new weapon. This machine, tentatively called The Indoctrinator, could easily inflict major or total damage to any number of our installations. It is time, I believe, to pursue a conference with Ricohh Mikkaill Gideonn of the Freemen, and seek an alliance."
A hushed murmur of voices ensued as members of the council debated this proposed alliance with themselves and with those who sat nearby. It was clear by the responses issued that those in attendance were divided on the necessity of such a course of action.
"We cannot leave our establishments unprotected," Sabryenna returned as she watched her proposal greet such opposition. "Our numbers are small, our resources limited. Since even before the War our influence and ability had been diminishing, our magic no longer comes easy, and we must fight as the others do just to survive. We owe it to the future of our own people, those who follow the old ways, to come out ahead of this. Do you wish to live in fear again?"
"We live in fear already!" shouted one from the assembled group.
Another of the council members shook his head, his voice pitched above the chaotic chorus of debaters. "We have an agreement with the Freemen already. They have offered to aid some of our sites located near their compounds, what do we need with a full alliance? They will start demanding things from us in return for their "protection," resources we cannot afford to give. As you say, our numbers are small, if we fight, how many will be left when it is over?"
A slender dark-haired young man dressed in a dark longcoat walked quietly among the mages and priests that had assembled in this underground temple, the dim lighting not hampering his own nightvision. A few robed figures glanced at him cautiously and muttered in their own groups. Paranoia was the rule of survival for some and he could already feel some suspicion directed towards him. He moved silently among the people, never staying in the same place twice. He silently overheard the various conversations going on as he tried to find a seat before it started.
A lone seat seemed to call out to Shad so he quietly took it. The meeting started and he sat quietly listening to the arguments. He already was starting to wonder what he was doing here as the cacophony continued.
"Why with the Freemen?" spoke one of the elder members, the old mage's voice cracking with his years. "Why not with the Cult? They are mages as are we. Surely, they would know and understand our position better than those with no knowledge of the Forgotten Arts. These Freemen are little better than the Church, I say… caring only for their precious machines and other man-made handy-works!"
"Are you daft?" retorted another, his brows raised as if truly surprised to hear such a suggestion. "Ally ourselves with the Cult? They have no care for who or what crumbles as long as they stand on top. They will use us as well! Do you wish to be party to their crazy bloodthirsty schemes?"
As the voices continued to erupt amongst the table, Sabryenna took several deep breaths. This was not at all going as well as she had hoped. Did they not see the danger that loomed so close? How long did they have to sit and argue; something had to be done and soon. Lifting her gaze to the bickering throng once more, her green eyes drifting along the length of the table, landing on a face welcome, and yet, unfamiliar. She nodded to him then, seeing in him perhaps a voice with fresh ideas, hoping he would speak them.
The meeting soon boiled down into a debate between one elder and the other, total chaos seeming to take over. Shad sighed quietly and shook his head. How can they argue at a time like this? And what was I thinking coming here... It was then that he sensed it, something looking at him. He glanced about and found the green eyes looking at him.
Me? He mouthed silently, he was uncertain if anyone would listen to him, a stranger here. He shrugged quietly and stood up, his voice quiet yet eloquent.
"I have my own say in the matter, even if the only reason I'm here is because my father was in the council." He turned to the mage who had complained about the Freemen. "Unfortunately, we're not exactly in the best shape since most of you rely completely on the Nexus, I've always lived by the rule, 'you do what you can to survive'. The Freemen are the only group we can somewhat trust that has access to atleast some tech to help defend against the Church. And their precious machines and handy-works are exactly what we lack..."
He then turned his gaze to the one who had rebuked the suggestion of the cult's support. "It's wise to not trust the cult... but they also have something we need, a combination of magic and tech. They well throw us away when we are not useful to their causes.. But the trick is to use *them* for our purposes til they are unneeded."
He then turned to the others. "There is something else that we forget... I was raised for a time at one of the Fellowship Orphanages when my parents were killed. There may be potential allies there... It may be prudent instead of openly asking for help that we let the Freemen and Cult know the threat that the Church now stands against us all. Perhaps it is time to call something unheard of.. A triple alliance of sorts..."
He then stood down, waiting for the arguements to come back. Perhaps some of the council might actually listen. Perhaps not.
==The figure strode purposely down the underground corridor of the temple, an object clenched tightly in his grasp. Those who he passed turned about, glancing after him with a look of curiosity. As he approached the temple sanctuary, a young priestess greeted him, her face serene and a smile upon her lips.
"Sabatt's blessings, sir," the woman intoned with a slight bow of her head, her arm extending to gesture for him to enter. Her simple undyed gown rippled about her as she turned to follow him, and her eyes lifted in surprise, as he did not move. "Sir?"
"The Lady… I must see her," his voice spoke of his weariness and his urgency. Grey eyes lowered to the priestess' unwavering in their stare.
"The Lady is indisposed at the moment, sir. Perhaps one of the…"
"No," he cut the woman off, not caring much for manners under the circumstances, and as he looked to the priestess, he saw her surprise in his tone. "I need to see her now… I bear news."
Perhaps it was the way he looked at her, or perhaps it was his voice, but the woman did not argue. She only nodded, and whispered to one of the others who approached. Turning back to the messenger, she offered a slight smile. "Follow me, please."
They moved through one of the side archways of the sanctuary and down another long corridor that slowly sloped further beneath the surface. Torches flickered, the two walkers' shadows dancing eerily in the wavering light. As the hallway curved to the right, they came to a door, and the priestess slowly opened it.
Without waiting for her to announce his presence, the man strode within, catching the tail end of Shad Grey's words. The messenger's eyes flickered from face to face with a grim solemnity as the priestess bowed out of the room. Approaching the table, the man tossed down the object that he had been holding in his hand, a charred black rock.
"It is too late."
Shad blinked once as the rock hit the floor, to the outside world seeming to merely blank out for a moment and then cringe slightly. It was back …
* * *
He found himself back in the ruins of something, smoke burning his lungs. Blackened stones lay tossed about everywhere along with the odd object. It was chilling enough if not for the bodies. They lay scattered about the debris, most burned beyond recognition. Most of them were small, almost the size of a small... child. A sound alerted him to his back, a buzzing. As he turned a large flying machine buzz him by. It turned back to him, it was a helicopter... and it had spotted him. Helplessly he watched as it turned it's weaponry at him.
* * *
As he blinked once the vision left and he looked about frightened... the others intent on him. Hopefully they had not seen him... if they learned he had even the slightest hint of psionics... It wasn't going to be pretty. Quickly he decided to talk to the High Priestess of Sabatt... perhaps she could be trusted.
==Silence filled the chamber of the council, each set of eyes locked upon that one stone. Stunned by this news, Sabryenna slowly sank into her chair, her green eyes lifting to the messanger. "Too late..." she echoed his words.
The information on the CotNM came too late. There were no speedy satelites to wisk information back and forth, no easy way to gather information on the enemy. While the informants hurried their message along as fast as they could, the Church had continued its quest...and succeeded.
"Where?" Her voice nearly trembled. Her gaze fixed upon the man who had barged into the meeting, her eyes searching.
"Our Lady of Joy, Revered Lady," the man spoke softly. "They attacked the orphanage."
Sabryenna nodded slowly, drawing in her lips to moisten their suddenly dry surface. She had been there herself not so long ago, and the thought of the suffering children weighed heavy upon her. A tingle ran up her spine for a brief moment, and her eyes lifted to Shad Grey. Why him, she did not know, but something in his eyes said they should speak further.
There was a momentary murmur among the assembled. The news was too late to do anything, yet it didn't stop anyone from trying to think of what could have been. In a bit of irony, Maraetha, Shad's sister, had been raised in the same orphanage. Fortunately now she was in the city taking care of an orphanage there with some others. Most of the mages and assembled clergy fell into the usual slumps of what if's and might have beens. Wisely a short recess was called so that everyone could get their wits back in order. Taking the chance that was given him, Shad quietly approached the High Priestess.
A few of the acolytes nearby looked suspicious at this dark clad newcomer. The only reason he was here was because his father, Azeril Grey, had been a member. Being the pariah of most groups wasn't anything new to him.
In his mind he could still hear the screams of the dying and sobbing of scared children. The distress was somewhat apparent and he asked politely to talk to the High Priestess. A few of the nearby members protested but in the end he was granted a private talk.
After making sure that no one was listening except of Sabryenna, he turned to her, his tone betraying the slight distress. "I have a secret that must not be known to the others of the councils... else they would surely kill me. I have been having visions for a while. They started when I visited a shrine to the Syrnyrkk... I had a dream of Venexx there. I'm still unsure if it was just a dream but whatever it was it told me I was left as fate. Since then I've seen visions of the future and present, occasionally of the past.
"The reason the others might want me dead is I have certain talents that are… developed of the mind. I don't trust that anyone else would take this well yet I somehow trust you." he shrugged slightly, sighing. "Lately I've been having visions of the flying machines of the Nukes... I was afraid that the destruction I saw it cause was only fantasy. It's the nightmares that get me... I think someone survived the destruction... I think it would be a good idea to send a emissary to the cult. And.. if you wouldn't protest, I would like to be the one. Most of the council wouldn't last long with them, I know how to deal with such people." He frowned slightly, a dark memory coming.
He waited silently for her response... hopeful.
Sabryenna listened attentively to the young man's words. She was surprised at his admissions, but showed no outward sign of disapproval. In her mind, she wondered just what these "developments of the mind" were, and if she could trust them… and him. Dreams…everyone had dreams, nightmares, and terrors. Yet this young man believed his to tell the future, the past, and the present. Something was at work here other than magic. Such a task, to see a time other than the present was beyond the scope of the entire council without the help of the Nexus. Psionic? She had seen such things before, though they were not highly trusted. There was one young fellow, who six years ago had vanished from the Fellowship as a young man -- Tracey Williams who vanished from the world, it seemed -- who had possessed such talents. She nodded slowly as Shad spoke, seeing much of Shad's father within him. He had the same conviction in his voice, and a will to help others. Azeril had been a trusted friend.
As Shad brought up sending an emissary to the Cult, she blinked, yet allowed him to finish his thought before questioning. "Why would you send an emissary to them? Do you believe they could have some connection to the happenings at the orphanage?" Had the Cult allied itself with the Church? No… its members hated the Church as much as any of the other factions. "Please, tell me more of these dreams you have had, and why you believe them." She kept her voice soft, just loud enough for two to hear.
The members of the council debated amongst themselves even through the brief adjournment, and Sabryenna allowed her gaze to drift over their arguing forms. What would they say about Shad Grey's suggestions? What if they found out what he was? If that was what he was.
Shad glanced somewhat warily about, as the other members argued amongst themselves, hopefully unaware of his dual nature as a developing psionist who oddly enough, showed the spark of magical potential. Luckily most thought him barely at the level of an apprentice. He listened to Sab's own questions, already figuring out that he had left several parts blank.
He could... feel some discomfort when he mentioned the cult. "If the fellowship is to survive we must do all that we can... the cult is a wild card amongst the factions, but they share a hatred for the Church.
"As for my dreams... It's somewhat long but I'll try to clarify. Before a few months ago, I was simply a wanderer, a renegade even amongst the gangs I once belonged too. Then I began to have dreams of my late father. Most of the council knows that he disappeared shortly after dropping my sister off at Our Lady of Joy Orphanage, the same one that was destroyed. I found his remains along with those of the death-troopers he killed before passing on. What happened there was… strange. I found him lying on the ground, he still looked alive. But when I touched him, his body turned to oil and it … got inside me.
"I managed to get to the New Rhydinn Memorial Hospital where I came down with an infection. During the weeks I was in the hospital I began to experience the dreams and nightmares. I managed to finally get better, but I'm still learning the costs. That oil changed me... It's what's made me different. I always had some empathic tendencies. My mom was secretly an empath... and she was a medic with the Hospital too. I started to develop other abilities too.
"When I recovered, I had a dream of my father, he told me to go visit a Syrnyrkk shrine near the city. I went there and had a vision. In the vision I saw representatives of my mother, father, and myself. I'm unsure if it was a vision or simply a dream made up in my mind. But the representative of myself changed into a Syrnyrykk, he was dressed in a long and dark cloak. Images and sounds blasted out from the cloak, visions of the future and past. I was given charges that day, to maintain a balance and to protect the lights left in the world.
"I know that the visions are true because one almost came true, I foresaw my sister, Maraetha being killed in the city. When I arrived and found her the vision almost came true. But I prevented it and saved her life. I also dreamed of the attack, in one dream I saw two people among the ruins. One was a dark man, he was controlled by darkness, and a woman, an apprentice of the fellowship. I saw the man disappear and troops of the Church capture the young woman. I feel that the man has something to do with the cult. Both people have a connection, I sense that."
He found something privately odd. The Cult was rumored to sometimes being connected with Markabb. And Sab was the High Priestess of Sabatt. And I, am perhaps a minion of fate, Venexx...
Sabryenna listened while the young man spoke, her eyes giving him her full attention. "You are wise not to discuss these... dreams... with the others. Those with your abilities are quick to make foes with the older mages. They will not trust you."They both knew it was true. There had been a divide among those in the Fellowship who had used psionics and those who had used magic. The psionists had left years ago, but young Williams, whose power was a blend of both psionics and magic -- who's magic was quite strong, in fact -- had stayed. He was loyal to a fault to Sabryenna and the Fellowship. At least, right up until his mysterious vanishing. He had been the tenuous connection between the Fellowship and the Psionists, but with him gone, six years had passed and the groups had fallen away from one another both fearing each other as much as the Church. Sabryenna suspected Kallen Drakke a long time rival in the council of having something to do with the young mages disappearance, but Drakke had covered his tracks so well, there was no proving it.
Her slender hand gently grasped Shad's arm as she turned, and she lead him nearer a corner where the others could not listen in. "If your dreams are true," she whispered softly, her syllables running into each other, giving her voice a flowing and melodic quality, "then one of ours has been captured, one who can perhaps give information on the events that transpired at the orphanage. That the Church has her in their possession is not well, for as she could help us with information on the Church, if she is weak, she can help the Church find out about us."
Her expression was quite serious as she spoke, for she knew it would have been better if none had survived the ordeal at Our Lady of Joy. There was more at stake now than ever before. "We have lived in hiding since the days of the war. You would perhaps not remember that a small group of mages played a major part in months preceding the final release of Nuclear weapons. It was we who summoned the demon Balrog, an event which began a chain of others that brought the Church nearly to its knees. Neverr knows this. He knows that if we survive, and regain the powers of the Nexus, we could bring them down again."
A soft sigh passed her lips as she thought for a brief moment and nodded to herself, coming to a decision. Green eyes lifted to Shad Grey's, and she spoke quietly. "You say the Cult may know more about this situation, and perhaps they might know the location of the captured apprentice." There was a brief pause in her words before she continued. "You shall go to them then, but not alone. I shall accompany you. I'll let no chances be taken that could lose the Fellowship yet another mage."
Shad listened attentively as Sabryenna explained the situation. He was unsure if he had perhaps said too much but nothing could be done about it now. "I remember being told that. After the havoc Balrog and Etrigan caused when they were summoned I wouldn't blame Neverr for not wanting such a threat to his 'empire'."
Getting the go-ahead for meeting with the cult relieved him, but Sab's plan to accompany him surprised Shad. Maybe it was the reaction of having someone who looked barely older than yourself and appearing to not be prepared for the streets. But she was one of the most powerful mages on the planet and high priestess of Sabatt... obviously if she had survived so far for more than 50 years this wouldn't be too much of a danger. he nodded in agreement. "Alright... I can wait til you're ready before returning to the city." A slight smile crossed his face. "I guess my sister wouldn't mind a special guest til we learn where the leaders of the cult are." As he turned back to the council for the end of the meeting the calm mask returned as he listened to the rest of the council agree to the plan... if some were more than a little begrudging. Just hopefully this would work out.
She turned once more, moving back to the council table and resumed the meeting. Few could argue with the new proposal, for none could readily come up with another course of action. It was too late for words... and time for action.
The preperations were done quickly and a day or two after the council, everything was ready for the mission. A few of the council members were skeptical about having Sabryenna leave but they were convinced eventually.
The journey to New Rhydinn was somewhat uneventful, Shad's ATV making it much easier. Shad and Sab passed the time away in quiet discussion, Shad particularly interested in learning more about his father.
* * *
After a few days travel, the ruins of New Rhydinn loomed in the distance. Driving through the ruins, they finally stopped at their destination, home for now; Oponn's Light Orphanage. Exiting the ATV, they went inside and were met by Mara. She quietly greeted her brother and the robed woman with him.