Usd’ghi watched with amusement from the dais as a ghostly Viper paced before the crystalline wall. The ribbons and chains extending from Viper’s back coiled and struck the air with each step. They were both waiting for their guest to arrive, but Viper’s unease was obvious in every sharp motion. A near invisible thread of power extended from the other chair now set close to the wall, leaving Usd’ghi alone on the dais.

“You need to improve your Acting, or at least your control youngling,” said Usd’ghi, as Viper made her tenth lap of the wall in half as many minutes.

“She wears her heart on her sleeve, it’s a problem she passes along to me,” Viper replied, and turned again. As she stared at the image of the Necropolis, she didn’t see Usd’ghi’s gaze tighten.

“In that case, once she’s gathered enough Souls I’ll have to see to her education as well,” stated Usd’ghi, fingertips plucking unseen strings in the air before her. “If you, my Herald, are to be properly useful, you’d best pay attention to the lessons.”

“I can’t wait to be done with her. The uptight bitch hasn’t even rubbed her petals since she broke free of the cliff,” Viper grumbled, and Usd’ghi’s lips twitched in amusement.

“You would be best not underestimating an enemy, no matter her current state.”

A woman’s sensual voice brushed the air and a chill winter mist filled the chamber. As she spoke, a layer of frost began extending from the far wall from the dais, and all light within the chamber dimmed. Even the light coming from the crystal’s image appeared hesitant to intrude against the growing darkness. The figure appearing within the shadows was darkness and pale moonlight given life, and as she walked on the frost covered marble, snow began falling. Wisps of chilled air reflected a dim rainbow across features shrouded by the growing darkness. The moments of light hinted at sharp Elven cheekbones that were swallowed within the shadows, glimpses of her features few and fleeting. Strands of white rimed hair framed her face, a hint of pale blue mingled in her pearl white skin.

“Present her in your wall.”

“Queen Mab,” Usd’ghi greeted, her tone tightly polite. With a respectful nod, she rose from her chair and a twitch of fingertips changed the wall’s view.

Julia flowed to one side of an arm made of merged bodies extending from churned ground. As the thing tried to crush her into the dirt, she leapt again and a flame sheathed kick burnt a section of flesh to ash.

“So my spies heard the whispers in the Summer Courts rightly, the Lady of Morning has returned. How the mighty have fallen,” Mab said, as a knife-edged smile graced her shadowed lips. “Kicking undead things that once wouldn’t have been able to exist in her presence, how amusingly pitiful. How long has she been back?”

“Just over a year,” replied Viper, the heated ire in her voice hissing against the frigid air. “The body should have been mine.”

“If you wanted it, then you should have fought harder,” stated Mab, motioning dismissively at Viper’s tantrum.

“I’ll control the body before we finish the game,” declared Viper, her gaze meeting Mab’s for a fleeting instant before Viper flinched away.

“Perhaps.”

Mab’s bland response had Viper clenching her fists, but Mab inspired enough restraint to keep her mouth closed.

“The sun is a strange thing, a human in a desert it can kill, yet that same rising might save the life of a mortal beset by unseen foes,” mused Mab, as she watched Julia’s hands drive into her foe. “It’s always a matter of its intensity, and you’re putting her in a collapsing Plane filled with Demonic looters, Undead, and Souls imprisoned in torment. Ensure you’re the ones that profit from this situation, I expect your side of the Pact fulfilled.”

When Mab vanished, the frost lingered unmelting, as Usd’ghi considered Viper before speaking again. “Best be getting back to her, child. I’ll arrange some instructors for acting at least, pay attention when she’s learning. I’ll give her time to rest in the years we’ll be plundering this place. You’ll need time when her guard isn’t up to dig into her old secrets.”

“None of the keys work. Breaking those locks was exhausting, I’ve made no progress on more,” protested Viper.

“Then work harder, just like your little guiding star of Hope is right now,” Usd’ghi replied flatly, returning her attention to sorting through unseen threads.

“Fucking vaults that look like wicker baskets, and most she’s hidden from me now. Though the rage she tosses my way is invigorating, after the burning stops,” Viper commented before she vanished.

“If only they’d merged properly,” Usd’ghi grumbled, taking out a pair of scissors she snipped a thread located in the back of the Moirai’s tapestry. “Now to see what that unravels. Why is this stupid world developing so many snarls? Think I’d prefer my ledgers to this, stupid bitches dropping their scut work on me.”

Yngvarr was looking through previous entries in his journal when a mote of energy flickered into existence. There wasn’t any need, but he turned the pages so he could watch the message begin appearing. When the mote vanished, he flipped to the last page. The strongest of the Prestige classes Julia’s message included made him mutter to himself.

“Really need to go adventuring again. She forgot to tell me what the Powers actually do.”

Manablade

Details: This Prestige Class is available at Tier 5. It combines Fighter and Wizard at level 70 or higher and requires knowledge of all Affinities.

Other Requirements include:

Senior Master rank in at least one edged weapon.

Senior Master rank in Mana Finesse

Senior Master rank in Arcane Lore

Able to cast all spells in ten spell lists

Provides the following gains:

+6 Intelligence per Level

+6 Endurance or Quickness per Level

+6 Free Attributes per Level

+8 Magic per Level

+4 Defence per Level

+1 Skill Point per Level

+5 Knowledge Points per Level

Unlock acquisition of Power: Bladespell

Unlock acquisition of Power: Attune Reservoir

Unlock acquisition of Power: Arcane Combatant

Unlock Power: Delay Spell

Unlock Power: Deflect Arcane

Unlock Power: Usurp Wards

Increases chance of gaining insights for progress of all edged weapons skills once they reach Master.

Increases chance of gaining insights for progress of Arcane Skills

Increases Mana Multiplier effect by two stages in addition to any previous increases.

Reduce Mana cost for all spells by 1% per level - minimum cost 1 Mana.]

Bodhisattva

Details: This Prestige Class is available at Tier 5. It combines Monk and Wizard Level 70 and requires knowledge of all Affinities.

Other Requirements include:

Senior Master rank in an Unarmed Combat Style.

Senior Master rank in Mana Finesse.

Have evolved your own Martial Arts Style.

Senior Master rank in three Ki Powers

Possess True Sight or greater perception Power.

Have Four different Affinities attuned within Ki Infusion

Able to cast all spells in twelve spell lists

Provides the following gains:

Unlock acquisition of Power: Ki Aura

Unlock acquisition of Power: Spirit Passage

Unlock acquisition of Power: Ki Flight

Unlock acquisition of Power: Immortal Spirit

Unlock acquisition of Power: Planar Shift (Self)

Unlock acquisition of Power: Greater Teleport (Self)

Unlock acquisition of Power: Soul Sight

+6 Intelligence per Level.

+8 Willpower per Level.

+6 Free Attributes per Level.

+8 Magic Rating per Level.

+8 Ki per Level

+2 Melee Attack Power per Level.

+3 Defence per Level.

+3 Skill points per Level

Harmony triples Ki recovery rate.

Hold six additional spells within Ki Infusion - all can be released at once.

Increases chance of gaining insights in Unarmed Combat

Increases chance of gaining insights in any Meditation and Mental skills

Increases chance of gaining insights in any Arcane Skills

Reduce Mana cost for all spells by 1% per level - minimum cost 1 Mana

Viper is up to something with Usd’ghi. Take nothing to my hideout, send no message, nothing she might learn. My time might be limited. She keeps having conversations with Usd’ghi where I’m not invited. Have been letting Succubus lag the others level wise since it’s her favourite. I’ve been feeling her scratching around in the back of my mind whenever Usd’ghi lets me have a break. Please let Torm and Livia know I’ll do my best.

Regards,

Julia

When he got to the message at the end he cursed, only to feel a musical note shiver through the Bond between them as it unravelled.

“Bloody Viper, don’t underestimate her, Julia,” Yngvarr groaned, once his swearing ceased, concern twisting his insides at what had happened in six moons of absence.

The dragon’s flame melted stone buttresses as it strafed past the fortress again, the reply from the surviving Wizards within its defences not even marking its scales. Ebusuku passed the bottle over to her nearest sister as they exchanged bets about the next area to be hit. As the dragon soared upwards, its wings put the damaged areas and the rest of the fortress into shadow. Waves butted the charred bodies of Xhaliáma up against the fortress’ seawalls, the surface slick with ash.

“How did you know she’d attack?”

Ebusuku glanced toward her questioning sister, with Amagwåbaba’s expression making it clear she wouldn’t let the matter drop; Ebusuku gave her a kernel of truth. Though she first set a barrier to ensure the wind wouldn’t carry her words to the Ancient Wyrm. While it was dozens of kilometres away over the ocean, lining up another strafing run, there was no point in risking it hearing the truth.

“A little troublesome bird had an idea. Years ago I told her it wouldn’t work, she recently came back with a better one,” Ebusuku replied, and Amagwåbaba tossed her a bottle in payment.

“How many centuries do you think the Sisterhood will have us raiding this pesthole?” Amagwåbaba asked.

Ebusuku took a moment to break the wax seal on the bottle before she replied.

“Got another place you’d prefer to be killing Demons?”

“Maybe not but after eight years in this rancid Hag cunt of a swamp I’d prefer somewhere different,” Amagwåbaba replied. When she finally took a swig her expression amused Ebusuku. “Wood Elf blood tastes like monkey scat - I told them I wanted Sea Elf.”

“Glad your time spent eating primate shit makes you an expert,” remarked Ebusuku dryly, a well-timed sway causing the bottle to miss.

Tossing Amagwåbaba a smile as her sister relaxed, Ebusuku couldn’t help but wonder how much treasure the plate of runes had damaged. The Ancient had been roasting the fortress for two bells already, and it didn’t seem inclined to stop. Such a shame the antique plate with its fresh runic additions had been included in the fortress’ offering to big and grumpy, such a shame indeed. The Dragon hadn’t attack immediately after offerings had gone in, so it wasn’t just taking offense at the attempt. Even she flinched as the escalating intensity of Dragon Fire caused a section of wall to shatter. With that much rage it seemed something important got busted by the Ordered Mana the masked runes contained.

“One of those new fancy coins that it takes the place down to the waterline before its done,” Amagwåbaba bid, and looked among the others for takers. When none of other eight teams gathered seem included to take the bet, she looked at Ebusuku hopefully.

“Pretty sure it’s not leaving till the place is destroyed.”

The mutter from another Succubus earned Ebusuku‘s agreement before a question came from Amagwåbaba.

“A coin it’s destroyed within a cycle?”

“Just enjoy the show,” Ebusuku sighed, and when she took a swig of the fermented Ogre’s blood Amagwåbaba had tossed her. The distilled rage within it held its lingering death throes nicely.

“Oh, I am. It’s a shame the fleet had already left for repairs,” Amagwåbaba replied. As she straddled a tree one of the first on site had felled, she tucked her wings in tight against her back.

“Anyone found out what’s been sweeping up all the Larvae along the beaches?”

Ebusuku didn’t catch who’d asked the question but she knew the answer. The feel of one empty beach she’d run across was entirely familiar, and the empty kilometres of beach had made her smile.

“Those beaches smell like Trouble,” Ebusuku stated calmy, amused by the concerned expressions the others wore.

Energy shimmered into existence, shaped as a butterfly, its wings beating with a slow even pace, though it had no need of the motion to stay aloft. The light shone down on a book the maker had bound in dark leather, yet it seemed far from normal with fine scales showing over every centimetre of its surface. Runes inlaid it in High Elven, a language not spoken except among Elven Scholars and Priests, yet the book sat on a table in an obviously human bedroom. The furnishings showed clean lines of human craftsmanship, not the grown arches of Elven work.

The book rested on a simple, neatly constructed table made of a wood whose lacquered surface shone the colour of golden honey. A backless stool had push beneath it, one of the few furnishings within the room. The chamber was only meagrely furnished, yet those pieces spoke of quality intended to last years. Fine matching construction showed in the simple lines of the desk, chair, single bed, long chest, and two bookcases. Yet those six items were all the furnishing within the undecorated chamber.

Sparse and modest, with little to show the occupant’s nature, except for the extent of their clean habits. Everything had its place. Against the opposite wall from the desk, they’d set the bed exactly into the corner. A chest sat at the foot of the bed, precisely aligned to it yet sitting just enough apart to open easily. It appeared practical, metal reinforced corners with the only sign of decoration an inlay showing the letters ‘L N E’ just below the lock. On each shelf in the bookcase, there books neatly stacked by size, with the largest of each set providing a solid base. No dust lay on any surface, indeed even within the crevices the room was spotlessly clean.

The energy’s wings continued to flutter for a moment longer, till the only letters in human script upon the cover began glowing and it vanished.

Private Journal.

Livia Nata Eakcï.

The letters continued to glimmer till later in the evening the owner’s excited hands flipped the cover open. Pausing for a slow breath, Livia looked at the first entry. The excitement that had been burning in her gaze suppressed to mere curiosity, and she forced herself to slowly turn the pages. As she flipped through each page, her gaze brushed over a few entries as she went.

Second Moon, Spring, Year 1029 ( AA - ante adventum - not PR )

I’m seventeen now and instead of permission to go adventuring Yngvarr gave me this Journal. At least it has plenty of pages for Moðir’s messages, since it’s magical with thousands held within it. If only Moðir could write me often enough to warrant the number. It’s been six years since she left, and I miss her only more, I can read between the lines to see the danger she isn’t putting in her news.

She’s made no mention of searching for the Lómë, only fighting and training. I’m not interested in all the spell lists she can completely cast. Though I know she’s happy about the concealment grimoire she purchased from Usd’ghi. She’s been a busy Reaper, and still studying hard. Her news has always been so mundanely presented, as if I shouldn’t worry she’s in the Abyss.

.

.

First Moon, Autumn, Year 1029

I can’t believe it Moke and Eivor. Really, I was sure she’d have better tastes than marrying him. Though I guess with her being pregnant and all that’s understandable. Sagga and her adventuring team are heading to investigate the leads they had been following.

Marcus has been trying to catch my attention at practice since Master Farhad left, his colours make it clear where his interests lie. The adventurer’s guild finally expanded into the Kingdom of Darius, and Remus. I think the teams’ successes weakening the Manes assault threatening the northern borders got the attention of both kingdoms’ Queens.

.

First Moon, Winter, Year 1030

Eysteinn’s son Hinrik really takes after him, and is far more subtle it seems. I hadn’t heard an ill word originating from him about the faithful of Eakcï and now he pulls this trick. I understand what Moðir meant about fondling money bags running in the family now. The tax notice he sent to the Temple of Eakcï was double that sent to the richest merchant, and Temples are rarely taxed. With Yngvarr and Alfarr both away they paid it without arguing, the reserves they’d had set aside covering it. Wonder what Verdandi will say when she gets back.

Second Moon, Summer, Year 1032

News came of villages being raided on the coast west of here; Torm and Verdandi think the accord might have been breached. I’m glad he’s finally back though I’m concerned Torm won’t speak about the time he spent with Sarah and the expedition. I want to know about Moðir’s friend but when I mention her Torm just ignores my questions.

.

.

.

First Moon, Winter, Year 1033

Master Farhad’s lessons stood me in good stead adventuring this year. The team I joined is skilled, and I’ve made fast progress in ‘levelling’. The number of terms that I know Julia originated salting conversations among adventurers has been a regular source of amusement.

.

.

Second Moon, Winter, Year 1033

Pale Night, unholy blight

All is harm, all is blight

Round yon Virgin, scour and wild

Unholy regent so fevered and riled

Sleep in watery pieces

Sleep in slovenly grease

Have winter solstice fun,

Viper.

P.S:

Kiss someone beneath some mistletoe or kill them. Either. Both.

We’re overflowing with Shard goodness, yum, yum, yum.

Ignore her - she cast the spell while I was meditating. I should have held off collecting shards for Ascending longer, I’m going to leave them be for a while.

Sorry,

Julia.

.

.

Four Moon, Winter, Year 1034

Livia,

The Necropolis finally collapsed. Viper’s distracted at present so I can get this message away without her knowing the content. No matter what happens, when I do Ascend, know I’ve missed you so much. She’s been feeding my secrets to Usd’ghi so staying away was all I could do to keep you all safe. Wherever your path in life takes you, stay true to your loving heart. I’m not going down quietly. I’ll do my best but I don’t know what effect my plan will actually have. All I have is my expectation and the hope that it’s enough. Treat any further contact from me with suspicion.

Love you always,

Eakcï

“She’s stopped signing as Julia,” Livia murmured. “Any further contact, it’s going to be soon then.”

Ignoring her own beautiful alto that caught the attention of the young men who heard it, Livia didn’t need to see her aura’s colours shifting to admit her concern. With nothing she could do to change the tide of events, elegant movements took her to the bed. Perching there cross-legged Livia centred herself, seeking balance. Mentally cycling both Mana and Ki she let her concerns go free and felt them drift from her awareness as power shone through her honeyed skin.

Her petite yet callused fingers dancing through meditative gestures Master Farhad had taught her before he’d departed. She kept her focus on the regularity of her breathing, and the sensation of each breath flexing her stomach muscles. With calm restored she ran fingers through the short length of brunette hair she currently maintained, before flowing to her feet.

“No rest for the wicked,” Livia said, before heading to the practice yard. She had little need of sleep now, and too much energy that needed burning tonight.

Andre's Awakening

The sound of metal chiming against metal rang close at hand, echoing through my awareness and deep within me. As I tried to blink, the world focused within my sight and yet seemed so odd. I had expected a weird cloudy grey sky filled with ash; Instead, there was a strange Grecian style mosaic far overhead, and from close by a comforting warmth washed over me. A recollection of falling tried to surface within my mind, but the details fled as I reached for them. Only the sensation of being off balance within the memory promised any context, but the details fled from me.

“Rest, little one. You’re awake sooner than expected. Perhaps I’ve not lost my touch after all.”

The words came rumbling to my mind over the sound of metal ringing within the chamber. A panicked moment of trying to sit up went without response. Yet, it made me aware of lacking sensation from my body. The expectation of pain was sparking a faint sensation within my memories, but it was a shallow thing, remote and so very disconnected. I had died. What had become of me?

“You won’t be able to move yet, not till you’re within flesh again. I’ll set you where you can see yourself and get accustomed to things. Once you’re ready, I’ll find an opportunity to allow your Soul to flourish.”

Calmness filled me with every utterance as the voice came closer. Though I couldn’t move, a feeling of soft fur brushed my skin and enfolded me, blocking everything from sight. Quickly set upright, sight returned and in a reflection coming from burnished metal, sanity sought to question itself. Somehow, I was seeing out of gleaming moulded gold, the reflection showing features more refined than I’m sure I’d known in life. The tips of pointed ears showing up out of wavey hair, cascading locks longer than I had previously. Features reminding me of an artist rendering an Elven portrait, though more beautiful and refined than any fantasy works I had seen.

Nude, I would blush if I could, but my features remained motionless and composed. Desperate to set the helpless feeling aside, I concentrated on the reflection’s details. A high clean forehead, graceful arcing features, the gold moulding even included detailed eyebrows finer than those that frustrated me in life. My face possessed sharp cheeks, a delicately pointed chin, a straight nose without the awkward bump that had sat upon my own. The tip of it turned slightly upward, promising to flex cutely with every motion my face might make.

Lithe lines formed my body, though I had no perspective to judge my height, from neck to toes the form seemed supple, rippling with leanly portioned muscle. I tried without success to avoid my pert breasts and hairless mons. I seemed far fitter and more desirable than I had considered myself in life. A supermodel, clad in gold body paint glittering and shining in the strange light.

Life. I remember sitting in church attending a funeral. Obviously not my own. Whose was it? I remember such sorrow. How was I now here?

They had set me upon a surface that looked like finely grained wood. In front of me, a wall of polished metal stretched in both directions. When behind me the wall of a strange grey fur lifted, its movement drew my gaze away. The strange backdrop rose upwards, and I saw behind; Giants stood within a stadium sized room (for them), forges burning with pure white light showed not a coal in sight. Majestic angelic figures, male and female, clad in cloth that shimmered like an alien silk, yet in a range of practical styles. Each worked with tender care and set pieces in place upon a round orb floating in midair. Some had skin as golden as my form, massive yet moving with such ease and grace, liquid flowing motions that would have stolen my breath away. Wings tucked tight against their backs and sometimes even compressed from sight. A wide variety of features and skin tones, but all made my surprising beauty seem plain. Their energy continually filled the room while their project and I savoured every moment.

It held me enraptured, wishing I could turn about, but I was happy the reflection showed the room so clearly. The orb they were building upon bubbled in the air as they gently set curved puzzle pieces in place. Each layer holding itself together as it grew, the Angels moved from their anvils, set about the forge to the orb then back to work on another piece. I’m not sure how long the work continued, but eventually they set the last piece in place. One moment it was metal, the next it shone with life, blue oceans, white-tipped mountains, fertile green plains, balanced by deserts and brutal environments, promising dangers and little else.

A figure came into sight, strangely smaller than the Angels I had watched work, his very presence a pulse of solid, overwhelming endurance. The grey fur wall that had been behind me matched what clad him. Bare-chested, with a torso of solid muscles, his strength was clear even though his fur obscured much. A fringe of leather and cloth strips hung from his waist and dipped below his knees, and except for that he wore only old-style sandals.

His features were human, broad and solid, silver eyes shone from deep sunken sockets. Each footstep seemed to anchor him in place. His shape reminded me of a minotaur and though his hair was a wild mane, it gleamed like sunlight and he possessed an aura of calm rather than rage. There was an air about him that said he wasn’t their boss or a tyrant, instead their protective Father. The Angels regarded him with trust as he spoke to them.

“Who would wish to ignite its star in place?”

His voice not raised, yet reaching me from far away, the tones matching the ones that greeted my awakening.

The Angels glanced among themselves, with many clearly eager for the role before an oddity among them stepped forward. Where the others seemed ripe with beauty and life, he appeared worn and ragged. While he wasn’t the tallest among them, he stood far above many present, but it was a height that only helped him appear more battered.

“Father, may I watch over the life upon its start?”

“You’ve just returned to us, Eleftherios.”

He spoke the words with care and concern, a feeling of deep sorrow clear in his tone.

“I know, but I feel the need for peace and watching life flourish to restore myself. The essence of the Necropolis eroded my energy and strength away,” Eleftherios said, the angelic melodies of his words thick with fatigue.

“As you wish, ignite the star, and provide the anchor to set the planet in place. Then, take proper care and restore yourself, come back whenever you wish, even if for a visit.”

“Father, I would go as well. To let Eleftherios know about our endeavours in his absence,” another Angel spoke. Her eyes, a glowing sky-blue, came to rest on the ragged figured weighted with compassion.

“Thank you, Alberta. Please aid your brother.”

The being gave acknowledgement with a slight dip of his head.

“That is kind of you, sister,” Eleftherios said, a tired smile turning his lips, before moving towards the forge. His hand dipped into the pure white heat and rose again, holding a seed of burning light. In that instant, Eleftherios vanished, and Alberta flickered from existence.

As the Angels returned to their work, he turned towards me and strode across the open field. It closed so quickly, its height gave me a perspective of the distance. From foot to head, I didn’t even partly match the height of his eye socket. If I was even close to what I vaguely remember from life, he was nearly two kilometres tall.

He touched the platform on which I rested and instantly shrank, suddenly standing before me.

“Now, where best to place you, Andre. Though given your last father picked that name, perhaps you’d prefer another?”

How does he expect me to answer?

“You merely have to think. I’ll feel what you intend to tell me. Call me Nic.”

My attention went to the arcing horns that adorn his head, and an Old Nic flickered across my awareness.

“No, not your or any Devil. Nicholaus was the name a High Priestess of Hestia gave me. She found me left to die upon a hillside, a bare babe somehow standing upright and suckling from a cow’s teat. Although, the horns and fur grew in later, I never wished to change them. Others saw more reason for rejection, but I kept them to honour the life that tended my first needs instead of rejecting me,” Nic replied. His voice was so deep and solid, each word calmly spoken as he seemed, and each syllable resonated within me.

Who’d be so cruel to leave a baby upon a hillside?

“My mother. To her my silver eyes were a deformity and confirmed it wasn’t her husband that had begot me. You’re not here to speak of me, though. One of my lost ones cherished you and wished me to make amends for your life ending at her funeral. Though I’m keeping much of the memories from you at the moment. I purified your Human Soul to True Gold and would set you upon a world to find a new life to call your own.”

Nicholaus’ words held kind emotion when he spoke of my Soul, but when he spoke of his own rejection it was simply a stated fact.

Why are you keeping my memories from me?

“Your Soul is still settling after the purification. If I let you remember more now, it would certainly be unpleasant and undo what work I achieved.”

How am I supposed to choose without clear memories?

“Listen to the Song within your Soul; it will provide a surety of the correct path for yourself. Since you’ve already moved beyond considering yourself, I’ll turn you so you can see my forge space more easily.”

As he spoke, a simple movement from him pivoted me about. The bright beauty of the workplace was so much clearer when not mirrored in metal. The model that had held my attention wasn’t alone in the workspace.

Do I have to choose right away?

The workshop was busy with living beauty, and I could see more pieces merging into models. Before I had noticed mainly planetary plates, I was sure some things added weren’t tectonic features but seeds of potential life itself. Particles of dust drifting over the metal and ending up carefully held within.

“No, child, not at all. You can wait and watch them work, let your Soul find ease in its new nature. If you find enough balance, your memories will return. But, with or without them, the choices ahead are yours alone to make.”

Thank you Nicholaus.

“Child, there is nothing to thank me for, and perhaps in time I may have cause to thank you. I’m repaying a debt requested by a friend of yours. Perhaps not in the form she’d want, but in a way I hope will bring you joy. I will listen for your thoughts, if you decide you’ve found the right time to depart you need only think my name. However, you are welcome to rest here as long as you wish. The children will come by to check on you and talk as you need,” Nic said. The lightest of touches rested on my shoulder; then, one moment he was beside me and the next, far across the field that formed the workshop.

There was so much activity to see by the time I returned my attention closer to hand: the planet I’d watched come alive had vanished. Two Angels who looked perhaps human height were setting a sphere even smaller in place. It leapt high into the air and stayed aloft, hovering near where the planet had been, and the others in that section set to work again.

As the hammers rose and fell in rhythm, I could feel a distant echoing of a melody so vague yet within me I knew it.