[Chapter 3 part 1] Rose - The HEAVENLY DAO and the Dark Age

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This is frustrating… Everyone was sitting silently while Simon waited. It’s hard to believe how eager we were a while ago. They weren’t accustomed to seeing their mother shook up. She hides her emotions so well we forget she has them. They’d witnessed an another side of her today. It’s unsettling.

This left Rose in an excruciating position. My whole life I’ve been waiting for this opportunity, and now guilt holds me back. She knew better than anyone the lengths their mother had gone to keep certain secrets. Pouncing on this vulnerability would feel despicable.

To calm herself, Rose tried predicting which of her siblings would break the ice. Soul will defer to someone else. As a ‘hero’, he put himself last to an unnatural extent. Light won’t speak either. His current archetype was silent, withdrawn, and brooding. He’d only chime in if a topic got his blood boiling. Silver… No, I think not. Her brother made honest efforts to compensate for his condition. With his recent interruption, he’d be self-aware. Free… Maybe? Her sister was too tough to read. It won’t be Dawn. Stealing the spotlight went against the warped ‘humility’ she adhered to. As for Hope, you’d have to twist her arm to get her to go first at anything. The girl abhorred any form of special treatment.

It might have to be me after-all, Rose sighed. Then her eyes fell on Wise. God… damn… it. Thinking back, he’d been quiet while they discussed Simon’s arrival. Of course he was, he already knows everything!

Wise didn’t need questions, already having access to anything those around him were willing to share. He’s probably conducting a wordless interrogation this very moment. Rose burned with jealousy. I must remember to exploit him, she berated herself. The ‘old’ Wise would’ve shared his discoveries. Now he hates his gift and, by extension, himself.

“I can’t believe Arther is dead.” Soul said.

I should’ve anticipated this. Her brother would have no issue if it wasn’t a question. He must’ve wanted to break the tension. If so, he erred in the topic. The deeds of the seven heroes had been their bedtime stories. Wistfully, Rose recalled the Dark Age’s first hero.

After the Black Banquet, Enera had been divided by uncertainty and fear. Something had changed, but none knew what. Stars were vanishing from the night, and catastrophes were striking with increasing frequency. Those regions lucky enough to be spared bunkered down and let their neighbors fall to ruin. The only ray of hope was Arther Bard, the leader of the powerful Adventurer’s Guild. He used the full resources at his disposal to offer succor to a collapsing world, overseeing evacuations and delivering rations to the starving. When Sola emerged from hiding, he organized the coalition to oppose her. The goodwill he accrued on the Guild’s behalf survives to this days. Astra had promised they’d meet him someday. Now that chance will never come.

“So Simon, how are you alive?” Free asked, leaning forward. Figures she’d recover quickest, Rose groaned.

Simon was perplexed, “’how am I alive’?”

“Ah, sorry.” Free said. “What I mean is the temperature. Each of us is dealing with it in our own way.” She gestured. “Dawn and Soul have their ice-based martial arts. I’m supercharging my metabolism. Rose is warming her blood. Silver’s aura is insulating him. Light is manipulating the atmosphere. Lastly, Wise and Hope have coats stuffed with heating enchantments.”

At this rambling, Rose felt only regret. This is the result of listening to my conscience.

“What about you?” Free persisted.

“Technically my body is in a state of hibernation.” Simon explained. “I’m manipulating it like a puppet.”

“How are you not frozen solid?” Free asked.

“I’m preventing it. Necromancy excels at twisting the laws of physics.”

“Intriguing…” Free murmured. “How long can you stay this way? You must not need sleep… Nor food or water… Must be so convenient! Do you use this often?” She talks too much. Rose wrung her hands under the table.

Simon responded patiently, “The only limit is my endurance. A couple of days is fine, but any longer and I’d be gradually driven insane from the burden on my soul. You’re right that I don’t currently require sustenance or rest, which is useful. As to why I don’t employ the technique more often, it requires a sub-zero environment. Besides this, in the long term a living body is necessary to heal necromancy’s corrupting influence.”

“What of your mind?” Free asked. “How are you conscious?”

“I’m synchronizing with my body. That’s to say…” Simon struggled, ”The short version is I’m also forcing my brain to function.”

It’s now or never. Rose wasn’t listening to the ‘long version’. Which will certainly be next. Enhancing her throat, she let out an thundering ‘Ahem’ and spoke, “Maybe others deserve a turn… no?”

Her sister laughed and scratched her head, “Ah, yes. Sorry…”

Thank god, it seems she’ll back down. Rose faced Simon, “We need not rush this, right?”

“Correct, I’ll be around for today at least.” Simon affirmed.

That should preempt interruptions. “See? Everyone will have their chance. I’m next. Do you know who we are?”

“Who you are…?” Simon repeated carefully.

Rose was confident of her intelligence. Topics she couldn’t make sense of were few and far between, which is why it disturbed her to no end that her greatest unsolved mystery was herself. How’d we end up at Earth’s End? Who built the facility where we live? Why’s Astra here to begin with?

“Where are we from?” Rose reiterated. “Ever since we can remember, we’ve been here. Astra calls us her children, but look how different we are. Not to mention we’re the same age. It’s unlikely she’s our biological mother.”

Except for Dawn and Soul, Rose admitted. They have the same hair color and facial features. But then who’s the father?

Simon hesitated, “So Astra hasn’t told you who… or what you are?”

“What we are…” Rose gasped. Did I hit the jackpot? “So you know?”

“From an outsider’s perspective, there’s only one explanation.” He paused. “Have you heard of ‘Sola’s Legacy’?”

Rose shook her head, “I’m familiar with Sola, but not this ‘legacy’. What is it?”

“It’s the reason Astra is at Earth’s End and your origin.” Simon frowned. “Actually, I’m surprised. This would require important gaps in your knowledge…”

I know all about those, Rose thought. Astra’s library had noticeable holes. Entire shelves are missing!

“What do you know of the Dark Age?” Simon asked.

“The exploits of the heroes, but little beyond.” Rose replied bitterly, “What does it have to do with us?”

“Everything.” Simon’s eyes were focused far away. “Sorry, but I must speak with Astra. This is something she should relay herself.”

Not again. Rose was fed up with the riddles and secrecy. It’s strange and wrong. Their presence in the arctic made no sense. Why couldn’t we have grown up somewhere warmer with people? And then there was their training.

Rose had uncovered a book where children were made to duel in deathless arenas. This was portrayed as an unforgivable crime. ‘Child abuse’ it was called. When she’d told Soul, he’d given this verdict: ‘it’s wrong, but perhaps it’s justified’. Until their mother revealed the truth, he’d give her the benefit of the doubt.

Rose couldn’t extend such unconditionally trust. She saw the cost of their isolation. Wise and Hope desperately needed outside expertise. Even I could use assistance. The lack of support was just as awful on a personal level. Soul had basically taken over the role of counselor. It’s scary how messed up we’d be without him.

Rose needed the explanation Astra stubbornly withheld. What danger could justify confining us? She’s one of the heroes! The speculation had driven her mad. Keeping us ignorant was an act of tyranny. Sadly, her frustrations had found no outlet. Acts of protest were ignored, and more extreme methods were dead ends. If I went too far, I’d find myself in an ice coffin. ‘Running away’ was also impossible. This place is a prison. Left without options, she’d persevered quietly.

How dare Simon tease us with answers and offer nothing! Years of resentment poured out, and vapor wisps enveloped her body. Her blood was boiling, melting the ice and heating the room.

“Are you leaving us in the dark too?” Rose seethed.

Simon raised both hands, “Calm down. If Astra travels to the Isle of Dreams, she’ll HAVE to explain everything. Trust me on this.”

“You think you can convince her?” Silver interjected in delight. Rose glared, making him slouch. Don’t get in my way!

“Yes, which is why you should wait to hear from her directly.” Simon prepared to get up.

“You can’t be serious!” Rose cut in sharply, not caring about politeness.

From her time at Earth’s End, she was certain she’d rather be the oppressor than the oppressed. One day, she’d obtain such power that none would restrict her freedom again. I’ll carve out my place. With this resolve, she’d embraced Astra’s harsh training. I’d be first if the others weren’t so abnormal. Only one area of doubt remained. Do I have family in the outside world? Allies? Enemies? This information was a crucial starting point. She refused to let Simon escape without anything of value.

“You said you’d answer our questions. Was that a lie?” She asked coldly.

“I never lie, ever” Simon snapped, stiffening. “Even if I weren’t bound by the oath, I’d never do so.” Stopping, he let his tension dissipate. “Everything said by a necromancer is truth at the moment it’s spoken. Discovering you’re unaware of your identities altered my priorities. However, I see it’s not time to withdraw.”

Rose was pleased at the reversal. Does he not want to antagonize us? If so, they might extract something.

Simon considered, “About the Dark Age… Do you know what made it a unique period? About its relationship with the HEAVENLY DAO?”

The HEAVENLY DAO… It’s the all-powerful god which presides over the Ether, the source of magic. The name was always capitalized for clarity. Apparently ‘Heavenly Dao’ is also a philosophical term. She remembered an author upset by this, but she’d never finished the book. What’s the point of philosophy when you don’t even know who you are? She was ignorant of a connection between the deity and the Dark Age. Mother never mentioned that. Despite herself, she was intrigued. What a clever way to mollify me.

“You might want to give an overview first.” Light suggested.

What on Enera? Her brother was an avid reader who loved this subject. He knows more than I do. Rose turned to find Light staring at Hope. Ah, that’s right. Their sister spent all her time in her workshop.

Noting the attention, Hope muttered, “Sorry for not reading more.” It must be hard having a crush on someone who hates assistance.

Simon frowned, “You mean Astra hasn’t told you? How’s that possible?”

“We suspect she has a grudge against the god…” Soul offered.

Simon nodded slowly, “Someone who lived through the Dark Age would have mixed feelings… Alright.”

“The HEAVENLY DAO is a god born from mankind’s collective unconscious. It’s constantly reshaping Enera to satiate its craving for entertainment, as illustrated by the Blue Abyss.”

“Long ago, we used to sail the sea. Back then, sharks were under 20 feet, yet many stories popularized giant versions of the predators. Then a strange thing happened: they doubled in size. The HEAVENLY DAO had rearranged the ecosystem.”

“It didn’t end there. A percentage of the world, mostly those who never went near water, were fascinated. ‘How much bigger could they get?’, they wondered. The HEAVENLY DAO took this as a challenge. Soon sharks were large enough to swallow ships whole. Ever since, we’ve traveled the sky in airships.”

“Giant sharks are cool,” Light stated resolutely. Rose shook her head. It’s thanks to people like him that the oceans have become areas of certain death.

Simon continued, “The HEAVENLY DAO’s desires are shaped by those of men. If enough believe something is ‘amazing’, then it’ll strive to make it real.”

“That’s a terrifying.” Hope scowled at her brother, who acted like he’d done nothing wrong.

(continued in part 2)