Ch. 22 Eucan Sorcerer

This is a continuation of the Apocalypse Saga

For the other chapters in TAS, click here

For more stories in the world of Astra outside of TAS, click here

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Drahm’s estate was far from the busy city life he left behind. He thought of himself as a member of a bygone era, and while the children of yesterday took his and his aging colleagues' place, he felt peace in his heart. Trouble was, even with the illusion of his time being behind him, it wasn’t entirely true. So, as he thanked his partner with a quick kiss on the cheek and lumbered his way up the stairs to his office, he knew what needed done.

He stepped into the room and swiped his hand along the wall. A cascade of little fireplaces lit at eye level along the room behind glass shielding. He lumbered forward on tired feet supported by comfortable slippers, and dropped his weight into his desk chair. His desk screen opened up to the message he had read before dinner. He studied it over and over and thought about the call for help. Outside his office, the large tree in his front yard began to creak in the cold flurry.

“Dampen. Darken.” He commanded. The window across from him went dark and the creaking quieted. “Damned wind.” He mumbled and went back to the message. After thinking it over, he opened a new message on the desk screen, and wrote up his reply:

Patrician Zilden,

Your choice to contact me on this matter was a fascinating development. Rarely do the oracles of Oran-Koh collectively warn of such terrors. Something like that in the sky would not merely be a problem for Euco, but all of Astra. I hate to say that my experience as Patrician before you could not possibly prepare me to give you direction to meet this moment. Though if I were in your shoes, I would recommend an immediate evacuation to the city’s outskirts. Terrors such as these cannot be met by that of us, mortals.

As much as it must pain you to reach out to your more magically inclined counterpart, I think it is time to reach out to her. I know she can be a tough one to work with, but she knows her stuff. Do well by her, and she’ll do well by you. This sort of thing is out of my hands, but you trust her, and she won’t lead you astray. So the Weavers say.

Keep Euco safe. This is a difficult time in our history, but I trust the people chose well for the two of you to lead this new guard. Your generation has much to work against. Euco is young again, grow it with the care that you’d grow a beautiful timid flower. I wish you well. And don’t hesitate to do what it takes to protect the people of Euco. They are the heart of all the land.

May Oran-Koh be in your favor,

Former Patrician Drahm

Drahm read over the message again. He went back through, adjusting as needed. Just as he was ready to hit send, he shot up with a startle. The creaking outside had become louder, overriding his office’s dampeners.

“Transparent.” Drahm called. He hefted himself up from his seat and waddled over to the window. He stared a moment as his eyes adjusted to the dark. His home was surrounded by fields, and the beauty of the sky danced in his eyes. In the distance he could see the lights of Euco, but beneath the tree in their front yard, the tree’s swing was rocking about with a ferocity of weight. Drahm stared and blinked. Blinked again. Rubbed his eyes. Thought a moment, “I think I’m going mad.” He announced in disbelief. Drahm hesitated before he decided to grab a coat and step out into the snow.

He took a step out into the cold, still air and shuffled off the porch. “Hello?” His voice had gone solid in the cold, making his words gruff. “No need to hide, I saw you.”

“Patrician Drahm, still as sharp as ever. How’s the family, huh?” From the darkness, Lou appeared with a grin on his face. “How long’s it been, old friend?”

“Somehow too long and not long enough, Leig. What can I do for you? Don’t tell me you’re –“

“No, no. None of that. Different business.” Lou said with a reassuring smile. “I just wanted to ask you something.”

Drahm’s defenses dropped, and he let out a sigh of relief, “Well, by all means, what can I do for you?”

“I’m looking for the daughter of the Weavers that doesn’t glow if you catch what I’m saying.”

“You don’t say?” Drahm said with a chuckle. “You know, I’ve been retired a good 5 years now. I knew her pops, but her and I didn’t have much overlap other than a couple of meetings. Now, all of a sudden, everyone needs her. What’s this all about?”

“Hate to say it, my friend, but if everything goes to plan, hopefully you’ll never know what this is about.”

“I understand. Fate-of-the-world business and all that. I think I’ve got an inkling from the new Patrician’s panicked message.” At that moment, they both looked at the sky. High above their heads, the Fates twinkled. “They’ve been glowing extra bright lately, haven’t they?” Drahmn asked.

“They have.” Lou agreed. “They’re holding their breath. Waiting for what’s next.”

“Can I invite you in while I get her information for you?” Drahm asked.

“I wish I could say yes, but I’ve got people waiting for me down the road.” Lou declined politely.

“Be honest with me: How urgent is this? Life or death?”

“Yep.”

“Whose life?”

“Everyone’s.”

“Even yours?” Drahm asked, crossing his arms across his gut, hugging what warmth he had left close to him.

“My friend, even I can’t survive if there’s nowhere to live.”

“I see. That bad.”

Lou nodded in response but remained silent.

“I’ll just go ahead in and get what you need. I’ll be quick for you.” Once Drahm went back inside and fetched the information for Lou, he said his goodbyes and made his way back to the road where Vey, Seijun, and Akashi stood waiting in the dark.

“Did you get what you came for?” Akashi asked.

“That we did. We’re going to her personal residence in the holy units of Euco. This won’t be able to wait until official government hours.”

“Holy units?” Seijun asked.

“That’s right.” Was all Lou said as he began walking down the dirt road towards the Eucan lights.

“Children of Oran-Koh who can trace their heritage directly back to the moment of the sun’s conception have permanent housing in the holy city – known as holy units.” Vey explained. “It appears our ‘Sorcerer’ can trace their bloodline directly back to the weaving of the sun.”

“Almost everything you said was correct, good Lady.” Lou replied from the front of the group. “Almost.”

As they drew closer, the lush city of Euco loomed over them. The city was on the oceanside with skyscrapers sprawling overhead. The city of neon people rather than lights. Euco was the oldest city in all of Astra to still stand. It was the birthplace of the sun, and the city with the highest population of Children of Oran-Koh. They kept their city in the best shape they could. The city was built on history, tradition, and long-forgotten architecture. Many of the grand skyscrapers were built on the foundations of much older buildings. In this way, it wasn’t uncommon to see glass goliaths hanging upon the skyline, but as a distant onlooker turned to a pedestrian walking down the brick sidewalks of Euco, they’d notice the same buildings were built upon foundations of brick and mortar.

The streets were lined with plants – vines that clung to streetlights and buildings facades - and the air smelled industrious but sweet. The bay the city was built next to was always filled with the Eucan navy – the most powerful navy in all the land. The navy protected the first temple to Oran-Koh. The temple sat upon a cliff overlooking the bay. It was said that before the beach of old was washed away by erosion, the cliff led down to the oceanside. In this temple was where the sun god first came down to Astra and granted its people with the sun. This and so much more made Euco a place of rich history, joy, and religious significance. Euco was by its nature, the grandest of cities on Astra. Under any other circumstance, the entire group would’ve been excited to go, but even from a distance, they could see the city was on high alert. The usually calm city had vehicles darting through the sky, flashing lights, and a distant siren. Even in the dark of night, the people of Euco were panicked. Afraid. The group crossed into the city silently, no guards to stop them, only streams of people to push past to get inside.

“Oh good,” Lou announced, “the evacuation has begun.”

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It had been one thing after another since that fool who dreamt of being a champion had freed Guaya from her avatar’s tomb. For years, she avoided her divine home in the cosmos, opting instead to traverse the universe, questioning the very presence of life, thinking twice about all that ever has or will exist. But the prayers of her own people had dragged her away from crisis and thrown her back into a corporeal form and into her desolate, empty realm. As she appeared in the realm, the only light was her body becoming whole as she took shape for the first time in millennia.

She had luscious hazel skin with freckles like arms of the galaxy sprawling out across her clear cheeks and trickling down her shoulders like a cloak. Her skin glowed like the cosmos, and her eyes contained universes within them. Guaya of the xella people. The Ethereal Sculptor. Goddess of goddesses. Queen to the stars. Daughter of the nothing that came before. Reduced to the will of the mortals who were bound to her.

She stepped out of a portal made in the image of her. It swirled like a nova giving birth to a million stars. It spit her out like she was discarded trash among the lands. She was free to be back in the land of the divine, though she wasn’t sure why their prayers put her here. It wouldn’t be difficult to just leave again. Their words only held so much power, and that power was gone now. She prepared to open a new portal when a voice broke through the darkness,

“Ah, good, you’re back.” It said in a regal tone. Guaya could feel the carelessness in the voice of the porcelain mouth staring at her through the darkness of her home realm. What was she doing here?

“Vajra,” Her first word to another being that was as ancient as her in longer than she could remember, “It’s been… not long enough.” When she spoke, her words sang, as though the strings of the universe were plucked by the reverberations of her voice.

“Back from vacation, I see.” The Dragon Mother turned away, “Oh, the great powerful life bringer. The cosmic goddess. The star carver. The -”

“Okay. Enough.” Guaya snapped. “I don’t need you patronizing me.”

“I understand.” Vajra’s approach was much less forceful with Guaya than it was with other gods. Instead, she spoke to her as though she was seeing an old friend. “So, what brings you back to these lands anyways?”

“Mortals being mortals. They want honor, peace, safety… it’s ironic. They want all the things they take from themselves.” She spat.

“There’s the jaded goddess I know.” Vajra said with a devilish grin. “And what of the honor at least? Did you return that?”

“They lost their honor for a reason. They have no one to blame but themselves.” Guaya shook her head, then looked around a little more slowly. “Lord of the land, it’s dark as the fiends like in here.” She grumbled, waving a hand.

“That arcane slang,” Vajra snickered. “Lights have been off in the sculptor’s lands since you left.” Vajra said with a shrug. As she shrugged, the realm flickered to life. It looked much like a celestial body. Dark, barren, gray. At first. Then, trees began to sprout, a blanket of stars ignited the sky - oddly close, but not so close that they would destroy the very land they were upon. Vajra began to hear the sounds of life. Fully grown and developed creatures from the mind of the sculptor came into being without a second thought.

“Wow.” Vajra said.

“That almost sounded genuine. Almost.” Guaya said with a smile. Her first smile in who knows how long. Vajra returned the smile in kind.

“There aren’t many deities that have survived the way we have.” Vajra announced. “You wouldn’t believe what’s become of our divine peers and underlings since you went and hid in your temple.”

“Hide? Call it what you’d like. This broken collection of barely held together realms don’t need us. They need to take their natural course.”

“And we are unnatural?” Vajra asked. Her arms shifted in that unsettling way that Guaya found so discomforting. She was like a doll whose arms and legs were being moved by an unseen puppet master, only pausing to take a quick picture of each frame. The same with her wicked porcelain-white face. Her sickly featureless smile. Her thoughtless gaze. The only thing behind it was malice. Always malice.

“We are supernatural. We are what nature needs to breathe its first breath. We are the beginning. Not the middle. Not the end. We lit the fire. Someone else needs to tend to the flame until they’re embers. Then, it’s over. Or it begins again. Or it never happens. We shouldn’t be the ones to find out.”

“Oh, please.” Vajra shook her head. “Only back breathing for 5 minutes and you’re already going on and on and on… philosophy,” Vajra scoffed, “nonsense. You know what the realms need?”

“A blank slate.” Not a question. Guaya’s face dropped into a glare. She couldn’t believe for even a moment she was almost enjoying Vajra’s presence. She always hated the Mother of Dragons.

“No. Us. They need us. The slobbering foolish mortal dopes. They need us. They cannot breathe unless a god above tells them to. They cannot eat without thanking us first. They cannot love without confirmation that they’re allowed. You’re wrong. There is no blank slate. We are the beginning, we are the middle, we are the end. Without us, the mortals would die.”

“They’re dying with us.” Guaya said. She turned her attention back to creation. Before Vajra knew it, the ground beneath her feet was a thick mossy patch.

Warm. Soft. Gentle. How beautiful. What human could make this?

“Well, gods like me are keeping the world together right now while you sit here and play creator. You could be a part of the coalition but -”

“I’ve already heard it all from the storm goddess – she’s thinks she knows the game, but she hasn’t even learned the rules of godhood.” Guaya said, cutting Vajra off.

“At least she’s trying.” Vajra replied.

“Vajra, be honest with me – if you’re capable.”

“Well, since you asked...” Vajra smirked as she took a step towards Guaya. Guaya didn’t flinch, didn’t hesitate. It was almost nice to be in the presence of someone who Vajra saw as an equal.

“Why do you care? You and I both know if that child, Carja, did as he intends, we will be fine. Maybe not the other gods, but you and I - your brother – we’ll be fine.” The arms of a galaxy bloomed over their heads, stardust careening down to the ground like rain pattering the realm.

“It’s simple. I think – unlike you – that even the most pathetic of lives deserve a chance to be lived.”

“Do you expect me to believe that, Vajra?”

“I don’t. So, let me tell you what you want to hear: Because I like the way they suffer. I like watching those mortals struggle, cry, live in terror, suffocate at the end of lives wasted. I like it. It brings me joy. There, are you happy?”

Guaya stopped what she was doing and looked at Vajra with a curious eye, “Wait… you don’t have a reason, do you? You’re barely thinking at all.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about. How’s this? We need to keep things as they are. That’s it. That simple. Now, pick your favorite reason and let’s move on.” Vajra spat. “You can scare off the storm child, but you will not scare me away. There is no staying out of this conflict. We need you. Are you going to help or not?”

“That… wasn’t convincing. Any of it.” Guaya said with a shake of her head. “Just leave.”

“Okay, how about this: When the only gods left are us, my brother and Carja, I will mercilessly harass you about how it was your fault that that sniveling fool defeated us. It will be your fault that there is no peace, and all the realms fell into permanent chaos. It will be your fault, and I will never let you forget. So there. If you can’t do it for the right reason, the selfish reason, the kind reason, or even for no reason, do it because you just hate me that much. How’s that?”

Guaya nodded, her features impassive, “Get out, Vajra. I need to think.”

“That wasn’t a no.” Vajra left with a smile on her face. She knew she had given the goddess of Peace too many reasons not to help. Now she just had to wait.

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“I don’t know, dad… I just thought that it would be different… I thought that I’d be… somewhere el – No, no, that’s not what I mean. It's just that - yeah… yeah… yeah well - Well, I was supposed to be a PA. I worked for 6 years as a field medic, and for what? To work the doors at the holy unit? Now the world’s all but ending and I can’t even help. I just have to sit on my hands and make sure the Weavers get out safely.”

There was an odd silence in the dark little room that Jiwa called his office. It was more of a walk-in closet at the entrance of the holy unit. He paced quietly, his glowing pink skin casting shadows across the room as he avoided his supplies scattered across the floor. He danced between seating pillows, pens, communicators, and paperwork. Work orders. All the above. He leaned against the wall, subsequently falling into a rack of coats and cloaks hanging in the corner. Jiwa stumbled to keep them up as he stammered out, "Yeah, yeah yeah. Yeah, I know I know - ‘until I can get the job I want’ - I get it, dad, but you ever think I’m tired of doing what needs done, and maybe I just want to do something that matters to me? No… no, no that’s not what I - Yeah… yeah, I get that but… but dad, you’re missing the point -”

There was a soft rap at the door.

“Hey, I gotta go, dad, sorry. I’ll see you when I evacuate. Love you too. Bye.” Jiwa hung up the call, deactivating his ring as he rushed out of his office, “Oh!” He said, startled. The tall skinny man who met him startled him.

“Good day, friend. We’re here looking for the elected sorcerer of Euco. Could you point us in the right direction?”

“Are you a friend of hers?” Jiwa asked. “She doesn’t really take city-related appointments in the holy unit, sir. It’s considered really disrespectful to the –“

“Don’t worry, we’re friends.” Another voice announced from behind the tall man. It was a man in a gray coat and hat. Next to him was a man in blue armor.

“No offense, sir, but you don’t seem like the most welcoming group of gentlemen.” Jiwa replied with a stern glare.

The tall man put a gentle hand on Jiwa’s shoulder, “Okay, so here’s what you’re going to do. You’re going to turn on your ring, call her room up, and you’re going to tell her that her old friend Lou is here, and that he brought a friend. Got it?”

“Uh – yes sir. Right away, sir.”

“Good man.”

Jiwa scurried away into his office and activated his ring and put in a call. The other end picked up immediately.

“Hello ma’am, I’m so sorry to bother you during this stressful time, but there’s a Mr. Lou here and he – Oh. Oh, okay. Yes ma’am, right away. I’m so sorry again. Oh! Yes, thank you for asking, I will be evacuating after the holy unit has been fully evacuated. Last one out – ha – thank you for asking ma’am. Oh? Are you sure ma’am? I wouldn’t want to – Okay. Okay, very good ma’am. I’ll make haste. Yes thank you, you have a good day too. Oran-Koh bless you, ma’am.”

Jiwa opened the door back up, “Okay, you’re good to go. Up to the 37^th floor. Room 117.”

“37-117. Thank you very much.” Lou said with a smile as he led the others to the elevator. As soon as they were out of sight, Jiwa ran to his office to pack his things and evacuate.

In the elevator, Lou, Seijun, Akashi, and Vey were all waiting patiently to arrive on the 37^th floor.

“Now, Mr. Pacè, I’m going to need you to contain yourself, you understand?”

“Uh, sure… I guess?” Akashi replied. “Why would I need to –“

“Just promise me you’ll stay calm, won’t you?” Lou pushed again.

“Cool as can be, Brahman.”

“So once this sorcerer joins us, what next?” Seijun asked.

“My guess? We get some rest, then tomorrow we’ll play defense.”

“Defense?”

“Yep. We get over to the shrine to the sun’s first flame, and we get ready to defend it. Simple.” Lou said with a nod.

“As simple as it can be.” Akashi agreed.

“I hope it stays that way.” Was all Vey added. Then, the doors opened.

They filed out of the elevator and into a hallway draped in vibrant colors. The walls were covered in murals of neon people.

“So, this sorcerer is a child of Oran-Koh?” Seijun asked.

“Funny you should ask. No. She’s a rare breed. She was welcomed into the family as an adopted member. One of the few humans to ever have that happen before.” Lou replied. They made their way down the hallway until they found door 117.

“How fascinating. I’m sure that caused strife.” Vey said.

“Oh, I’m sure it did once upon a time. But she’s proved herself time and time again. She may be politically labeled a sorcerer, but she’s a witch. And like I said, she’s the most powerful witch in all of Astra. I’d bet that’d be a bigger concern for the populace than her not being a Koh.” With that, Lou rapped on the door.

The door swung open faster than anyone expected. A woman with curly black hair, dark eyes, and a cunning grin appeared at the door. She wore a big red hat and a red and black flowery dress to match. She was a little shorter than Akashi, and about the same age. Her skin was a warm brown, and she wore a full face of makeup. She had a look to her that was entirely too familiar to Akashi, but he couldn’t put his finger on it. One thing was for certain though, she had a duplicitous look to her like she was hiding the cleverest secret to ever grace a mortal mouth.

“Of course, you’d show up when the world’s ending, Lou. Who are your friends?” The woman announced with a smile. Her voice was so familiar to Akashi. Still, he couldn’t place it for the life of him.

“Friends, allow me to introduce the grandest witch to ever grace Astra, Ophee of the Weavers.”

“Ophee, huh? What an interesting name.” Akashi replied. When he spoke, she turned to him and their eyes met. He saw the moment recognition crossed her eyes, but it hadn’t hit him yet. “My name’s –“

“Kash?” She said. As soon as she said it, it clicked. He knew that voice. All the familiarity poured away. She wasn’t just familiar; she was a ghost of his past.

“No shit…” He gasped, “Ollen?”

“Have you two met?” Seijun asked.

“Gods above, Lou, I didn’t expect you to bring a ghost to my door.” A single tear rolled down Ophee’s cheek. She wiped it away as quickly as she noticed it. She practically pushed Lou out of the way and wrapped her arms around Akashi. She whispered so only he could hear, “I never thought I’d see you again. Gods above, I never – never…”

“Ollen, what in the - I thought you were gone.”

“No! Of course not. I’ve just been… here. But you are.” Ophee whispered.

“Kind of… it’s a long story.”

“Don’t worry, I have an idea of it. Come on, everyone, let’s get inside. I wish we had more time. I wish we had all the time in the world, but… we need to get a few things sorted while there’s still time.” Ophee ushered all of them into her home and allowed them all to settle into her living room space.

“So…” Seijun said as he shifted uncomfortably on Ophee’s couch. When Seijun spoke, no one seemed to acknowledge he had opened his mouth, so he went quiet again. He looked at Vey who was lounging next to him, her legs dangling over the arms of the couch, her head propped up between two cushions. Across the room, Lou was standing out on the balcony, staring out on the oddly quiet city – Euco was on the brink of being empty for the first time in hundreds of years.

Across the room, Akashi was fidgeting, unwilling to sit down, and Ophee was sitting quietly in a wicker chair, waiting for him. Seijun wasn’t sure what she was waiting for, but he could tell she was waiting. Lou let out a sigh and came back inside.

“I was worried this would happen.” He said gesturing to Akashi.

“What exactly is happening?” Vey asked.

“He’s in shock.” Ophee replied. Akashi stopped and looked at her, raised a finger as if to rebuttal, then – without a good thought in mind – he lowered his hand and continued pacing.

“Is this something divine?” Seijun asked. “Are you the woman he spoke of before? Celie?”

Ophee let out a loud cackle, “Oh, imagine me being the Miss Celie Green. What a laugh!”

This knocked Akashi out of his trance, “Wait, you know Celie?”

“Know her? Fates above, no. We’ve never met, but of course I followed Cain politics, and your career beyond that from a distance, Kash, so obviously I know who Celie is.”

“That makes one of you.” Vey replied.

“What?” Ophee asked with an eyebrow raised. “What’s the spirit mean?”

“I… can’t remember who Celie is. I just know she was important to me, but –“

“Monroe.” Was all Ophee said.

“What about her?” Akashi asked. He had stopped pacing entirely and stared at Ophee with wonder.

“I’ve always had my suspicions about her – I only ever observed from afar though, so I wasn’t sure. Kash, can I take a look at you?”

“Uh, sure.” Akashi replied with a slight delay.

Ophee stood up and gestured to her seat. Akashi took it without hesitation.

“Are you three ready for a show?” Ophee said with a grin to the others.

“Oh, here she goes…” Lou said with a roll of his eyes.

“What’s she doing?” Seijun asked.

“Showing off.” Lou replied.

“And I have every right to.” Ophee replied. She raised her hands, and they let off a faint glow. “Alright, Kash, don’t you move a muscle, got it?”

“Right. Yeah.”

“You see,” Ophee began as she placed her hands on either side of Akashi’s head, “when I was a little girl, I was taught to be afraid of my abilities. Ashamed. Disgusted. Horrified. My own daddy called me a monster. Did you know that, Kash?”

“I had no idea, Ollen, I’m so sorry.” Before he could say anything else, his muscles tensed up and his hands clenched the arms of the chairs.

“Hold still now.” She said in a soothing voice. “Everything I learned about my power, I learned here under the watchful eye of the Weavers. My pops – Ling was his name – taught me to accept myself, and love Astra. That’s what changed everything. That’s what made me connect to my power more than anything else I ever did. That’s the key to power. Love it, nurture it, then become it. Back when we knew each other, Astra asked a sacrifice of me. It was because I didn’t understand my power and didn’t pursue it with the roots of Astra’s love at my core. Now, the threads of the world are at my fingertips. There’s so much I can do. If only I could show you everything.”

“Is he okay?” Seijun asked. Akashi had gone silent, his pupils dilated, his muscles fully contracted.

“He’s fine.” Ophee replied, her attention solely focused on Akashi. “I’ve just opened him up in a way. I’m doing what you could call spiritual surgery. See, every soul in all of Astra is connected to the roots of the Astral heart. Think of Astra as a grand root system, and we’re the little bugs that cling to those roots for dear life. We are all connected to her by threads. Those threads are what we call our souls. A soul much like your dear aunt who sits among us though dead. Her soul hasn’t been severed. Some of us have stronger connections to these roots. Some of us are connected to different roots entirely – like a sorcerer.” Ophee explained. Her hands began to glow a jade green as she connected to something, “And would you look at that…” She said with a confident smile. Then, it faded to a frown.

“What? What is it?”

“Oh Kash,” She said with sorrow, “parts of his soul have been severed from the heart of Astra. Something took control of him and changed him. He isn’t whole, and so his connection isn’t either.”

“Changed him?” Seijun asked. “Lou, did you know about this?”

Lou nodded, “I did. Unfortunately, it’s the kind of change that you can’t see without it being turned back. Fortunately, the one woman who could fix it has a soft spot for our undead friend. At least at the end of all things, he’ll have a part of him that he lost.”

The green light faded away, and Akashi suddenly jolted forward, and hollered, “Monroe! She – she –“

“She did some horrible things to you, Kash. But she’s not here now. We are.” Ophee said as she rested a hand on both his shoulders and slowly eased him back into his seat.

“I – I can’t –“ Akashi breathed in, then out. “She forced me to forget. To comply.”

“That’s the problem with people like you, Kash. People like us. We’re good when we listen. But you gotta make us listen, don’t you? I should’ve been there for you. I’m so sorry. I let you down”

“It’s not your fault. You couldn’t have done anything.” Akashi replied, he rubbed his temples and sighed.

“Lets… give them some space.” Lady Vey announced.

“Agreed,” Lou announced as he went for the door, “I’m going to get in contact with the Patrician and see how evacuation of the city is going.”

“Good luck with that.” Ophee replied. “Patrician Zilden is one spineless little worm. The man could barely run the city on a sunny day. Since the oracles started wailing, he’s been running around with his skin ablaze with terror. Actually, you’re just the person he needs to see, Lou. You can set the ass straight.”

“Sounds like exactly where I’m needed then. I’ll be back soon.” With that, Lou walked out the door.

“I have a spare bedroom in the back.” Ophee announced. “Last door down the hall on the left. Feel free to get comfortable in there, you two.”

“Thank you for your hospitality.” Seijun said with a slight bow of his head.

“Hey, a friend of Kash’s is a friend of mine.”

When they were alone again, Akashi looked at Ophee, a sorrow in his eyes.

“My whole life, Ollen. My whole life, I’ve been used.”

“Oh Kash… I know. It’s okay.”

“It’s not okay. Cain, Monroe, Centu. All of them. They just used me and used me and used me. And when I tried to stand up for what was right…”

“You didn’t know any better. You literally didn’t know.”

“It doesn’t change anything. Every step of the way, I was part of the problem. Complicit or whatever. I’ve fucked up so many times.”

“Hey now,” Ophee knelt down next to him in the chair, “don’t beat yourself up, Kash. You and me? We’re exactly where we need to be. Sure, we’ve been on the outside, but we’ve been on the inside too. You can do good inside, can’t you?”

“Not if you fall in line.”

“Well, you’re not falling in line today. You’re shaking things up, aren’t you?”

Akashi gave a sad smile and shook his head. “Let’s… talk about something else.”

“Sure, Kash, what are you thinking? We have time. You and me, we have time.”

“Never thought I’d see the day.” Akashi agreed with a nod. “I wish… I wish you were always there, Ollen. Always with me.”

“It’s Ophee now, Kash.” Ophee said with a meek smile. It was the closest to coy she had been since he saw her.

“Ophee. Got it.” Akashi said with a smile. “Well, what’s the story then? What happened to you after you left Cain?”

“Joined the railway’s holy servants, made connections in the Weaver family, rose to the second most powerful position in Euco’s government. You know, the usual.” She said with a wink.

“Gods above, everything you say just makes me wonder even more. I have so many questions.” Akashi said with a slight chuckle.

“Okay, hit me.” Ophee replied with a smile,

“You’re a witch, right? I thought you were a witch. So, why are you the elected sorcerer? Can a witch be a sorcerer?”

“I am a witch. But ‘witch’ is a scary name around Euco. They love sorcerers though. Love love love ‘em. Politician jerks don’t realize we might as well be the same… but witches are a little better in my unbiased opinion.”

“I’d like to think that’s true too, but...” Akashi’s smile faded away to a sober, grim stare. Ophee responded by tightening her posture and furrowing her brow. “You know I’m so happy to see you, Ophee. And I appreciate what you opened my eyes to – to the way Monroe manipulated me, but I need to know… Sen and TaVi… it - It was an accident… right?”

Ophee sighed, shook her head, and blew her hair out of her face. “Not a day has gone by in the last 25 years where I don’t think about that night, Kash. Did I mean to do that to them? No – I mean, I had no idea - never could I have ever done it to - I - I don’t like to say their names. Still.” Ophee struggled to catch her breath, then exhaled sharply, “But thinking I was protecting us - protecting you? That wasn’t a mistake, Kash. If I had thought as I did back then that I was saving the most important person in the world to me, I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Knowing what I know now though… yeah, it was wrong. Real wrong. But you and me? We were in it together from the beginning. Always were. I couldn’t possibly be more thankful for the ways you were there for me growing up. I’m sorry I had to leave the way I did. I’m sorry.”

“Okay.” Akashi said with a nod. He reached his hand out and Ophee took it. They sat in silence a while, not saying anything. Akashi kept looking into her eyes, trying to figure out what exactly to say. What was the right thing? She wanted to know everything, he was sure. But where would he even begin? How could he? The search for her in Cain, his draft, the Calt, Celie, Paradia, Monroe, Centu, Seijun, the void. And what about her? There was so much he needed to know. So much had happened for both of them. There wasn’t enough time to explain it all. Some of it, he himself was still processing as he remembered it all again.

“I was murdered.” He announced.

“Shit, you don’t say, Kash?” Ophee said with a sarcastic sneer. Akashi pulled his hand away and pretended to be angry with a furrowed brow. They grinned at each other like plotting children.

“Centu brought me back from death. Said I was a legend, and my legend wasn’t over yet.”

“Her words or yours?”

“Who can say?” Akashi said with a smile. “But there is something kind of neat about being legendary for making trouble, don’t you think?”

“Even Monroe couldn’t take your rebellious streak from you. I know about all the trouble you got into even in Paradia chasing what’s right. And you’re still doing it to this day. Even Celie couldn’t keep you out of trouble and from what I know she was basically a mini–Auntie Gee.”

“Guess you just can’t take the reckless moral righteousness out of me.”

“She’d never admit it, but Gee would be real proud if she could see you now. Bet she’d give you the firmest nod she’d ever given anyone.”

“I do miss her, and… Celie. They were all the family I had after you left.”

“I know, but when this is all over, maybe you can see them.”

“We’ll see. But hey, Oll – Ophee?”

“Hm?”

“Are you in on helping us?”

“Am I in on helping save my home? Ash-Kash, you better believe it. Wouldn’t miss this fight for the world.”

“Because of me?” Akashi said with a duplicitous smile.

Ophee smiled back. She hugged her friend as close as she could. She let him go and sighed. She made a face as though she was already fed up with his nonsense, then smiled, “Because if I don’t, everyone will die. You’re alright too, Kash.”

“Hey, I’ll take it.”

“Damn right you will.” Ophee said with a wink. “Hey, you hungry? I’ve got some leftover pie from the bakery down the street. Mixed berry. We could have some pie, get comfy, and just catch up before shit hits the fan. You in?”

Akashi smiled. His heart soared, his eyes watered as though he may cry, and he nodded, “Yeah. I’m starving.”

---

Welcome to Euco, friends! Thanks for reading this slightly longer than average chapter. Gosh, I’m SO excited for the next couple weeks. You’re in for a treat, and for those who have been reading for a long time, I hope this week’s reveal was fun for you! Let me know if you’re happy to see ‘The most powerful witch in all of Astra’ again. I know I sure am!

Real quick inspiration discussion: Euco was originally inspired a lot by what I thought a futuristic New Orleans might look like. My starting place was what if New Orleans, but cyberpunk? I did stray from that original prompt, but that’s okay because I like what the city of Euco became! It’s also weird, because if we’re being honest, I’ve never in my life been to New Orleans, but Euco is my love letter to a city I’ve never been to before. Still, I dream of going there one day, and maybe then, I can update my visuals for Euco. Any readers out there in New Orleans, love to you and your city - and I hope I didn’t do an injustice here!

Okay, all that out of the way, I’m looking forward to chapter 23 where shit hits the fan. I’ll tell you right now: Oh, its going to be SO much fun. We have THREE CHAPTERS LEFT. Tell me that isn’t absurdly exciting? I for one, am beyond excited.

Thank you so so so much for reading, and I’ll see you next week for Chapter 23, Shattered Skies. See you soon.