The triplets made their way to their rooms in silence. None of them had spoken since sending off their grandmother. With this passing they were now well and truly alone, save for each other. The rhythmic sounds of the Keel seemed to echo the sadness in their hearts as even the ancient ship groaned like an injured animal.
As they reached their rooms, the siblings made the briefest of eye contact as they each retreated to grief in solitude. Alnur stared at the door controls to his chambers, unable to muster the will to raise his hand. Even as he heard the others retire to their rooms he looked at the flickering screen, alone. A tendril of thought inched closer to the link in his mind; Alnur knew he could open it at any time and talk to Tayla, he knew that together they could comfort each other and that he would feel better afterwards.
The truth was, he didn’t want to feel better.
He stood there as the seconds turned to minutes, waiting until he was sure that Tayla and Fel had gone to bed. Only then did he turn and walk away. While the idea of a good night’s sleep after such a grueling day was tempting, he also couldn’t stand the idea of sitting still. There was an inferno building in his veins and he wouldn’t rest until it was allowed to burn.
Reaching the lift he selected the observation deck. The small elevator lurched slowly as it ascended to the highest deck of the Keel. When the doors opened Alnur was met with a vast dark dome. His eyes adjusted to the pitch black as the complex secondary photosensors in his retina came to life. In an instant the darkness looked like a cloudy evening, not bright, but not dark either.
Alnur walked to the center of the chamber as a console rose from the floor in response. His fingers danced across the well worn surface as the dome flickered to life. The hundreds of triangular panels cast images from the top of the Keel, revealing the starry night sky above.
Taking a deep breath, Alnur drew his family sword. Despite the broadswords length and width, it was shockingly light; a testament to the skill of the craftsman that had forged it over a thousand years ago. He closed his eyes as he lowered into a stance, nothing flashy, nothing over the top. A simple yet sturdy stance that his aunt and uncle had taught him.
With slow movements he transitioned from strike to strike, block to parry. The basics helped him think. He had done them so many times that he could turn his mind off while his body flowed from muscle memory alone. As he moved he felt the wildfire in his chest grow in intensity.
This was his greatest shame, the fury. His kind could channel their emotions through their dead hand as a gift of the Nightfather, the eldritch powers drew from the realm of the mind to twist and contort reality. The fury however was something entirely different.
Many forces had played a part in the forging of his kind. The Lifeweaver had birthed the first Twin’s to ferry the survivors of the old worlds across the stars, the All Mother had granted them a new life as her children; and the Nightfather had saved them after their fall from grace as a shepherd for their eternal souls.
Too many chefs in the kitchen. Alnur thought to himself. There had been too many modifications and meddling of higher powers. Was it any wonder that it caused some to mutate?
Images flashed of Rosel, his hand faltered as a breath caught in his lungs. Whose bright idea had it been to link two beings together so closely that the death of one could destroy the other?
He bared his teeth as the fury roared in reply. He increased the pace of his movements. Adding flair and spins to his otherwise basic practice. The flames in his chest demanded he move, they wanted his pound of flesh at the injustice his people had suffered.
The crown on his head vibrated as thoughts poured into his mind. Two thousand years of loyal service, and for what? His people were seen as second class citizens for a crime that was seven fucking centuries ago.
With a concentrated effort he soothed the flames, calming the tempest as he slowed his movements once more.
Patience.
He couldn’t afford to lose control now, not when they were so close to their goal.
The lift door opened.
Alnur stopped mid swing as he turned to see who had come to join him. To his surprise he saw the hulking form of the Ono as they exited the lift. There was a dark look in their eyes as they glared at the sword in Alnur’s hand.
Shit. This looks bad. He thought.
“Evening. I wasn’t expecting visitors.” Alnur said as he watched the two slowly move around to either side of him. “To what do I owe the honor?” He said.
The female Ono removed her helmet to reveal her long red hair, her face a tapestry of scar tissue. She glanced up at the stars and sneered, revealing her elongated canines. “The corruption of your kind knows no bounds. First we encounter that voidspawn earlier you call family, only to find you in a room designed to defile the heavens above.” She said as she laid her hand on the hilt of her sword.
“I’m afraid you are mistaken, this isn’t a place to study the stars. I just happen to enjoy the view.”
The male Ono pulled out his kafka, the ceremonial knife of the Ono, pointing the blade at the sword in Alnur’s hand. “And what do you have to say about that? Hm? Is there a reason you have one of the lost artifacts of my people?” There was no direct threat to the man’s tone, but he did little to hide the bloodlust in his eyes.
At a glance the two looked to be seasoned warriors, but Alnur knew enough of his distant cousins’ traditions to know that there were only two kinds of Ono that wore praetorian armor, honor guards of the gods, and fresh cubs that were still too green to go without it.
Judging by the whites of their fangs, he ventured a guess that these were newly blooded juniors. Probably somewhere in the lower claws at best.
The fury whispered in his mind to test his strength, eager to fight worthy opponents and be free to let loose. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately his calmer side won out.
“This is a family heirloom. Passed down as a gift by the captain of the first fang himself.” Alnur saw his mistake as soon as the words left his mouth. He had hoped to awe the young Ono at the mention of their greatest leader. Instead he saw the flash of rage as they took his words as a bold faced lie.
He watched as the male Ono leapt forward, his already superior speed enhanced by his armor. Alnur took a deep breath as he relaxed his muscles in anticipation.
The man grabbed Alnur by the throat as he lifted him off the ground. The poor fool probably thought himself intimidating as he tried to squeeze just hard enough to prevent Alnur from drawing breath but not so hard that he might risk snapping Alnur’s neck.
Trying to suffocate a Twin? The idiot obviously wasn’t aware of why that was such a miserable idea, if he had known he would have at least brought a book to kill the time it would take to render Alnur unconscious.
“I am Mikal of the seventeenth claw, and I will not sit idly by while you insult the first captain’s legacy.”
Alnur rolled his eyes as he looked up at the sky. If he was going to have to wait to pass out from oxygen deprivation for the next twenty minutes he would at least make the most of the time. His body was already hard at work filtering his blood through secondary organs designed for just such occasions as the carbon dioxide was scrubbed and reabsorbed as oxygen into his bloodstream. The process wasn’t infinite, but so far Alnur’s record for a single breath was twenty three minutes.
Mikal for his part didn’t seem to notice the glaring issue in his plan yet. Instead going back to the tried and true gloating. “What kind of king doesn’t have guards posted?”
It was a valid point. Even on a normal day there was seldom any need for guards in the Keel. Alnur and Tayla usually traveled with Fel, which was all the protection they needed. Alnur knew he could wake his sister with a thought, but he wanted to hold off and see if he could resolve this himself.
Besides, just because they couldn’t see any guards didn’t mean he wasn’t protected.
The female Ono seemed to have a bit more common sense. “Mikal, we can’t harm their king. We will bring dishonor to our claw.”
Right, because it wasn’t the fact that killing Alnur was wrong, it was that they saw it as dishonorable that was the problem. Alnur may have had a mild obsession with the Ono, but even he could recognize their odd fixation with the concept of ‘honor’.
“Ophelia, we cannot allow an artifact of the lost to go unreclaimed. It would besmirch-”
Let me guess. Your Honor?
“-Our honor!”
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Called it.
This had not been how Alnur had hoped his first meeting with Ono would go. Perhaps the old saying about not meeting your heroes held merit.
The elevator opened once more to the surprise of everyone on the observation deck.
Looming in the doorway was a cloaked figure straight from the depths of the deepest hells. Blue translucent skin pulled taut over a hulking frame of thick muscles. Chains dangled from where they were embedded with whaling hooks the size of a man’s palm into the flesh of the creature. It stared with milky white eyes that showed no iris of any sort. Every breath was a ragged wet thing that emanated from its pair of gills along its neck. The most striking thing was the gaping maw that went from below its flat nostrils to its neck, row upon row of undulating teeth moving in rhythm to its breathing.
“Do you require assistance, your highness?” In juxtaposition to the creature's appearance its voice was a calm dulcet tone that was strangely calming. Though the fact it came from the set of gills on its neck on not its mouth did take some getting used to at first.
Alnur glanced at the Ono and back to the figure. He gave the universal sign of ‘kinda’ with his free hand as he waved it back and forth.
The Ono might have been young, but they had enough sense to try and prepare for the coming attack. It was just a shame that nothing really prepared you for when you were beset by a thing like Phi.
Ophelia tried to block as a sudden burst of white objects flew towards her. She did well to block so many, though she couldn’t stop them all. She grimaced as one of the objects struck her in her cheek. Now that it was closer it was easier to make out that it was a long hollow tooth.
She tried to reach up and remove the tooth but it was too late. The Ono weren’t the only ones gifted with the powers of the gods. Phi lurched across the distance as he barreled forward, the missing teeth he had removed from his mouth already regrowing. His body grew hazy for a moment before it transformed into a mass of dark red liquid. The liquid oozed through the air as it found its target and poured into the hollow tooth and into the body of Ophelia.
Mikal cursed as he watched in horror as his companion spasmed and convulsed uncontrollably.
Alnur saw his chance as he placed his gloved dead hand on the wrist joint of Mikal’s armor. He let the fury flare as he channeled his anger and frustration into a singular point. The golden armor bubbled and screamed in protest as it flowed around Alnurs fingers like water, falling to the floor.
Mikal tried to pull away but found himself unable to break free as his flesh was the next to burn and wither. Skin peeled, muscles snapped, bone crackled like the dying embers of a fire. It was only when his wrist ceased to exist did Mikal finally break free enough to pull out his sword and try to defend himself.
A look of horror crossed his face as Ophelia’s body lunged at him with wanton disregard. Her face was frozen in a pained scream as she tried to fight against Phi, from Alnur’s experience there was little hope in breaking free once he had control.
“Phi!” Alnur said. “That’s enough.”
The body of Ophelia stopped in its place as she fell to the ground in a heap. The dark red liquid poured out from her cut as it reformed into Phi’s usual self. The female Ono shook violently as she drew her weapon once more, it was impressive to bounce back so quickly after being attacked by Phi.
Phi for his part offered Ophelia a scaled hand. “I apologize for the discomfort.” He looked genuinely pained as she slapped his hand away.
Alnur watched as Mikal drank a vial of liquid he had kept in his armor. The stump of his hand sizzled as the flesh reknit itself back into a hand in a matter of moments. From his research Alnur knew that the Ono could regenerate given proper DNA to absorb, though he had heard that the pain was excruciating.
“Alright, now that we’ve gotten that out of our system can we please try this again.” Alnur said as he gave a dramatic bow. “Hello, how are you this evening? Would you like to know more about the sword that was given to my ancestor by your captain?”
Ophelia and Mikal shared a look as they sheathed their weapons.
“We weren’t aware your nation permitted the existence of abominations so openly.” Ophelia said as she stared daggers at Phi, who in return tried his best to smile.
“Now now. There’s no need for name calling. Phi is a hybrid, yes. He came to our nation seeking asylum and we are not ones to turn away those in need.”
Alnur wanted to move the conversation away from the sensitive subject of hybrids and their taboo nature in the eyes of the gods. He gingerly tossed the blade to Ophelia who gasped as she grabbed it. Treating it like he had just thrown a newborn. The pair began to inspect the blade as their eyes grew wide.
“This is inscribed with a message from the first captain!” Ophelia said as she held a hand to her mouth.
Mikal narrowed his eyes. “A gift for the Lord Admiral Ebontide, for their many years of friendship.” His voice trailed off as a hint of red crossed his cheeks.
Alnur fought to quill the urge to gloat or rub it in. He wanted nothing more than to scream ‘I told you so!’ but he bit his tongue and merely nodded.
The pair of Ono seemed to realize the weight of their mistake as they dropped to their knees. “We offer you our humble apologies, your highness. We accept any punishment as per your people's laws.” Mikal said as he lowered his head.
Alnur did his best to hide his smile. He could use this to his advantage. “As per our laws, assaulting another citizen of the Coast can be punished up to and including the dismembering of one’s hand.” He pointed with his chin at Mikal’s freshly regrown hand. “It would seem we have already covered that much.”
Mikal tried to open his mouth to protest but Alnur continued. “That being said. I would ask you a favor. I would have you deliver a message to the elders of your people. One of vital importance to me. I will have this message given to you before your departure and charge you with its delivery. Furthermore, I ask that you both keep this a private matter; I think we can all agree it would be best for us all if none were privy to what happened tonight.” Alnur said.
The Ono shared a confused look, but to their credit they merely nodded as they swore on their honor to do so.
Ophelia handed back Alnur his sword, though not without the briefest of pauses.
“What is its name?” She asked.
Alnur smiled as he held it aloft in his dead hand. “Riptide.” He said with a smile as he let the Nightfathers gift course through the hilt. The blade's spine of bone white glowed in response as the whole of its edge began to burn an eerie green hue as flames of balefire danced across its surface.
The Ono watched in awe and horror at the display. Some part of them understood that Alnur hadn’t been quite so helpless as he had seemed and their faces grew hardened at their naivety.
Without another word the pair left as quickly as they had arrived. Leaving Alnur and Phi in the quiet chamber.
“I feel awful for having puppeted that woman.” Phi said as his shoulder fell.
“I know you dislike your powers Phi, but you used them to help me.”
“It is the least I can do for all you have done for me, your highness. I just… I know that the All Mother would look down upon me for using such a vile method.” Phi said.
Alnur laid a hand on the large man’s shoulder. “The fact you feel conflicted is exactly why she would be proud of you Phi, you only use your gifts to help others in need.”
“They are not gifts, your highness. They are a curse.”
Alnur winced. He had walked right into that one. Phi wasn’t a child of the gods, well not technically.
The children of the gods were granted incredible gifts from their divine bloodlines, though the gods had overlooked one particular issue when crafting them. The mixing of said bloodlines and what would happen to those very gifts.
Oftentimes the resulting children would be afflicted with one form of madness or another. Some of the mind, others of the body.
It was a cruel fate, for human’s by their nature loved whom they loved and trying to say that it was taboo did little to stop the whims of the heart. Alnur had made it his policy to welcome any and all hybrids that sought sanctuary from the persecution of the Empire and the Court as a whole.
He couldn’t offer them a treatment for their ailments, but it was amazing what treating them with respect could do.
“It is what we do with our powers that determines if they are gifts or curses Phi, I hope one day you will see that you are worthy of calling it the former.” Alnur said.
Phi simply nodded as he pulled out a well worn book from his cloak and turned to a page by habit as he ran his finger over the lines of raised indents. Under his breath he began to recite verses from the All Mother’s holy works.
“Would you join me for the walk to my chambers? I doubt anyone else will try and attack me tonight. But then again, I hadn’t considered a pair of Ono would interrupt me during my evening meditation.” Alnur said as he began to walk towards the lift.
Phi followed while reciting a verse about absolving one's sins, pausing for a moment as he looked towards the severed hand of Mikal’s. His teeth began to shake as he clenched his hands.
Alnur walked over to the hand on the ground as he picked it up gingerly. “I know the hunger is hard for you.” He said as he offered the hand to Phi. “I also know that while unseemly, you still need a certain amount of flesh to survive.”
Alnur entered the lift and selected the deck where his room was. He tried hard to ignore the sound of Phi drooling as he devoured his reward. Pausing as he cocked his head. “Speaking of which. How did you know I was in need of help, Phi?”
Phi didn’t have to stop eating as he spoke in his calm voice through his gills. “Simple. I was on the deck below watching to make sure you were safe.” Phi said.
Anyone else and that would sound ridiculous. Though Alnur had never met another hybrid of Phi’s particular bloodline. The man was blind, yet could sense bioelectrical signals around him, even through solid matter. Though the range wasn’t incredible apparently.
The walk back to the room was thankfully quiet as Alnur finally had the courage to try and go to sleep. Phi posted himself outside the door to keep watch which made Alnur feel a bit safer, and perhaps a bit embarrassed. The man could literally feel Alnur falling asleep through the wall.
Without regard for decorum or grace he tossed his clothes to the ground as he fell to his soft inviting bed in an unkingly heap. He closed his eyes, and finally he was granted the sweet embrace of slumber. Yet even then, he would find no peace, his dreams were not his own, memories of distant battles, of brothers and sisters dead in his arms. Staring up as the thing behind the moon opened its eye and swallowed the stars whole.
