Rise of the Alphae: From Death unto Life (Wastelands Saga Book 1) Page 2
“People of Metropolis,” he boomed, “I greet you with love and loyalty. You have shown me yours as well by graciously answering this summons.” Yeah, I thought, I so graciously followed that spying drone. In a way now I was thinking I should have skipped out. I was now in for another boring speech. Oh well, at least the scenery was good. The speech continued, “As you know we will soon be taking in a new wave of young people to be blessed and dedicated to my divine majesty with our new class of Institution. In this time of year it is with great honor, nobility, and dignity that I carry each child into my arms to become for life a Child of the Alphae, that they may never go without my abundant giving.”
Soon it was indeed that I would be among these same children. In only three years I would be leaving my family to be bound to the Alphae through the process of Institution. Although the Alphae had usually spoken of the organization in high esteem, I had heard some rather scary things about it. Not all children come out better and stronger and it was not a program that was easy for all. Grandfather went in the early days of Institution, or at least early since the changes which came to the Alphaean dogma when my grandfather was just an infant. He struggled to fit in just as I did and mentioned to me being punished a few times while under the care of Institution. He didn’t like to talk about it much, though, for fear of scaring me. Looking back now I almost wish he would have.
The Alphae ended his speech with a simple reminder of the importance of curfew and scolded against wandering the city without a purpose. Somehow I felt that last part was directed at me.
For showing up to the Alphae’s summoning I earned good favor with my parents. As such they decided to reward me and invited Grandfather over while they were away at temple. I thought this would be a great opportunity to catch up on some of his stories, especially since I was feeling much better and my fever had subsided. As Grandfather walked in the door I noted his ruddy cheeks and I instantly knew I was in for a treat. “Well hello there John,” Grandfather greeted as he slipped off his coat, “are you ready to slip into another adventure?” He knew I was. In fact, I had been looking forward to it all morning. “Today I’m going to tell you a story about the mountain folk and their beautiful hanging gardens,” Grandfather informed me. I leave here the story just as he shared it.
‘A long time ago, ages past, there was an old mountain village overlooking a mighty valley kingdom. But the mountainfolk knew nothing of this kingdom and always kept to their natural ways. The men would hunt in the forests and the women would gather food from the amazing natural hanging gardens. The practice went on for centuries and nowhere in the whole land were there gardens of this variety, both hanging and natural.’
‘One day, while the men were away hunting, a lone traveler from the valley kingdom happened upon the chief’s daughter of the mountain folk tribe. In all his journeying he had never laid his eyes upon a more beautiful woman, but when he approached her she recoiled from him, afraid. For she had never seen a man dressed as he was and she was accustomed only to the sights of the village. The lone traveler, however, was so enamored by her beauty and grace that he just stood there motionless.’
‘The woman herself was perplexed at seeing the strange man and gave him the same blank expression. They looked upon each other motionless for so long that the sun crept down below the horizon, signaling the men of the tribe to return from the hunt. When the chief noticed that his daughter was missing he decided to go search for her himself and what he found was astonishing. He found her standing across from a strange looking man, rigid and motionless. No matter how loud he yelled or how he tried to rouse her (or the man) they remained as if turned to stone. And so a legend formed about the men of the meadow kingdom and the daughters of the mountain folk. That once united they were forever frozen together, for such were the distinctions of their cultures…so different were they.’
Grandfather stopped there and stared into my eyes as if waiting for me to become petrified. I had to break the silence. “So what happened to the couple Grandfather?” I chided with questioning eyes. “No one knows,” answered he, “but they say that the couple remained there and that after many years the mountain folk forgot they were once human and assumed they were old statues.” He then gave me a twisted, confused, and outright silly look and then chuckled, poking me on the side. “Of course it is only a story,” he concluded.
My parents had returned shortly after Grandfather finished his story. They suggested to him that he personally take me to the temple so that I could worship the Alphae. Although Grandfather knew I didn’t like the temple he did not protest, being the diplomatic person he was. And so we set off together toward center city to be welcomed by the Alphae. I figured it wasn’t too bad…at least I was with someone fun and interesting. My parents could be very dull.
The two of us walked up to the pneumatic train station and boarded on platform 9. As the train sped away we sat and watched the endless row of flats and my imagination yet again took over. In place of the buildings I could see the lush hanging gardens Grandfather recently spoke of in his story. I was curious. “Grandfather,” I inquired, “do you suppose there were ever gardens and villages here in Metropolis like in your stories? I mean, like besides the Alphae’s kingdoms?” He gave me a curious yet hopeful look. “Of course it is likely there was…long ago.” “Do you think we’ll ever see anything like that now?” I chided. His expression got slightly more stern. “I wouldn’t burden yourself with such questions,” he answered, “I am your grandfather and I love you but you do have your place in this city. One day soon you will have to go to Institution and believe me that is no place for such questions.” I considered asking him what he meant about that, but I didn’t like the stern face he was taking on so I simply dropped the matter.
The train came to a smooth halt as we arrived at the Center City Station to the usual scenery of gray and white checkered floors and clean, white columns and walls. In fact everywhere the city seemed to gleam with this pure sanitary color scheme. Grandfather and I proceeded to step onto the platform as we heard the intercom barking out the eminent arrival of the Alphae. “The Alphae will be making an appearance at Center City Courtyard in ten minutes. Proceed to the Summoning Temple in an orderly fashion.” The Summoning Temple was a slightly smaller, semi-underground niche carved into the courtyard. It provided a place to more actively involve oneself in the calling of the Alphae. I thought it was a rather silly performance as the Alphae would always seem to arrive at the same time and in the same fashion anyway. Nevertheless it pleased some of the people, my parents among them. And so Grandfather and I decided to join in the calling of the Alphae at the very least to please Mother and Father.
We descended through the narrow passageway and into the lower level. Surrounding us were various calling stations, each with its own altar-like structure from which protruded small, individual discs. Out of these discs sprang various manifestations of the Alphae for a more intimate, individual experience. It was through this form of Alphae worship that citizens looked for individual guidance as well as praying to the Alphae to bless their families and making any requests. After each citizen took his time at each altar, the Alphae then rose up to speak to the whole of the crowd.
I took my position at the altar beside my grandfather and gently tapped the screen to activate the disc. I then proceeded to recite the call of the Alphae, concentrating as hard as I could on his mighty image, and hiding a certain contempt in my heart at such a submissive action. It wasn’t a moment after and this feeling subsided and I was there, kneeling before the Alphae who looked down upon me from his lofty throne. “State your name humble citizen,” he said with an authoritative tone. “It is I John, my holy master,” I answered in return. This was the answer expected by all. “And what do you desire?” “I desire to serve you so that I may be served.” The Alphae looked into my eyes with that piercing and radiant gaze that he exchanged with all the citizens of Metropolis on such a frequent basis. He then lowered his form so
that his eyes were level with mine and gave me permission to ask what I willed. I hesitated for a moment and then responded, “I desire that you take me into your kingdom and show me the hanging gardens that my grandfather mentioned in his stories.” The Alphae changed his appearance and suddenly took on that of a fierce, menacing warrior. His colors glinted and his machine-like face seemed as though it could cut through the depths of my very soul. My heart was reared with fear and I shrunk away with a cry.
Seeing me in that state he must have taken pity on me, for he lowered himself again and answered my request. “I apologize for my reaction, but I cannot allow such a humble citizen as yourself to get away with such foolish questions. You may ask why such a question is foolish. I will tell you. It is not because your request is outside my power, for you know I can do all things. There is nothing that is not within my grasp. It is a foolish question because, in all the glories of my many kingdoms, not a single soul has had to ask for such a thing. You know all that you have you have because of my kindness and generosity. So, why do you insult me with your insolence? You have all that you desire to be happy. You want to request something? Next time ask for what comes from your heart. And then you will find that I am kind. Then you will see that my words are like honey.”
I honestly did not know what to say, so I decided to close the calling. “I thank you my lord and master, for allowing me into your mighty presence. I humbly release you to your lofty throne, to fulfill your mighty deeds.” He glinted in response and then vanished before me.
I told my grandfather that I was rather upset with what the Alphae had said and that I really just wanted to go home. He responded with those kind eyes and I knew right then that he understood. We boarded the train and headed back to the flat. When we arrived my parents were still gone. As soon as I walked into the door I burst into tears and clutched my grandfather in an almost fatally gripping hug. “My goodness, John, what has gotten into you? Did the Alphae really hurt your feelings that badly?” “Oh Grandfather,” I sobbed, “I only asked him to show me the gardens. I didn’t mean to ask a stupid question.” Grandfather gently took my hand and led me down to the sofa. He proceeded to give me a tissue and waited for me to wipe away my tears. Then his countenance changed. He suddenly looked more serious, yet simultaneously retained that same old kindness I was so accustomed to seeing in him. He paused and then stated firmly, “I once asked the Alphae that same question, many years ago. It was right after hearing about those gardens from my grandfather. And , you should know, those hanging gardens are not the only ones he mentioned.” I dried my eyes further and looked up at him, more interested. “Look John,” he continued, “I am sorry about what I said on the train today. I didn’t mean to get stern with you. I know you are curious about the gardens; so was I when I was your age. But you have not seen the things I have. You have not been to Institution; you have not yet experienced the humiliation, the isolation, and the fear. Not everyone liked to hear about such fantasies.” I didn’t like that word. Anger filled my eyes and I rebuked him, “Why do you call them fantasies when you yourself asked the Alphae about them? Obviously you thought they were more than just fantasies.” He answered, “Yes, John, I did think they were real. And sometimes…I still do.”
After that night I tried to take into account what Grandfather had told me. I couldn’t help but think that the gardens were real, and better still that there was more than one account of them. I asked Grandfather to come over more often and tell me about them. He said that he would tell me more stories, but that I must continue going to worship the Alphae, in one form or another, together with him when my parents requested it. And so it began. He would tell me stories, I would listen, and we would take trips together to worship. All of the stories invoked a sense of wonder and resulted in me spending a lot of time daydreaming. This, of course, was balanced with time spent in the Alphaean courts. This routine went on for a long time. One day my grandfather came over and promised to tell me a story that his grandfather told him that he said changed his life forever. I thought that this story must be very intense and beautiful to have had that affect on him. I recount the story here in full, just as it was told to me.
‘Once upon a time, in the far reaches of the ancient past, there existed two distinct worlds. One world was filled with beautiful, exquisite gardens which contained enough food to feed anyone and the most amazing and alluring forms of flora and fauna ever witnessed. The people who lived there were tall, fair-skinned, and spoke a strange but eerily beautiful language. They worshipped nature itself, giving it no specific name, but assuming upon it a feminine role. These people were immortal and extremely wise, following the ways of nature from the very beginning of time itself. They never aged and enjoyed their beautiful world without the nuisance of outsiders who might try and corrupt their perfect world.’
‘The other world was not so nice. It consisted of a barren desert filled with every manner of scorpion and serpent and poisonous critter. It only rained three times per year and it was only during that time that the ground produced fruit and it was inevitably eaten up by the ugly critters, who otherwise had nothing but dust. The people there were also immortal, but were always sickly and unlike the beautiful people of the gardens, they aged perpetually. They were exiled there, long ago, after the civil war which tore them away from their homeland, where they were once perfect beings, wise and beautiful.’
‘There was a portal between these two worlds which was guarded by a giant by the name of Ieva. She was a mighty warrior who could see for miles in any direction and whose gaze could pierce even the thickest of veils. The people from either world did not dare approach her, for her countenance was most terrible to behold. Legends were heard everywhere about her ferocity.’
‘Now this beautiful world was called Vaena, which means pure in the language of the land. The desert land is called Ourto, which means corrupted in the language of Vaena. Vaena was ruled by the mighty queen Aeva and her consort, King Laema. Ourto had no leader and was overrun by a group of terrible demons of anarchy called the Shaivas. They wandered about the sands feeding off the souls of the people there and causing them to age faster and develop incurable ailments.’
‘Queen Aeva had a daughter who was the princess of the land. As was customary for children who had not yet come of age, she had no name. She was to be named on the day of her 33rd year, when she aged from a child into an adult and would take on that form for the rest of her life. In other words, she was done growing and had fully matured. That was also to be the day she would wed, and there were many suitors already lined up for her. When she became queen it was then to the forests that her mother would go for many centuries, in silence and in homage to the sacred land. There her mother would learn from the spirits of the land all the secrets of life. It was, therefore, a big responsibility for her daughter to take her place when the time came.’
‘One day, a mere three days before her 33rd birthday, the beautiful princess went for a walk, looking to pick some flowers for the coming ceremony. Instead of gathering the usual lilies that lay close to home, she decided to travel further and see if she might chance upon some white roses. After a while, she approached a hill and saw in the distance what looked like a red rose bush. Well, she thought, they weren’t white but they would do. When she got to the roses, though, to her surprise she looked up and saw a massive giantess before her. Behind the giantess was a circular, blue-silvery colored portal. She had heard her mother and the elders of Vaena speak of such a portal and remembered their warnings about never to approach it. She also remembered how they warned of the giantess’ terrible countenance and nasty temper. But the giantess was asleep. The princess heard about the dangers which lie beyond the portal, but she thought to herself that it wouldn’t hurt just to take a peek. Maybe she could bring something back to prove to her friends that she had been there. She knew that otherwise no one would believe her. And so she entered the portal, oblivious to the peril she was putting herself in.’
/>
In the meantime, the sun was coming down in Vaena and the Queen was worried about her daughter. She sent out her husband, the king, and three of the suitors to go search for the princess. When they arrived at the rose bush they saw the roses strewn on the ground and followed their trail to the giantess and the portal. It was then that this most terrible fate dawned on them. The princess was trapped in Ourto. The only way to get one out of Ourto is to reason with the Shaivas and the people of Vaena knew this was almost impossible, for surely they had already taken the princess captive and kept her for their own lusts.’
‘Upon crossing through the portal the princess was instantly confronted with sand in her face and a hot and radiant sun beating down upon her. She could hear screams in the distance, though she could see very little through the violent sandstorm. Suddenly she remembered the ceremony was coming in three days and she knew she had to get out of this place. But when she looked behind her the portal had disappeared! It was nowhere to be seen. And she was suddenly confronted with three of the most hideous looking people she had ever seen. They looked like their skin was melting off of them and spoke in grunts. They beckoned her to follow them. And so she did.’
‘The disfigured trio led her to a dark castle-looking place which looked terrible. It was falling apart and screams emitted from its high towers. There was a mote of lava surrounding it and a huge iron bridge led her and the three over it. She was led into a high tower and left there alone. There was nothing in the room save for a small cot in the corner and a tiny window. What seemed like days passed until finally a dark figure came through the doorway and closed it shut behind him. He was hooded and cloaked and had dark, flowing long hair. His eyes were green and seemed to pierce into her soul. He would not give her his name, but the truth was that he was one of the Shaivas. In fact he could be called their leader, if they behaved in any way orderly. He wanted the princess to be his own queen and promised her power and wealth beyond her wildest dreams. He was capable of showing her many things, performing signs in front of her. He could make himself appear to burst into flames only to stand there a moment later completely unscathed.’