Acension

By VandalAxis

The universe is a strange place indeed. The matter in the stars themselves make up life as we know it. There's no instruction manual, no guidebook to tell you where to go or what you should be doing. Or is there? Written in a thousand languages and in the hearts of billions of followers... Holy texts have done their very best to explain life. The commandments given by them are so simple, yet so often broken by so many. What if you got to do it over again? What if there was a chance to take what you have learned in a single lifetime and apply that to a new one? Would you change then?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jan 13, 2020
• ISBN: 9781794748835

Book preview

Acension

Ascension

Ascension

as·cen·sion

[əˈsen(t)SH(ə)n]

NOUN

the act of rising to an important position or a higher level.

his ascension to the ranks of pop star

the ascent of Christ into heaven on the fortieth day after the Resurrection.

Ascension to successive echelons in the pyramid of awareness, is an act of inclusion, requiring unconditional acceptance of all that lies below.

-Gerald R Stanek

Death is an ascension to a better library.

-John Donne

It is entirely possible, that behind the perception of our senses, worlds are hidden of which we are unaware.

-Albert Einstein

Out of compassion for us he descended from heaven and although he ascended alone, we also ascend, because we are in him by grace.

-St. Augustine

©2019 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Chapter One

Zero Day

It was in the cold dark of early morning that Kitourae woke them with a torch, by swinging it repeatedly over their bed. As the trailing embers floated down and threatened to catch the bedding on fire, Dom was out of bed and quickly helping Kim up too. They dressed quickly, he noticed that Kitourae looked nothing like a princess now.

Hooded, form fitting leathers covered her body, oiled and tanned as black as the room was, lit only by the stars from the small window over their bed chamber. She even wore a mask that covered her mouth and nose, like the larger, far more ridiculous ninjas he had seen so far. It was her eyes, bright gold in the torchlight, that had him convinced that she was never ridiculous.

Grab your breakfast to go on the way through the hall, meet in the courtyard outside. The horses are being saddled now.

Kitourae’s voice was quiet and firm and after she spoke, she paused only a moment to look at the two of them, then leave the chamber. In seconds, only the smell of smoke told the pair that the princess had even been there at all.

Morning Dom.

Kim murmured sleepily from behind him.

Good morning Kim.

She had always been right of course, whatever this was, it deserved to be explored somehow. Once he had made his own mind up and agreed to go, things got rapidly better between the two of them. Refusing to dwell on those thoughts for long, he quickly tried to catch up to Kim and started to get his cold feet into his boots.

The silver metal contraption was formed to look like scales and almost always took Kim’s assistance to get on properly. It fit well and wasn’t too heavy, so once it was on, he didn’t have any room to complain. Kim gave him a pat on one of his shoulders and he stood to look at her. Like her counterpart in nearly every way, blue form fitting leathers instead of black ones, green eyes instead of gold. He waited to smile at her until after he had his helmet on, lest she somehow glean that he had just compared her to the princess.

The steps from the guest wing led straight down to the great hall they had been in only hours before. True to her word, the princess had food left on the outer most table of the hall, in front of the open grand entryway. As they each grabbed some loaves of bread and honey, they gulped down a cold glass of milk, forcing him to remove his helmet again. They didn’t stay at the table long, as soon as they were able to walk and eat, they did so.

His bootsteps made a hollow echo in the hall as one of the leather clad servants brought a cloak bundle over to the two of them. The stars were spectacular in the sky above the circular courtyard. There seemed to be ten thousand more of them than any Dom had ever seen, all at once. A myriad of bright color clusters and dense blankets of silver pin-pricks of light. He stopped to admire them for a few more moments as he put the cloak on over his shoulders. Then strode out to the waiting cluster of horses in the yard.

Kitourae had at least an hour awake on them, which was impressive because they had just seen her in the hall with her father a few hours ago. The three mounted up wordlessly, Kim struggled with it far less than Dom did. Only when Kitourae took the lead out of the yard, did he even bother to look back at the saddle pack to see if everything had been packed.

Get me out of the pack now please. There’s a pocket on your stirrup, put me in there.

Ridium’s voice broke the clopping of the hooves on stone, sounding forcefully pleasant. Kim quickly obliged the talking staff.

Sorry. Wasn’t sure how you’d be comfortable really.

Kim apologized to the crystal rod that now rested in her hand, arrival on the other side of the gatehouse made the crystal dragon’s moves reflect the light of ten thousand stars. The creature did seem more pleased, as if it were an eager dog, getting to look out the window of a car.

They could see it from the bridge, crossing it in a line gave way to the spectacular water side cliffs that the castles were built on. Across the water to the north, was the red tear in the night sky. It skewed the northern lights to appear mostly red, illuminating the dark clouds still clinging there. He saw Kim watch it openly, the dragon whispering something to her was pointing that way as well. Kitourae never looked up as they made their way through the second castle.

Dom, come here.

It was Ridium that broke his thoughts on the red light. He awkwardly sped the horse he was on up to the two of them. Kim shrugged as he arrived.

Ok, so, I need to know a little about you two and we have exactly zero seconds we can waste on trivial things. We simply must get started.

The tiny dragon leaned back on its haunches and appeared to breathe deeply.

Started doing what? Why didn’t you call Kitourae over?

Kim sounded pleasant enough, but the questions still came.

It’s best to let a working clansman, do their work. They are the best I know of at what they do. We are starting your training.

Ridium spoke with calm patience. Dom had hope for a moment that the little thing would be a good teacher.

If they’re the best at what they do, why were you so rude to them last night Ridium? I’m beginning to notice a trend here, with you being a dick.

More questions from Kim, Dom always loved it when she got on a roll. She had long since, stopped being afraid to call out bullshit where she saw some.

Forgive me, much of yesterday’s responses were reflexive for me. I have been away a long time and things are not well.

Ridium gave Kim a bit of a bow, its body flexing as gracefully as any serpent. Their horses clopped noisily along the flagstone street, towards the city gates in the dark of morning.

You’re forgiven, but you still need to answer my question. There has to be a reason that you were so hard on Nakaroma. What was it?

Kim persisted as several of the clan guards opened the large wooden doors to the final gate of the city. The cart drivers, in their river of small wagons, stopped to let the trio of horses pass with respect and admiration. Many of the cart drivers dismounted their wagons to prostrate themselves for Kitourae as she rode calmly by. Dom couldn’t help but shake his head as she passed them without so much as a nod.

"An oath is a very serious thing Kim. You know what an oath is right? Nakaroma is sworn to defend the seat of Creation. Of course, I challenged his wishes to go north instead. He’s the one that took the oath, not Kitourae."

Ridium was animated as he spoke, his tiny clawed forelegs gesturing light into the starry night.

But the family bond here has to be crazy Ridium, his daughter’s word counts as at least part of his own in a culture like this.

Kim sounded thoughtful as she watched Kit on her horse ahead of them.

That’s very good Kim, you learn quickly. You’re right and that’s why I accepted Kitourae’s presence in good faith.

The dragon sounded just as thoughtful.

What’s this training look like?

Dom couldn’t help but interject there. Kim would have the conversation all over the place and while that would teach them a lot, Ridium obviously had some sort of a plan. His question came as the line of carts finally ended on the main road to the city behind them, Kit led them back into the middle of the road.

While we ride, knowledge. Which is most of what anyone needs to get anything done. I have also asked Kitourae to make camp for an hour of combat each night.

Ridium tilted his head quizzically at Dom when he started to chuckle. He suspected that such training will likely hurt very much.

I still have many questions. Can we start with those?

Kim brought the conversation back to her easily, seeming to shrug off any possible pain in the future.

Of course. Ask away. We’ll be five days out from the broken helm, there’s plenty of time for intelligent questions.

Ridium stared out at Kitourae with Kim as he spoke, Dom just heaved a sigh into his helmet.

Tell me everything about this temple of the Maker.

Kim was simple in her statement, quietly determined.

"First off, it’s not, the temple of the Maker. It’s a temple, to the Maker. You being special, only goes so far."

Ridium instantly took on a scolding tone that seemed to fit the little creature’s nature perfectly.

What do you mean, my being special only goes so far?

Kim didn’t sound offended, as the horses crossed out into the predawn pine wood, the questions just came to her naturally. It made Dom groan inwardly.

"I mean that there isn’t a single life form in existence, not a single soul, that gets to say, they are the ones the Maker favors most. Existence is the temple of the Maker and we are all standing in it."

Ridium continued his lecture as the horses made their way down the perfectly bricked road, in the light of the torches lining it.

It is proper to praise the Maker and some peoples feel that way especially strongly, each for reasons of their own. So, they build temples and shrines to worship in their own way.

Ridium coiled his tail tightly around the staff as he spoke, seeming to enjoy being the teacher.

So, what’s so special about this temple to the Maker then? I thought that this was the clergy that claims to have met with the Maker? But there’s no favoritism?

Kim smiled coyly at her talking stick; he had always liked that look on her. It meant she had you where she wanted you.

The temple is special because it’s still standing. The clergy never claimed to have met the maker, victorious powers claim to have met the Maker there. But it’s important not to buy into all of that.

Ridium adopted a chiding tone.

Why?

Kim seemed to be enjoying herself immensely as dawn started to break over their travel. He rode close enough to Kim that he could get some of this education, but rarely took his eyes of Kitourae in the lead. She seemed determined to stay thirty feet or so in front of them, he was sure that she watched the road constantly.

"Because the Maker is everything and nothing at the same time. You should never spend too much time contemplating that which can’t be fully understood. Just know that every time your thoughts fall on something impossible, that’s the Maker. The light of Creation itself. All we can ascertain for certain, is that the light is intelligent and is somehow responsible for everything you see and don’t see. Hell, the light is responsible for you being able to be in the first place."

Ridium trailed off as he spoke, shifting again atop the staff nestled in the stirrup. It suddenly occurred to Dom that sitting on a pole probably wasn’t comfortable.

How are you so certain of those two facts?

Kim shifted herself in the saddle, neither of them used to riding at all. He supposed that the silver plates on his ass helped numb him to the jostle of the ride.

"The light acts of its own volition. Ages of study have revealed ways to make use of the light ourselves, when it wishes to be used. Weavers undergo intense training in both lifestyle and willpower to be able to call on the light of Creation. If they do not literally embody the disciplines of the light itself, they are never able to use it. The choice the light makes indicates that it is intelligent. The way that it knows everything about the petitioning weaver, makes that intelligence supernatural. Even if you don’t count the whole, form of light thing."

As Ridium continued his little class on horseback, Dom started to feel like he should be doing something besides watching Kit ride down the road. Nudging the horse’s flanks with his bootheel, twice, got the classroom conversation distanced and lost in the clattering of his horse’s hooves on the stone surface of the road.

You don’t feel that you have anything to learn from the Creation totem, Dom?

Kit didn’t look his way as she spoke to him, her head directed on a swivel from one side of the road, to the other.

"It isn’t that. I’m sure I have a lot to learn from it. I’m just not here to learn how I feel about it all. I’ll decide how I feel about it."

He was calm as he spoke back, entirely certain now that he had to make the best of what he could. Afterlife or not.

They’re in that habit for a reason, but I admit that it’s frustrating. You’d rather be up front, with me.

Kit’s eyes continued to track the roadside, not the conversation. She spoke quietly enough for Dom to think that she was focused on the roadside, too.

Up front, yes. I also have to admit that I’m glad it’s you taking us and not your mother.

Dom shrugged as he said the words, the metal armor shifting noisily.

Because you’d rather learn to fight than to use magic? Silly boy…

Kit actually chuckled from under her hood, admonishing him as if he were a toddler.

Is that so foolish? Besides, I know a fair bit about how to fight, maybe I just want to learn the magic that inflicts damage, rather than repairs it.

Dom focused on watching the right side of the road as he spoke, wanting to keep talking to Kit and make himself useful in the process.

"Silly and clever, perhaps. My mother could have taught you such magics, they would have rivaled the great magus in their twilight city, or the druids, in the nexus groves. I am a poor substitute for my mother, where magic is concerned."

She spoke frankly and Dom believed she meant it.

"Could have taught us great magic, doesn’t mean would have taught us great magic."

Dom smiled broadly in his helmet as Kitourae laughed out loud from her seat to his left.

Clever indeed… We’ll see what this afternoon brings us, I’ll make my decision then.

Kit’s voice got louder and much more serious, almost as if she wanted Kim, or Ridium, to hear her.

Your decision about what to train us in, I take it? Ridium made a request and you’re here to grant those requests, aren’t you.

Dom finished his thoughts with a statement instead of a question. Still working out how things went in his new universe.

"Maybe too clever."

She shot him a stern, golden eyed glare for just a moment, before returning her gaze to the roadside.

So, what does this afternoon have to do with what you’ll be teaching us?

Dom was determined to get to a point with the woman, that they stopped playing twenty questions to get to the information.

We’ll get to see the site where Ishmaal attacked. That attack is what brought me back in the first place, why I started looking for Astral in the first place.

Kit’s voice returned to its low-key tone, her concentration going back into watching the road.

Do you mean that there were people like Kim and I in that fight?

Dom was suddenly intrigued.

We have come to the conclusion that the Astral are the reason the forsaken attack. As much as I trust my mother, father and the clan. I have to determine this danger for myself.

Her words were nearly a whisper, he was forced to move the horse closer to her to listen.

So, the options are holy shit or…. We’re all dead? What’s that mean Kit?

Dom let more concern into his voice than he had wanted to.

It may mean that class time for Ridium is over, that your pudgy ass is about to get an extreme makeover.

Kitourae chuckled out loud again, Dom backed his horse away in indignation, but chose to say nothing further. The hours wore on in monotony, the glens and groves that could be seen from the road were all perfect little scenes. So similar in their creation, that they blurred together in a myriad of scents and colors. Occasionally, he caught snippets of the conversation between Kim and her weapon, but for the most part he chose to stay focused on the road sides.

His effort was rewarded, just after mid-day, when he started to see the gardens around the roadside change. At first, it was a larger presence of men and women working the areas around the road. It was the crack in an otherwise flawless fountain on the roadside, that gave him the impression that the area had been in a fight. The signs of which did nothing but grow, in number and severity.

An hour later, they were riding through a stretch of road that had timbers, sorted in piles along the road. Splinters, shards, chunks and actual timbers had enormous stacks of their own along their path. The forest beyond the road was far brighter than any of the tree line he’d seen all day. There were no trees, deeper off the road, to block the sunlight in the sky.

He wasn’t surprised at all when Kit led the group off the road, between piles of what had to be shattered trees. A short way off road, the trees that were left standing became the minority and they came upon a large blasted area. Most of the section that they rode through had been cleared of fallen trees, but the trees everywhere else were laid down, flat on the ground as if by some overwhelming force from the center.

It was easy to notice the cleanup efforts were dwarfed by the amount of physical damage dealt to the large circle of flattened trees. Kitourae guided the three of them to the blackened rocks that jut up from the debris, in the center of the area. It was calm here, no birds or workers to disrupt the perfectly still blast crater, except for the horses.

The conversation behind him had apparently ended, Kim had ridden up to be near parallel with him as he tried stroking the neck of his heavily breathing horse.  Kitourae dismounted and tied her horse to a blackened timber sticking up out of the ground. It wasn’t until he rode his horse up to the blackened rocks himself, that he realized the timbers around him used to be a building.

We camp here for the night.

Kit’s voice was unfaltering, but even the horses seemed to object to her words. Dom exchanged a wordless glance with Kim.

You heard her, let’s do it. I’d say you should whip us up a cabin, but you can’t do that either.

Ridium sounded entirely too amused at something as Kim did just what she was told. It forced him to make the same quick decision.

Tell me what you see. Kim.

Kit turned on Kim and took several steps through soot towards the blonde.

Blast crater. Some sort of explosion happened here.

Kim and Ridium both turned to get a look at the devastation around them. The horses stomped the ground nervously.

It’s like a graveyard for trees…

Kim continued her observations in a quiet tone, as if she was impressed with the scene of destruction.

More than just trees Kim, there’s blood all over the ground.

He was doing some observing himself, many of the trees had recently supported the weight of corpses, he was sure of it.

This is where it struck.

Kit was pulling the saddle off of her horse, trying to sooth the creature with longs strokes from a coarse brush.

It?

Dom was more than a little curious. Whatever caused this, it had hit the area with some sort of missile first.

The forsaken, Ishmaal.

Kit packed her brush away and retrieved a pair of short swords from their straps above her saddle bags.

We still have a lot of light Kitourae. Would it not be more prudent to keep going while we have the light?

Ridium sounded more curious than scolding. 

Not if you want to start training them for a fight like this one, Ridium.

Kit pulled her mask and hood off as she spoke, her brilliant blonde hair done up in tight pleats and covered in sweat.

I see. You think that the forsaken are after our Astrals? You don’t think that Christiana drove them off?

Ridium was thinking out loud, the little dragon’s head on a swivel that never stopped surveying the blast area.

I don’t think they fear my mother, more than they fear their master. Forsaken don’t give up, Ridium.

Kit paced away from the fire with her typical graceful movements, picking up a shattered length of timber to trace a circle in the blackened earth, just outside the ruined foundation of the building. Seeing what she was doing, he stepped in to help her clear the circle of the broken tree bits.

Alright Kimberly. Let’s let the heathens do, what they do best. We’ll go find a comfortable spot to study. You packed the books right Kitourae?

Ridium looked towards a nodding Kitourae as it asked its question, while Kim just stared at it confused.

Wait, I thought we were all training?

Dom stretched a bit in his armor, halfway wondering what this was all about.

We are, just in different things. Kimberly will learn to use Mana, while you learn to use that sword Sancho gave you. I really can’t imagine a better trainer than a member of the Dragon’s clan.

Ridium’s voice faded a bit as Kim carried it towards the back of the campsite.

Kim, we’re going to need a fire and you’re going to make that happen….

He lost the little dragon’s voice as the two of them retreated deeper into the ruins of the building, leaving him to watch as Kitourae moved through her stretches. He marveled for a moment at how flexible she was, how catlike. The thought didn’t last long though, as she stood to examine him with her brilliant golden eyes.

Are you ready to begin Astral?

Kit didn’t wait for him to answer before she struck him against the side of his head and sent him sprawling to the ash covered ground. It went that way for several hours, Kitourae showing him where the gaps in his armor were and doling out more than a few bruises in the process. She was fast, at least as fast as he was and in Dom’s mind, that was saying something. She had strength that her physical form could never have portrayed too, consistently hitting him in such a way as to destroy his balance.

They never drew their weapons, sticking only to the grappling in armor instead. It was a good education; he had never worn armor before and was continually surprised at how easy it was for her to knock him down in it. She had perfect balance and striking precision, so much so that by the time Kim cried out from her shaded area, Dom was beginning to wonder if he could ever beat Kit.

That’s good! I think that will be enough for tonight. Kitourae, the fire is lit.

Ridium’s voice carried out over the open space between the foundation and the circle in the ashes. Dom picked himself up and wondered why there was any excitement over the small fire, now lit in the middle of the foundation. Kit was grinning broadly though as she sauntered back into the camp, so Dom quietly followed her in.

Kim wore a grin like she had just won the lottery while Kitourae rummaged through the packs, presumably for food. Dom sat down across from Kim on an ash covered stone to watch the little fire sputter inside the makeshift circle of stones.

Starting a fire with flint and steel isn’t so easy huh? Makes you wish you had a lighter or something.

Dom chuckled at the thought that Kim would be so impressed with a fire, she had helped him start a few in canopy, after all.

There is no flint and steel Dom.

Ridium’s voice was full of contempt.

"I used magic Dom… I started the fire by making fire."

Kim was still in a bit of awe; she didn’t take her eyes off the small flames. Her concentration was broken when Kit threw several half-burned pieces of wood onto the fire.

That’s a neat trick…

Dom pulled his helmet off and offered a smile with his compliment.

It’s no trick. It’s the beginning.

Ridium bared his crystal fangs at Dom as the staff piece spoke. Dom briefly wondered if he was ever going to be comfortable with so much crazy around him.

They’re too weak for this trip, Ridium. We should be staying under my father’s roof until they are more capable.

Kit set up a small cooking station over the now growing fire as she spoke, her voice carried a rather serious tone.

Absolutely not. I must get there and so must the Astrals. We have a meeting with fate.

Ridium responded equally seriously.

You won’t make your meeting like this Ridium.

Kitourae sounded more than a bit sad. Dom exchanged a worried glance with Kim.

Stop talking about us as if we weren’t here, please.

Kim was direct, turning her scowl from staff to ninja-lady in turn.

Quite right. Let me put it plainly then. If we encounter the creature that did this, you’re both dead.

Kitourae gave Kim a stare that would have withered flowers, her golden gaze at least half as powerful as her father’s.

I’ve died before. I am not afraid.

Kim didn’t flinch in her response, causing the little crystal dragon to start laughing loudly.

You should be.

Kit dumped a handful of small potatoes into the cooking pot as she spoke.

Why? This forsaken thing really that bad? What is it?

Dom wanted to turn the conversation away from the talk of their demise. He didn’t want to think about how this woman had just spent the better part of an afternoon, whipping his ass and she didn’t think they’d make it.

It’s a soul that has been bound in service to the lord of chaos. It can’t die and yet, it is not alive. Its suffering is so great that the magic it wields is empowered by it, enabling the creature to cast spells that achieve results like this.

Ridium put his lecturing hat back on while Kit just shook her head and stirred the pot. The little creature made gestures to the wreckage around them.

Emotions make magic stronger?

Dom wanted to keep the conversation going in a less morbid direction.

Naturally. Emotions are the compass that everyone lives by. So, it affects everything that exists.

Ridium spoke as if it was the easiest question to answer in the world.

Most of the time, they just get in my way.

Dom chuckled at his statement, pleased with himself that Kitourae did the same.

How can someone so important, be so ignorant?

Ridium wasn’t laughing, his voice full of scorn.

Chapter Two

Solus Conflict

We have multiple incoming vectors Sir.

The comms operator sounded collected, but spoke the words that Trevor had been worried about for more than an hour.

How many?

He walked over to the console that his tech was at, not bothering to make sense of any of its readings in the darkened comms room.

More than three hundred Sir.

The tech glanced over his shoulder with a grim look. Trevor turned to stride out of the small room and used his helmet to broadcast to all of his people.

Pilots, get the noncombatants out of here. Evac immediately. Comms, make the death call, inform Olympus of the evac. Make sure you destroy the gear.

He strode quickly down the stairs that led off the balcony where comms had been situated. The star port had been built more as a tourist destination than the military outpost it was now serving as. Balconies, escalators and far too much glass, made it difficult to plan any kind of defense. The main terminal had been built of reinforced concrete, though the entry was several stories of glass. If they came up the middle, the enemy would step into a killing field.

"Praetorians. They’re coming. We fight. They die."

It was always like this before a fight, some sort of surreal calm washed over him. Usually it banished worries or thoughts that he was having, this time it just made him miss Britannia. As he strode across the polished concrete floor of the main lobby, he pulled his helmet off so he could watch the rain fall on the glass wall of the entry with his own eyes.

Outside, the television crews were fighting to stay behind in the rain as his men herded the civilians towards the launchpads. Several cameras were broken in the subsequent scuffle that broke out between Praetorian guard and reporter. He nodded to himself in satisfaction as the remaining civilians begrudgingly ran out into the rain with the others. He caught a brief glimpse of the blonde reporter girl and wondered what she’d report if she survived.

What’s the plan Trevor?

He was startled, more at the voice that simply must have been Inara than at the presence of someone near him.

You need to leave Inara, they’re coming.

Trevor made sure to deliver a scowl with his message, then put his helmet back on. She was dressed in those damned turquoise robes that she always wore, but she was armed this time, with a pair of pistols. Her flaming mane was bound once in the back, to keep it off of her face and she wore optics, a smart glass visor that covered her eyes, but not her face.

"That’s not going to happen Trevor, so you might as well tell me the plan."

He could hear her voice in his own headset but he couldn’t decide if it was a good thing to have her linked in, or not.

We have tripods set up on each of the balconies, you and I are currently standing on the killing floor.

He turned to walk off the polished concrete as he spoke, watching his helmet HUD for his men’s station check ins. Climbing the stairs slowly, he made sure to keep his breathing level as he watched his men get rapidly into position. The railings and balconies were covered in guns, a sight that might have made him proud, were it not for Inara’s obstinance.

We just hold here until the transports return for us?

Inara grinned wryly at him, an expression mostly lost in the interface he used to view the world.

Yes. The first wave will be the lightest, but they will not underestimate us a second time. You really should leave with the first transports out, Inara.

He was not going