The Magi's Society

Mevi was presented by Zelkan to a group of excited stylists and tailors. Mevi almost thought she knew what to expect from them, but her brief experience from her own House’s staff paled in comparison to the experts gathered. The moment Mevi stepped through the door she was met with the fawning squeals of her new caretakers. Fully dressed in formal attire themselves, the figures sported some of the most extravagant interpretations on Maphet’s regalia given to her followers. Their own robes flowed like water off their persons, a dazzling effect produced by the glimmering sheen embedded into the fine cloth intertwined around their bodies in complex layers. Attached to their shoulders were spiring epaulets designed to follow a plume’s wisping into the air. The strangeness of their dress was held even more obvious when they stood next to Zelkan’s comparably simple white and blue robes. The masks they wore were animated with a smokey effect, like clouds billowing within the sky’s blue embrace.

Mevi was pulled within the bowls of the dressing room by the swarming attendants, and was effectively abandoned by Zelkan as he stood quietly near the doorway. Trying her best to follow the strangers, Mevi was stripped of what few clothes she was dressed in. A sense of deja vu passed over her when she was essentially carried and then thrust suddenly into another bubbling bath. This time, however, the liquid and soap was warm and comfortable instead of the artificial-feeling substance Mevi recalled was used by her House. As Mevi was scrubbed clean, dirt and dust she didn’t know she carried was annihilated in the face of the attendant’s determination.

While Mevi was being washed, she could occasionally hear low chittering and clicking that seemed to be coming from her attendants. No real words were spoken between them, but the odd clicks were exchanged in rapid succession. Where Mevi was, she could not see Zelkan, but his voice called out from a distance, “My lady does not have a neural implant, only a very basic translator. You must speak in words she might understand.” Mevi surfaced from the sea of bubbles, being repeatedly submerged to allow a deeper soak. Her newest attendants paused her cleaning to talk with each other in their odd language. One of their number looked down at Mevi and cocked their head while they struggled to speak, “Isk… Pratty. You!... Yesh!” A collection of replies and, what seemed like agreement, thundered from the odd attendants. Their agreement seemed unanimous as they all nodded to each other while Mevi caught her breath from the violent bath.

The odd creatures continued to clean Mevi until no stain or blemish remained. One of their group called out in some clicking sort of question while the rest began removing Mevi from the bath. Mevi was held by the arms by two of the attendants for a brief moment, half soaking in the water half dragged out. While they spoke she tried her best not to struggle against their intentions, but the drastic change in air temperature and warm water caused her to start shivering. The lone figure then pointed to Mevi, as if she had proven their point. The group of them stood there, and Mevi could now count five total, then started talking in deliberation about something. It took less than a minute for them to come to a conclusion, where Mevi was then put back into the bath gently. As the foaming bubbles were pushed aside from the waves made after her reentry, one of the figures leaned in again and attempted to speak once more, “You… cit? Shtay! Waet, yesh?”

Mevi looked around in hopes to see Zelkan, but he was nowhere near, “I am sorry, I don’t really understand,” apologized Mevi.

A different attendant attempted to speak to her, “Waker… Isk, goud. Yesh?”

The figure pointed at the water in the bath, and Mevi thought she understood, “Oh! Do you want me to wait in the bath?”

A celebration of clicking and chittering erupted from the gathered attendants, the figure who had made the headway with Mevi spoke again, “Yesh! Yesh! Waker goud!”

The odd figures clicked at each other in a sort of joyous tone. They seemed extremely proud of their speaking abilities, and Mevi was amused at their pure joy at such simple words. Assuming they wanted her to stay in the bath for longer, Mevi probed the tub carefully with her feet. The tub looked like it could comfortably fit four or five people, but as Mevi traced the tub’s depth it dived deep suddenly. The tub became deeper in steps, and near its center Mevi couldn’t feel the bottom without submerging herself further than her head. Looking over to her odd caretakers, Mevi made her way back to the edge where a raised step allowed her to rest comfortably with her head just above the liquid. Her audience seemed indifferent to her as she explored the edge of the tub, but they seemed to watch her every movement without further words or more chittering noises. Mevi began to trace the circumference of the tub before finally settling to soak in the warm liquid.

The strange substance didn’t seem to be water, despite what Mevi’s attendants said in their attempted translations. The liquid was almost like a gel, but Mevi could still move freely within it as if it were water. The substance stuck to her skin in gelatinous clumps when removed from the main mass and exposed to air, but showed almost no resistance to her movements while she stayed mostly submerged. The odd liquid seemed to soak into her skin, and it made whatever it soaked into soft and smooth to the touch. Mevi had been thoroughly washed in the gel-like-liquid by her still-watching attendants, and as she experimented with the substance, some of them cocked their heads in curiosity. Mevi wasn’t sure exactly what they were doing, or why she was being left to her own devices within the tub, so Mevi swam to the edge nearest to the attendants. Curiosity growing, Mevi asked her audience, “Are you able to understand me?”

All five of the watchers nodded their heads in response, and seemed eager to listen further.

“I was wondering what I should be doing in here, if anything.”

The group of strangers looked at each other and engaged in their clicking language for a moment before one looked back and spoke, “Egoy?... Waker, isk goud?”

“Are you asking if I enjoy this?”

Furious nodding followed while some of their group seemed gleeful at the successful communication.

“I suppose this is comfortable. If I am to stay here for my own enjoyment I think I would, however, prefer to finish our preparations instead.”

The group of attendants chittered with each other for a few more moments before coming to some conclusion. Two of them went to pull Mevi out of the tub, but Mevi was already crawling out to preemptively follow their instructions. Mevi was almost grabbed to be dragged away again but she intercepted their intentions, “I would prefer to follow you on my own, if that is possible. It was a little surprising to be dragged into… water… so suddenly.” The creatures stopped in their tracks and talked to each other as they seemed to realize something, and a gloom draped over them. The nearest attendant began clicking feverishly at Mevi, and she assumed it was some panicked apology to her. Mevi tried to calm them down, realizing how deeply they all seemed to have taken her request, “I wasn’t hurt! Just surprised! I wasn’t insulted or anything like that, this might just be easier for me to walk on my own from now on.” The chittering calmed down as the creatures were reassured by Mevi’s words. They seemed to recover quickly, and instead of dragging Mevi away one of them took her hand gently and led her at a quick pace out of the bathing room.

Mevi wasn’t sure where her meager coverings had gone, and her attendants didn’t seem to care that she was still without modesty. Mevi did her best to cover herself as she was eagerly led out of the warm room. They exited from the comfortable warmth into a comparably freezing dressing room. It seemed to be a different section of the same area she had originally entered, separated by a wall with a door that idled open. The attendants divided into their own tasks and Mevi was placed upon a short platform. The attendants clicked at each other in communication, and were cobbling together clothes and items in various colors at a nearby table. They seemed to have already decided what fabrics and colors to use, and were compiling them in a sort of assembly line.

After they had left Mevi alone for a few moments, one of the attendants took a piece that was apparently finished at the end of their line and darted to Mevi. The cloth was draped over her, a loose robe sewn expertly together that was the color of a light sky. Mevi was a little less embarrassed now, being covered by something, but the robe seemed to only stretch just above her knees. Mevi was uncomfortable with the lack of normal underclothes, and unconsciously began trying to stretch and pull the robe’s ends past her knees as an anxious feeling began to creep in. The attendants didn’t seem to notice, and continued their remarkably quick assembly line.

Mevi was left to her anxiety on the short platform, rising high enough to make her unreasonably nervous of falling off the fairly small height. Another collection of pieces were produced and brought to Mevi, instead of dressing her themselves Mevi was simply handed a collection of fabrics before the attendant returned to work. Inspecting the collection, Mevi realized it was luxuriously soft and expertly fitted underclothes. A simple top and bottoms that fit so comfortably it made Mevi wonder when she had been measured so accurately. Taking no time to question the boon, Mevi dressed while hiding under the small robes. After she finished, the attendant quickly returned and seemed to wait for something. Mevi wasn’t sure what they were doing, or what they wanted, but the creature mustered the words to ask, “Isk, closes? Close fit? Yesh?”

Mevi suspected that the creature meant ‘clothes’ but nodded saying, “Yes. They fit very well, thank you.”

Without asking any permissions, the attendant nodded and started to remove the blue robe. Mevi was left cold again, but more modest than she was before the robe at least. As the strange attendants continued their work, Mevi watched them curiously. The five of them worked at a remarkable speed, and continued to look back at Mevi as if just staring was enough to measure her. Mevi stood on the small platform for a while, a subtle boredom replaced her anxieties and anxious feelings. After what felt like an hour or two, but was probably much shorter, the attendants slowly stopped their work while they chittered with each other eagerly. A collection of clothes, cloth, and fabrics were piled at the end of their assembly line and the last of their group finished the work by connecting the last few pieces together.

The attendants finished their project, and they were almost surprised by their own work. The accumulation of their efforts were collected on the table and they stared at their own creation with such fascination. Mevi could not see what they had produced, and was curious to see what captivated them so entirely. As she looked on she secretly wished they would hurry, she stood almost nude in the middle of a strange room. Despite the comfortable underclothes, she was still cold on the small platform. As a small shiver passed over her, one of the attendants broke from the trance enchanted by whatever they had made and noticed Mevi waiting patiently. The quick clicking notified the rest to their true task, and their number began returning to the task at hand.

Mevi was suddenly swarmed by the five individuals while they dressed, fitted, and tightened elegant silken cloth over her. The flurry of movements prevent Mevi from really seeing the fabric beyond the hints of white and blue obvious from underneath the fabrics. Effectively buried in soft fabric, Mevi was positioned in odd ways by her attendants while they bound the clothes together. When Mevi’s head emerged from the whirlwind of cloth, her eyes were suddenly covered by a pair of gloved hands. A short, “Supies” was her only answer about why she was suddenly blinded. Mevi tried to protest but the eagerness from her captors quelled most of her attempts. After a few more moments of frantic dressing, Mevi’s attendants seemed to finish. A clatter of noise and movement sounded from around her as it seemed like furniture was being dragged across the stone floor. Then, as the sound died down, her vision was restored.

Mevi was surrounded by her own aspect, mirrored images of herself from every direction. In those images she saw a beauty not revealed even by her family’s expertise. Mevi was gowned in an elegant dress of a cosmic blue reminiscent of Maphet’s own image, along with a base of silken white. Her chest was partially revealed exposing her subtle cleavage, which was almost propped up by the tightness she felt; a corset with gold inlaid in a style of stretching roots that eventually converge, and disappear, into two great branches that wrapped around the entire waist’s edge. The corset glittered as if it were made of sapphire and topaz jewels. Exiting from the corset’s bottom was flowing white silks that billowed, in an almost weightless way, to her ankles. The dress’s skirt billowed subtly, even without wind, and when it would twist and overlap a vision of a soft blue sky escaped before the cloth collapsed atop itself and became silken white again. Placed delicately atop Mevi’s shoulders was both a long hanging cloak tied together with a simple blue bow, buttoned with a rose crest, and a loosely fitted white sleeve that stretched down to her wrists hanging from delicate strings, attached to the dress’ top. The sleeves bore a swirling blue stripe traced from her shoulder to her wrist in twisting and spiraling designs. The cloak was even more impressive, the overside of the cloak shimmered like a sky’s swirling blues with flecks of white clouds, while the underside sparkled with glowing starlight placed upon a calm night sky. The dress and cloak seemed to defy what little Mevi understood about clothing, it was almost like thousands of jewels were intertwined into the fabric itself to produce the otherworldly shimmering. Yet even as Mevi was enchanted by watching the dress; the design, shimmer, and placement of colors shifted or disappeared in ways that cloth surely couldn’t produce. Despite Mevi’s own disbelief of the attire, the enchanting regalia shone in a powerful resemblance to Maphet’s own designs.

Mevi continued to look at the dress, spinning on the platform to produce a shimmering sparkle that almost seemed to escape and dazzle the air around her. Mevi thought it impossible for her to wear something so extravagantly beautiful, an item such as this seemed something exclusive to a Magi’s station. As she became enchanted by the elegance, Mevi idly wondered how such an artifact could be made in the short time the attendants had. Echoing footsteps sounded behind Mevi, and a short gasp escaped a man behind her. Mevi saw, through an opening where a mirror wasn’t placed, Zelkan had entered the room and stood in awe of Mevi’s attire. Mevi reflected his disbelief and awe, and still couldn’t believe she was wearing such an alien beauty. Zelkan spoke his approval with a short clap, “I have seen many a wonder you five created from a distance, but this is truly magnificent.”

The five attendants clicked and chittered, from somewhere beyond the mirrors, in response.

Mevi spoke up after finishing her last spin, “Forgive me for asking, but I must know your names. Something like this… It is wasted on me in its great beauty.”

The attendants stepped into view while clicking their strange language, Zelkan spoke on their behalf, “They have no name. They call themselves the Seamstresses. They came from a remote planet, where all their kind are connected in a semi-shared mind. They are also the only number of their kind within the Barge, their colony having only donated one tribute per visit.”

“So they have no names? Could I see their faces then?” asked Mevi.

Zelkan didn’t respond, but the Seamstresses chittered with each other for a short time. After their deliberation, they removed their masks one by one. Under their coverings it almost appeared as if there was a second armored mask, with small slits where their eyes might gaze through. After a moment of confusion Mevi realized the chitinous mask was actually their face. Their armored platings were a deep maroon color, and overlapped into an almost triangular meeting at the middle of their face. The bottom half of their head was entirely dedicated to four sharp mandibles, which clicked and clattered in the way Mevi recognized as their speech. The five creatures looked at Mevi with varying gazes of, what Mevi assumed, was expectancy. Like they were expecting her to react in some way and were bracing themselves for some kind of angry interaction. They held themselves hesitantly, unsure about Mevi. Yet Mevi was not scared, instead she was boundlessly curious. The Seamstresses easily had the strangest appearances she had seen on the Barge, while also having a mostly humanoid form. Mevi stepped out from the circle of mirrors and spoke softly, as to not scare the nervous Seamstresses, “Your appearance… It is amazing. I’ve never seen something like it. I almost wish less of Lord Councilor Maphet’s followers would wear their masks, simply so I could see such impressive peoples. Your work is amazing, and entirely higher than my greatest expectation! I thank you for preparing and fitting this dress for me.”

After Mevi’s thankful words, the Seamstresses chittered excitedly at each other. Then before a moment had fully passed, the five of them clamored atop Mevi in a pile of hugs and soft clicking. Mevi was almost buried, while standing, by the five Seamstresses’ affection. Zelkan called out to Mevi with a small laugh, “I believe they like you. They say you are welcome to call on their skills anytime.” Mevi wanted to give additional thanks, but was busy being smothered by clicking affection. While the five of them hugged or otherwise showed Mevi affection, they occasionally bumped their forehead against her body in a soft way. Mevi assumed it was some strange greeting or nonverbal message, and soon Mevi escaped their attention when they released her back to Zelkan. Zelkan stared for a while, dazzled by the enchantment Mevi’s new attire produced. When he regained his focus he spoke to Mevi, “I know this might seem hasty, but we must now rush away. Our Lord Maphet bade us to rush the ritual. We must proceed immediately to where it will be held.”

Mevi was worried, “What would I be doing during this ritual? I don’t think I am prepared for any type of formality.”

“I will attempt to explain while we walk, but you must otherwise attempt to follow the instruction of our Lord Maphet and Lord Odion.”

Zelkan guided Mevi out of the Seamstresses’ workshop. As they left, the five of the Seamstresses waved and clicked their goodbyes. Mevi was altogether rushed out of the place, quickly rejoined by the golden Sentinel who had no visible reaction to Mevi’s new attire. As the three were fully rejoined together again, they rushed through the various hallways within the facility. As they made to turn the first corner, Zelkan finally began his explanation after seeming to organize his thoughts, “Our Lords have prepared a public ritual, where they will declare you as Lord Maphet’s Magi Apprentice. It will be broadcast throughout the Barge, but attended exclusively by Lord Maphet and Lord Odion.” Taking a moment to think again, Zelkan became quiet to further organize himself. Beginning again, after they quickened from a walk to a more brisk pace, “I cannot guess what exactly you need to do. I will be honest, this sort of thing has not happened in my time within the Barge. I do know that you will be asked to walk down a long path, where you will be likely watched by many invisible eyes. When you reach the end, both of our lords will be waiting. You might be presented with questions, and demanded for oaths to be made. If you are questioned, you must answer honestly, and pledge yourself as they ask. If they are unsatisfied, you will not become a Magi Apprentice.”

Zelkan finished his statement with a graveness in his voice. Mevi was surprised by his lack of knowledge, or maybe at the rushed nature of the entire ritual. Mevi had assumed she would have time to gather herself, or to attempt to read some of the books Maphet had provided. Yet instead Mevi was being thrust into an unknown ritual unexpectedly fast. Despite the oddness of the situation, and the lack of information, Mevi was still determined to see this event through.

As Mevi and her two attendants rounded a final corner, they were met with a wide hallway approaching a grand door. The device was intricately carved with thousands of unknown words and symbols. Icons of glowing avatars acted out nameless scenes, always towering over smaller figures within the image. The doors bore one, chest-high, depression that glowed a partial blue. It looked like an interface of some kind. With the door being, easily, ten meters high; it struck an imposing presence. Mevi was stopped at the corner, while Zelkan and the Sentinel watched her patiently. A small stress was trying to overtake Mevi’s confidence and willpower, but she fought it back down into whatever pit it came from. Mevi’s dawdling, and basking at the grand doorway, seemed to give Zelkan an amount of impatient anxiety. A small whisper from Zelkan begged, “My lady… We really must hurry to the ritual…”

Mevi mustered her confidence, “Then we should proceed shouldn’t we?”

Mevi brought her determination forth, and her little confidence dismayed the anxiety of the situation. As Mevi continued forward, she reminded herself that she must pass this next trial for the sake of Kalesi. She must dedicate herself to Maphet in order to have her mentor returned to her in one piece. Mevi approached the strange console at the base of the intimidating golden doors. Zelkan and the Sentinel stood at the end of the hallway, and as Mevi noticed an amount of her little confidence fled to stay behind with them. Zelkan’s face was fully hidden from this distance, his empty mask swirled with whites and blues in the digital display.

Turning back, Mevi examined the console. The device had an outline of a hand emblazoned into the digital surface. Mevi tentatively reached out a hand to the display, and placed it onto the surface. The console lit up, and seemed to scan a line of light up and down her hand resting on its surface. When it finished the strange task, the lights within the console dimmed and disappeared.

As the device deactivated, a seam appeared in the golden doorways. Like interlocking gears, the seam separated one door from the other and the console was slowly captured by the door retracting leftwards. The two doors separated, and retracted into the walls fully. From the other side a blinding light shone suddenly into the hallway, blocking Mevi’s view, and with the light a choir of aetherial music melted slowly into Mevi’s ears. A slow and soft buildup rose as the doors continued to open fully. When the doors fully opened themselves, the choir reached their crescendo and held the note for several moments before returning to their soft and magical tune.

The blindness receded, and Mevi did her best to maintain composure in the strange place. As her vision adjusted to the bright light, she could see the chapel’s nave stretched far longer than any length reasonably should. The towering altar at the end of the nave climbed upwards many meters as long stairs carved upwards. While all along the floor were marble tiles, with inlays of gold and blue gemstone forming swirling cracks in the white stone. The walls seemed to grow out of the ground itself, towering taller than even the Education Forum’s massive walls. The high walls, whose ceiling disappeared in misting clouds, were carved with the images of thousands of staring figures all wearing masks plated with blue stone.

The span of area to walk was long, and almost seemed treacherous. The stretching expanse seemed much farther than it was a moment ago, and Mevi suddenly felt herself become slightly dizzy as the intimidating aura of the chapel attacked her. Mevi felt as if there was some second door, invisible to the eye, preventing her entry as she looked inward. Yet Mevi was resolute, and refused to give into simple anxieties. Pushing herself forward, she forced her way past some invisible barrier. As Mevi passed the threshold of the door, she felt as if suddenly released from a tight grip. The dizziness passed almost as soon as it took hold, and Mevi was within the chapel.

When Mevi stumbled into the grand hall, a sort of buzzing came to life around her. Almost as if many small bugs flew around her ears and head, and as she gathered herself she somehow knew that the strange buzzing were watching entities. Several invisible entities followed Mevi closely, as if to annoy or stall her. Yet Mevi brushed away the feeling, and with her conscious denial of the buzzing entities, she thus lessened their presence. With the buzzing lessened, Mevi began walking forward. As she took her first step an unknown voice echoed loudly around her, “Who are you to enter here?”

Mevi was startled, but recalled Zelkan said she would be asked questions and only briefly hesitated, “I am Mevare Bensari, of House Bensari from the Moon Baes of Baes.”

The echoing question diminished into nothing, and with its presence gone Mevi began walking forward again. As she began forward, a deep gong sounded somewhere in the distance and its force seemed to shake Mevi’s surroundings. Mevi did her best to stay balanced, and continued forward while attempting to maintain composure. As the gong’s sound echoed into nothing, the room seemed to almost shorten. Or perhaps, Mevi thought, she was brought forward in some way. Mevi could not risk looking behind, any movement beyond progression could be seen as denial or fear. As the room finished its movement, another voice called out in the echoing hall, “You who enter here, what brought you here?”

Mevi was expecting another question now, and was able to respond immediately, “I was brought as a supplement to a Lord Magi, given to the Barge as tribute.”

The voice diminished again, and the sounding gong echoed once more but seemed slightly closer now. Mevi continued to walk forward, trying not to be dismayed by the strange voices and the intimidating structure. The chapel seemed to shorten in its expanse, but even while the length shrunk the walls seemed to stretch. The looming figures carved into the walls seemed stretched, elongated, and much more alien than they were before. The gangly carvings stared down at Mevi, and somehow she felt their eyes on her despite the stone mask carved over their unknown faces. Mevi could only guess at what this hall was originally meant for, or if it was somehow prepared for this ritual how long ago was it made? The Magi and their whims held no clear direction or honest reason, at least none that Mevi could decipher. As Mevi continued to walk forward, another new voice called out to her again, “Do you hesitate? What are you to question a Magi’s will?”

Mevi was almost stumped by the second part, but recalled Zelkan’s advice about honesty, “I do hesitate, but only due to my mortal confusion. I will never question my Lord Magi’s will.”

The voice echoed into nothing once again, and while it took a few moments longer than it had before, the gong soon sounded after the voice’s disappearance. The length shortened again, and Mevi could almost reach the base of the stair’s climb. The walls were impossibly tall now, in a way that only an illusion could produce; the looming figures stretched and bent like a curving ceiling hanging over Mevi’s head, yet while still climbing forever upwards. The piercing gazes attempted to distract and dissuade Mevi after her previous show of hesitation, regardless of how momentary it was, Mevi willed herself to ignore the looming carvings. She assured herself they were not real, and could not be real. It was an illusionist's trick to deceive and distract, a test of her willpower and courage against such intimidations. Another voice called out, almost as if monitoring her internal thoughts and emotions to wait for an opening in her concentration, “You who might climb to reach us, what worth do you offer that we might want you?”

Mevi knew the answer in her heart, as it was the same she would give to Kalesi, “I offer no worth. I only offer all that I am, and all that I might become.”

As Mevi answered this seemingly final question posed by the disembodied voices, the choir rose in their power and the gong began to echo loudly before even the last vestiges of the voice’s question diminished from its echo. The loud music, once soft and serene, was almost like a crashing river of building emotions. The feelings they created within Mevi seemed to almost fan whatever might have already been there. Her anxiety grew with the rising tide of the choir, and her heartbeat mimicked the pace of the echoing gong’s ringing. Before Mevi could gain her strength once again, the world began to shrink. Mevi was pulled forward, but also upward, like she was gliding over the steps without actually moving her legs over them. When Mevi’s world came to a halt, and her feet were her own again, she could see them at the top of the tall stairs. Maphet and Odion, in all their glory, sat at the top of the altar.

Maphet sat in a tall throne, which was made to be simple and wooden with a shining white-blue orb as the centerpiece at the chair's upper length; she sat at the center of the altar and on its highest peak, and loomed down at Mevi in her ornate regalia that Mevi recalled from before. Odion was one step below her in a similar throne, save for his orb was instead earthen stone with swirls of green; he sat in his own robes, however his mantel of blue nimbus and mask were changed to match the color of the orb that hung above him. The striking figures now both displayed their true colors, and what little skin was visible from Odion shone with nature’s splendor rather than in mimicry of his wife’s motifs. They both radiated power and knowledge, in ways Mevi couldn’t possibly describe. Their mere presence and stature made to convince all who saw them of their significant confidence, and it was surely not arrogance but rather pure and earned confidence.

Mevi was in control over her own feet again, but was so intimidated that she could not tell if she should approach or wait for command. Hesitating, Mevi spent a moment too long standing still, and basking in the two Magi’s aura. Odion turned his head to look at Maphet, and a wordless interaction was exchanged between them. Then Odion turned back, and spoke, “Mevare of House Bensari, approach us and answer your oaths.” Mevi quickly followed the command and began to slowly walk up the steps. As Mevi began her ascent Odion called out again, “Who do you serve?”

Mevi tried to keep her answers simple, to not err during their questioning, “I serve Lord Councilor, Maphet, The Magi of Knowledge.”

“Do you serve any other Magi, beyond my wife?”

Mevi wasn’t sure if that was a trick question, all she knew was that Odion was subservient to Maphet and was therefore not necessarily her master, “I serve only the will and desire of my Lord, Maphet.”

The steps were still tall, and many before Mevi still laid, but after her last answer they seemed to shorten in height. The amount she needed to walk lessened, and the two Magi came closer to her. Mevi decided to continue to climb upwards, as to meet the Magi. As she continued to climb Odion asked another question, “Where do your loyalties lie? You may serve my wife, but do you serve wholly?”

Mevi was conflicted with this answer, and she almost fought against herself between an answer that they might want and what was the truth, “My lords, I serve you body and soul. But my heart is split in two, one goes to my Lord Maphet and the other to my sister. I cannot deny the truth.”

Odion stared down at Mevi for a moment before his following question, “Then if your sister’s will was to defy my wife, who would you follow?”

Mevi struggled to find an answer, these questions being more than what she had hoped to expect, “I will pledge myself fully to my Lord Maphet. If my sister was to go against my lord, I would not follow unless my lord bid me so.”

“Good. Then, would your sister pledge herself to my wife?”

Mevi was unsure, but optimistic, “I cannot speak for her, but I would hope she could find a loyalty for my lord.”

The steps before Mevi shrunk once again. Mevi was nearly at the top, only a few more steps and her feet would fall upon the altar above. As Mevi stepped, one by one, up the stairs the choir dimmed and lowered to a whisper. Neither Odion nor Maphet made to ask her a question, so Mevi continued to climb the stairs until she stepped out onto the altar. Standing atop the tall altar, Mevi was further astounded by the shining splendor of the two Magi. Her position below the marble altar seemed to almost hide what light shone so brightly out from them, but here she witnessed them like two shining stars. What color and light escaped them, and into Mevi’s vision, was enough to blind her but Mevi stood stalwart regardless. Mevi was unsure if she should come closer to the altar, but as the question arose in her mind Odion spoke as if to lead her, “Approach the lowest step, and kneel before us aspirant.”

Mevi followed the order instantly. The wide altar was of glimmering marble, where jewels and gold were intertwined inseparably from the stonework, like veins of ore in a mountain. The twisting currents of sparkling wealth intertwined and twisted in odd designs and elegant runes. As Mevi walked, she tried not to stare directly into the Magi’s masks, but glimpses of their visage sneaked into her eyes here and there. When she reached the base of the altar’s steps, Mevi knelt as Odion had commanded. Mevi was almost expecting another barrage of questions from Odion, but instead Maphet spoke in her soft and calm tone, “Mevare of House Bensari… Will you pledge to become mine and mine alone? To give yourself entirely to me, until I bid you leave to once again journey alone?”

Mevi knew her answer before Maphet had even asked the question, “I, Mevare of House Bensari, pledge myself and all that I am to you. Until you bid me leave.”

A sort of warmth emanated from Maphet’s aura, a content and happy feeling spread over Mevi for a brief moment, “Then I am content. I pronounce you my Magi’s Apprentice. You are entirely mine, until I bid you leave.” declared Maphet.

After her command, Maphet rose with a powerful grace. Waving a hand before herself, the small buzzing that Mevi had almost forgotten completely disappeared and the walls and structure returned to their normal state. The grand chapel was now whole, and unmolested by illusions. It became obvious that Mevi must have still walked a great distance, but the distorted space was less massive than it was originally believed. Yet still the chapel was extraordinarily kept and inscribed with incredible features. When the illusion fully disappeared, Maphet stepped down from the altar and Odion followed close behind her. Maphet looked down at the still kneeling Mevi, “Is the Mevi alright? The Mevi did well in her ritual.”

Mevi couldn’t help nearly smiling after noticing the sudden reversion back to Maphet’s normal speech pattern, “Yes my Lord, I am fine. I was momentarily put off by how quickly this was arranged…”

Odion then spoke, seeming to also forget formality and poise, “The other Magi were watching, and the archives suggest they were interested enough that they might have attempted to interfere. While made in haste, the archives recommended haste over procedure.”

Mevi was still unsure how to speak to the two Magi. They obviously held god-like influence and power over their followers and beyond. Mevi had spoken so casually to them before, but this ritual served as a reminder of what they truly were. They were lords, and Mevi was simply a peon to their might. As if sensing Mevi’s thoughts, Maphet spoke kindly to Mevi, “The Mevi should not belittle herself. She is mine, and none wound what is mine.”

Odion spoke his support, in a way, as well, “The archives suggest against self-destructive thoughts. Regardless, you must return to your room. The archived knowledge provided there will be of use to you. The archives suggest haste in your consumption of knowledge, what you must acquire will be of use to you and of use to my wife.”

All Mevi could manage under the powerful pressure the two beings provided was, “Yes, of course my lords.”

Mevi wasn’t exactly sure what to do, but slowly got up to her feet. Looking at the two Magi, they watched her intently with a strange curiosity. The two Magi seemed to watch her with some expectation, and Mevi slowly turned to leave without knowing formal procedure. Beginning her trek back down the tall stairs, Mevi heard Maphet’s voice again, “What does the Mevi do? Will the Mevi not return to her study?”

Mevi turned to face Maphet, and cautiously said, “Well yes… I was planning to walk there immediately.”

Maphet looked at Odion and a sense of confusion escaped, but Odion spoke up to Mevi, “The archives suggest that my wife forgot to explain your key. It opens a door to your study.”

Mevi was confused, “Yes, my lord…” was all she could muster.

“Within the archived knowledge given was likely the understanding you required. Use the key against the wall.” commanded Odion, pointing at the nearby wall that bordered the edge of the altar.

Mevi was confused, but curious. If what they were insinuating was what she believed, it would be incredible. Mevi approached the nearby wall, and began to feel her dress for pockets. Suddenly Mevi recalled the Seamstresses, and how what few items and clothes she had were stripped from her. Mevi was entirely embarrassed now, and began to turn to the two Magi in shame at losing the valuable item. Odion was already approaching, having seemed to sense her realization. Odion stood next to Mevi, and once again seemed to show how unlike the two of them were to the Magi Falcier and his dark rage. Odion grasped Mevi’s hand gently, yet firmly, and had her hold it in front of herself, “What archived knowledge given to you would have explained this.” he said, matter-of-factly. “For now, I will speak on the archive’s behalf. Focus your mind on the key, remember its form and function. The device is attuned to you, and it will respond only to you. When you have its image, summon it.” Odion’s confidence promised only success, and he released Mevi’s hand to allow her to follow his instructions.

Mevi did as she was told, and began to focus. She conjured an image of the round pearl in her mind. She knew, on a basic level, what it was meant to do and be. She focused on what she knew of it, and could almost feel it in her hand. She sensed the object, and could feel the phantom touch of its smooth surface in her palm. The device was within a soft pouch, she suddenly sensed, guarded tightly by someone she knew. Mevi thought that Zelkan had it, and he was standing outside the chapel diligently waiting. Mevi was distracted by the presence around the key, and focused on the key alone. When she could feel its phantom presence again, she instinctively grasped it and could feel the smooth orb in her hand. Opening her eyes, the orb was then within her palm in some incredible feat of seemingly magical transportation. Mevi let out an excited squeak, which seemed to surprise Odion. Mevi’s face reddened in embarrassment after her excitement, and held the key gently in her hands. As Mevi had the key again, Odion gestured for Mevi to begin the assigned task again.

Mevi held the key gently in her hand, and approached the bare wall. Holding the orb to the wall, Mevi lightly tapped the wall with the device. As she did so a door, just taller than her own height, manifested an entryway. The door led to what looked to be the empty room Maphet had tasked her with breaching once before. A simple chair still sat, and half of a table was materialized into existence while it floated as if propped up by all four legs. Atop the table was a partially transparent collection of books, many of what she recalled were supposed to be there were now gone. Yet the room was still much as she remembered from before. As Mevi marveled at the strange doorway, Maphet spoke, “The Mevi is given this room. It is to be hers, and as the Mevi explores it her knowledge and potency will grow.”

Odion echoed the sentiment, “The archives suggest a quick learning process, if you are dedicated. No others, but my wife and I, may enter your room; if any try they their senses will become overwhelmed. As the archives suggest, my wife and I often become busy with our duties. Yet I will make time, as bidden by my wife, to aid you if you call upon me. Your studies and mastery of power is of the utmost importance.”

Mevi turned to the two Magi, and was genuinely glad for their company and support, as strange of a package as it came in, “I thank you both again… Um, my lords. I will do my best to serve as you command, and will attempt to decipher the tasks you have given me… But what about the Sentinel and Zelkan. I could sense them waiting outside of the chapel.”

“I will assign them both rest. The archives suggest you might not leave your room for some time, but if you do they will be notified of your exit by your key. Until you can learn to tap into the neural network without assistance, you should focus on studies.” replied Odion.

“Of course my lord Odion! Also, thank you. Not only for the opportunity to learn, but for taking care of Kalesi. I will dedicate myself to you however you need it.” declared Mevi.

As Mevi finished her thanks she could hear a sort of sparking sizzle from behind her. The archway door was slowly shrinking to a close while Mevi idled in conversation with Odion. As the door began to slowly close, and before Mevi could say another ‘thank you’, both Maphet and Odion turned and walked away. As they stepped away from her, they disintegrated into sparking clouds of energy. Disappearing entirely, the two Magi were gone. But without time to marvel at their eccentricities and strange powers, Mevi turned and rushed through the slowly closing doorway.

Mevi was left alone, within a simple and small room. The archway closed behind her, and the familiar wall with strange etchings took its place. Mevi had one task from here on, to study and learn whatever knowledge could be gained from these texts. To study and expand the room into its fullest extent. She would prove some sort of worth to the Magi, and by doing so protect and care for Kalesi. However long it took Mevi would prove to herself, as much as to others, that Odion and Maphet’s hopes were true and some power lay in wait within her. Whatever that power was, she would tame it and use it for Kalesi and her new lord. She will earn the title of Magi’s Apprentice.