The Magi's Society

The two newly bonded sisters followed after the last vestiges of the gathering. Mevi, not sure what to expect, followed closely behind Kalesi who led the way without hesitation. The tunnel was brightly lit, with glowing orange illumination shining from hidden sources. The floor was the familiar gray matte material, that seemed like a type of stone, observed before in the Magi’s personal quarters. The walls were lined with white marble containing veins of gold swirling in bubbling spirals. The tube was quite long, and seemed to somehow warp distance and sight to be perceived as much longer than it was. At the end of the long distance was additional bright shining light, as if a star itself was at the other end.

Kalesi didn’t seem hesitant, afraid, or any amount concerned about the approach to the strange new world, but Mevi was concerned. As she approached closer to the exit of the tunnel, she felt strange. The dread, and natural fear, she had towards the Magi, even before he used any kind of shadow-like influence, was seeming to grow stronger and stronger as she walked. The peculiar and unnerving feeling of unsettled confliction and wariness washed over her in waves. Mevi couldn’t exactly place what it was, or why she was experiencing such strong emotions as she walked, but something felt wrong about this ship, or its inhabitants.

The two emerged out of the tunnel and were engulfed in glorious light and splendor. From their vantage, a large open area spread out at least a kilometer and was filled with many strange faces, masks, cloaks, clothes, robes, and all kinds of finery. A brief stair ascended the two onto the platform above, made out of the gray stone. The walls, that curved into twists and bends beyond sight, were made entirely of the marble but also had sigils and icons of gold carved or sticking out of their face. The ceiling was slanted, and started a few meters above their heads, growing tall and many meters high at its crest towards the back of this large expanse of a room. The platform didn’t seem to faze Kalesi, and as Mevi marveled in the strangeness of the place, it didn't’ even seem to be Kalesi’s destination.

The two quickly moved and Mevi noticed, as they departed, spaced out a hundred or so meters apart every so often was an additional tunnel. These other tunnels were spewing forth their own passengers, those wearing bright whites, soft green, deep purples, and any combination of silver, gold, bronze, and some strange identifying color. Several figures walking on the platform even bore their own blues without identifying icons in similar make as to Kalesi and Mevi. Mevi couldn’t help but wonder what this strange place was, and was growing concerned about the eerie feeling surrounding the golden-shining splendor.

Looking up to Kalesi, who was making her way across the platform at a slowed pace for Mevi’s sake it seemed, Mevi asked through the clamor, “Kalesi, who are the other figures that wear different colors? I don’t recall them on the ship.”

Kalesi seemed to hear the small voice despite the din and loud murmur, “They are disembarking from their own vessels that visited the other parts of your colony. They serve a different master than Lorg Magi Falcier, so they bear their master’s colors.”

Perplexed, Mevi quickly questioned, “What do you mean the rest of my colony? Our one home is all we have, and it was visited by only the one ship as far as I could tell. From my house’s dwelling one could easily see each end of the colony’s protective shield.”

Kalesi seemed to realize something amusing, she almost chuckled, “Mevi, I suppose you and your people wouldn’t realize it due to your isolation. But there were other colonies on the moon you resided on. Several others in fact. I think twelve Magi were dispatched to accept tribute across your home. However, two of them went in the same ship, I believe.”

Mevi was stunned for a moment, but quickly followed Kalesi’s pace once again. Before she could question the revelation, Kalesi stopped. Ahead of where she stood was what seemed to be a line of people, each assembling with similar motifs as themselves. The two of them stood in a relatively short line, compared to what looked like one hundred or more in any other given line, and seemed to be waiting for something. Always keeping one hand grasping Kalesi’s robes, Mevi ducked her head out of the formation of bodies and looked ahead. There were many people, and some children too, of mixed motifs but all held common their blue hoods. There might have been a coupe dozen figures idling in line, in front and behind, with a few more slowly making their way towards them. In the very front, there seemed to be strange devices guarded by a golden Sentinel. The contents of what went on at the front were hidden, as Mevi didn’t feel safe enough to step out of line and instead kept a firm grip on her mentor’s robes.

Kalesi waited patiently, as the two slowly approached the Sentinel guarding the strange equipment that blocked their passage. Mevi was becoming worried, unsure of what was going to happen, or what she should do. Kalesi quickly picked up on Mevi, who seemed to be trying to absorb herself into the taller woman’s back. Kalesi, held a hand on Mevi’s shoulder and reassured her, “Don’t worry. The Sentinel investigate every new acolyte and their belongings. If anything they find is strange or potentially dangerous they simply destroy it. We are in no danger.”

Mevi heard the words, but was not reassured. She held many things that were ‘strange’, her staff could be a weapon probably? What about her stuffed mouse, it was called hideous by her family in the few instances they saw it. Worst of all, her gem. Her golden glowing hope. It would plainly be seen as strange, and Mevi wasn’t sure what was considered dangerous. Could it be blasphemous? Mevi knew so little about the Barges and their Magi, even less of their creed or values. Mevi wished she knew before, so she could have Kalesi check her items and get forewarning about what is or isn’t allowed.

Mevi was quickly becoming overwhelmed with worry and fright. She recalled her gem, its loud and obvious glow with only the slightest of real effort to concentrate. She wished beyond her abilities that she could make the Sentinel guardian ignore her and her things. That they would simply not notice the small pouch and her tiny amount of belongings. Her worry intensified as she realized her place in the line was next to be investigated. She watched in horror as the two acolytes in front of her had their bags turned inside out, and almost ripped apart, by the rough hands of their investigators. One finding what looked like a knife, a small thing, and throwing it in the device it guarded not to be seen again. Mevi was almost pushed from behind as those in front departed, cleared to pass, and those behind her were eager to enter their holy city.

Kalesi spoke briefly with the Sentinel, saying something like ‘I only have one pupil, she carries a small bag’ and gesturing to Mevi to reveal her belongings. Mevi hesitated, hearing the loud surroundings echo feverishly, and could only worry more about her few treasures. She slowly removed her small satchel that looked less like a carrying bag and more like a purse, compared to what some others apparently took with them. She hesitated for only a moment, staring dreadfully at her own items, and the Sentinel snatched them from her grasp. Investigating quickly, and placing the satchel on a nearby pedestal, the Sentinel eventually seemed satisfied. It turned to Kalesi, and spoke, a Sentinel spoke for the first time near Mevi, a deep and almost echoing voice emanated from the fully armored golden figure, “There is nothing but a staff, blanket, and a stuffed toy. She may pass.”

The satchel was handed back to Mevi, who was baffled, and was quickly ushered out of the area. Following close behind Kalesi, she suddenly processed the words the Sentinel spoke. Afraid of the worst, Mevi stopped walking entirely and checked her items. But, to her surprise, her collection was intact and was sitting silently next to her small pouch that contained her miniature hope. Mevi closed the bag, and adjusted it to her robe’s back, and saw Kalesi waiting patiently. Kalesi said in an understanding tone, “I suppose I could have warned you about this. But I am surprised you brought so little, just a staff and a stuffed toy? You must not have wanted to take much with you.” Then she continued to guide the girl, in her confusion, across the platform.

At the end of the long walk, that was far and almost out of sight as it framed itself against the curving walls around them, was a large wall. Like the ceiling, it reached quite high, and its formation and style made it look like it was not even there from a distance. Giving the entire area a view that seemed much longer than it actually was. The reflecting light creating a strange sort of mirage. As they finally reached the end, that wasn’t as far as once thought, the still-massive room’s end curved into a hallway like a crevice. The ceiling is tall and long, but meets the stretching walls as they slowly curve and eventually steeple. The hallway looks to be too far long to see the ends, possibly curving or potentially running across the entire length of the behemoth vessel. Mevi is taken aback, and in the largeness of just the hallway, for a moment she forgets the present feeling of unease. Yet as she continues to journey and immerse herself deeper in the ship, the strangeness of the place and her own unease slowly fades. Her nerves tell her something is badly wrong, but she can’t place what it is, and the feeling slowly begins to lessen. The brightness of the place helping, as dark and void seems far away in such pure brilliance.

Leaving her unease aside, Mevi followed closely behind her mentor. If she ignored the strangeness of the place, only brilliance and curiosity remained. All the people, and some she might call creatures, in this new realm were strange and new. Each having strange and decorative bodies under their extravagant fashion. Most seemed content with golds, silvers, and whites, but there were some who broadcast their bodies with strange neons, lights, pearlescents, and any number of peculiar medallions or hanging jewelry. Indeed, jewels and their products seemed to adorn most individuals that deigned to wear anything beyond basic robes and a mask. Some strange and alien creatures sporting new and impressive ways to label and brand your loyalty to whatever powers they served.

The travel across the never ending hallway wasn’t long before Kalesi turned to Mevi just before an intersecting corner, almost excited or eager she paused Mevi just before view of beyond could be glanced. With a smile, and an expectant look, Kalesi wordlessly pushed Mevi ahead as she had them turn the corner into a more open space.

Mevi almost fell over as she gasped and took in the extremity of the world she entered. The corner she took a slight turn upon seemed to portal her into an entirely new reality. Towering buildings, reaching high into the above, adorned with inscription, light, and glowing windows. Large cathedrals, floating in the skies above with glowing thrusters to keep them adrift in the empty expanse. An endless road that branched into likely hundreds of connecting highways and alternate routes, all lined with buildings of enormous size. All throughout the system of strange, sometimes interlocking, buildings and structure were many small ships darting above them like bugs flying to and fro. The reality of what size and scale the Barge was couldn’t be perceived from the outside. Its faroff structure framed against the endless void and impossibly large stars, planets, and asteroids. But from within, and especially on the ground, the ceiling was endless. Its stretch didn’t seem to cease for any length, in actuality clouds could be seen through the glimpses between the towering skyscrapers of golden pillar and marble walls. While not all buildings were made of the same material, the majority shone and emanated bright power, if not from illegible signs instead from many thousands of windows. Hundreds of cultures seemed to smash and attack themselves, into an amalgamation of art and conception. Even from her small vantage, Mevi could see the structures changing and morphing the farther they get from each other and becoming more and more different, diverse, and entirely alien.

Shocked and in awe of the sight, the sheer intimidating presence that this ‘city’ produced in her, Mevi partially fell to the floor. She quickly became dizzy attempting to follow the highest of buildings as they passed above the strange cloud layer, and her neck could not stretch far enough to trace its advance into the highest unknowns. It only increased her growing headache to see so many more structures that loomed far past the clouds and breached whatever was above that length. Mevi sat and covered her eyes, finally removing her hand from Kalesi and placing it against the smooth ground in an attempt to stabilize herself.

Kalesi seemed to enjoy her confusion, shock, and bewildered state for a moment, but as she realized Mevi’s state she abandoned her mirth. Kalesi quickly helped Mevi calm herself with a gentle hand stroking her back soothingly. Mevi eventually regained herself to a degree, but couldn’t open her eyes and if she felt overwhelmed by the sound in the incomparable quiet of the previous docking platform, she was entirely consumed by the massive wall of noise this new world produced. The two slowly, and blindly for Mevi, made their way, and at some point realized they might have entered into a vehicle of some kind. Her vertigo increasing as this vehicle took off in dazzling speed. Refusing to open her eyes again, until the two stepped out into a comparably quiet place.

With still shut eyes, and weary steps, Mevi was guided into a dim place, where the noise was all but silent. Muffled by what Mevi thought were closing doors behind her. She was eventually led to something soft, and before she could regain her senses her body gave up and released itself into sleep. The confusion, surprise, and terror of this new entity ‘The Barge’ overwhelming her senses time and time again. She slipped into rest, and into the dark and quiet of her own mind.