11
ORI CRADLED CYRUS, AND WITH a whoosh, accelerated into the air back toward the beach. Ori whistled as they flew over and the other Lumens launched into the air with Kimo and Auli’i. It was a sight to behold.
Auli’i was carried by a tall Lumen while four Lumens carried Kimo by each of his limbs. He looked like a tied hog. Cyrus chuckled.
As they flew over, Cyrus heard a commotion. Cyrus could just make out Maurício running back towards his boat, three Lumens chasing him.
“Cyrus! CYRUS! CYR—” They swarmed Maurício.
Panic filled Cyrus. In all of this, he had neglected Maurício.
“Stop! Don’t hurt him!” screamed Cyrus. It was futile over the wind.
Maurício fought the other Lumens as the scene faded from view. Cyrus squirmed in Ori’s arms, trying to catch another glimpse but the darkness engulfed the scene.
“What will happen to him?!”
“Just what they said … He will be assigned to a taskmaster and put to work.”
“Work? What kind of work?”
“Crop yielding, weaving, tool making, fishing … Those tend to be the usual tasks assigned.”
“What’s the unusual?”
“Maintenance on the spire,” he responded with a serious look.
“Do I even want to know?”
Ori shook his head.
“When you say taskmaster … Is Maurício a slave now?”
“Lumen Caligo. Cyrus … May I suggest you prepare yourself emotionally and mentally to enter Aeolia. Shortly, you will be summoned before the three dukes of Aeolia. Arch Duke Winston Weatherford will be most pleased to receive you to our city.”
Cyrus’ tongue caught in his throat, and he started coughing. Ori patted him on the back.
“No dying in my arms, OK?” said Ori with a smirk.
Cyrus recomposed himself.
Ori ascended at a gradual angle. They entered a cloud and Cyrus shivered as the moisture gathered all around him. Cyrus wrapped his wings around his body. The sound of moving water grew softer as they flew higher.
“We’re about to arrive, hang on tight.”
As they exited the cloud, Ori barrel rolled and flapped his wings in quick succession. Discombobulated, Cyrus looked forward and gasped. The cloud had cleared revealing what looked like a mountain in the sky. On this mountain was a city that seemed to have been cut out of stone. Giant bonfires illuminated the extremities of the mountain on each side. Gazing upward as high as he could crane his neck, Cyrus saw what looked like a lighthouse at the top of the city. An enormous bonfire filled the center of the tower as clouds circled like vultures.
They continued to fly upward into the higher part of Aeolia where, even in the moonlight, you could tell it was better taken care of and more illustrious than the lower part of the island. Underneath the lighthouse were an array of beautiful buildings sculpted from the mountain. They reminded Cyrus of the Ancient Greece section from 6th grade.
Guess public school isn’t completely useless.
Cyrus could see a couple blurs of white circling the city. Suddenly, Cyrus heard a whoosh and on their right appeared another Lumen. He wore a contraption around his eyes that looked like goggles. His wings were in a thin black cloth that masked their white glow. Everything he wore was black, which had aided in his sudden appearance.
“Captain Ori. Back from the perimeter so soon? What have you got there?”
“Good evening, Herald. I carry precious cargo that requires immediate attention from the dukes.”
“It is the middle of the night, Captain Ori. Can this wait until morning?”
“It probably could … but I don’t think the dukes will want to. Now, what I am going to tell you must only be told to the dukes personally—not their butlers, not their wives … the dukes only. Do you understand?”
Herald nodded.
“Behold, the Lumen Caligo has arrived.”
Herald gasped and swerved in the air. “Is it true?!”
Cyrus slowly uncurled himself. The light side of his wings contrasted against the dark side. Herald’s mouth gaped open and his eyes shifted back and forth rapidly like he couldn’t take it in fast enough. He lifted his goggles to make sure.
“I’ll get right on it, Captain. We will meet you in the Atrium.” With a huge flap of his wings, Herald zoomed ahead and quickly faded into the maze of Aeolia.
“Will everyone be this amazed to see me?”
“Most likely. You are the Lumen Caligo, after all. Now, hang on tight.”
They rapidly approached a bonfire towards the top where the architecture was most elaborate. Cyrus could not wait to see this place in the light.
Ori swooped down, and then, like the sails on Bessy, he opened his wings and caught all the wind to come to a soft landing. Small droplets of rain began to splat on the stone surface that seemed to gleam with a silver sheen. Cyrus looked up and saw the clouds move swiftly across the sky, covering what little light was coming from the stars and the moon. The wind howled and the rain began to fall more steadily.
Cyrus heard a thud behind him and quickly whirled around to see Kimo standing up quickly after being dropped. The four Lumens put their hands on their knees and panted deeply.
How much does Kimo weigh?
The other Lumen landed softly next to Cyrus, gently setting Auli’i down. He made the bent-finger greeting and then whispered something to Auli’i.
His face was shadowed by his cloak. The moment he finished, he flew off into the night sky. Auli’i looked around wide-eyed. Kimo did the same.
“How was your flight?” asked Cyrus.
“Serene,” said Auli’i.
“Agonizing,” said Kimo, shaking his head. “They dropped me … twice.”
Ori turned and headed straight toward the four panting Lumens. Cyrus couldn’t hear the hushed reprimand, but from the looks on their faces … It wasn’t pleasant.
Auli’i slipped something into Cyrus’ hand. Cyrus felt a small piece of paper. Auli’i and Kimo leaned in close to Cyrus.
“What’s it say?” asked Auli’i softly.
Cyrus’ heart beat a little faster as he inspected the hand writing. Auli’i and Kimo looked at Cyrus with anticipation. They were all thinking the same thing.
As soon as Ori finished whatever he was saying, he quickly pointed his finger upwards and the four Lumens quickly disappeared into the night sky. Ori rapidly approached the three and beckoned them follow him. Cyrus stuffed the paper deep into his pocket.
The rain began to pick up even more. Cyrus felt himself growing heavier as his wings got wetter. The altitude was slightly higher, too, so Cyrus shivered from the cold. Auli’i wrapped her arms around Cyrus. Kimo wrapped his arms around Auli’i.
“Forgive the delay. Those were our newest perimeter guards. If I didn’t correct them right then and there, they wouldn’t have learned a thing. Now, please follow me and let’s get out of this rain.”
Ori’s pace was brisk initially but he slowed down when he perceived Cyrus progressively walking slower. Auli’i and Kimo supported him on both sides.
“Are you injured, Lumen Caligo?”
“You could say I’m recovering.”
The rain picked up, the wind howled and the bonfires flickered and hissed.
“What did the Lumen carrying you say?” asked Cyrus under his breath.
“Right pocket. When the guards aren’t looking,” whispered Auli’i.
“That’s it?”
Auli’i nodded as she looked around, taking in the surroundings.
Everything was carved out of white-ish grey stone. The deeper they walked into the city, the more elaborate the architecture became. The road was leading them to a looming shadow with the giant lighthouse.
They appeared to be walking on a cobble stone road. It had intricate swirls carved into each individual stone. The pattern looked vine-like and each art engraving connected all the stones on the road, forming a hypnotic symmetrical design.
The surrounding building’s designs were just as impressive. Large stone pillars supported what Cyrus could only describe as a Greek temple. The archways just below the roofs displayed carved murals that Cyrus could only see if there was a bonfire close by. He assumed that each one had a unique set of figurines and stories associated with the carvings.
Well-kept vines slithered down some buildings, giving them an enhanced feel of luxury and care. They matched the look of the cobblestone road. The deeper they went, the more elaborate the carvings and the vines became.
They reached a clearing where the buildings stopped and an imposing edifice stood in front of them. Directly under it was the lighthouse-looking structure. Cyrus looked back behind him and noticed they had essentially reached the mountain’s peak. Everything revolved around this building. Looking back, Cyrus could see a gradual curve. It was like they were on top of a sphere.
The main entrance was guarded by two Lumens dressed extravagantly. They had long, flowing white cloaks all the way down to the ground with hoods that covered their faces completely. All along their cloaks, feathers adorned the edges. The feathers were laid in an intricate pattern that created what looked like triangles at the edge. However, as Cyrus approached, it almost seemed like an optical allusion. The triangles turned into circles from a different angle. It was fascinating.
Their wings fully outstretched to the sky while holding a solid silver spear that was as tall as their wings—easily 7 feet tall. Cyrus wondered how they were able to hold that pose. He couldn’t get his wings that high. Even outstretching them as far as he could, he was only able to hold the pose for a couple of seconds. Holding that pose must have been exhausting.
The Atrium was perfectly round. Cyrus could see two other entries from afar. One on the right, and the other on the left. Each had two guards in front dressed in the same attire.
They approached the guards closest to them. They guarded an entry way made of stone. It confused Cyrus as he looked for a knob or key hole that would get them inside.
“Halt.”
Cyrus couldn’t tell which one had spoken.
“State your purpose for entering the Atrium during the witching hour,” said a different voice.
“A meeting of the utmost importance between the head dukes of Aeolia and … the Lumen Caligo.”
The wings of one of the guards faltered for a split second, and Cyrus heard a soft gasp.
“Proof is required for access to the Atrium during the witching hour,” said the first voice.
Cyrus finally pinpointed who was talking. It was the guard on the left.
Ori stood to the side and gestured to Cyrus. Cyrus slowly walked forward and looked from the guard on the left to the guard on the right. Everything was silent except for the patter of the rain against the silver cobblestone road.
With effort, Cyrus unfurled his wings. As his wings unsheathed themselves, the white on the inside of his wings shone through. With as much effort as he could muster, he extended his wet wings and lifted them as high as he could. He did a quick circle also revealing the black on the backside of his wings. Cyrus felt his temple vein throb.
“Breathe, Cyrus … ” whispered Auli’i.
Cyrus exhaled loudly and felt dizzy. He faced the guards once more after doing a full circle showing both the back and the front of his wings. His wings pulsated a light like the flash of a camera before his wings dropped and he lost his balance. The guards looked on in complete and utter disbelief. Auli’i and Kimo were immediately at his side to catch him.
Mental note. Thank Kimo and Auli’i more.
They truly were great friends, and he would be bruised head to toe if it weren’t for their watchful eyes and quick hands.
Cyrus breathed heavily and then looked back up at the guards. Their wings remained up in high alert but they had dropped to one knee in reverent respect. Both had their spear resting against their torso while making the bent ring-finger gesture.
They spoke in unison, the emotion audible, “Lumen Caligo, to which this Atrium was built, light the way. Be our sword. Be our hilt.”
They stood up, grabbed their spears and inserted them into two holes by the doorway. Both of them turned and whistled a tune to the other guards who, from afar, appeared to be doing the same thing. It seemed like a cadence. The guards turned their spears perfectly in sync. It was as pleasant to the ears as it was mesmerizing to watch.
The left guard turned his spear clockwise while the guard on the right turned his counterclockwise. As they turned, there were a series of pops and clicks like a key in an old lock. Cyrus could hardly believe his eyes. It was like another optical allusion. Either the lighthouse was rotating or the entire land mass they were standing on was rotating. The light house began to get taller and taller as the entrance spun faster and faster.
Finally, it began to slow. A giant opening began to appear where the wall of stone had been. Slowly, it filled the entire entrance and came to a loud thud. A series of rapid whistles filled the air and the two guards reversed the way they twisted their spears and removed them. The other guards in the distance did the same.
Heavy panting filled the air between the two guards. Their wings never dropped. The two guards stood up tall and then beckoned to Cyrus. Kimo and Auli’i helped Cyrus move forward.
“NO!” said one of the guards defiantly. “The Lumen Caligo must enter on his own and then invite those he deems worthy!”
Cyrus nodded to Kimo and Auli’i, then stood on his own two feet. The two guards stepped aside in unison while making the bent ring finger gesture. They lowered their wings as he passed.
The hallway was about 10 feet long and he could see that the inside of the Atrium was already well lit. Cyrus’ jaw dropped as he entered. The Atrium was an enormous full dome. The entire Atrium was covered in beautifully painted scenes. There were paintings of Lumens with golden covered wings holding long spears and swords in battle. They flew high in the sky with wings outstretched and shoulders wide and strong.
Mirrors decorated each scene, illuminating and enhancing them. There was a radiant sun glowing brightly above every depiction. Even the entire floor was one giant mural of the sun with its flaming rays extending to all three entrances.
The light that filled the room was a warm glow. Upon further inspection, Cyrus saw that light was coming from the top of the Atrium. He could visibly see rays of light trickling down, bouncing from one end of the Atrium to the other. It took him a little while but Cyrus finally had the aha moment.
The bonfire that was above them was surrounded by mirrors pointing in every direction. The mirrors were angled downward in such a way that the mirrors below would reflect the light to the other mirrors below them. The light filling the room was relatively dim compared to a room lit by electricity. But for the dead of night, in the middle of the Atlantic, it was impressive.
The light converged into the center of the Atrium where there was a circular crystal slab. In the middle of the slab were four cylindrical spires protruding from the sound with platforms on top. They were perfectly round, exhibiting flawless workmanship. Each one was a different height that gradually led to the highest point at the center. All of them were translucent.
The smell was earthy and the air felt electric. Cyrus’ arm hairs stood on edge.
“Cyrus … ” came Auli’i’s voice from afar. “Invite us in. Mahalo.”
Right.
“The Lumen Caligo formally invites Auli’i and Kimo Fualautoalasi, Virtus Latores to the Lumen Caligo, to enter the Atrium of Aeolia.”
Cyrus’ voice echoed, carrying to every inch of space and seemed to rise up until it dissipated through the flames of the bonfire above him.
Talk about an acoustically pleasing venue.
The guards outside made a synchronized clang with their spears, and then Cyrus heard Kimo and Auli’i’s footsteps rapidly approach from the hall. The moment they cleared the hallway, they stopped and gasped.
Cyrus didn’t know what to do next except admire the paintings sprawled across the Atrium walls. Even in the paintings, that odd hand gesture was made. Cyrus wanted some answers.
“The Lumen Caligo formally invites Captain Ori to enter the Atrium.”
Another synchronized clang from the spears rang out followed by footsteps. Ori emerged, lowered his hood and bowed his head with eyes closed and made the bent ring finger gesture. Cyrus mimicked the hand gesture as Ori approached.
“Ori, what is this called and what does it mean?” asked Cyrus.
Ori seemed surprised at Cyrus’ question. “It is the Omniscius Salutatio or the ‘all-knowing greeting.’ It is done in various degrees. One hand is sufficient for all Lumens, Caligos or Terrams. Two hands are customary towards the Lumen Caligo or someone of high rank in our society. It’s usually done as an apology or, in your case, to show immense respect to an individual.”
Kimo and Auli’i gathered around Ori.
“Each finger represents the different nations of the world. The thumb represents the Terrams, the flightless people who know of our ways. They may be wingless but, like the thumb on my hand, they are strong and dexterous.”
Cyrus looked at Kimo and Auli’i who shrugged. This seemed to be new information for them as well.
“The pointer finger represents the Caligos. It is believed that there was darkness before there was light. Just like we hold up our pointer finger to gesture the number one, it is believed that the Caligos were the first people to be born with the gift of flight.”
Ori lifted his middle and pointer fingers.
“The middle finger represents my nation, the Lumens. The tallest of the fingers, it represents the heavens and the sun from which we receive the light of day. It is from this light—physical and metaphorical—that we strive to rise up and be a standard for all other nations to see.”
Ori pointed to his pinky.
“The pinky represents all human beings that are not a part of, or unaware, of our nations. Those outside the jurandum. This comprises the majority of humanity. They remain separate from the Terrams, the Caligos and the Lumens by design. The only thing that connects us to them … ” said Ori now pointing at his bent ring finger, “is the Lumen Caligo.”
“Why is that finger bent?” asked Cyrus.
“Out of respect. It has been said since the days of the Egyptians, that the ring finger contains the vena amoris. This vein goes from the ring finger all the way to the heart. This vein only exists in Lumens, Caligos and you … It is why wedding rings are worn on the ring finger. You represent the light and the darkness within every person’s heart. You are the embodiment of good and evil. Your very existence is meant to guide all of humanity towards the lofty goal of world order and balance. Our physical selves and our body language can convey more respect than any amount of words. We have bowed the ring finger as a sign of respect since the first Lumen Caligo and we will bow it until the last.”
Ori put both of his hands to his forehead in the Omniscius Salutatio and bowed.
Cyrus put his right hand up awkwardly in front of himself and half curtsied. Kimo snorted. Auli’i giggled. Cyrus felt his face flush. Ori looked up.
“If I may, Lumen Caligo, for you to return the greeting, simply put your left hand into the Omniscius Salutatio and place it under your chin like this. If you wish to convey respect, you will accompany the Omniscius Salutatio with a bow. The lower the bow, the more respect you show.”
Cyrus tried again. He put his left hand under his chin in the Omniscius Salutatio and bowed at a 45° angle towards Ori. Ori quickly resumed his bow at a full 90°.
“PERMISSION TO ENTER THE ATRIUM!” boomed a voice from one of the other entrances.
All four of them whipped around, startled by the voice.
“Ask who seeks entrance,” whispered Ori. “Also, you need to get to the top of that pillar.” Ori pointed at the tallest pillar.
“Why?” asked Cyrus.
“It was built for the Lumen Caligo to address Lumens in the Atrium.”
“Do I have to?”
“It has been foretold.”
“Like a prophecy?” Cyrus asked with a hint of sarcasm.
“Yes.”
Cyrus gave a sigh. There was no way he could get up there on his own.
“Fly me up there, please.”
Ori nodded and grabbed Cyrus by the shoulders. With two hard flaps of his wings, Ori rose up into the sky and placed Cyrus gently on the top pillar. There was a small slit in the center of the spire that went about three feet deep. Ori promptly returned to the ground and looked up at Cyrus and smiled. He then looked at the twins.
“The bottom pillar is for the Virtus Latores. In the past, it has usually been one but I think there is enough room for the both of you. Go, join Cyrus on the pillar so the dukes will know of your status.”
The twins scurried to the shortest pillar. It was about two feet taller than Kimo. Kimo lifted Auli’i up and then Auli’i pulled on Kimo with all her might until Kimo made it to the top of the pillar as well. Cyrus suspected that wasn’t the first time they had done something like that.
“WHO SEEKS ENTRY INTO THE ATRIUM?” yelled Cyrus.
“Arch Duke Winston Weatherford with escort,” said the voice.
“High Duke Gabriel Bradford with escort,” said another on the other entrance.
“Duke Fredrick Evynwood with escort,” said a third voice from the entrance they had just come through.
Cyrus looked at Ori.
“Grant permission to all parties,” he whispered.
“PERMISSION GRANTED TO ALL PARTIES!”
The melodic echo swirled around them once more.
Synchronized clangs from the spears rung throughout the Atrium, adding to the swirling noises that seemed to harmonize throughout the dome. Footsteps slowly approached from all sides.
The three dukes came into view, each in a lavish robe. The Arch Duke seemed to have solid gold decorating his robe while the other two had silver. Their wings were sprawled out wide with their arms opened skyward, like they were praising Cyrus. The duke’s faces were exposed while their escorts had their hoods up. Smiles adorned the duke’s faces.
Duke Gabriel Bradford was a tall red-headed man with an equally red beard. He stood tall and proud above everyone in the room. Along with the silver lining on his clothes, he had a scarlet sash around his waist.
Duke Fredrick Evynwood was a short and rounder man with pudgy cheeks. He wore a serious expression and cradled his neck up high as if he were trying to squeeze every inch of height from his round frame.
Arch Duke Winston Weatherford had a tanner look to him, compared to the pale skin of the other dukes. His eyes were slightly slanted and his head was shaved and wrinkled with age. He seemed to ooze confidence and walked like a man accustomed to power.
Their smiles grew increasingly more excited as they approached the center pillars. Cyrus looked at Auli’i and Kimo who clearly had their guards up as much as him. Cyrus decided he would run with this whole ‘prophecy’ charade.
Cyrus unfurled his wings and made another full 360° turn. He exhaled softly but forcefully as he held out his arms and wings. The dukes and their escorts halted. The duke’s expression had turned from smiles to looks of awe. The Arch Duke smiled even more intently.
The dukes made the Omniscius Salutatio with both hands and bowed deeply. The escorts removed their hoods and exposed their faces. Duke Fredrick Evynwood’s had a shaved head covered in swirling tattoos. Cold blue eyes adorned his face. He bowed.
Duke Gabriel Bradford’s escort was a short brunette teenager with piercing green eyes that glowed like emeralds. She bowed.
Arch Duke Winston Weatherford’s escort had a familiar jaw line, blue eyes and freckles on his left cheek that looked like the Big Dipper.
Cyrus’ eyes widened and the twins softly gasped as their eyes met his.
He then bowed.
Martian …
