Chapter 8

  Sage

  It had been, for all intents and purposes, an entirely mundane life Ritter lived at Ylgard's. His days were boring and repetitive, he would typically wake up, have a simple breakfast of whatever Ylgard made that day, though as a man of Middle Eastern descent he typically cooked traditional meals of his people. Though Ritter was often the only one to really enjoy them. After some brief chores, Ritter would spend much the rest of the day doing Academics, it had been a very long time since Ritter had done anything related to study yet he still performed admirably. Anything after Academics was simply him enjoying the woods, as Ylgard gave him special permission to roam. And that constituted a day for Ritter.

  Opera

  Something he was utterly content with.

  After all, not everyone is prepared to go on grand adventures or have incredible things happen to them. Sometimes normality is a hard fought treasure. Especially for Ritter. Well, any of the children Ylgard looks after.

  Sage

  Indeed, Ylgard's House was no ordinary Foster Home, but was also a rehabilitation center for children who've been involved in the Paranormal. Children of cultists, children who were orphaned by terrible Phenomena, truly children who were inconsolable by Sleeper methods.

  Opera

  But Ritter is different, in multiple senses of the word. He's been with Ylgard for a number of months now, and shows no real signs of improvement. On paper he's getting better, on paper his Academics and general scores are very good. Yet despite this, Ylgard notices things about Ritter. How he basically refuses to interact with any of the other Children, how even for Ylgard Ritter seems distant and aloof. Ylgard can't exactly blame Ritter for his troubles, after all, it's not like he himself spent half of his life locked away in a room hidden away to let die. But if there is one thing that Ylgard above all else notices about Ritter, it's probably how Ritter seems to lack in absolute and utter totality the basic essence of Human motivation, Purpose.

  Sage

  And So, Ylgard seemed fit to try and mend this issue. One day, Ylgard approached Ritter and asked him something.

  Ylgard

  Ritter, would you like to come with me somewhere?

  Ritter, looking up

  Where are we going Ylgard?

  Ylgard, in his usual playful tone

  Well, it's a secret, and it's up to you if you want to find out.

  Sage

  Ritter was rather bored that day, and he had completed all of his Academics, so sure, why not? Accompanying Ylgard, Ritter was brought to his car, a dull grey mobile that reeked of the particular flavor of Tobacco Ylgard liked to smoke. And no matter how hard Ylgard scrubbed or sprayed he could never quite seem to get rid of.

  Opera

  Now, Ritter’s been around in Ylgard's car a few times, as they live out in the country, everyone has one, though Ylgard typically drives alone. As they slowly move through the winding woodland roads, Ylgard seems to work up the courage to say something.

  Ylgard

  Well, Ritter, can you guess where we are going?

  Ritter, confused

  No, should I?

  Ylgard, laughing

  Well I mean it's been a part of your Geography Academics. It's a really important city.

  Sage

  Ritter thinks back to his Geography, famous cities? Quite tricky. But as Ritter thought about what it might be, a particular thought caused him to consider Ylgard's occupation. Ylgard, you see, was not an independent person running Ylgard’s House, Ylgard was a Helper. A Helper is a particular position in the Empyreal Orthodoxy, one who dedicates their Life Path to helping others.

  The Life Path, a central piece of Via Adama ideology. The Life Path is the belief that Humans should find “something to dedicate their lives to”, this could be an occupation, a hobby or perhaps something more esoteric. But none the less for Helpers, they felt a higher calling to help others, and so the Orthodoxy created one of its three clerical branches for those who dedicate their lives to service for the communities in which they reside.

  Ylgard’s House is such a service. And in Ylgard's fifteen years of work he has never seen someone like Ritter, while the scope of his involvement with the Paranormal is limited, his scars are deep and concerning.

  Opera

  Now Ritter, well, isn't thinking about most of that, after he remembers Ylgard works for the Empyreal Orthodoxy, he knows that there is a very particular city, one he is certain now, is the location Ylgard speaks off.

  Ritter

  We’re going to Uranus, aren't we?

  Ylgard, excitedly

  Bingo! You're so good with your Academics, I really am impressed Ritter…

  Ritter

  Why are we heading there?

  Ylgard

  Well, I want to show you something really special, Ritter, a place I think you need to go see with me.

  Ritter, curiously

  What are we going to see?

  Ylgard, slightly giddy

  Oh you'll see soon enough Ritter…

  Sage

  As they turned a corner after almost an hour of driving, they finally got within sight of it, Uranus, the Capital City County of The Empyreal Orthodoxy.

  Opera

  And my oh my, what a city. Actually, a City is a rather understated way of putting it. Uranus is actually four cities connected together, under the jurisdiction of the Sages of the City.

  Sage

  The Sage is the second branch of the Orthodoxy’s clergy. Sages are the “leaders”...

  Opera

  In as loose of a term as that can apply…

  Sage

  … Of the Orthodoxy. They debate and debrief upon the implications and possible breaking points of the edicts of Via Adama.

  Opera

  The cities themselves are vast and splendorous. Gold and ebony stone mark each immaculately crafted building, each a masterpiece devoted to human civilization. There's a vaguely Greco Roman aesthetic to it all. People bustle around on the Alabaster white roads as Street Cars ride around elevated tracks high above the streets, only stopping along occasional raised platforms for passengers to come on and off of the Street Cars.

  Fabulously dressed people walk about the city, each one dressed in an almost garish manner, but carrying with them a dignity and, all around just a sense of owning their ridiculous outfits that you just sort of have to respect the confidence of. Masks, robes, cloaks and a frankly absurd number of scarfs and shawls line the various coats and shirts the residents are wearing. Comparatively, Ylgard and Ritter look so plain and simple.

  Sage

  As they left the car, Ylgard and Ritter approached one of the raised platforms and waited for only a few minutes at most before a Street Car approached. The magnificent Carriage was, as is indeed most the rest of town, Gold and black, though clearly covering the actual mechanisms that made the car ride along the tracks.

  Opera

  As Ritter steps inside he is taken utterly back by the abnormal opulence of the Car, near the front of the car, stands a woman, the Street Car operator. She wears fine regalia alongside a long magenta sash containing both a symbol of Uranus as well as the symbol of the Empyreal Orthodoxy.

  Sage

  The magenta sash indicated that she was a Helper like Ylgard, as Uranus is a theocracy, all public services are done by Helpers. Underneath her sash was a simple but well tailored suit with a magenta tie to match her sash, a simple button-up lay underneath the dress shirt and the pants also went down to the very end where they met some simple shoes. Atop her head was a small cylindrical hat with a golden tassel, framing her face alongside small reading spectacles.

  Opera

  She looks at Ylgard and Ritter in a questioning way, as in a “I haven't seen you around, that means you probably need help” kind of way. She recognizes, however, Ylgard’s Magenta robe, tied up around his waist. He's trying to look trendy in front of all the fancy city folk with their extraordinary sense of fashion. He… is failing, badly…

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  Operator

  Can I help you, Helper?

  Ylgard, casually

  Oh sure thing Operator, we need to get over to The Sword.

  Operator

  Alrighty, well, this Car travels around the outer edge of District Three, buuut…..

  Opera

  The Operator turns towards the current passengers of the Car…

  Operator

  The Lot Of You All Is Alright With Taking A Detour To Mercury Real Quick?!

  Sage

  The collective response was a wave of unbothered apathy. So, the Operator flipped a few switches and pulled a few more levels and just as that, the Car began moving, as it moved along the elevated tracks they passed by a few other cars, everyone politely waved around. Soon, the Car began to deviate from its constant, consistent route for an unprompted but completely acceptable diversion to Mercury.

  Opera

  As the drive along through these veins of the city, passing through like blood, Ritter is utterly spellbound by the architecture. He is fundamentally incapable of accepting the idea that people live in these buildings. Ritter has never really considered something “Holy” in his life, that is to say he's never considered something so grand and majestic as to consider it sacred.

  But this was different, these buildings were beautiful. You have to realize, he's only ever seen basic houses, the idea that houses could get any bigger than the relatively small country houses he has known. The very idea that people could bring themselves to use these countless treasures for something as common as living space is utterly preposterous to Ritter.

  Sage

  Soon, the Car began to pull into Mercury Station, the hub that acted as the central nervous system connecting to all the various Car rails that ran throughout Uranus like a spiderweb.

  Opera

  Now, you're not going to believe this, but Mercury was black and gold all around, from the grid patterned marble floors to the support pillars lining the station. Even here in something as simple a place where Street Cars converge is made beautiful, sacred, opulent. Excessive. In fact, it's so beautiful that Ritter isn't even moving from the car on the auric lattice print resting gently atop the jet floor. Not until Ylgard helps him.

  Sage

  Ylgard began to make his way across the vast halls, carefully keeping sure Ritter was out of the way of strangers, though Ritter was careful himself to avoid them. Ritter was rather excellent at following instructions. As they were walking, a voice called.

  Stranger, from across the hall

  Hey Ylgard!

  Ylgard, turning to meet him

  Is that…?

  Oh Grace! It's you Barnes!

  Opera

  Barnes Mars, Former Lead Inquisitor of the Order of the Moon and if the name wasn't a top off father of Maxwell Mars, begins to approach. And.. yup, it seems like he's trying to talk to Ylgard. Awesome.

  Barnes

  Ylgard, you old Sirrah! How’ve you been?

  Ylgard, slightly offbeat

  Barnes! Language please, I've got a kid with me.

  Sage

  Ylgard gestured towards Ritter, standing on his southwest. Ritter looked over the brim, intimidating made he saw before him. Barnes was a bulky and husky man, standing an imposing 200cm. His soldiers were broad and boxy, while the dark, greying hair on his head slowly but surely showed signs of receding. Leaving only long straight hair going down to his neck. His chin was thick and bulbous, his cheeks were flat and non descript forcing one’s eyes to focus on his stunning azure eyes, the same ones he evidently gave to Maxwell.

  Most interesting to observe however, was his lack of any real decorum. Unlike the others in the Station he wore simple black clothing, large boots and a small black half cape which was embroidered with Platinum lettering. The only detail of his outfit worthy of note.

  Opera

  Yea, Barnes has never been one for the fancy manners of dress upheld by other people in the city. He has no real patience for trying to look fancy and impressive when to him, clothing was just something you wore to keep you from being naked.

  But, either way, he takes a quick peak at the young Ritter, and beckons him forth slightly. A look of interest illuminating his experienced face.

  Barnes, rather curiously

  Oh yeah, you're that kid my Maxwell had saved from that den of Werewolves out in… Ugh, bloody damn, where was it again? Hexes, not like it matters, how are ya kid?

  Sage

  Barnes stretched out one of his hands to shake Ritter's. Ritter clasps his hands around Barnes’ and puffs out a simple “I'm fine”.

  Barnes

  Aww, you're so civilized for being raised by mongrels..

  Ylgard, displeased

  Barnes, could we maybe not say such things? Adama, they were still his family.

  Ritter, half confidently, half dejected

  No they weren't.

  Ylgard, concerned

  Ritter…

  Ritter

  Only my Mom was family, everyone else was just a part of the “pack”, But they're gone now, they don't matter.

  Barnes, kneeling

  Kid, I got to say, you're awfully mature for your age, say, what brings you to Uranus?

  Ylgard, stepping in front of Ritter again

  Well, I wanted to take Ritter here to discuss his Lifepath. Maybe, you could say something about them Barnes?

  Barnes, scratching his neck

  Great idea! Well Kid, when I was about 14, I remember there was this one really nasty Primal Beast living in the woods by my town. Everybody, and I mean everybody, was absolutely terrified of this thing. I mean we put in public curfews, no trespassing signs, the whole works. Real bad stuff. Anyhow, I get sick of all the rules and restrictions because nobody in the town got the spirit to just kill it, so I steal the local Worship Hall’s Ceremonial Blade, this wicked little thing of steel. Can't remember what it looked like, been so long. But I went into the woods and after three days I came out with the thing’s head, mounted it above my bed. That moment I think, was when I realized I should be an Inquisitor..

  Sage

  Ritter… looked confused at the man, he simply wasn't able to see what Barnes was seeing.

  Opera

  So, this precocious 12 year old simply asks the question that comes to him first.

  Ritter

  What? How was that your Lifepath?

  Barnes, looking a little offset

  Well, I guess it's hard to say really. I saw that while others were scared, I was strong, so.. I wanted to use that strength. Look, it's okay to be confused, everyone has a different approach to their life that gives it meaning. I can only tell you what led me to mine.

  Ritter

  What about Mars?

  Barnes, thinking

  Maxwell, he's… a good kid, but he's always been too busy chasing my shadow. When he told me he wanted to be an Inquisitor, I almost fell out of my chair. I guess I believe him now, been an Inquisitor.. oh, seven years now?

  Opera

  Like Hitchcock's table bomb, the roar of the Station's loud speaker thunders through the pavilion enclosing Mercury, declaring the Car that heads from The Sword and back, is ready to depart. Ylgard sees this as their cue, and they say goodbye to Barnes Mars.

  As the Car approaches The Sword, Ylgard looks over to Ritter.

  Ylgard

  Yea, Barnes is quite the fellow, don't you suppose Ritter?

  Sage

  But Ritter only takes a look at Ylgard, one of indifference. As they approach The Sword however, Ritter’s face stretches into one of wonder and excitement. The Sword is the headquarters of the Empyreal Orthodoxy, it is a massive Obelisk shaped building whose heights seem to pierce the heavens above. It is the largest building on the Planet of Ulatra, and in fact, in any of the Eight worlds of the Everett Sequence.

  Opera

  As entranced as Ritter had been before, with the opulence of Uranus, truly the building standing before him is the grandest of them all. Like the primordial God, sitting atop their throne of creation, the Sword is the lynchpin by which the rest of Uranus springs forth from its centered tower.

  Ritter is standing there in awe, the sheer overwhelming divinity of the building filling his body like reverberations, bouncing around and dancing through his veins and bones. Ylgard puts his hand on his shoulder.

  Ylgard, sweetly

  Well Ritter, ya just gonna stand here? Or are you going to actually admire the place from the inside? I swear it's much nicer.

  Sage

  Ritter shook his head and followed Ylgard through the massive golden archway that led to the interior. Everywhere Ritter looked, masterful craftsmanship greeted his eyes. Paintings lined every way, each an incredible work of art. Status also stood abundant. One in particular stood clear above the others.

  A Golden statue, as is the most common material, depicting an elderly man with a large beard that hung down near his solar plexus. Curiously, words lined almost every centimeter of the statue, Ritter tried reading it.

  Ylgard, laughing slightly

  Oh Ritter, don't bother, if you wanted to actually read that, I'd recommend just grabbing a copy of Hieronymus Saxton’s Commentaries on the Old World.

  Ritter, looking up at Ylgard

  Is that where they come from?

  Ylgard

  Yes, it's one of the most foundational texts of the Via Adama…

  Sage

  Ylgard stood there, admiring the statue.

  Ylgard

  You know, he was one of the greatest thinkers of the Old World. They say he was truly the one to shepherd humanity after the Old World cracked apart. His words helped us rebuild, renew ourselves…

  Ritter

  What happened to him?

  Ylgard

  Well, he died many years ago, he was quite old Ritter, he was from the Old World. Strange to think about it ay Ritter? Just, eighty seven years ago, we were all on one planet? Crazy…

  Opera

  But this isn't what Ylgard wants to show Ritter, some old guy who Ritter will eventually have to learn about for sure, however at this time, Ylgard has something more important than proper doctrine…. Self Actualization.

  Sage

  As they continue deeper into the halls, Ritter begins looking up at the statues on the walls, he notices the faces of them are blank, nor do they possess any type of other identifiers, ethnic or sexual.

  Ritter, gesturing to the statues

  Who are these people, Ylgard?

  Ylgard

  Well, nobody, Ritter. The faces are blank, each is not representative of a person, but of any person.

  Sage

  Ylgard dropped to one knee, and faced Ritter.

  Ylgard, seriously

  Ritter, what do you want to be?

  Opera

  Ritter, just, stands there for a second, thinking, pondering, sloshing the many things he's ever thought all throughout his mind, finally, an answer manages to make its way out his mouth.

  Ritter, looking at Ylgard

  Ylgard, I want to be an Inquisitor…..