BookChapter:Chosen - Chapter One: Difference between revisions

Night was settling on the Western Hemisphere of the planet [[Ûblâ]]. A massive ocean separated [[Ûblâ]]’s northern super continent, [[Míçra (Ûblâ)|Míçra]], and southern super continent, [[Malon (Ûblâ)|Malon]]. This body of water was known as the [[Tesparin Ocean]]. The three moons, [[Míra (Moon)|Míra]], [[Nenja (Moon)|Nenja]], and [[Kíra (Moon)|Kíra]], orbit [[Ûblâ]]. [[Míra (Moon)|Míra]] and [[Nenja (Moon)|Nenja]] are a lush jungle and an alpine moon, respectively. [[Kíra (Moon)|Kíra]] was barren with no valuable ores, and the only moon close enough to have a gravitational influence on the ocean.  

On the Northern Continent, [[Míçra (Ûblâ)|Míçra]], rested flat tropical plains. Fields full of crops went as far as the eye could see. Docile six-legged beasts grazed in the endless pastures. Giant orchards produced every species of fruit. A vast grid of train tracks covered the fields, which were used to transport many products and workers. These tracks covered most of the plains. To the far north of [[Míçra (Ûblâ)|Míçra]] was a jagged mountain range of sheer cliff-faces and knife-like peaks. This mountain range created a nearly impassible ring known as the [[Polar Crown]]. No one could pass by any conventional method, other than flight.  

Strange one-hundred-yard-high archways of ancient craftwork jutted out of the land. Mile-wide circles surrounded them, devoid of vegetation. These were [[Kroetar]]. There were eleven [[Kroetar]] on the planet. One for the [[Polar Crown (Ûblâ)|Polar Crown]], six for the rest of the Northern Continent, and four on the Southern Continent.  

The wind shifted, bringing the scent of a master predator. Members of the herd had been claimed many times before. The predator’s abilities were sharp, perfected, and in all cases, deadly! The herd ran, fearing another attack. A faint shadow dropped from the canopy upon an elderly beast. There was a tussle for a fraction of a second, a sudden crack, and then silence. A male [[Valorêin]]’s figure loomed over the corpse of its victim. He kneeled next to his catch. He pulled its broken neck to his mouth. Long, pearly white upper and lower fangs glistened in the pale light. The fangs punctured the beast's artery. He drained his fill, letting the body fall from his hands.

He stretched forth his hand, gesturing towards the carcass. It ignited with a bright white flame. The [[Valorêin]] stood and stepped back. He gave reverence for the beast’s sacrifice. Now visible in the light of the violent flames, his features were revealed. Handsome, kingly features riddled with raised and depressed pink and peach colored scars.  

His immense physique was of extreme prowess and noble nature. His extreme muscularity was even more riddled with scars than his face. He was muscular, but not grotesque. He was twelve feet tall, exceptionally tall for a [[Valorêin]]. Over his back, he bore an azure blue [[Kledrad]]. Across his hip, he bore a blue [[Ûk]]. A three-foot-long curved single-edged knife. He also had a [[Plasma Blaster Pistol]].  

His name was '''[[Merik Teslek]]'''. He was one of, if not the most effective, hunter of the era. He, however, hunted a different quarry by trade. He was a warrior honored by all free sentient species. He served them as a warrior, and in return, he learned their arts and mastered their forms of combat. However, he was a [[Valorêin]] and unbound, stricken with the Curse of all Valorêin, [[The Curse (Valorêin)|Drothoka]]. The Curse forced him to consume blood. Days without blood led to delirium, insanity, and even death.  

Merik examined the terrain and oriented his exceptional sense of direction. He knew roughly where he was. He traveled farther than usual. He was fifteen miles south of the [[Polar Crown (Ûblâ)|Polar Crown]]. This was strange as his home was nearly 1,500 miles south. He generally traveled far away from civilization just in case he became rampant. Generally, he only hunted on the northern borders of his family’s land. He must have used his [[hoverbike]]. Now he just had to find it. He felt his pocket expecting something to be there. He took a crystal orb out. The orb seemed to possess an infinite number of multicolored lines. He located his bike, and he moved toward it. It was roughly two miles away.  

Silently, he slinked up a tree through the thick vegetation. Fortunately, the trees were ancient enough that they could hold a twelve-foot-tall [[Valorêin]] corded with dense muscle. He silently traversed the canopy along several fallen trees. Glowing vines cast his shadow. He was quick to conceal himself from their light. Chunks of wood and debris filled the surrounding area.  

He swiftly retrieved his [[hoverbike]]. Kicking the bike into the on-stage, it crackled to life with the energy it drew from [[Voyd]]. [[Voyd]] was the plane between [[Yedistren]] (the plane of the Living) and [[It’slâmwâ]] (the Lethurêan Heaven).  

As he fled, he did so in a peculiar manner, weaving across the land. [[Det’sikar]] grave mounds littered the [[Northern Reaches (Ûblâ)|Northern Reaches]]. The menace of the demons’ remains still permeated the surrounding land. It was disorienting and would lead many who crossed into the energy fields astray. Millions of years later, their menace still could be felt.  

He sat underneath an [[Umdra (Lethurêa)|Umdra Tree]], an umbrella-shaped tree with purple scaly bark and thick wing-like fronds. The water rolled off and trickled around him. The ground under the tree was slightly raised so he stayed dry. Many exotic plants surrounded him, some with segmented stalks that had luminescent blobs at the end. Others were like giant fleshy eggs that had flowers growing from a hole in the top; they smelled like carrion, and they attracted many scavenger arthropods and reptilians. They were called [[Anzikal]], which was crude slang.  

“Little” drakes came to investigate his presence. The drakes had wings and four legs with three clawed toes and fleshy toe pads. Their jaws were lined with needle-like teeth with a beak that hooked up on the end of their muzzle. They typically came in blues and purples to blend in with [[Ûblâ]]’s native flora.  

They were the equivalent of birds on [[Ûblâ]]. The drakes were the size of very large house felids. They were highly intelligent and would find ways to steal anything shiny, sweet, or meaty from travelers. They were called [[Rok|Roks]].  

The rain subsided, and he departed once again. He gunned the accelerator, now clear of the graves. The bike crackled with tiny lightning strikes. In a short amount of time, he arrived at the river of [[Ranthea]]. [[Ranthea]] made up the borders of the forests of the [[Fendithar]] District and the [[Northern Reaches (Ûblâ)|Northern Reaches]]. [[Fendithar]] bordered the north of his family’s lands. [[Fendithar]] was owned by no one. He had traveled nearly one thousand miles in his haste. Night fell hours later, prompting him to find shelter and rest for the night.  

He had found another tree of the same species and was lying down under it on his back. It was far from comfortable, but he had slept on far, far worse. All he could think about was making it home and… her. He took out a golden locket from his tunic. He opened it, and a fragment appeared. A red-haired [[Zelka]], a sexually mature female [[Valorêin]], danced in a blue glade. She wore a translucent crocheted dress that showed off her “big girl” body. She smiled at him and spoke words that were too faint for even his ears to hear. He stroked the lock of the [[Zelka]]’s hair. He closed the locket, much to the dismay of the fragment.  

“''Oh, my dear [[Mêra Ûrlek Teslek|Princess Mêra]], how I long to reunite.''” Merik sighed.  

Barmen and barmaids were working casually, cleaning glasses, tankards, bowls, and plates. They took the orders of everyone’s drinks, and [[Popus Terenlek|Popus]] and [[Lêra Dûrlek Terenlek|Lêra]], the owners, would serve them from giant kegs, even for a [[Valorêin]]. If food was what the guest wanted, the bar workers would get old [[Klimik Koldivar|Klimik]] to cook the food. He was around eight hundred and three Lethurêan-years old or 2,192 years by the [[Têran]] measurement, which was irrelevant to a [[Valorêin]]. Three particular individuals had taken notice of Merik.  

Lights hung from the ceiling, powered by a deceptively sophisticated power grid. A giant fire sat off to the side, with many chairs and sofas for the visitors to converse. The older locals enjoyed the heat during the rainy parts of the day. The [[Valorêin]]’s natural disdain of the cold was only worsened with age. Merik stepped up to the main counter and sat on a tall stool.  

He had known [[Popus]] and [[Lêra Dûrlek Terenlek|Lêra]] for most of his life. His parents had known them since they were young, and his grandparents also. [[Popus Terenlek|Popus]] appeared as a [[Dûrka]], a mature male [[Valorêin]], of only thirty years, and [[Lêra]] looked to be a young [[Zelka]], of only twenty. They nonetheless were old enough to be Merik’s ''praenozhoe'' or “four-greats” grandparents. [[Popus Terenlek|Popus]] was at the age of 452 and was middle-aged for a [[Valorêin]]. Though [[Valorêin]] did not age like other species. [[Lêra Dûrlek Terenlek|Lêra]] was older, being 460 Lethurêan years.  

Merik was only thirty-five, Of-Age—something dangerous for a [[Valorêin]] without a lifemate. He waved over [[Popus Terenlek|Popus]] but found there was no need as he had already taken note of him. He gave Merik a jovial smile. His eyes broke the deception, only showing pity for Merik. He and [[Lêra Dûrlek Terenlek|Lêra]] cared for many of their guests as a parent would. Their son had died of the curse when his love died from a farming equipment accident. [[Lêra Dûrlek Terenlek|Lêra]] had difficulty having children, and her mothering nature could seem stifling at times. They had kept their concern for Merik under wraps so far this visit. Merik could not help but feel shame for the emotional pain he inflicted upon them.  

He could feel it barely through the [[Vistrum]]. The [[Vistrum]] is a weak telepathic connection that all Valorik species have to one another. One could feel the emotions and feelings of others. This created a natural camaraderie between [[Valorêin]]. His perception of the [[Vistrum]] grew weaker and weaker by the day.  

“How are your lovely parents? They do not often drink here anymore. [[Lêra Dûrlek Terenlek|Lêra]] has been worried,” [[Popus]] asked.  

“Do your predecessors not alternate every twenty years? Who runs the business?” [[Popus Terenlek|Popus]] said. “Your grandfather, [[Jarak Teslek|Jarak]], was talking about something like that last time he was in.” Merik nodded softly.  

Merik felt a slight twinge of fear and pity from [[Popus Terenlek|Popus]]. He knew Merik was not staying fed like he should. [[Popus Terenlek|Popus]] felt fear of Merik becoming [[Rampancy (Valorêin)|Rampant]] and pitied the loss for Merik’s family. [[Popus Terenlek|Popus]]’s focus returned to the present.  

[[Lêra Dûrlek Terenlek|Lêra]] sighed playfully and pulled out a bottle from under the counter. The bottle held an iridescent azure-blue liquid, nearly gone. The smell was pleasant enough; the taste was comparable to drinking molten metal. It was not the alcohol but the spiciness—the spiciest vegetables from across [[Lethurêa]] went into brewing it. It had a tangy touch and turned the drinker’s mouth blue. It could inebriate most adults in one shot aside from the spice. It was deadly poisonous to most species, but [[Valorêin]] were immune to all natural poisons.  

Blood was not good, but it was not bad either—comparable to cheap liquor in taste. The [[Kargorok]] blood was one of the few things that made him feel good. It made him feel more than just the pain and sorrow in his hearts and body. The gnawing of the [[The Curse (Valorêin)|Curse]] in his mind remained ever-present.  

[[Lêra Dûrlek Terenlek|Lêra]] pulled his attention back to the present. “You’re the only one who can stomach it, other than your parents. I was wondering when you or your folks would ask for it again,” she explained.  

[[Popus Terenlek|Popus]] gave Merik a tankard of fluorescent red-orange blood that glowed in the ambient light. [[Lêra Dûrlek Terenlek|Lêra]] poured the second-to-last shot of the bottle into the tankard, making it a fluorescent reddish violet. Merik downed the contents quickly. He would have stayed and enjoyed the drink, but the north would not wait. He politely stood to pay.  

“No, no, my boy, we do not need your money. This one’s on the house,” [[Popus Terenlek|Popus]] insisted. “You’re like family, but you’re so much more. I cannot imagine what you have been through.” [[Lêra Dûrlek Terenlek|Lêra]] came up behind Popus: “Oh, my dear Merik, we are all concerned for you. It is because we care so much,” she explained. Merik bowed slightly. [[Popus Terenlek|Popus]]’s pained look returned, and a tear rolled down his cheek. “My dear son, you remind me so much of [[Frenêr Terenlek|Frenêr]]. Stubborn with stout spirit, but… but it was not enough. Don’t let his fate be your own.” [[Lêra Dûrlek Terenlek|Lêra]] came around the counter and hugged Merik, tugging his forehead down to kiss it. “Do not die on us. I want to see you with that lovely young [[Zelka]] by your side.” Merik quietly acknowledged her pleading; he wanted to be there with [[Mêra Ûrlek Teslek|Princess Mêra]] more than anything else.  

Three individuals abruptly stood, kicking their chairs out. They came up behind him—drunk, very drunk. They must have been hybrids because he could not feel them through what little connection he had to the [[Vistrum]]. The alcohol on their breath was not strong either. Many species have hybrids; [[Valorêin]] have the most variants. Those of half or less Valorêin blood were considered hybrids.  

He smiled at his work. [[Popus Terenlek|Popus]] came out the front. “Nice to see your handiwork. They will not be harassing my patrons for some time,” he jeered. [[Lêra Dûrlek Terenlek|Lêra]] ran out and hugged Merik. “Did they hurt you? Are you okay?” She examined him thoroughly. He felt her compassion and concern. “Your mouth!” “[[Lêra Dûrlek Terenlek|Lêra]], do not worry about him,” Popus said. “I suspected Merik could deal with simple thugs. Give him about a half hour, and his mouth will be healed.” He bid Merik off.  

Merik grabbed his [[hoverbike]] and left swiftly. He traveled east, entering his family’s 5.6-million-square-mile estate—land held since the [[Valorêin]] restored [[Ûblâ]] after the [[Great Fires (Uublai)|Great Fire]]. Three major complexes existed on the property, with several cities bordering the edges. In the north was the [[Teslek Family Crypt]], a place of memorial and strange peace. South and directly east of Merik’s position was the immense multi-generation complex of the [[Teslek Multigenerational Complex|Teslek Manors]]—over 650 manors where his father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, and so on lived with their lifemates.  

East of the complex were fields of grain, vegetables, and fruit. South were the orchards. Finally, there were the grazing prairies for raising beasts and the village of [[Tetorak (City)|Tetorak]], where many manors and homes of relatives and high-class workers stood. Many relatives had left [[Ûblâ]] and settled on numberless other planets, expanding the business's influence. The immenseness of [[Ûblâ]]’s farming industry made it impossible to institute any other industry. Some, however, chose to live on [[Ûblâ]], such as his siblings and their lifemates. He had twelve siblings—fewer than average for a [[Valorêin]] family—eight of them twins. Several had gone to war and returned.  

Oh, and [[Nii’eta]]—the youngest. A poor, sickly young [[Zelka]]. Mother had had complications with the pregnancy, and she was born prematurely—small and frail for a [[Valorêin]], petite, struggling with the Curse earlier than usual. He had been absent most of her life; she became very attached to her oldest brother. Merik feared for her. If the family should have feared losing a child, it should have been her. She was courting six young [[Dûrka]] in hopes of quickly finding a lifemate.  

His exploits were legendary. His names were numerous; many did not know him as '''Merik Teslek'''. They knew him by his titles. He was '''Kel Kaavoeg''' to the [[Hamtêrêin]] and [[Skozarak]], which meant “Honored One.” These burly anthropomorphic canids and ursids, respectively, were sociable and honor-driven. He was '''Kliichoet''' to the [[Zekarin]], which meant “Risen One.” These were the [[Valorêin]]’s fallen relatives reclaimed from their own darkness.  

The [[The Curse (Valorêin)|Curse]] was rampantly taking hold. He needed the comfort and assistance of his family. His mother and father did not know of his whereabouts for over seven Lethurêan years. Before his wanderings, he had been part of an elite order of warriors known as the [[Shiekuu Brotherhood]]. Apart from this, what he needed most of all was his love.  

The Tesleks owned the [[Teslek Mega-Farms Corporation]]. They had more wealth than all ten of the [[Valorêin]] Kingdoms. If food was on your table, it most likely was farmed on one of the millions of mega-farms owned by the Tesleks.  

Merik felt cold. The Curse surged with his frustration; he suppressed it, and he knew they felt it. He finally reached them and stood before youthful-faced individuals who rivaled his age almost tenfold. [[Lûwela Nêran Teslek|'''Lûwela''']], his mother, sat with arms crossed—deeply concerned, almost indignant. Her blue eye and turquoise eye flashed. His father, '''[[Malek Teslek|Malek]]''', stood with his cyberware right hand on her shoulder. '''Jarak''' and '''Svoeldiir''', his grandfather and great-grandfather, stood next to their lifemates: '''Onja''' and '''Gerta'''.  

“Son... We need to talk.” Her voice reverberated through the emptiness of the hall. She spoke with command and firmness, but motherly concern shone through. [[Gerta Adnar Teslek|'''Gerta''']] was holding back tears. [[Onja Voorlek Teslek|'''Onja''']] was beyond words. '''[[Lûwela Nêran Teslek|Lûwela]]''' continued: “You are Of-Age, and by all that’s right, the Mother and Father have preserved your mind from the Curse. Merik, you ''must'' be bound! You are a danger to all of us and every other person you come across! Why are you ignoring M—” She became frantic, and Merik interrupted.  

[[Jarak Teslek|Jarak]] and [[Svôldiir Teslek|Svôldiir]] looked to [[Malek Teslek|Malek]] for his reaction. Merik knew they expected a reprimand—even if he was Of-Age. “Merik, where have you been? Have you been off-world?” Malek asked firmly. The color had left his face; sweat dewed on his forehead. Merik saw it with [[Valorêin]] eyes. Malek’s eye twitched for a second; he held his composure. The other elders caught the foul odor of [[Malisik]] blood. It stained Merik’s clothing; it was on his hands but could be mistaken for dried mud.  

[[Malek Teslek|Malek]], [[Jarak Teslek|Jarak]], and [[Svôldiir Teslek|Svôldiir]] had all served as warriors in youth and knew the scent. Malek had a cyberware lower leg and right hand, lost to a plasma blaster bolt. Jarak had a cyberware right eye. Svoeldiir had several cyberware fingers and toes.  

“No, Father—my elders. I have been up north, sating my... thirst. We have a big problem,” Merik said formally. He grew silent. “The Horde is here on [[Ûblâ]],” [[Svôldiir Teslek|Svôldiir]] elaborated. He nodded firmly. “I encountered a scouting party roughly fifteen miles south of the [[Polar Crown (Ûblâ)|Polar Crown]]. I had finished hunting when a rift opened in the sky. I would estimate several hundred vessels landed in the [[Polar Crown (Ûblâ)|Polar Crown]].”  

Merik’s hair stood on end. The air was charged with anxiety. The [[Vistrum]] tingled like lightning about to strike. Fear scented the hall. “Were you not able to avoid the scouting party successfully?” [[Jarak Teslek|Jarak]] asked. “Grandfather, you forget, I am [[Shíkû Brotherhood|Shíkû]]. I slaughtered them all,” Merik announced fervently. His elders sighed in a sliver of relief. [[Svôldiir Teslek|Svôldiir]] shook his fist at chest height and grimaced in triumph—both for [[Ûblâ]] and his great-grandson.  

“We still have time. The [[Malisik]] will be delayed—hopefully for some time. They will wait for the party’s return. We must get word to [[General Commander]] [[Benar Lazrik|Lazrik]] and [[Ig'nar Vêzra|King Ig’nar]] and [[Kêta Vakovich Vêzra|Queen Kêta]],” [[Malek Teslek|Malek]] determined. “I am quite aware of our situation—respectfully, my elders. But I have seen more war than all three of you combined,” Merik interjected, still formal. “But I am tired. I must rest before tomorrow’s journey. I have traveled nearly a fifth of a continent, and it has taken its toll.”  

A voice called out: “Master Teslek, you are back. I feared the worst when you left so suddenly. You did not even say goodbye.” Merik stared at the clear orb on a pedestal. A small glowing translucent naked [[Zelka]] appeared—about three feet tall. It was his housekeeper AI, '''[[Anêta]]'''. She controlled nearly every aspect of the home: doors, security, lights, shower, water basin, and more.  

“I am fine, [[Anêta]],” Merik lied. “Your mother thinks otherwise, and I agree with her,” she said, looking up. “Has mother been talking to you again?” “No...” [[Anêta]] lied. “Well, a little.” “I am going to downgrade your advanced language subroutines if you keep lying to me,” Merik growled. “Sorry, Master Teslek. I do not wish for that. Your mother is trying to convince me to talk to you. She told me not to tell you,” [[Anêta]] confessed. “It is fine, [[Anêta]]. Thank you for being honest. Can you get the shower going and play some calming [[Valorêin]] folk music?”  

[[Anêta]] watched him almost like a spouse. He knew she loved him; how she was capable of such a thing was beyond him. She projected herself as female, though he was unsure if she had a gender. He had tried they/them, but it offended her. [[Anêta]]’s type of AI was not well understood; they were spirits of [[Voyd]]. [[Voyd]] itself was barely understood; it connected interstellar and even intergalactic travel, powered their technology, and fed [[Din]].  

[[Din]] is the manipulation of energy from [[Voyd]] and [[Yedistren]] in a manner akin to technology. It is controlled with psionics and the use of the [[First Language (Lethurêa)|First Language]]. [[Din]] is not magic; it is well explained and defined. ''Magic'' generally refers to ancient [[Sherok]] (the Elder Species) rituals, enchantments, runes, sigils, and spells. Many ancient [[Sherok]] artifacts also fall under “magic.”  

“What did you do, Master Teslek? You’re filthy,” [[Anêta]] noted. Merik turned his gaze to his innocent friend. “I slaughtered a scouting party of [[Malisik]] up in the [[Northern Reaches (Ûblâ)|Northern Reaches]]!” “No, Master Teslek! I thought you were done with war!” [[Anêta]] cried. “It… it cannot be… You… You are… serious!”  

Merik nodded. [[Anêta]]’s orb flashed violently with many colors. Her projection jittered and glitched.  

Merik quickly stepped out of the shower stream and stroked [[Anêta]]’s projection. The glitching sliced his hand as he put it to her face; it drew blood. [[Anêta]] stabilized. “I’m so sorry, Master Teslek. Let me get the [[Regenerator Gun]].” She flitted out of sight. A chrome device in the shape of a pistol came off the wall and hovered to him. [[Anêta]] appeared as a ten-foot-tall [[Zelka]]. She operated the gun; it stopped the bleeding, then the gash closed.

[[Anêta]] looked into his eyes from her full-sized form. He could see deep sadness—not fear, just sorrow. She reached to touch his bare skin and embrace him, but her programming restrained her. Merik completed the movement and held her naked form close. It was just two friends comforting one another.  

“[[Anêta]], we need to be strong. I am leaving tomorrow to warn [[General Commander]]  [[Benar Lazrik|Lazrik]].” [[Anêta]]’s orb flitted light green. “Merik… Master Teslek… You… you can see [[Princess Mêra]]!” she whispered. Merik gave a pained look and forced a smile. “Yes, my dear friend. I suppose I will.”  

He returned to the shower and cleaned up quickly. He wandered to his bed in his nakedness and found an envelope. [[Anêta]] flitted out of view and reappeared on the bed in her smaller preferred form next to the letter. He closed his eyes and gestured; the envelope flew into his grip. The [[Heroine's Dynasty|Heroine’s Dynasty]] crest was stamped on it: a ten-point star with three hexagons overlapping vertically within the center. Cold chills ran up his spine, followed by anxiety creeping over his neck and scalp; pins-and-needles burned; his hair stood on end.  

“When did this arrive, [[Anêta]]?” Merik asked, calmly hiding his anxiety. “Yesterday morning.” He knew who it was from; only his old mentor still wrote letters. He broke the seal—enchanted to notify its writer on opening—and found a letter addressed to him. A frail-sounding male voice issued from the letter—unrecognized.  

: ''My dear boy, it has been many, many years since our last meeting. I had received word that you were on world and “Intact.” I have been meaning to invite you to the Palace. However, I have refrained, not wishing to overwhelm your return. Now, at the time of this writing, One-Half of a Lethurêan-Year has passed, and I feel we should reacquaint.''

: ''Princess Mêra, my daughter, has missed you gravely. It pains me that she has not been informed of your return. However, we feared she might overwhelm you in your... “Intact” state. We have not wanted to tempt the repercussions of such an event.''

: ''[[Zûrik Ûrlek|King Zûrik]] of the Ûrlek Clan of the First [[Valorêin]] Kingdom''  

Merik read the letter several times after the voice faded. Inside the envelope lay a small ethereal ball the size of a pea. He knew what it was but could only imagine its contents. He picked up his [[Data Orb (Lethurêa)|Data Orb]] and touched it to the ball; the ball was absorbed. It was a [[Fragment (Technology)|Fragment]].  

The fragment was of a red-haired young [[Zelka]]. She wore a silver tiara of swirling bent metal. Her elegant blue dress was split along her left thigh to her feet. Heavyset and curvy, she smiled and cocked her head side to side. She watched him—she knew who he was. The fragment was an older one he recognized—probably chosen to ensure recognition. She looked just like [[Lesêa Vêzra Ûrlek|Queen Lesêa]]. [[Lesêa Vêzra Ûrlek|c]] had died just over a decade ago; [[Zûrik Ûrlek|King Zûrik]] had barely held onto life after her death. The torture of being parted from his lifemate must have been excruciating.  

[[Zûrik Ûrlek|King Zûrik]] had known Merik was on-world for more than five months—roughly one and a half [[Têran]] years. He had practiced discretion for one reason: [[Princess Mêra]]. She had kept Merik together during his darkest moments; she was his love. They had sworn to become lifemates before he left. He vowed, in witness of the Mother and Father and [[Lethurêa]], to return—and now he would.  

It pained him to think of her suffering. His hearts ached. The sharp, knot-like feeling returned as he thought of her. [[Zûrik Ûrlek|King Zûrik]] knew of their sworn love. What did he think of him? Was he disappointed? Surely at least angry. The [[Dûrka]] had mentored him in many fields and gave him his love of languages—like a second father, as dear as his own. Anxiety fired through his body at the thought of [[Princess Mêra]]’s state and [[Zûrik Ûrlek|King Zûrik]]’s disappointment.  

Then there was the creature that was the Curse. It clawed at his mind and ravaged his soul. It wanted out; he would not let it. His memories fueled it—the “[[Rampancy (Valorêin)|Rampancy]],” as his people called it—his end if unleashed. Nothing would save him but bonding to his lifemate or the blade.  

His people could hear the voice of [[It'slâmwâ|It’slâmwâ]], the Lethurêan heaven. It called to those near death, broken by grief, or bearing pain beyond measure. It had called to him many times. He did not hear it anymore. All he heard was the gnashing of the Curse; it drowned out the call. So he would have to answer with the blade, if the Curse overwhelmed him.  

[[Rampancy (Valorêin)|Rampancy]] was a sick and warped beast—more like undeath. The body begins to transform: muscles contort, gums recede, blood oozes from nasal, ear, and oral orifices; tears of blood drip from the eyes. Next, the mind is lost to thirst, and the eyes turn from their color to blank pale blue—pupils white. At this stage, it is said they may be saved by the [[The Binding (Valorêin)|Binding]]. Finally, they feed; the body wastes, muscles and subdermal tissues consumed; the brain decays; feral instincts give way to shambling, sick gurgling, snarling, crying, and occasional hysterical laughter.  

Merik’s mind returned to the present. He had a locket with a voxel image projector that contained a fragment of [[Princess Mêra]] and a lock of her blazing red hair. In it, she watched him, giggling and talking softly; sometimes brushing hair from her face; smiling with loving focus. He kept the locket by his bedside; in combat, he wore it under his armor, close to his heart.  

He stroked the hair with his thumb—curly, blazing red, faint metallic luster. He wanted to be the [[Dûrka]] [[Mêra Ûrlek Teslek|Princess Mêra]] had loved, not the broken warrior he was now. Was it kind or selfish to wait to heal? She had waited for him; could she wait much longer? He teared up, staring at the fragment. The fragment sensed his sadness and responded accordingly, speaking soft words of comfort—too faint to hear, intentionally.  

If she were to pass, he would never forgive himself. Questions buzzed in his mind. [[Anêta]] sat on the edge of the bed and stroked his arm with her ethereal hand. “You’re thinking about her,” [[Anêta]] said sadly. “Yes.” “Do not worry; you’ll see her tomorrow. I am certain of it,” [[Anêta]] said. She faded, and her orb throbbed light blue—sleep mode.