Sinners of Tyre: Act 1 Chapter 5

The grand entryway stood open, towering over Sch'Lvya. A wave of cold, but fresh air washed over her, coming from the dark interior of the Pyramid. She glanced over her compatriots, standing behind her, awaiting her to step in. As the one called by the Tribunal, she was the one, and only one allowed in, while the group needed to wait outside. She closed her eyes and gulped, clenching her fists and rattling the tip of her tail, before stepping forth, into the dark entrance. Darkness of the interior engulfed her, as the bright light of outside disappeared behind the closing gate. Sch'Lvya briefly stopped in her tracks and flickered her tounge anxiously, before her eyes managed to get used to the dark. Her pupils widened, uncovering a wide and deep hallway, dimly lit by chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Sound of her claws echoed as she stepped further, on the cold marble floor to a somewhat brighter room in the distance. Her ears were met with pipe organs and an angelic choir, subtely filling the halls of this monumental building. The aura of red and purple lights came from the main hall, an enormous temple to the Serpent Mother, the Serpentarium Maximum. Much larger than any other building of the cult of the serpent goddess, it was the center of Bas'Ilean research of the Meadow and the phenomena around it. Beside the countless shrines, the main hall was filled with rows upon rows of bookcases, filled with many millenia-worth of priceless books, scrolls and manuscripts, collected and preserved by the Serpentarium acolytes, to be researched by the head of each temple, the Pontifex. With growing technological progress of the Imperium, the Meadow research was bolstered enormously, as each archived document was deeply scanned, saved and translated from ancient Bas'Ilean languages. Sch'Lvya walked in the halls, taking in the breathtaking sights, while searching for the way up.

- You seem to be lost, child. - She heard an echoing, robotic voice behind her.

- I may... I may have lost my way... - Sch'Lvya slowly turned around to face her interlocutor.

- In the house of the Serpent Mother, everyone wanders, but she shall always guide.

Her eyes were met with a tall hooded figure, towering above her, but moving slowly and leaned forward. Bas'Ilean of this size must be ancient, maybe even older than this pyramid itself. She couldn't see much underneath the long, dark purple robe and hood the elder was wearing, but what she could see, were metallic feet, twice the size of hers, and tail dragging on behind him on the floor.

- Pontifex... - She bowed down before him, recognizing the status of the serpent priest.

- I sense... - Out of one of robe's long sleeves, he raised a completely metallic hand, slowly setting it on Sch'Lvya's head. - Serpent Mother touched you.

- Your eminence... I seek wisdom. - She exhaled, as Pontifex ran two fingers down her forehead. - What does the Great Serpent desire of me.

- Your feet stood in the Meadow, yet she returned you to us. - He took away his hand. - Mother still has plans about you.

- Plans...? What does that mean, your eminence? - She looked up, briefly seeing the Pontifex face, with two red eyes, just like hers, but also an array of cables running out of his head and down his body. - What do I need to do...

- You'll know, as the Mother guides her hatchlings. - He turned around, Sch'Lvya could now see the same array of cables leading upwards to the celling, connecting the Pontifex to the Serpentarium systems and all archives, permanent connection which was a ritual for all who become a spiritual leader of the Imperium. - Have you heard of the tale, of the Forsaken King, my child?

- Forsaken King, your eminence? The fairytale from before the Imperium?

- Don't blaspheme in the house of the Mother, child. - He let out a metallic hiss, before putting both of his cold, metal hands to the side of her head.

Suddenly, Sch'Lvya was unable to move, as direct connection made by the Pontifex overriden her nervous system. Her vision dimmed, then filled with blinding whiteness, as her mind was filled with images of pre-imperial times. As she lost control of her body, her arms and legs twitched, while Pontifex blessed her with his knowledge, literally filling her brain with it. In a split second, words spoken by an angelic voice spoke to her, as if coming out of her own head.

Childless King, frail and old, prayed in day's heat and night's cold
His cries grew, as time passed, The Serpent Mother, would hear him at last
A single egg, the Queen laid, a great price, the King has paid
The Mother took the love of his life, yet this wasn't the end of his strife
The egg, the last remains of hope, wouldn't hatch, with it he couldn't cope
Every night, he cursed his god, for pain and despair her blessing has brought
As punishment he died, struck with lightning, last thing he heard, was the egg cracking
Great Serpent's daughter ascended this day, the people would listen, love and obey.

Sch'Lvya dropped to the floor, as Pontifex disconnected the wireless override. She shook her head, regaining feeling in her body shortly after. Images of the old tales engrained themselves into her mind, including the scene of the king's daughter hatching, hoodless and brown scaled, looking just like the Bas'Ilean Empress of today.

- Th-the Empress is... Forsaken King's daughter...

- The one chosen by the Mother, to lead us on. - Pontifex added to her stuttering speech.

- But... that was ten... no, twenty thousand years ago! - She stepped up in disbelief, holding her temples as an enormous migraine entangled her mind. - The images were so vibrant and-and real... how?!

- I showed you the truth. - He removed the hood of his robe, uncovering a disturbing sight. - As I have seen it.

The Pontifex' face was... horrifying, robotic head with red, bright eyes and a serpentine jaw, with a separation at the chin, made out of metal, all on a long, highly articulated, metallic neck. Just as the Empress, Pontifex was ancient, a member of a long disappeared kind of Bas'Ilean, the Regal Celestials, with only a few still alive, only surviving thanks to the Imperial technological advance intertwined with serpentkind's longevity. However, as Empress looks young, possessing breathtaking beauty, the Pontifex seemed far away detached from his old organic form, each part of his body tailored to improve his intellect and give him access to the entire Imperial archive.

- Every other individual would die, after a connection with a Pontifex. - The priest put his hood back on. - You however, are in the hands of the Mother, she shall protect you. You've been blessed with a body of metal, and breath of life. In turn you shall serve her, in ways nobody but her knows. - Pontifex gave her a slow bow. - Now follow the light, Empress awaits you.

Sch'Lvya deeply bowed back, before the priest, with heavy metallic stomps left to continue his service. In his place, small red lights in the floor lighted up, which she followed as ordered. Short moment after, the lights led her to a circular elevator platform. It was a large, raised circle of marble, with a single stair step upwards onto the flat center surface. Surrounding pathways and large bookcases seemed to lead outwards from this platform. As soon as Sch'Lvya's foot stepped onto the platform, a quiet, yet audible, deep buzz started coming from underneath it, as a circle of light illuminated the edge of the platform. From the center of the marble circle, a pedestal raised up, about 1.5 meter high, with a print of a four-fingered Bas'Ilean hand carved into the stone. Slowly, Sch'Lvya approached it and shyly set her hand onto the stone carving. Pedestal column shook, and after being touched, it slid down, disappearing into the floor again. Afterwards, the platform started to lift upwards, slowly towards the celling, passing hanging flags, banners, chandeliers as well as arrays of cables on its way up.

Celling opened, blinding Sch'Lvya with bright light, as she ascended to the higher level, through misty darkness of the Serpentarium. A minute passed, rising through a narrow elevator shaft, somewhat claustrophobic, yet, illuminated well. Soon Sch'Lvya's ears were met with the sound of water splashing and wind flowing through trees, quite unexpected, she thought. Elevator slowed down and stopped, reaching the top level. Sch'Lvya has never set her eyes on a place so majestic. Right in the middle of the Imperial Pyramid, was the grand celestial garden, housing an unthinkable number of various plant species from across the entire Imperium. Serpent found herself inside a small, circular temple, similair to the one that housed the elevator earlier in the complex. Humbly, she folded her hood and walked forward, stepping down upon stairs of marble, and onto a grassy field. Sun shone through the glass, illuminating this interior garden of grand size, without anything obscuring it, as the celestial area of the pyramid was above the cloud level. The elevator temple was located on a small hill, in one of the corners of the area, from which she could set her sight upon the beautiful panorama. The habitat was split into eight sections, with small streams and flowing waterfalls separating them, water all flowing towards a large lake in the middle, on which an island was located, upon it stood the grand imperial palace. Sch'Lvya felt that this is where she needs to go, the place that calls her. However before heading that way, she took a moment to take in her surroundings. Blades of grass embraced her feet as she stood upon them, a feeling she almost forgot. She closed her eyes, and let the fresh air fill her lungs. Invigorating, the feeling of blissfulness engulfed her, as she felt at peace.

- You have arrived. - Sch'Lvya heard a voice she recognized from before, the angelic, yet cybernetic speech of the Bas'Ilissa herself. - Welcome.

Turning around revealed the tall and beautiful, clad in a long tyrian gown, the Empress of snakekind herself. The same mysterious figure Sch'Lvya seen in the Serpentarium on Bas'Toroq.

- I come to answer your call, your highness. - She bowed.

- Very good. - Bas'Ilissa stepped forward towards her. - However I sense a seed of doubt, do I not?

- I... - Sch'Lvya gulped, curling up her tail at her feet. - Not often you die, then come back to life, in a cybernetic body.

- Fair point that is. - Empress chuckled softly, shaking her head. - I do have to apologize for... how rushed the whole process was, let's say, this has never been done before.

- I'm... not sure what to say... I was given a second chance by you, your highness. - She looked up, gazed upon the face of the snakekind demigoddess. - I'll do all I can to prove worthy of this gift.

- I'm pleased to hear that. - Sch'Lvya was blessed with a soft smile looking down to her. - Before we proceed however, I can feel a certain aura around you.

- Aura, your highness? - Her hand twitched, with a migraine causing her pain again. - It feels like... my body is...

- Out of tune? - Empress knelt down on the grass, with the view of the Palace past trees and bushes behind her. - Please, kneel down beside me.

Obediently, Sch'Lvya knelt down at the side of the gowned ruler. In matter of seconds, wind picked up with leaves fluttering around in the air. Heatpits on Empress' muzzle started to glow red, as she proceeded to silently whisper an incantation in an ancient language. Speech which has been long forgotten, spoken only by the oldest of the Bas'Ilean ruling class. A short moment passed and Sch'Lvya started to feel like as if her mind is taken somewhere else. She-serpent closed her eyes and exhaled deeply, letting herself be engrossed in the velvet embrace of prayer.

- The rushed character of the ritual left... kinks in your connection back to the physical plane. - Sch'Lvya heard, once wind died down and sound of flowing water ceased.

Opening her eyes, she found herself in the Meadow, again, the same eerie place where the physical and ethereal worlds meet.

- Can you feel her? - Empress asked.

- If I focus... - She looked down to her hands and body, which looked partially ethereal, waving in her vision. - I can call her forth...?

- Our continued lives are a gift, from the Serpent herself. - Bas'Ilissa reached out her hands to her. - She holds us in her embrace, not letting death grasp our souls. Oh Serpent Mother, hear us!

Sch'Lvya shyly took hold of the hands of her ruler, however as soon as she did, she felt like as if her body was constricted, squeezing breath out of her chest. She still held Empress' hands, who held her firmly, being held through the prayer, Sch'Lvya tried to focus her mind.

- Defend us and we shall serve, lead us and we shall serve. - Empress continued the sermon, as ethereal serpentine body started to materialize around Sch'Lvya, grasping tightly around her chest and throat. - Nourish us and we shall serve, guide us and we shall serve.

Focusing was extremly difficult, as she choked, all muscles in her body tensing up, however through this, her body materialized completely, enthralled to her spirit by the power of her Serpentine God, as ritual proceeded. Bright light engulfed the two, as meadow vanished around them.

A few moments passed, and Sch'Lvya awoken to a cold, cream scaled hand set on her cheek, sending a wave of blissful relief down her body. She took a deep breath and opened her eyes, seeing the face of the Empress kneeling down at her side.

- How do you feel, Sch'Lvya? - She spoke softly.

- I feel... - Slowly, she got up from the ground, setting her feet firmly on the ground. - Rejuvenated.

- Wonderful, I was worried the ritual would crush your soul. - Empress softly stood up. - You're proving yourself capable already.

- Thank you your highness. - Sch'Lvya bowed.

- The migraines should cease, as you'll be correctly anchored back to your body. - She nodded, turning around to face her palace. - At the start you might find yourself susceptible to ethereal currents of the Meadow, but maybe with time, you'll learn to use them to your own advantage.

Feeling lively, without constant throbbing pain in her head, Sch'Lvya nodded, unable to control her gladness thus showing a content smile on her face. Having seen that in the corner of her eye, Empress shook her head softly.

- Now I think you're better suited to be presented to the Tribunal of Eight. - Bas'Ilissa looked down to her side, where Sch'Lvya stood.

- The Tribunal... - She gulped, deflating as her smile waned down. - I almost forgot...

- You did fine so far. - Empress giggled reassuringly. - No need to start worrying now. It's more about me presenting my new champion to them, so they know not to push you around.

- It's... It's an honour, your highness... - Sch'Lvya stood speechless.

- You've pledged yourself to the Serpent Mother, and she has put you under my care, that brings benefits of their own. Know that loyalty and obedience are highly rewarded.

- Of course your highness, I meant every single word I said.

- That pleases me. - Empress turned to face her new champion, then proceeded to run two of her fingers down Sch'Lvya's forehead, the royal mark of appreciation. - Before I present you to my Tribunal however, are there any questions that may trouble you?

- How come it's me, among everyone else, that was bestowed with this gift of a second chance?

- Your spirit and your sacrifice must've caught the attention of the Serpent Mother, as she revealed your fate to me in a vision. - She closed her eyes and bowed her head softly. - She hasn't spoke of why she made that decision, as she never reveals her plans, but maybe in time, it will become clear.

- Were you presented with a similair... proposition...? - Sch'Lvya asked shyly.

- Depending if you believe in fairytales. - Empress chuckled. - All I'll tell you, is that your circumstances remind me of my childhood.

- Great Serpent mentioned a storm approaching, a ferment brewing, how can we stop this?

- I'm afraid, even Mother herself doesn't know how. - She sighed and shook her head. - I've tried everything in my power to find the source of this... rot. With the Tekh'Let Crisis and Draghodii Crusades, there is something calamitous behind it all.

- Is there... any lead we can start at? - Sch'Lvya tilted her head.

- I'm afraid there is one, but we shall speak of it after the audience. - Empress took a few steps down the path leading to the palace, before looking back to Sch'Lvya. - Are you ready? The Tribunal awaits.

- Yes, your highness. - She-serpent quickly joined behind her ruler.

After recieving a soft smile from the majesty herself, Sch'Lvya obediently followed her down the cobblestone walkway. The illuminated stone walls peeked behind the foliage as the two serpents approached a clearing in the trees. Scent of countless flowers filled Sch'Lvya's nostrils, as the vista of an enormous palace standing atop an island in the middle of a lake filled her view. The Tribunal of Eight awaits.