Machinus Dei - Chapter 6
Whoops, later than I said, but I got carried away photoshopping old pictures ^^;;;;; Regardless, here's the sixth chapter, with a new character introduction, and a bit more gods' characterisation. As before, concrit is encouraged.
Title: Machius dei
Chapter: 6
Warnings: none, as I recall.
Notes: New characters! Also, this is an original piece of fiction, and stealing is prohibited.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHAPTER 6
“HE SHOULD BE HERE ANY MOMENT NOW.” Michael said, cocking his head to look across the grass. The park Michael had led them to was pleasant, despite being surrounded by the noisy city roads; the trees muffled the sounds of traffic, and the flower beds had been carefully tended, filled with bright spring flowers. Few people were around, and those that were passed with curious glances to the man with a pair of ravens perched on the bench beside him, dismissing him just as quickly.
“HERE HE IS.” Michael’s sudden comment made Percy jump. He looked in the direction of Michael’s gaze.
Across the grass, a young man was approaching the three. He was nothing out of the ordinary; just a young man in a white coat that reached the floor, nice trainers and long hair. Up close, however, Percy could see that his hair was light blue, silvery and fine, and that he was walking an inch above the ground. He noted with some disappointment that he had no wings.
“WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO FIT THEM UNDER HIS COAT.” Michael supplied helpfully.
“Afternoon, Michael.” The angel smiled warmly, spreading his arms wide.
“OH NO.”
“Oh yes!” the angel cried joyfully, sweeping Michael up in a big bear hug. “How’s Earth treating you?”
“FINE,” Michael answered levelly. “SHAME ABOUT ALL THE MAD ANGELS RUNNING AROUND AND ATTACKING ME, THOUGH.” The angel released him with a small moue of displeasure before turning his bright blue eyes to Percy.
And this must be Mr. Emmanuel the Third, yes?” Percy took the offered hand.
“Um, yes, but the third isn’t really necessary. Call me Percy, please.” He shook the angel’s hand politely.
“Well Percy. I guess I had better explain what’s going on.” He sat on the bench, Percy quickly following. “You have been selected by a group of very powerful demi-gods to fulfil this quest, which is, to put it quite bluntly, to save the world.”
There was a very long pause.
“Do you mean --?” Percy breathed,
“Yes,” the angel nodded kindly, his voice dropping to a whisper, “you’ve been chosen as the most suitable person in this the Earthly realms to embark on this quest of utmost importance. First, however, you must get to Yertas City docks, where you will meet a man called Othello. I am sorry, but for now, that is all I can tell you.” The angel’s eyes turned sympathetic, “However, I can give you some guidance through this lively little fellow.” he continued, indicating to Archibald. “Come here, little raven.”
Swiftly, Archibald glided over to the angel’s upraised arm. The angel placed a finger between his eyes, and a faint golden glow slowly suffused over the raven, and was gone. Apprehensively, Archibald glanced around quickly.
“Bloody hell,” he croaked, “I can talk.” The angel grinned.
“Enjoy it, Archibald. Use it well.”
“Erm, thanks, I will.” He fluttered back over to Percy, perching on his shoulder. Percy stroked his head absentmindedly, turning his head to offer a sympathetic smile. He still felt pretty lost, but at least he had Archie to be confused with. He turned, intending to ask the angel another question, but he had vanished.
“Blimey,” said Archibald. “That was interesting, wasn’t it?”
“Yertas City isn’t too far. Only a few hours’ journey by train - we could catch one tomorrow and --”
“NO. NOT TOMORROW, TONIGHT. WE CANNOT MISS OTHELLO’S ARRIVAL.” Michael fixed him with a very pointed look.
“…Okay,” Percy conceded, feeling not a little overwhelmed by the entire string of this morning’s events. “But I’ll need to pack some things before departing for this quest.”
“I think the quest’s already begun, mate,” Said Archibald apprehensively, “so we better move bloody quick-sharpish, yeah?”
“Indeed.”
Entering the choir halls, no matter how many times he had already don it, never failed to impress Tathos. The gleaming white floors veined with gold inlay describing the stars of the galaxy glittered, casting a thousand thousand refractions from its surface. In a large circle, eight mighty obelisks of flawless marble rose to two-thirds of the vertical distance of the hall, supporting rings of seats that could accommodate the whole of heaven. Above them, the stone walls gave way gradually to a massive glass dome that showed the skies above it through many small glass panes.
In this vaulted glass height and down through the rings of seats to the floor the spheres cherubs and angels would glide as they sang, twirling in the air to the music that resonated up to the highest of heights. It was a joy to spectate at even the lowliest rehearsals of such performances, and the programme tonight promised to be exceptionally rare.
Ascending the steps carved into the marble columns to the seats above, Tathos found his mind less on the music with each step. A meeting had been called, and it could not come soon enough. As he reached the viewing seats, Tathos scanned the gathering audience for Council members. The first to spot was of course Luna, their newest member. The glowing pale yellow of her kind made her easy to spot, along with the large glass-like wings all air elementals possessed. She was talking to another two members of the council - Mian, a sphere, whose tinkling voice of musical notes could be faintly heard over the growing throng of gods and goddesses, as well as the answering laugh of the angel with them, Arius-Eken, dressed in a robe of rippling shades of blue for tonight’s performance.
Farther away, he could see the dark hair and blue skin of Raziel, talking to another war god, and on his other side Argaeon, his shifting black mass and red eyes setting him apart even in a crowd this size. To the left, he could Hemphis, the short red elder god of the pygmy tribes, his small pink pet the jujunga acting as his footstool. The sorry creature resembled a small fat stubby pink elephant, and had the same winding golden patterns on it’s skin as it’s master, who was currently paying it no attention, and was gesticulating wildly with his knobbly wood staff as he laughed with his green-skinned wife, Mama Boushka, who giggled in reply, tattooed skin rippling with her movement.
Tathos moved to the closest pair, Tidus, their golden-haired contact and spy on earth, and the Dark Lady, whose black flowing robes shifted to give him room to sit. She turned a pale face to him and smiled.
Tathos. How pleasant to have your company tonight. She cooed, petting the raven on her shoulder.
“My Lady.” He inclined his head in a gesture of respect. “The pleasure is all mine.” She smiled again, dark eyes glittering.
They’re ready to begin. She cast her eyes upwards to the assembled spheres and angels, who had gathered at the zenith of the great glass dome.
The music began.
It started with eight spheres, spaced so they floated down to above each of the eight columns, vibrating as they sounded a deep, low drumbeat. More spheres fanned out, adding violins and basses, cellos and flutes. The voices of the angels rang out, a beautiful high note that filled the hall and rose with the music, breaking off into many interweaving voices as the host circled down through the centre of the ring of seats, spiralling and twisting in the air to the music the spheres made. The song was the joy of life, and the twisting helix running the height of the hall was unmistakable, many of the audience crying out in surprise and applauding the ingenuity of the musicians before the pattern was broken and the music increased in complexity.
Transported, Tathos felt the weight on his mind ease as the divine music continued, the spheres weaving intricate patterns above them to the chorus of voices that harmonised around them perfectly. Such unity! Such bliss!
Eventually, the music ended, the hall roaring with the coarse sound of applause as angel and sphere alike descended to receive their appreciation.
“Arius, that was sublime. A most inspiring recital.” Announced Tathos as the angel landed. Arius smiled, tucking a strand of silvery-white hair behind one ear modestly. “Ah, without the novel drumbeats the spheres devised we would have been lacking.” He insisted.
But a most beautiful piece nonetheless, Arius. Your solo was most haunting. The Dark Lady laid a gentle hand on his shoulder.
“My Lady!” Arius turned slightly pink, pleased to receive such a compliment, although the look in his eyes when he caught sight of her raven did not go unnoticed to Tathos.
Most of the guests had left by now, and it was only the Council members and a smattering of other deities who were left. “Shall we move on?” Tathos asked, the urgency with which he had called this meeting returning now the music had ended.
But of course. The Dark Lady replied, accepting the gentlemanly hand of Tidus to descend the stairs. He had been strangely quiet all evening.
crossposted to fictionwriters and the_writers_ink
Title: Machius dei
Chapter: 6
Warnings: none, as I recall.
Notes: New characters! Also, this is an original piece of fiction, and stealing is prohibited.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHAPTER 6
“HE SHOULD BE HERE ANY MOMENT NOW.” Michael said, cocking his head to look across the grass. The park Michael had led them to was pleasant, despite being surrounded by the noisy city roads; the trees muffled the sounds of traffic, and the flower beds had been carefully tended, filled with bright spring flowers. Few people were around, and those that were passed with curious glances to the man with a pair of ravens perched on the bench beside him, dismissing him just as quickly.
“HERE HE IS.” Michael’s sudden comment made Percy jump. He looked in the direction of Michael’s gaze.
Across the grass, a young man was approaching the three. He was nothing out of the ordinary; just a young man in a white coat that reached the floor, nice trainers and long hair. Up close, however, Percy could see that his hair was light blue, silvery and fine, and that he was walking an inch above the ground. He noted with some disappointment that he had no wings.
“WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO FIT THEM UNDER HIS COAT.” Michael supplied helpfully.
“Afternoon, Michael.” The angel smiled warmly, spreading his arms wide.
“OH NO.”
“Oh yes!” the angel cried joyfully, sweeping Michael up in a big bear hug. “How’s Earth treating you?”
“FINE,” Michael answered levelly. “SHAME ABOUT ALL THE MAD ANGELS RUNNING AROUND AND ATTACKING ME, THOUGH.” The angel released him with a small moue of displeasure before turning his bright blue eyes to Percy.
And this must be Mr. Emmanuel the Third, yes?” Percy took the offered hand.
“Um, yes, but the third isn’t really necessary. Call me Percy, please.” He shook the angel’s hand politely.
“Well Percy. I guess I had better explain what’s going on.” He sat on the bench, Percy quickly following. “You have been selected by a group of very powerful demi-gods to fulfil this quest, which is, to put it quite bluntly, to save the world.”
There was a very long pause.
“Do you mean --?” Percy breathed,
“Yes,” the angel nodded kindly, his voice dropping to a whisper, “you’ve been chosen as the most suitable person in this the Earthly realms to embark on this quest of utmost importance. First, however, you must get to Yertas City docks, where you will meet a man called Othello. I am sorry, but for now, that is all I can tell you.” The angel’s eyes turned sympathetic, “However, I can give you some guidance through this lively little fellow.” he continued, indicating to Archibald. “Come here, little raven.”
Swiftly, Archibald glided over to the angel’s upraised arm. The angel placed a finger between his eyes, and a faint golden glow slowly suffused over the raven, and was gone. Apprehensively, Archibald glanced around quickly.
“Bloody hell,” he croaked, “I can talk.” The angel grinned.
“Enjoy it, Archibald. Use it well.”
“Erm, thanks, I will.” He fluttered back over to Percy, perching on his shoulder. Percy stroked his head absentmindedly, turning his head to offer a sympathetic smile. He still felt pretty lost, but at least he had Archie to be confused with. He turned, intending to ask the angel another question, but he had vanished.
“Blimey,” said Archibald. “That was interesting, wasn’t it?”
“Yertas City isn’t too far. Only a few hours’ journey by train - we could catch one tomorrow and --”
“NO. NOT TOMORROW, TONIGHT. WE CANNOT MISS OTHELLO’S ARRIVAL.” Michael fixed him with a very pointed look.
“…Okay,” Percy conceded, feeling not a little overwhelmed by the entire string of this morning’s events. “But I’ll need to pack some things before departing for this quest.”
“I think the quest’s already begun, mate,” Said Archibald apprehensively, “so we better move bloody quick-sharpish, yeah?”
“Indeed.”
Entering the choir halls, no matter how many times he had already don it, never failed to impress Tathos. The gleaming white floors veined with gold inlay describing the stars of the galaxy glittered, casting a thousand thousand refractions from its surface. In a large circle, eight mighty obelisks of flawless marble rose to two-thirds of the vertical distance of the hall, supporting rings of seats that could accommodate the whole of heaven. Above them, the stone walls gave way gradually to a massive glass dome that showed the skies above it through many small glass panes.
In this vaulted glass height and down through the rings of seats to the floor the spheres cherubs and angels would glide as they sang, twirling in the air to the music that resonated up to the highest of heights. It was a joy to spectate at even the lowliest rehearsals of such performances, and the programme tonight promised to be exceptionally rare.
Ascending the steps carved into the marble columns to the seats above, Tathos found his mind less on the music with each step. A meeting had been called, and it could not come soon enough. As he reached the viewing seats, Tathos scanned the gathering audience for Council members. The first to spot was of course Luna, their newest member. The glowing pale yellow of her kind made her easy to spot, along with the large glass-like wings all air elementals possessed. She was talking to another two members of the council - Mian, a sphere, whose tinkling voice of musical notes could be faintly heard over the growing throng of gods and goddesses, as well as the answering laugh of the angel with them, Arius-Eken, dressed in a robe of rippling shades of blue for tonight’s performance.
Farther away, he could see the dark hair and blue skin of Raziel, talking to another war god, and on his other side Argaeon, his shifting black mass and red eyes setting him apart even in a crowd this size. To the left, he could Hemphis, the short red elder god of the pygmy tribes, his small pink pet the jujunga acting as his footstool. The sorry creature resembled a small fat stubby pink elephant, and had the same winding golden patterns on it’s skin as it’s master, who was currently paying it no attention, and was gesticulating wildly with his knobbly wood staff as he laughed with his green-skinned wife, Mama Boushka, who giggled in reply, tattooed skin rippling with her movement.
Tathos moved to the closest pair, Tidus, their golden-haired contact and spy on earth, and the Dark Lady, whose black flowing robes shifted to give him room to sit. She turned a pale face to him and smiled.
Tathos. How pleasant to have your company tonight. She cooed, petting the raven on her shoulder.
“My Lady.” He inclined his head in a gesture of respect. “The pleasure is all mine.” She smiled again, dark eyes glittering.
They’re ready to begin. She cast her eyes upwards to the assembled spheres and angels, who had gathered at the zenith of the great glass dome.
The music began.
It started with eight spheres, spaced so they floated down to above each of the eight columns, vibrating as they sounded a deep, low drumbeat. More spheres fanned out, adding violins and basses, cellos and flutes. The voices of the angels rang out, a beautiful high note that filled the hall and rose with the music, breaking off into many interweaving voices as the host circled down through the centre of the ring of seats, spiralling and twisting in the air to the music the spheres made. The song was the joy of life, and the twisting helix running the height of the hall was unmistakable, many of the audience crying out in surprise and applauding the ingenuity of the musicians before the pattern was broken and the music increased in complexity.
Transported, Tathos felt the weight on his mind ease as the divine music continued, the spheres weaving intricate patterns above them to the chorus of voices that harmonised around them perfectly. Such unity! Such bliss!
Eventually, the music ended, the hall roaring with the coarse sound of applause as angel and sphere alike descended to receive their appreciation.
“Arius, that was sublime. A most inspiring recital.” Announced Tathos as the angel landed. Arius smiled, tucking a strand of silvery-white hair behind one ear modestly. “Ah, without the novel drumbeats the spheres devised we would have been lacking.” He insisted.
But a most beautiful piece nonetheless, Arius. Your solo was most haunting. The Dark Lady laid a gentle hand on his shoulder.
“My Lady!” Arius turned slightly pink, pleased to receive such a compliment, although the look in his eyes when he caught sight of her raven did not go unnoticed to Tathos.
Most of the guests had left by now, and it was only the Council members and a smattering of other deities who were left. “Shall we move on?” Tathos asked, the urgency with which he had called this meeting returning now the music had ended.
But of course. The Dark Lady replied, accepting the gentlemanly hand of Tidus to descend the stairs. He had been strangely quiet all evening.
crossposted to fictionwriters and the_writers_ink