Chapter 5
Melissa had never felt such an immediate emotional and physical transformation in all her life. One moment she was cold and desperate, facing grim choices about her future, and the next she stood in a warm room being embraced by her mother. She couldn’t help but weep tears of gratitude and joy.
Esoica brought her to a narrow window, and it was then Melissa discovered they were on a small levitating platform which overlooked the crater she almost died in. On the ridge Toby’s encampment could be seen, and it cheered Melissa even more, knowing not only was she with her mother, but could keep an eye on Toby.
“That is the crater of the First Apocalypse,” said Esoica. “Three thousand years ago, something hit our world. It hit it so hard, that it knocked our world out of its orbit around the sun and changed the sphere into an ovoid.”
“And that’s why it’s so cold?”
“Yes. So many people died,” she said softly, as if she was witness to the event. “But there would be no Archsussa if not for that catastrophe. It is near that impact crater that the Centric Sphere was discovered, almost two thousand years ago.”
Melissa lingered at the window as her mother sat near her. She felt suddenly self-conscious as her mother examined her.
“You’ve grown,” said Esoica with a smile.
“It’s been three years,” she stressed, giggling. “What did you expect?”
“I thought Toby would have stayed with you. I thought your father would have somehow passed his title to Toby, and that you and he would be in power.”
Melissa sat near her mother on a short, worn couch that reminded her of something that used to be in her home. Though she was overjoyed to be with her mother, she was unsure how to proceed. It was almost like speaking to a stranger, as so many things had happened since last they were together. “Why did you say father was responsible for everything?”
“It wasn’t his fault the Second Apocalypse happened,” said Esoica, lazily leaning back on her hands, revealing a small yet firm belly. She wore an oversized knit sweater that looked hand-knit, and Melisssa wondered if she knit it herself. “But it was his fault that all the people on the cities plunged to their deaths. While there are many Archsussa, there could have been many more. It is we that powered the Levitating Cities, we that kept our people warm. Darian hoarded power for fear an army of Archsussa would overthrow him. If we had more Archsussa, then they could have deflected the devastation wrought and safeguarded those cities.”
As they sat together, in a small room that smelled of wet wood, Melissa was finally able to relax and absorb the sensation of being back with her mother. Under the blue and green sweater Esoica wore a soft purple dress that looked like crepe yet felt like softest silk. She was a hardy woman, with developed muscles and a lean figure, bordering on being gaunt. Her cheeks were sunken in, but her hair was still luscious and full, and it crowned a warm gaze. Melissa always loved her mother’s lavender hair, and was disappointed to see her own still couldn’t compare.
Melissa also saw her mother still wore thick-stoned jewelry like she used to, though she was surprised to see a common piece was missing. It was a thin necklace with a large blue ralon setting, and she remembered that she was never without it before.
“It seems as though much has been hidden from me,” said Melissa, confused about how she should think of her father. “I . . . I don’t know what to think -- I don’t know what’s right.”
Esoica threw her arms around Melissa and hugged her close. “Oh dear Lissa! The world is shades of grey; almost never are people or choices or ideas rendered in stark contrast. We all make mistakes and choose the wrong sides or the wrong beliefs; all we can do is keep an open mind, and change if our assumptions are proved false.”
“So you won’t hate me if I don’t hate father?”
Melissa watched as her mother shed a tear. “I couldn’t have raised you alone, dear child. You are the wonderful woman because of both of us -- not just me. I still love him for that, and with that love, can understand yours.”
Melissa hugged her mother tightly, and felt her wince under the strain. As Esoica stood, Melissa saw it was with difficulty, and that her breathing was labored and accompanied with a rumbling cough. Off to the side, near a desk, was a wastebasket overflowing with used tissue, and almost a dozen healing stones littered the top of a nearby cabinet. A weathered wooden cane leaned nearby, and it all made Melissa anxious about her mother’s health, and what was corrupting her frame.
“What . . . what have you been doing?” asked Melissa. “Why are you living here, in this small hovel?”
“Let me show you.”
As the sun set and a violet dusk swaddled the frigid landscape, Melissa followed her mother to a wide, open window in what looked to be the living room. Her mother bade her sit on a small, soft, peach-colored sofa as she opened the windows.
Melissa wrapped herself in a thick, stout cloak lying nearby. “What are you doing?”
“Watch and see, my precious.”
Esoica flung open her arms, and intoned a long series of words Melissa couldn’t quite understand. A long ribbon opened in the sky, stretching from one end of the horizon to the other. As it opened, the dusk was pierced by the brilliance of daylight.
Melissa got to her feet. “I . . . I can’t believe it!”
The ribbon opened wide to reveal the great city of Imathrin in opulent splendor, hanging like a jewel in the sky. Melissa gazed rapturously on crystal buildings she knew from her childhood that were lost in the Apocalypse.
“How?”
“This is the past, dear child, and I am here to deliver a message.” She watched as her mother closed her eyes, and their small platform drifted through the opening in the sky and closer to the city. Up and in-between the buildings it sailed, until finally it came to rest just outside a large bay window near the top of a thin, glass-clad structure.
“But, I know where we are!” cried Melissa, coming to Esoica’s side. “That’s . . . home . . .” she said dreamily. “Our old suite.”
“Yes. This is where we once lived, and where I met myself.”
Melissa stared, dumbfounded, as a younger version of her mother came to the window. She opened it, and Melissa could smell the decadent warm scent of ghuxa cookies waft in.
“I cannot maintain this for long,” said the older Esoica, “but I needed to tell you that the apocalypse is coming. You aren’t strong enough yet to do what I am doing, but it must be done if you are to save Melissa.”
Melissa watched as the younger version of her mother gazed on her, and wanted to run through the ribbon to embrace her. She looked so full and vibrant, with eyes that twinkled and skin that was soft and supple. And around her neck Melissa saw the ralon necklace, and knew all was right.
“I understand,” said the younger Esoica. “How long?”
“Six years. In this place where the First Apocalypse occurred the Second shall also, and only Imathrin shall survive. You must learn enough to make this small levitating platform, to help your daughter escape to freedom.” The older Esoica knelt down, losing strength, and Melissa came to support her. “You may pay for it with your life, but it must be done.”
“I shall. What of Toby?”
The older Esoica managed to stand once again. “No matter what, he must follow his own path. Resist your motherly inclinations, and let him be.”
Melissa watched as the ribbon drew closed, and the glittering city of Imathrin faded from view. As it did, something out of the corner of Melissa’s eye caught her attention. It was only for the briefest of instants, but before she could think on it, her mother collapsed. Melissa grew fearful and anxious, as her mind raced trying to figure out what to do.
“What is it?”
“I . . . am spent. To cross distances in a portal is one thing, but to cross through time is quite another.” She reached up to touch Melissa’s cheek. “Yet I would do it all over again, just for you.”
Mel
issa frantically scanned the room, unsure of what do to, anxious about her mother’s fate. She felt suddenly weak and unsure, and wished there was someone she could call for help. “But what am I to do?”
“Learn,” she said, waving her hand at the thousands of books stacked behind her, “and quickly. This small platform will continue to hover for only a few more weeks without my presence -- I was able to store sussa in three containment vessels under this house. But you need to learn what is necessary if it is to survive. If you . . . if you . . .” Before she could finish, her body slumped softly back into Melissa’s arms.
Melissa sat with her mouth open in shock. For so long she thought her mother dead, and to be reunited for only such a brief instant seemed terribly cruel to her. She pulled her mother close into her small chest and screamed as loud as she could.
“Mother,” she cried, “don’t leave me -- there’s too much to do!”
Somehow, her mother returned. Melissa almost dropped her head out of shock. And while she was overjoyed, Melissa saw her mother’s aspect was slightly changed, and the woman who looked at her now was not the same as before.
“Are you really my daughter?” she asked warily.
“Yes!” cried Melissa desperately, “I’m here for you.”
Her mother sagged. “Mmm . . . I have never known my daughter to be so kind. In any event, you are alone in this world, dear child -- in more ways than you can realize. I have never taught you in the ways of men,” and as she said that, Melissa blushed, “but the right man can give you great companionship. Learn what you can, become strong and wise, but you must attain a balance that none before you have been able to. You must find a way, for war with the Freilux is suicide . . .”
Melissa watched as her mother closed her eyes for the last time, and wept on her chest as dusk turned to night.