Prelude to the Arbitration of Hysteria
On the moon of Endla, Hysteria is disturbed from her meditation. A large cylinder of light blue energy materializes inside of the empty room that she inhabits with red walls, floor and ceiling, and when the cylinder dissipates, Metatron stands before her.
“Grandfather?” Hysteria asks as she approaches the glorious man. She wears a skintight, red bodysuit that practically camouflages her body, but it only covers her chest with shoulder straps, her torso and thighs down to the knee. She has short hair that looks like a curly afro on her head and it is the same color red as the room and her clothing. Her skin is tan, almost orange.
“It is a rare pleasure to see you here.”
Metatron looks around himself with a proud smile on his face.
“This is where you learned to tame your awesome power?” he asks. “All by yourself, far away from other life.”
“That was a long time ago,” Hysteria smiles down at the floor. “I haven’t been alone here for some time.”
“Of course, you have been healing and teaching for so long now that I can’t remember a view from the outermost sphere of Endla that doesn’t include your deep, auburn sphere.”
Metatron puts one of his large, white hand onto Hysteria’s shoulder like a proud father, and she puts a tan hand on top of his.
“And to think, we were all so afraid of you at birth that some called for your execution. But I knew that you were special. The power that you wield is unlike anything we’d ever seen, even the great Lêgba was confused. But here you are, the master of the hazardous and a bringer of peace. I need your help, granddaughter, and I must admit that it will be a terrible disruption to the tranquility you have worked so hard to build not just for yourself, but for everyone who comes here seeking your assistance.”
Hysteria nods slowly, thoughtfully.
“I cannot deny a request from you, glorious Metatron…”
“No, no, little one,” Metatron says softly. “You are above the laws of the Aerphim, quite literally. If you wanted, you could destroy every vista floating on Endla, maybe even the entire planet. I am not here as the glorious Metatron, I am not here to lorde over you and make demands. I would ask a favor, and I ask that you be honest if you are able to help and if you are willing to help. This will change the context of the Arch of Hysteria completely.”
“What is it that you want, Grandfather?” Hysteria asks, her curiosity piqued.
“I would like for you to gather the third sphere here, all of them. Even if they are not on Endla. And I need you to keep them here for a time, while I gather the archangels.”
“For what purpose?” Hysteria asks. “What has happened?”
“It is time for the Aerphim to face the justice of the Fonlands. Your mother, Ahdis, assembles the Supreme Mmoatia,” Metatron says.
Hysteria gasps and covers her mouth.
“But my mother hasn’t been to Endla since I was a child. Welboas, Vaqel and Mocdi are the only Supreme Mmoatia, the only ones welcomed on Endla.”
Metatron nods. He still towers over Hysteria in the center of the red room, but his gaze is distant like memories of a tragic past play in his mind and hold most of his attention.
“You have attended the history well, even so far removed. But, little one, I will be honest, that much of the history of the Aerphim is a fiction designed to bolster morale. Thanks to Welboas, we were able to coerce the mmoatia into cooperation and they, along with the archangels, birthed the third sphere. You and your cousins have produced the fourth sphere through reproduction with the jeris of Wiis and now the Aerphim are legion. But that is a simplified, sanitized history. We are the creation of the bright father, the Vodun Lêgba and even if it seems that he is the all-mighty creator of everything, he answers to powers from the Fonlands. Powers that we are subject to. Welboas, Vaqel and Mocdi have not been Supreme Mmoatia since the assassination of Tracia. In some ways, they’ve lost their status as Fonlanders of the disc of Agê since they sided with us. The real Supremes are fiercely loyal to Agê and they are very powerful observers of the goings on of this universe. Lêgba’s creation of Endla has threatened the power structure of the Fonlands. We have had so much time to develop and enjoy the fruits of our work here on Endla, but that time has ended. The real Supreme Mmoatia are back and they will come to contain everything we have made here. I would like for you to arbitrate talks between myself and the archangels and the mmoatia. I would like your cousins here for backup in case the negotiations go south. You have created a place of peace here, Hysteria. I would use it to placate those who mean to bring discipline, or much worse.”
Hysteria is confused to hear all of this. It is the longest conversation she has ever had with Metatron and he’d told her so much.
“How long before the mmoatia have assembled?” she asks.
“Not long,” Metatron says with a smile. “The bright spot in all of this is that Tracia is not dead and I will see her again.”
“Then I will make preparations and summon my cousins at once. I will be your arbiter.”
* * *
This week:
– – –
ANNUALS
Agbe is the Vodun of the waters and her disc is a wonder, full of magical beings known only in legend. The islands of her disc must be beautiful from an aerial vantage with all those colors.
Manual and Reference of the Fonlands: “Agbe’s disc is like a shallow fish bowl with the actual disc of Agbe as the bottom of the bowl. Tiny islands of many different colored sands dot the surface of the waters. The waters of the disc reach an incredible depth in some places; the deepest location of the disc is known as the Absence Trench.”
– – –
Coffey has been in the Fonlands for a long time since the last time we saw her. She’s fitting in well and it even seems that she’s taking on a leadership role.
The Divine Essence: “Coffey holds her breath under the cover of thick foliage. If one were to spot her, they would only see the whites of her eyes in the shadow of bushy leaves and vines, but Coffey does not move an inch and her aspect is well contained.”
– – –
Her Eminence is headed back to the Soulaxar galaxy, and back into the perpetual struggle between the mmoatia and the aerphim. And the Immaculate has been the stand in leader of the Supremes since the reported death of her Excellence. Now the secret is out and there may be too many queens in the hive.
Pultine’s Greatest Hits: “Lorv has traveled so much of the universe that she is probably the sentient being that knows it best. She piloted the largest ship of the known universe that was devised on Endla by the greatest scientists of the Aerphim Empire, including the Lead Scientist of the planet Druont.”
– – –
Leilar Realfen is the daughter of the Eminent Lorv and Wielar of Wiis. She has uniquely colored wings as a result, and when Lorv’s ship returns to Soulaxar, Leilar will embark on a seemingly simple mission that will go wildly out of hand.
Agent Orange (One-Shot): “When Top arrived to the Soulaxar galaxy, Lorv departed the planet-sized ship in a single passenger vessel after emploring her daughter and companion to be safe on their mission. Wielar and Leilar Realfen departed Top shortly after, headed to the planet Wiis.”
– – –
Before Zazel accepted defeat at the hands of her mother, the Excellent Tracia, she had a conversation with Hysteria in the cell where she and Agiel were being held on Bromeran. Zazel is perplexed by the visit, but Hysteria gets a spark of inspiration.
Vistas of Endla: “’Go back to sleep,’ Zazel said, but Agiel’s eyes were already closed and his breathing was steady. ‘Hysteria?’ Zazel asked and let go of her aspect that was like glowing embers. The face of Hysteria formed in Zazel’s aspect.”
– – –
The Vodun are still searching for the true Lêgba and after their last gathering, some came away questioning the allegiance of their sister Agbe. Agê and Jo find Agbe on her disc to question her but Agê learns about the detrimental impact the mmoatia are having on the Fonlands.
Finding Lêgba: “Agbe lifts a hand to inspect the scales on the back of her hand. Her skin is light brown and the scales that adorn both her wrists are golden. The scales are as sturdy as gold and come in handy for blocking projectiles and sharp weapons in battle.”
– – –
Ali has uncovered a most dangerous technique that he hopes will turn the tide in the war against the Bludonian aggressors. But will he have time to perfect it before the enemy arrives to sack Eel? And a mysterious stranger arrives just in time to lend a hand.
Amazing Alius and the Masters of the Universe: “He had recently stumbled out of the dark room of the Kazi Dōjō on Eel to the astonishment of Kazi Lograt and Kevin. Lograt sat vigil outside of the dark room hoping to sway chance in Ali’s favor, and Kevin sometimes sat with him over the week that they hoped beyond hope that Ali wouldn’t be lost forever.”
– – –
Zacchaeus is the victim of happenstance, and he ends up in the Fonlands. Before he can use his device to sublime back to his home reality, the Needy makes a demand that could keep Zacchaeus in the Fonlands for a while.
The Deft Hands of Zacchaeus: “Wazad created a portal of escape from the chaotic woods where the witch Miriro had achieved her greatest success, to the garden of the Museum of Aphro-Arcana in Louisiana. Even though Wazad and her compatriots arrived safely in the garden to regroup and make a plan to oppose the fearsome threat that Miriro now posed, Zacchaeus did not.”
* * *
Before the frackas commences, the stage is set. It’s the PRL Serials Volume 3, 2023 Annual Issue!
* * *
PRL Serials 