Therosi castle is an impossibly large step pyramid that does not revolve a sun like some planets and other celestial bodies of Outer Spacetime, though, due to the exotic laws of physics that exist in Outer Spacetime, most celestial bodies move through O-space in patterns that would be strange to astronomers of lower spacetime. Therosi castle is a fixture of Outer Spacetime and it has never moved in all of its existence.
The castle is partially surrounded by six streams of the water vapor that coalesce into the Great Water. The six streams have flowed through O-space for eons and each is connected to a corner of O-space that can be navigated to other exotic spacetimes outside of Outer Spacetime. The six streams are said to manifest as the six ruling Therosi gods, also known as the Mao Ri: Hiri, Thane, Garoa, Orongo, Mia, and Tara. The Mao Ri are not the supreme gods of Theron, but they are the primary arbiters of life on Theron. They channel immense reality warping power through their Godsticks, staffs that are carved of the wood of the ancient tree of existence, the roots of which can be seen in one of the corners of the Outer Spacetime of universe Prime 5. The Godsticks are carved to resemble the six streams of water.
Since arriving in Outer Spacetime, Maria has not left the walls of Therosi castle. Theron is extremely large inside of the stepped walls of the pyramid, so there has been plenty to explore, but she is keenly aware that Wazad and the Mao Ri have been keeping a close eye on her. She doesn’t feel suspected of anything, like they distrust her presence. It is the exact opposite, many of the Mao Ri seem to be very intrigued by Maria of a different lower spacetime than Prime 5.
Thane of the Mao Ri is the Therosi that she interacts with most, but she spends most of her time with Tiki, a Theroni man who was the first man created by Thane on Theron.
Maria lives in the same building where Wazad lives; he has an Emporium of Arcana on the first floor of the stone building and he makes his home in the many rooms of the floors above the Emporium. The building is big enough that when she and Wazad are there, they never run into each other by accident. There is a courtyard behind the building and even though there is no sun shining down on Theron, there is a comet that revolves around the planet and produces the daylight cycle. Maria loves the courtyard, especially at night when so many stars are visible. After her travels around her home universe, she became very aware of the stars and other celestial bodies and it is strange to stare up at a completely different cosmos.
Maria is in the courtyard when Thane finds her. He is tall and skinny, and his skin is a deeper shade of brown than her own. He rarely wears more than a length of cloth around his waist and the black tattoos on his neck, chest, and back are usually visible. There are intricate patterns tattooed on his skin and the patterns mimic the pattern of his Godstick.
“You are not coming for the Vapor show?” Thane asks. “Tiki was so excited to spend the time with you.”
“So excited that he did not come here himself to confirm if I’d be going?” Maria asks, still looking up at the stars. Her training as Wazad has taught her to chart the cosmos and she does it instinctually.
“Sharp tongue,” Thane said. “Have you tired of Tiki? I assumed you two would get along, he is the highest ranking man among the Therosi, I assumed he was worthy of your time.”
“Tiki is fine,” Maria says, “I just don’t understand what’s happening. I came to Prime 5, lower spacetime, by accident only to be separated from my friends in this completely new place. And I can’t just go back because Wazad thinks I’m a Therosi prophecy…”
“You are the Transverse,” Thane interrupted.
“This is all a lot and I feel like a Russian doll, nesting in one inexplicable mission after another. Am I gonna fall into the Infinite Well next and end up in a different reality?”
“You are where you’re supposed to be…”
“I’ve heard a Wazad say that before. Should I trust them or you? Who is making these decisions about my destiny and why are they so confused about where I’m supposed to be?”
“You are the Transverse,” Thane says. “Your destiny is convoluted for mortals to understand, but the waters of the six streams that connect to the All Existence predicted you would come to unite the spacetimes of different realities in a struggle against extreme black and oppressive white. It is you, Maria, trust me. Trust the waters.”
Maria shook her head. “I’ve trusted the first Wazad and the Therosi since I arrived here and all I’ve been doing for a long time now is attending parties and smiling next to Tiki. I’m not your mortal plaything, Thane. I’m not a companion for your first man. I thought that I was here for training.”
Thane smiles with half his mouth and looks at Maria sheepishly. “You are pouting because you want to train in the ways of the Transverse? I’ve met few as eager as you to get to work. We, Wazad and the Therosi, have been trying to show you that you are more than just a prophecy to us. The prophecy you fulfill is ultimately very dangerous and we didn’t want to just throw you at danger. We wanted to show you that even far away from the reality you call home, you have a family that cares deeply for you.”
Maria is slightly taken aback. They had been nice in welcoming her to Theron and including her in their activities, it was very considerate of them.
“I’m sorry, Thane, I hope I didn’t offend you. I just hate waiting around for the action to start. I want to be doing something. And as long as I am here, I’m not with Issac and Zacchaeus and I know they worry.”
“I will convince Wazad to contact your friends on your behalf, he can be very stubborn. And your action has already started here. I see the way you study the cosmos. That is the most important thing you can do and we didn’t even have to tell you. Your work as the Transverse cannot commence until you are able to navigate Outer Spacetime “
“Why is no one telling me these things?” Maria asks with frustration. She stands in the traditional Therosi tunic worn by female gods of the pantheon and it makes her look naked on quick glance because of the brown color.
“Because we exist in a state of perpetual awe watching you do things just as the prophecy predicted. If we told you things, then how would we know that you’re not just pretending to be the Transverse?”
Maria understands but she doesn’t give any indication.
PRL Serials 