Exposed

There is a small Fairy village somewhere in the middle of Annulus. Though not its proper name, most refer to it simply as Village Perfect. The weather seemed to always be pleasant. The homes and building were ideal. The Fairies that resided in this village were both brilliant and beautiful. Most of all, however, it appeared to be a perfect community comprised of perfect families, filled with perfect individuals.

When Wisdom entered this village, she saw the sad reality. It was a decaying town filled with rotting bones, broken hearts, stress, anger and some despair. All of which was expertly hidden behind the masks of dignity the inhabitants clung to so tightly.

Wisdom’s heart broke when she saw their suffering. Knowing they didn’t have the ability to see her yet motivated by a desire to help, she called to the inhabitants. The fresh breeze of Wisdom’s breath stirred up the stench of their inner decomposing flesh.

This unpleasantness was avoided as much as possible. The Fairies found they could somewhat numb their senses by refusing to acknowledge they could hear her. She was persistent but they proved too stubborn.

She couldn’t abandon them in that state. Therefore, early one evening, she called for a great storm. She spoke using the thunder for magnification; they could not but hear her. She pronounced a blessing of revelation over them, followed by a caution that this method would be abrasive. Lastly, she told them to be brave; to hold tightly to freedom while releasing pride.

Sleep visited no one that long night. In the morning, a strong westerly wind blew in. From the heights of the roof tops, with a clear voice it began to reveal all things hidden. All the words spoken in whispers in the dark, all the secret practices, and all the hidden habits.  

Shame and shock drove everyone out of their homes. They gathered in the center of their perfect village. All in pajamas, teeth unbrushed and hair in crazy disarray- as exposed and vulnerable as is appropriate to be in public. In silence they listened, mortified.

“Nothing left hidden; nothing held back. What had power over you in the darkness is broken in the light. The healing process may begin. The exhaustion of holding up the facade of dignity can come to an end. Be kind to one another in the days of healing and restoration. Listen to Wisdom. Joy and peace will follow shortly.” With those final words the strong wind dissolved.

A few townspeople left unwilling to deal with their exposed self. However, most stayed, relieved to be able to lay down their heavy secrets and begin to heal from the painful decay.

Though they couldn’t see her and could only hear her voice faintly, Wisdom was there. She gently navigated the Fairies through the difficult times. Through much effort and many tears, they forgave what needed to be forgiven and helped those that needed help. They were again able to breathe the fresh air without the pressure of guilt and fear pressing upon their chest.

They grew healthy and happy.

Temptation

Powered by a renewed determination to find Wisdom, Maral made up for lost time. As she traveled, she practiced the eternal language, no longer self-conscious about this unusual gift. She became comfortable with the unknowable.

After many peaceful days, she came across an abandoned traveler’s pack. She wanted to ignore it but the sight of the disregarded pack troubled her. She resolved to look for the one who left it. After a short search, she found a Gnomish man being led away by a terrible looking Witch.

Without a thought or a plan, Maral ran yelling for them to stop. To her surprise the Witch shrank in fear of her, while the Gnome, Efren, stepped forward in a protective stance. He did this without releasing the hand of the Witch.  

Efren commanded Maral to stop. His mind was trying to process the oddity of this young Gnome being a threat but obviously his Love was afraid of this girl. He turned to reassure her. She has many names but the most common is Itch.

“You want to go with her? Don’t you know where this Witch is taking you!” Maral asked stepping back in disgust and shock.

“Witch! Are you mad? Leave us alone!” He turned to Itch, her face, beautiful to him, wore an expression of confusion and hurt. “She is clearly not well. Please ignore her, darling.”

Maral watched them walk away. The memories of those she wasn’t able to help propelled her onward. “Wait!” She yelled.  

Itch pulled Efren’s hand and would have run away, but he stood his ground and faced Maral. Itch released her hold on his hand to get some space between herself and Maral. She could see what Efren couldn’t, the power that was within Maral. She wanted to avoid all proximity to it. If she lost this victim she could easily find another. After all, she was temptation and she was excellent at it.

Maral spoke a poem in the eternal language. The strange fire swirled and flowed on the words toward dumbfounded Gnome. It twisted and spun around his head. He vainly tried to bat it away. It was not painful, only uncomfortable and disturbing. He looked through the fire searching for her, his Love. He felt strange and exposed without her hand in his.

He saw Itch some distance away. Her beauty and elegance began to melt until she was completely transformed. Once Itch’s disguise was gone the fire faded and disappeared. He dropped to his knees, gone was his Love- now the true and terrible form was exposed. He felt sick, but he was also aware that something deep inside him still wanted her- or at least the satisfaction that had come from her.

Maral approached and placed a hand upon his shoulder. “It’s ok, you escaped in time.”

He stood and roughly pushed her away. “What have you done?! Where is she?”

Hope rose in Itch’s heart as she witnessed her victim mistreat his would-be rescuer. She winked causing a small hole to appear behind Maral. In she stepped while trying to recover from Efren’s push and twisted her ankle.

With pain shooting from her ankle, Maral said, “She has always been what she now is.”

“Efren,” Itch called his name. Though everything else had changed, her voice was the same.

Her voice can be enough he thought. But when he looked at her his soul trembled. Itch approached him and held out her hand.

His choice was before him; the battle raged. His mind screamed for him to escape but his willpower was weak. He might be strong enough to leave. Yes, this was the moment of for him to extricate himself from this thing that was not right. But, he paused and, again she called his name.

It was too much. He believed he needed his temptation; he could not let her. The feel of her hand was that of someone dead. Sadly, he walked hand and hand toward death.

Coping

Maral walked aimlessly, the memory of the old Dwarf was chained to her. Her mind required her to drag the heavy burden along. This was partially because his death was so graphic but mostly because of the slime. When she had touched him, the slime that had covered his body clung to her hands. She had tried to remove it but nothing worked.

Reasonable or not, she blamed herself for the Dwarf’s death. Had she tried harder, been stronger, and wiser- she believed she could have gotten through to him.

All thoughts about finding Wisdom and the ultimate goal of the city were lost and forgotten. She didn’t eat or rest. The hunger burning in her stomach gave her mind something to process that wasn’t the memory or the guilt. It became a welcomed distraction.

On her hands the slime began to thicken and became pungent. The slime was calling to a new Despair.  A small, red snake responded to the call buy cautiously approaching. It was known that this, seemingly powerless, Gnomish girl had somehow destroyed a fully-grown Despair.

Though she saw it, Maral neither paused her progress nor quickened her step. Her small Despair breathed a sigh of relief and followed. It began what it was trained to do, commiserate. When she heard the voice of Despair in her own ear, it woke her from her daze. In a moment, the fog in her mind cleared, strength and alertness returned. As with the Dwarf’s Despair she unleashed a powerful stream of flame upon this small one. It was instantly consumed.

The strange fire continued to burn. She missed the fire-dwelling days of her past. Dropping her pack, she stepped into the blaze. It welcomed and comforted her. Wearily she lay down in this safe, warm place and fell asleep. She dreamed many dreams.

The first was of a tiny seed being planted by the Unseen hand. As time never obeys the laws of logic in dreams, this seed quickly grew and spread into a massive forest. She recognized it as her homeland. It continued to grow beyond what she recognized. It grew wild and beautiful.

The next dream was Ambiguberg. It started as a small village but grew into the major metropolis from which she had just escaped. Then it began to deteriorate and crumble into an ancient ruin.

The next dream was of a newly born baby. He grew swiftly into childhood, then adulthood, followed by old age. After a satisfying life, finally he laid down and turned into dust.

Then last dream was of the unknown city which she had been hunting. This city did not have a beginning. Unlike everything else it was unchanging, consistent. It had been and always would be just what it was, marvelous. As you do in dreams, Maral understood a truth, by just knowing it. The unknown city is the Everlasting City. 

She awoke refreshed, with an untroubled heart. The mental and emotional burden was gone. The slime had melted in the heat. Her focus and passion returned. It was to the Everlasting City for her and for all who would join in the hunt. It was calling; she could hear it.

Despair

Maral traveled along the path that ran adjacent to the main road; she was looking for Wisdom. Rounding a corner, she suddenly came upon a figure.  It was an elderly Dwarf who appeared to have lost his way. He looked very tired and dejected.

Maral felt compelled to stop and speak with him. She shared her food. That, and the companionship, gave the old Dwarf strength to continue his journey. As they were heading in the same direction, they became traveling companions. They did not speak often, but their easy-going natures did not require it.

The first night as they set up camp, Maral noticed something moving in the darkness. She saw the old Dwarf nodding his head as in agreement though they said nothing. This disturbed her so much so that though drowsy, she attempted to keep watch.

Sleep eventually overpowered her will to stay awake. Soon, however, a rustling noise startled her awake. She jumped at the sight of a huge, red, snake-like creature heading for the old Dwarf. He sat scared yet unmoving and silent.  

Instinctively, Maral jumped between the snake and the Dwarf. The snake stopped and glared at her but did not advance. Heart pounding and uncertain, she hesitantly spoke the eternal language. It still felt new and odd to her. The strange fire flickered and floated on the words toward the snake. Quickly, the creature disappeared.

The old Dwarf quietly asked, “Why did you do that?”

“What? That thing was dangerous,” she knelt beside him. “Do you know what it was?”

The Dwarf looked at the place it had just occupied, “It is my despair.” He would not look at her as he said, “It is my destiny that it consumes me.”

“No!” Maral said firmly, “That is not truth. I can fight it for you until you learn to fight it on your own. I can show you how.”

He did not respond.

Days of making little progress slipped by. Nights were filled with the old Dwarf waiting fearfully but patiently for the snake. Meanwhile, Maral spent herself in efforts to defend the Dwarf.

She was determined to teach him methods of self-defense. Patiently, he would listen to her words but they could not penetrate the fortifications despair had built around his reason. Maral refused to give up, though her confidence began to crumble as she became exhausted.

Then one evening, Maral drifted off to sleep and there was no rustle to wake her. The Dwarf fearfully walked to meet his despair that night. At dawn the sun startled her awake. The Dwarf was not in his place. She ran into the nearby woods and saw the snake bulging and satisfied. It stared at her gloating. It had won.

Filled with a fierce anger, she spoke the eternal language with such passion that fire flew from her lips and devoured the snake before it could escape. There, lying on the grass covered in slime, was the old Dwarf. His body was broken. She knelt beside him and placed her hands upon his still form. Feeling helpless, she asked for help from the Unseen. The Unseen appeared to have heard as inexplicably the old Dwarf began to breath.

He never opened his eyes or regained consciousness. Time was slipping away. She felt Forever unfolding before him, so she whispered, “May you find peace. In this moment, if you can, choose peace.” Then she cried and cried and cried as he left this world.

The Founders

The sisters, Grace and Mercy, walked into the boardroom. There, around a long table, sat the 12 founders of Ambiguberg. They all turned as one to see who had the audacity to enter unannounced. They could see only the faint outline of the sisters, they couldn’t make out their substance. Nevertheless, everyone knew who they were and became filled with an expectant foreboding.

Mercy broke the silence, “We have come.” Though she spoke in her usual, clear tone, in their ears it sounded like a harsh screech or a clanging gong.  Some pretended not to be able to hear; others loudly continued their interrupted conversation ignoring Mercy’s voice. Still others covered their ears and hummed or made noise to drown it out. Her voice, however; penetrated to the essence of everyone; they heard and understood.

“This is your day of reckoning. You have traded your integrity for fame and have become children of pride. You have led the inhabitants of the city with your great influence toward your father. They have evolved into a people of folly.

Your established standard for conduct has been for each person to do what is right in their own eyes. This can seem noble and right, but you know where it has led. Without a greater purpose, each individual has become a god. From your perspective here, you have seen all manner of pain and suffering this form of self-government has caused yet you have done nothing.”

Grace stepped forward, “It is not too late. Change is possible. We were with you in the beginning when you were young and great, before power corrupted you. Though the city itself works tirelessly with its shifting to keep us captive within its limits, your time is drawing short. If there is no change, we will leave. The consequences that we are holding back with our presence will fall upon you. You will get what you deserve.”

There was a visible shudder from the 12. Vague recollections from a time when they were young and optimistic floated to the forefront of their memory. They had planned and dreamt of what they could create. Grace and Mercy were there helping them plan and organize. It was a time when actions had consequences… The last thought made all but one stiffen their resolve to proceed down this path they had been leading Ambiguberg. They were all too aware that consequences would shatter the amazing thing they had created. Nothing and no one was worth that sacrifice.  

Mercy noticed the one who was still listening. She spoke solely to him, “You know what to do. You know the steps you must take.”

He shifted nervously in his chair.

Mercy said with finality, “You have been warned.”

As they left the grand building the city spun with an even greater shifting than had yet been experienced. The sisters had received their answer.

Exit

When the shifting stopped, Maral was in an overly crowded section of Ambiguberg. Having just witnessed a preventable tragedy, she was frozen in a state of shock. Individuals frustrated at the unusually-timed shifting scurried about to find their destinations. A little Gnome blocking the sidewalk was not a welcome obstruction. Roughly, Maral was pushed aside and bumped into, until large, gentle hands took hold of her.

The most pleasant voice Maral had ever heard asked, “Can you see me, dear?”

Maral looked up; before her was an unusually tall, elegant woman. Beside her stood a short, plump woman who seemed to sparkle. Maral felt an awe towards the first and a desire to embrace the second. In the presence of these two, a sense of peace washed over her removing the fear and horror of the tragedy. Maral relaxed.

“Mercy, I believe she can,” said the second woman, her voice was like a song. “Look at her eyes; do you see it? She is different.”

“What are you doing here?” Mercy asked

“Looking for the city,” was all Maral could manage.

Mercy seemed to understand exactly what she meant and smiled. “Good, we will help you find your way out of this place.”

“Who are you?” Maral asked as the second woman took her hand and together all three began to walk.

The second woman said, “I am Grace. This is my sister Mercy.”

Maral noticed the lack of being bumped and jostled. Though the crowd was still thick and individuals walked directly toward them, at the last moment all automatically stepped around. Even if it meant violently bumping into someone else.

Grace noticed Maral’s observation, “They cannot see us, but they feel our presence.” Sadly she added, “They have long since stopped being curious. They have lost their wonder.”

“They are too busy to consider wonder-let alone who we are and why we are here,” Mercy said with frustration, “They simply side-step us and continue on their busy way. Hold on now, dear.” She grabbed Maral’s other hand just before the city shifted again.

The other individuals on the street loudly grumbled about the more frequent and unpredictable shifting. Without looking around to find their bearings as others did, the sisters instantly reversed their direction.

Grace asked, “What is your name?”

“Maral,” she said as they began to turn sharp corners. “I am from Phythrage. Home of the strange fire.”

“How wonderful for you!” Grace said excitedly.

“Yes, it is.” Maral smiled, “In the fire I was given the instruction to seek an unknown city. But I don’t know where to go. I need direction.”

Mercy looked at her while continuing over streets and around corners, “Are you different?”

Maral felt self-conscious and exposed, “Well, yes.” She whispered uncomfortably, “I can breathe the fire.”

“Excellent,” Mercy said briskly, “You need to find Wisdom. She is traveling east through the country on the main road. She will give you the direction that you require. You will find her; she leaves a large wake.”

“Do not hesitate or become distracted. It is a long, dangerous road.” When Maral stumbled as she received these words Grace steadied her. “You can do this.”

Mercy placed a hand upon her head and smiled, “The city awaits you. Now, as quickly as you can, run! There is the boundary!”

Maral’s feet took her in the direction indicated, though her heart longed to remain to say goodbye. She felt the ground begin to shift as she neared the final street. With all her strength she threw herself out of the city. She landed hard, but was able to get her head around just in time to see the two mysterious women disappear as the city moved.

Coercion

Maral headed for Ambiguberg, the logical first step on her adventure. She was searching for an unknown city, and this was the closest, largest unknown (to her) city. As soon as the it came into view she knew it was not the right one. However, not having any other leads, she decided to explore a bit.

Upon entering, the city underwent the usual afternoon shifting. Maral tried not to panic as she felt the ground moving under her feet. Looking around for an escape, she discovered she was lost and disoriented. Her anxiety increased when she noticed the complete lack of nature and the looming buildings that appeared to be closing in around her.

Feeling desperate, she tried to gather herself, but instead she bumped right into Aileen. This lovely Fairy lady was kind and able to calm her. Aileen agreed to help her find the way out.  As they walked, Aileen made conversation asking where Maral was from and what she had been doing in Ambiguberg.

Aileen was disturbed when Maral explained her odd quest. Nevertheless, there was something undefinably compelling that drew Aileen to this helpless little Gnome. However, she felt it was best to turn the conversation to a safe topic, so she began to talk about herself.

Their journey out of the city was progressing smoothly until they reached a street where Aileen instructed her to exert the utmost caution. She had barely avoided getting trampled on many occasions, but there was nothing to fear if one was alert and quick.

 While crossing, Maral noticed something bizarre- a young Elf sitting in the middle of the road.

She ran to the Elf and urged her to get out of the street. Indignantly, the Elf pushed Maral away, “I am in a state of meditation that you are violating.”

“But the street is a dangerous place to meditate. You have to move or you’ll be run over.” Maral yelled as she checked for approaching traffic. At the moment the street was empty and silent.

“What are you talking about, you odd, little creature?!” Angrily the Elf stood to face Maral. “It is my choice to be in this spot and I will not move.”

Aileen sounded embarrassed and awkward, “Maral, really, you shouldn’t force your will upon someone else. It is not the way things are done here. We need to go.”

“But she will be run over if she remains here. You said yourself this is a dangerous road.”

“Well, perhaps for she knows something I do not!” Maral stared at her until Aileen quickly turned to the angry Elf, “Excuse the interruption, I had an experience, actually quite a few experiences, here that to me felt dangerous. With this knowledge, do you still choose to remain here?”

“Yes,” the Elf said firmly and defiantly sat back down.

“Ok. Come on, Maral.” Aileen said firmly taking her arm.

Maral moved in a state of shock. She could not believe that this Elf would not listen.

Aileen had begun to walk down the sidewalk but Maral stood frozen. The noise of wheels on cobblestone racing toward them was all her brain could process. In a moment, before anything could be done they had rounded the corner and trampled the Elf.

Aileen turned and saw the mangled Elf. She screamed and ran to her, expertly dodging in and out of traffic. Aileen tried to gather the Elf into her arms. “Maral! Help me, we need to get her to a hospital!”

Suddenly, a shifting occurred that took Maral away from the tragedy, deeper into the city.

Buy Now

Aileen, a Fairy of Ambiguberg, was pleased to discover that the morning’s shifting had brought many shops to her neighborhood.

The inhabitants of this city viewed shopping much like others viewed hunting. There was a sense of urgency connected with bring home their necessary prey. They must act quickly and decisively before the shifting could take them away from their neighborhood. Working far from home was a common practice, but shopping far from home could be dangerous. Though the inhabitants moved at a remarkably fast pace, being laden down with many products slowed everyone.

It was reported that a few unfortunates had dawdled too long over a purchase and had been caught be the shiftings ultimate resulting in them becoming hopelessly lost. It is believed they still wander the streets searching for their homes and family weighted down with outdated clothes and yesterday’s technological devices. To prevent this from reoccurring, the notion of swiftly buying in bulk, whenever items are available, was adopted.

Aileen, aware that she was buying more than her family needed or could ever use, rationalized this with the notion common to man- perhaps there would be scarcity tomorrow.

However, as she considered their overstocked apartment she toyed with the idea of putting back the third mega-mixer that she had just placed in her chart. A feeling nagged her that she was overspending, but she brushed the thought aside and continued her work. Her husband made a great wage and these items were all on sale.

The day proceeded well until the afternoon’s shiftings brought the dreaded mail station into her neighborhood. Those nagging suspicions started to scream as she slowly walked toward the building. She hoped that there would be a random shift, which had been happening more frequently of late, that would take the mail station far away.

That did not happen. Entering, she found her mailbox bulging, as was everyone else’s. She opened the box; out poured a stream of bills from her last two months’ worth of purchases. She had never seen so many at one time. She had always prided herself on living within their means, an outdated concept in this city. But lately, the shops had been in their neighborhood almost daily.

Ashamed, she quickly gathered them up and hurried out. At the door she bumped into her closest friend. She noticed the concerned expression on Aileen’s face and the stack of envelopes in her arms. “Wait here, dear,” she said.

Aileen watched as her friend opened her own mailbox. Four times as many envelopes, presumably bills, exploded from her’s. She gathered them up in a disorderly pile, and dumped them into a large shiny machine in the corner of the room. The shredder greedily ate all her bills.

“There now, let’s have some tea at Bitters,” her friend said with a carefree air.

Delay

Maral stood at the mouth of the path which would lead away from everything she knew. She took her first step, but the heavy weight of the knowledge that she would be alone made her pause. No one else saw the image of the hazy, unknown city. They would remain in the comfort of the known.

She thought about all the wonderful aspects of her life. She was needed here, no one could deal with the invasive vines as well as she could. She had been the pioneer of fire-dwelling and wanted to know what would happen with it. But there was now a discontentment coating all things usual. It was pushing her to begin her journey.

For weeks, she had, daily, hoisted on her massive pack and stood on the path. However, each time, she would she remember something she needed to do- or someone she wanted to speak with- or one last hug to give and receive.

But today would be the day; she would begin, Maral took an uncomfortable step forward. Her pack was just too heavy, and her legs felt like lead. Discouraged, she sat down. As she sat she realized the image of the hazy city was gone. She also realized that she hadn’t been in the fire in a very long, time so busy she had been in preparing for her journey. Had she waited too long? Had her adventure opportunity passed her by?

She stumbled to the location of the fire. Dropping her pack, she stepped in. Immediately all the weight, the burden, the anxiety, the fear evaporated. She relaxed and breathed in the good smell of the presence of the fire.

After being still a long moment, the image of the unknown city returned. Here in the fire, Maral was able to clearly see her next steps. She would unload the pack and make it a manageable weight. If she left something behind that was required, she would trust that it could be found along the way, or she could do without it.

She noticed her boots were covered with invasive vines. They didn’t want her to go. Sometime in her delay they had crept up, making movement difficult. She carefully coaxed them off. She cared for them, but they would have to remain in the forest.

The sacrifice of the little vines gave her a gift, the ability to understand something that had been long forgotten, the sacred eternal language. She spoke an unfamiliar word. It sounded weird and powerful. When she drew in breath the fire entered her lungs. Alarmed, she jumped to her feet but found she was fine, better than fine. She felt equipped.

The Priority

The fashion district in Ambiguberg receives more foot traffic than any other in the city. Everyone from the very old to the very young come to see the excellent window displays and to shop.

At the end of the block, there once resided the most dreadful thing- a street sign. It informed the pedestrians they must yield to street traffic. But window displays are so captivating that nearly everyone who reached the intersection walked into the inappropriate obstruction. While they received only minor bumps and bruises to their body, dignities were severely injured.

There was an outcry from the population for an instant remedy. The founders of the city bent their reason to the will of the people. They removed the sign. This resulted in the death of many pedestrians. In times past, they had stumbled into the yield sign and had become aware of their dangerous proximity to traffic. Thus, they avoided the danger. However now, without any obstruction, they walk directly into traffic, getting trampled and run over.

The founders realized this would not do, so they assigned crossing guards to this location. These guards had the responsibility of protecting this corner so that pedestrians would no longer stop the flow of traffic by being run over.

The guards would caution people to yield to traffic. However, the pedestrians were so engrossed in their window-shopping that they completely ignored the warnings until their path was forcibly blocked by the crossing guards. They became so annoyed by this interference that they pushed the guards into traffic.

After the founders lost serval guards to the rush of traffic, they could no longer staff thisdangerous position. They resolved this issue by placing an unobtrusive A-board sign on the corner cautioning pedestrians. In addition, they widened the street to help the traffic flow around the continual casualties.