Tales of Lezara

There was terror in the beginning. Chaos and lawlessness were just as much a part of mankind's existence as eating and sleeping. The nations of man had nothing except what they took from their neighbors and as such war plagued mankind with death’s stench being a pervasive, enshrouding aura. One could not afford to be kind to strangers for that stranger might return said kindness with a knife to the back so that they could take everything one possessed, even the shirt from one’s back. And so life was in the beginning: killing to rob to eat only to be killed themselves in a cycle that reduced existing to a gray tinged monotony of hunger, pain and death. At least, that’s how it was until the Sun King Rotael Exce Ixander del Sol came to power. Winning battle after battle he conquered first the Easternmost regions of the man’s territories then continued ever westward, uniting all under the banner of Solaria and bringing law and order to places where it had been absent from for many generations. The people readily welcomed his reign, for with it he gave them education, jobs, food, and security. “Join Sol’s temple,” they regularly touted to nonbelievers, “and all your prayers will be answered tenfold!” And soon the Sun King stood at the pinnacle of all mankind, bridging them to the heavens so that Sol might hear their prayers and answer them in kind. He ended the seemingly endless wars and brought law through the gift of Sol’s glorious word. No more would mankind be plagued by death’s constant shadow for the Sun King’s light had banished all shadows and allowed mankind to foster in his warmth and love…

“...and so we have lived for 739 years now, under the watchful eye of the Sun and his chosen king. Now remember, this will be the material for your final exam along with a practical demonstration to show how well you’ve been paying attention in your magik’s class. You will need to…” the Archon’s voice wafted sternly over most of the initiates’ heads, droning off the requirements they needed to graduate and finally become legal citizens of Solaria. Lezara found herself blinking away an oncoming sleep as the tale of the Sun’s Rise ended. They had all grown up hearing it in one form or another from the adults they were raised with, and could undoubtedly recite it from beginning to end while their mind’s were busy elsewhere. The part that bothered Lezara about their upcoming graduation exam was the practical part, where initiates displayed their understanding of Solarian magik in front of a board of Archons who would decide whether or not they deserved to be given a chance to become priests of Sol’ temple. The Way of Light was the hope of all initiates, those who were accepted were granted status and wealth unattainable anywhere else and guaranteed the Sun King’s blessings in all they endeavored. Those who were rejected would be considered societal dregs, working for mere pens a day and with the constant pain of hunger and despair on their minds. Sol's light shone on all of them equally it was said, but the ones accepted into the temple stood on high pillars that brought them closer to that light and cast shadows on all who were cast to the chasms beneath them. Lezara was determined to find her way to the light, even if the rest of her class were to be delegated to the shadows in the process. She would not follow the steps of her brother before her.

And now the moment was upon her, the day of their exam finally here. The initiates were to take the practical exam one at a time, each one finishing their test before the next one started. Lezara sat next to a couple of others from her class, anxiety and trepidation gnawing at her insides. They had no idea what to expect for their exam as each graduate was taken to another room behind a closed door. Priests were all around thanking everyone for their servitude with vacant smiles that preserved their inner thoughts. So far only one initiate had passed their test and returned with a triumphant smile on his face. Sol only knew what befell the rest. The door to the testing room opened with a loud bang and all the initiates jumped as if a part of a hive mind. Another failure it seemed.

“Lezara Lunefille!” The priest called out, and she stood allowing herself to be led to the testing room. She walked until she stood before a group of Gilded Archons, the highest rank attainable in Sol’s temple and a table with five lockets of varying color and shape on it. One of the lockets, one made of a shimmery silver and in the shape of a heart, held her gaze until the barking voice of one of the Archons stole it for themselves.

“Your test will be a simple one, yet do not be fooled by it’s straightforwardness. You are to pick a locket from the selection before you and that is all. The lockets are imbued with various elemental magiks, you are to pick the one that cries out most with Sol’s voice. You may take as long as you feel you need to make your choice, the test begins now.” His voice faded away against the cold stone of the circular room. Now that her eyes had adjusted to the lighting she could see that the walls were lined with tapestries of the Sun King, his crystalline gaze watching with disinterested eyes and reflected in the scrutinous stares of the Archons before her. Growing up she had always been advised to watch her tongue and actions, for the walls were the Sun King’s eyes and ears. Now more than ever had she understood the truth of that advice. She glanced once more at the silver locket on the table before allowing herself to take in the other four as well. Now that it was silent she could hear humming in the air, the various magiks imbibed within the trinkets sharing the songs of their existence for all to listen to. One had a soft symphony of light strings, another a chorus of deep timbred voices. The one that her gaze kept coming back to was light-hearted and high, a trumpets’ salute to a warrior’s victory. And yet there was one that was heart-shaped as well and made of a most curious gold that cried out in rage and violence.

Inhaling deeply, Lezara made up her mind and chose the one she knew she would pick as soon as the Gilded Archon finished explaining the test to her, the silvery locket that sang with a trumpets voice. Her hand reached out and tentatively grabbed it, holding it up for all the Archons before her to see. She was resolute in her choice, as Sol was a warrior’s god who led all who cried his name to victory. Now all she could do was wait with baited breath for the Archons to announce her success.

“Lezara Lunefille,” they spoke in unison this time, their words thrumming with energy as they sealed her fate, “you have failed the test. We have no use for moon worshippers in the Light of our Everlasting Sun.” Her mouth opened, the beginnings of a question already on it’s way out, when the floor opened up beneath her and she found herself tumbling down, the only light coming from the quickly receding opening above. She had failed, and was banished from the Light for good. She cried out to Sol for mercy and guidance, but doubted He would hear her pleas. His Light didn’t reach down here in the abyssal dark. She doubted if she would ever see it again.