Garder and his twin sister Milla rested contentedly at the river's edge of City N, watching the acidic water sweep through the bubble that their artificial sun produced. Upon leaving the acrid wastes of the outer, each molecule was instantly purified, only to become polluted and lethal again upon exiting the protective dome of light. Just-spawned fish swam in the water, remaining in the livable current for a brief period before venturing away and succumbing to the miserable conditions outside. Above, the dark red sun was at its highest. It was noon, and the stars were barely visible.
"Look at the poor things," Garder said as he watched the swarming fish. "They just spring up in the water, leave the habitat, then suffer for a few seconds before returning to Earth. What a useless way to spend a life."
"To animals, I suppose it doesn't matter," Milla replied, equally stoic.
"Ah… I do sometimes wonder what it'd be like to be an animal. Why is it that we're not in the same loop with them, anyway?"
"Scholars tell us that it's because we are self-aware."
"Such blurred terminology. All animals could be self-aware."
"Not the way they see it."
"Man. Every time I come to Aurra, I never get past City N. Stuck right in the middle. Guess I'm still not good enough to go above. Sorry again for bringing you here. I guess when we're eighteen, you'll be moving to any City you've been to before, or any that are ranked under yours."
"You don't have to remind me of Aurrian residence codes."
"Of course not, but… Well, you're still planning on going to City B once that happens in a few months, right?"
"Yes. I'm sorry, Garder. You're not a bad soul, but I've worked hard to get where I am. And for a five-lifer, you're not doing too badly for yourself. You started off in City U. And N is still a nice place."
"Yeah… Guess it could be worse. City N, I mean. Damned laws making siblings stay in the lowest ranked assigned cities of the batch until they reach proper age, am I right?"
"I got stuck in X for sixteen years two lives ago. Having an ax-murderer sister who killed three people on Earth wasn't very… fair."
"And then you get demoted from City A after your previous life."
"I'd rather not discuss that."
"I know… sorry. I suppose I should've always showed more respect to a twenty-three-lifer, and one who's even been Queen once."
"Forget it. I really don't like having people kiss my shoes and such."
"Anyway. Back onto animals…"
"Are you really that concerned about them?"
"Not really. I just wonder sometimes about their version of Hold."
"People don't think they have one."
"I heard. But there is somewhere they go between lives, right?"
"Probably. They're on an auto-cycle, no required rebirth structure like we have. After they finish their Earth life, they just… float around for a bit until Aurra can make room for them. Blue whales, monkeys, centipedes and eagles, all floating in a carefree way, inside of a blank void." Milla cracked a smile at the thought. "Wish I could see that sometime."
"Uh-oh—is that a grin? I'd better contact the Guard. Obviously, something is wrong with you, and it needs to be rectified."
"Relax, Garder. Just because I've been around for two thousand years, doesn't mean I don't find humor in some things. Sometimes."
"Guess you're at the age where that sense won't last much longer."
"We shouldn't keep General Rivia waiting."
"I hope he actually gives us an assignment, for once. I've grown tired of sitting and doing nothing for this Aurrian life."
"And how's your alchemagi coming along this time around?"
"Not bad. I think I got a better mind for it than last time."
"Show me, then. Haven't seen a sample for a while now."
Garder nodded and raised two fingers on his right hand to his mouth, keeping them each close together. He mumbled a few words through his mind and shot his hand outward. A pillar of ice rose up from the river, taking out a few freshly birthed fish with it and sending them back to Earth. He then released the spell, and the pillar melted instantly.
"I'm still not quite used to this body's biorhythm, but it looks like I'm still decent enough with water and air spells as I was in the academy."
"You've still got a lot of work to do. I'm a vector, and I can still…"
Milla used the same spell as Garder, only her pillar shot up in half the time and became three times as tall. Water and dead fish splashed Garder, whatever river life hitting him disappearing into vapor seconds later.
"Stop showing off…" Garder mumbled. "This is my second time as a watairre. Air and water aren't as easy to control as dirt or plants."
"Now don't be too hard on yourself. You're not bad for a beginner."
"I guess. But am I ever going to be anything other than not bad?"
The bell tower, part of City N's capital building, let out a dull chime; it was half-past noon. The twins ended their conversation, which had been through telepathy, and turned to face the city. Its giant crystal-steel towers rose into sky, most over a mile in height, which would be impressive, had they been built on Earth. In the city's center stood a lumbering spire with a vibrant artificial sun atop—usually too bright to look at directly.
The twins checked the swords they carried under their uniforms and began the trek to the military council building. It was a long walk, and on the way, they passed the alchemagi academy. Its kids were out on the lawn, practicing the art. It was obvious who was a first-lifer and who had 'broken in' their new body just from the bursts of light and energy each created.
On the building's roof, a hawk, a pelican, and a dove materialized above an animal spawning platform and flapped about in a brief daze before taking to the air. They'd likely fly into the outer a few minutes later, where they'd die and be in fertilized Earth eggs again within an hour or so.
At the city's main forum, crowds of people were gathered and conversing, collecting their daily meals or often monthly material items, shooing away the rodents coming into existence near their feet as they bustled about. Garder hated crowds—always had, in every lifetime.
Above, the bubble grimaced in pain against the pounding amber haze outside. Garder couldn't remember seeing Aurra in a worse condition than it was presently in. He had last left for Earth in a world that didn't seem too bad—to him, at least, so why did it feel like Aurra was on the verge of collapse? Or maybe he had just forgotten its "healthier" state.
"World's not looking too great these days," Garder said aloud, as any telepathy would've been drowned out by the city bustle.
"Should've been here during the Black Death. Couldn't see anything outside. They suspended travel for a few of the worst months."
"Glad I wasn't around back then. Worst I've seen it was during the Second World War, as a kid. Rivia didn't say what this was about, did he?"
"No. He's an old soul though, and this is his third time with the job. I trust in whatever first assignment he's about to give us."
Garder wiped his forehead with his scarf. It was a hot day for what was geographically the Aurrian version of Dublin. There were dark storm clouds overhead, but that wasn't uncommon; actual rain was.
The twins arrived at the military council, a compound about the size of the Taj Mahal and similar in appearance, its structure completely hidden among the towering skyscrapers around it. The two were quickly checked out by the guards and passed through the high-security fence.
The mall in front was adorned with large sculptures of past military leaders who had operated both in City N and Earth's United Kingdom.
Next were the halls, where they made subtle telepathic comments to one another about the current state and style of the building. It was also a busy place, with members of the lower Aurrian Guard darting about while observers discussed the day's newborns and the souls arriving with them.
A few floors up, they entered Rivia's office. The fireplace was going despite the warm weather, and it looked like he had been reading. Stacks of books were sprawled out, borrowed from the building's large library. Sitting passively on the marble floor by his desk was one of his Great Danes.
"Come in, please. Shut the door," Rivia greeted them.
Milla closed the heavy wooden door and took a seat next to her brother in front of the old general. He stroked his small gray beard a few times as he collected his thoughts. Garder had never met the soul, but from what Milla had told him, Rivia always got straight to the point.
"He seems troubled today. Not often that he's like this," Milla whispered into Garder's mind.
They remained seated and unmoving for a few minutes. Rivia got up twice, let out several sighs, patted his acquired dog, then finally straightened himself and cuffed his hands on the table.
"If you two don't feel like betraying the upper Aurrian Guard, leave now," he began in a gruff tone of voice.
"S-sir?" Milla replied.
"I didn't want to get anyone else involved in this… I can't say much more until I get your vows on this assignment."
"Betraying the Guard isn't… something to take lightly," Garder said.
"No. It isn't. But I would consider it beyond their reasoning. They have failed to act or even accept what I'm about to tell you. The assignment I'm about to give you would go against the Guard, but not Aurra."
"Why did you choose us, then?" Milla asked.
"You have no allegiances. Milla, you're a good soldier, and one with no vows to anyone except for yourself. Throughout all your lifetimes here, you only accepted assignments you saw as rational and altruistic. And as for Garder… he may be young, but he shows the same promise, as well."
"Even so, I've never sworn off my allegiance to the Guard entirely."
"I know, but something has gone askew…" Rivia sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Something is wrong with our system. This is the first time, in all of our existence, that there has been a problem like this. That's all I can tell you, so just think about that for a moment."
"A problem with the system? How can that be possible? It's unheard of. It may be a little oppressive, but the system itself is technically perfect."
"It should be perfect, at least before politics become involved."
"And you want us to figure out what's wrong with it?"
"Yes."
"You have my vow," Garder announced suddenly. "I trust you, sir."
Milla added, "As do I. But Rivia, if you're wrong about this…"
"I will be sent to prison for the rest of my life—tortured weekly, I'm sure, to 'purify' my corrupt soul. That's what I'm willing to risk."
"So, tell us… What is wrong with the system?"
"The Guard will never admit it. Listen closely…" He swiveled to the left in his leather chair. "Our suns' power is weakening for reasons we can't explain. Our population is at its limits. Our surrogates can't keep up with the transfers… You two were wild transfers this time around, correct?"
"Yes," Milla replied. "Our parents were both universally younger than us, as well. But the population has always been at maximum capacity, and we've never had a problem before."
"Something different is transpiring. Delays in Hold have gone past a year in length—that's a four-fold increase in a decade. I've heard they sped up the judgment process, but it's not enough to relieve the overcrowding."
"An entire year in Hold? Damn… I thought that one layover I had at Newark was bad," Garder commented.
"This is no laughing matter, Mr. Nolland. Hold has been so overwhelmed with, well, overflow, that they might be…"
"They what?" Milla asked, a slight worrying in her voice.
"These are only rumors. I've heard they're turning people around—sending them straight back to be reborn on Earth."
"What?!" the twins exclaimed in disbelief.
"That—that's sick! That's completely unnatural! That's… Wait, how can that even be possible?" Milla wondered.
"Is that the part that the Guard is trying to keep a secret?"
"A small part. We think we may have the cause, or at least one of the causes for the overflow. We've had no contact with City C for two years. Something must've happened there, or they're… up to something unseen. The city's one of the largest in Aurra, making it very important."
"Over ten-thousand transfers a day," Garder said.
"Yes. But City C is surrounded by the southern wastes, cutting it off from the others almost completely. The fact that it exists where the Sahara does on Earth makes it almost completely inaccessible."
"But… what are the effects of a… a half-life?"
"We don't know yet. With any luck, you may find out."
"What do you mean?" Milla asked. "Are you saying that this assignment is to take place… on Earth?"
"Yes…"
"But, General…" Garder spoke up. "You know what they say about dying in the world you're not supposed to be currently residing in."
"You disappear," Milla answered. "You don't return. They say your soul is lost forever. Not that I'm suddenly worried about dying, but…"
"Nothing has ever been proven," Rivia explained. "The Guard only says such a thing to prevent people from trying to go back and visiting their loved ones. The fear of truly vanishing after death—something many of us fear on Earth, is enough for most people. It keeps all but a few elite Aurrian soldiers here, where they belong. But we do have four dimensional portals remaining, and each is functioning."
"If that's the assignment, we'll take it," Garder said. "We'll just… have to be extra careful, I suppose."
"Yes, that's the assignment, but it's not from me."
"Hm?"
"The Guard is sending other knights and alchemagists, as well. They want to find out what's happened to City C, but the difference here is that I'm telling you why—the purpose behind these investigations. You two are exploring the same thing, but as… Let's call you independent sleuths."
"So…" Milla cleared her throat. "Get inside City C by finding the portal in the Saharan desert, find out what happened, and report back—that's the mission summary. Is there no other way to enter the city?"
"The southern wastes have bizarre storm activity, which we can't fly into, and it's surrounded by miles of jagged mountain. Hence the portal in the Sahara, built for exactly this purpose—an alternate method of entrance. But remember something. You're not officially on assignment. If the Guard gets a read on you, they might attack without warning."
Garder gulped lightly. "We're not entirely alone on this, are we?"
"No. I've chosen two others to accompany you. An animalect and a very talented alchemagist with level-three capabilities."
"An animalect?" Milla questioned. "Why would we need one of those on this assignment?"
"Someone who can speak to and command animals would benefit you more than you may think, especially for a small group trying to keep their heads down. The Guard barely uses them anymore, and they've become so rare that few would expect your group to have one."
"I see. I hope you're right. When do we leave?"
"First thing in the morning. Be at the west gate. A carriage will be waiting for you, operated by one of my bodyguards. And take these…"
Rivia pulled out two small keys and handed one to each of the twins.
"And these are for…?" Garder asked.
"Inside the Bank of England, there are two safety deposit boxes that this City's military checks on once every ten years or so. All of the money in it is for you to use, but know that you won't be getting anymore, so spend it wisely. Money isn't the easiest thing to get ahold of when we visit Earth."
"Right, understood," Milla said as she pocketed the small key.
"I trust your judgment in how to best complete the task. Dismissed."
The twins stood, offered small bows, and then headed out towards their apartment for the duration of the day to prepare for tomorrow.
Their parents had both gone back to Earth after an accident when they were very young Aurrians, so they had the rather large apartment to themselves, though they spent little time in it. That wasn't uncommon, though; most Aurrians had no parents and were taken care of en masse until they were three or so and recovered their Earth memories. Life on Aurra was typically more outgoing and communal as a whole, as no television or worldwide computer networks existed.
"He certainly has faith in us, but I've never received an assignment anywhere near this sort of thing," Garder mumbled as the two sat at either end of the glass table for dinner.
"I've been sent to Earth a few times, but only for observational purposes," Milla replied, taking a sip of her wine.
"Do we really… disappear if we die in the wrong world?"
"Don't know. That's what the Guard warns us of, though."
"Right… Between that and the suicide inhibition, it's little wonder some call Aurra purgatory or hell."
"I've gotten used to it. I'd rather live another life on Earth right away, but there are some things of great beauty here."
"Maybe it's like the Buddhists say, and we merely break out of the circle when, or if we disappear? Like transcending and reaching nirvana?"
"That's still not quite how it goes," Milla replied and wiped the sauce off her mouth. "Next time you're on Earth, try a few Eastern religions."
"Yeah, right… I'll 'remember' that…" Garder laughed lightly.
"If you embed it now, you might be reborn with it in mind. They provide a good mindset, since they fit in very well with the Earth to Aurra cycle. But every religion says something. I know we aren't all that religious ourselves, but still, expanding your worldview is always a good thing."
"So… Rivia said we're getting an alchemagist, huh…"
"Yes. Level-three spells are always nice to have access to."
"All right, but how effective would they even be on Earth with the physical-mental ratio shift, especially in the middle of a hot desert?"
"Effective enough—if he's truly skilled, at least."
"Aren't you concerned about betraying the Guard, Milla?"
"Yes. Of course. I ruled over them once. But I trust Rivia. Aren't you nervous? You accepted the mission before I did."
"Kind of… I guess I just got a little excited, to finally do something."
"Well, it doesn't really matter how you feel now. Rivia sounded like he's counting on us. C'mon, then—help with the dishes and then get some sleep. You'll need it."
"Right…" Garder sighed.
Within five minutes, the table was cleared and the metallic plates stacked. The twins split off to their separate bedrooms, each reading for a bit before settling in for the night.
Outside of their windows was the landscape of City N. A half-mile below rested the busy streets of the compacted metropolis, animals coming to life and wandering off in a continuous cycle. Each was a tiny sampling of the everlasting circle of life and death; Earth and Aurra.
Of City N's many lights that stayed on during its dark, long nights, the light that came from Rivia's office was often the dimmest, usually nothing more than what came from the fireplace and perhaps the single lamp on his ornate wooden desk. Tonight, like most nights, he was up late. But instead of scouring his books as usual, he had another guest.
"What if they chicken out?" the man a few years Rivia's junior asked. "I wouldn't blame them. You gotta be crazy to go against the Guard."
"They won't. I have faith in them," Rivia replied as he looked out of his window. "And you should too, my old friend. The next generation is always capable of far more than we usually give them credit for."
The man's lighter illuminated a patch on his brown jacket for a moment as he lit a cigarette. He took a puff and looked around.
"She might want an audience with one of the kids, you know. If she's caught wind of this already—and I suspect she has—she may send one of her soldiers after them. The boy, most likely. You know what that means."
"I'm sorry. It's hard enough getting a message to her. There simply wasn't time… We had to get moving right away."
"I don't think telling her would've changed anything," the man said with a small chuckle. "You know as well as I do how she can be."
"In any case, regardless of what happens to them, and in turn us… It was good to see you again after so long. Will you be leaving N tomorrow?"
"Right now, I'm afraid. I've got a long, overnight journey home."
"Take care out in the wastes, my friend."
"Sure. It's kinder than the bureaucrats you've cozied up with," the man jested, gave the general's dogs pats on the head, and left the room.
Alone again, Rivia returned to pondering what he had just began.