The Esoteric Design: Civilization Lost Read online

  Dovian understood his father’s pain, but their relationship remained strained. Gaius III still had issues with Sir Gaius allowing Elysia’s return to battle. He was bitter and angry, but most of all, Dovian had concluded long ago that his father was merely projecting his anger on others because he blamed himself for the woman’s death. Dovian shivered at the thought. Would he ever be like that? Would he ever feel that way if someone like Lita or I’Lanthe had perished? Especially when he had the abilities to prevent it? The thought was troublesome, and Dovian immediately cast it away, returning to his drink.

  “Baxter,” Dovian said, saluting the man. “There aren’t enough people in this world who think like you–human and Sorcēarian alike.”

  The man’s face lit up with a strange expression. Were there tears in his eyes? It was clear that Dovian had just fed the man the biggest compliment he had ever received. Baxter grinned from ear to ear, raised his glass, and took a large drink. The others followed and did the same, all remarking with a small word or noise to agree with Dovian.

  “Well, then, by all means, stop by anytime! You are always welcome at my booth!” Baxter laughed. He pointed to Lita. “In a few weeks’ time, I’ve got a big bash here to celebrate my fifth anniversary. I would love for you all to come!”

  “Of course!” Lita exclaimed.

  “Cheers to that, then!” Baxter said, tapping his glass against the others.

  With that, they all finished off their evening with casual chatting and drinks. There was a small dance floor by Baxter’s table where Lita and I’Lanthe danced with each other. Eventually, some of the other Sorcēarians joined in. Dovian and Karter, for the most part, watched with amusement and kept the human company when he wasn’t pulled onto the floor. It was a good time. Dovian was glad he tagged along. Perhaps it was the alcohol, but for the first time in many years, he felt happy. Not content, but happy.

  Humanity always intrigued Dovian. Some humans were capable of holding a powerful sense of positivity and hope. Likewise, there were others who were the complete opposite. But for those who lived miserable lives, who had grown up in terrible circumstances, to see them hold out for so long, maintain hope, and continue to make the good out of the bad and try to make others happy, those were the types that Dovian fought for. Though they may seem few and far between, Dovian’s faith was often restored by humanity, by those who gave life the middle finger and kept pressing forward to fight for what they believed in, by those who woke up every day ready to follow their dreams. Not many Sorcēarians were like that. In a way, Sorcēarians were privileged and took life for granted. They grew up healthy, happy, and surrounded by peace on their land. When a Sorcēarian met misfortune, they often had a hard time pushing through it. Except for Sir Gaius. He always looked to the upside of things.

  Baxter had inspired Dovian. The Skeleton Man reassured him that there was a possibility of change. Lita enjoyed the man and his club. I’Lanthe seemed to have taken a liking to him as well, and Karter had a strange infatuation with his tattoos. And from there they created a solid friendship. Dovian and the others made sure to stop by every now and then to meet with Baxter. It was slightly heartbreaking. Sometimes weeks and months would go by before Dovian would venture a visit. At one point, it had been nearly a year since he had gone to the club. Baxter grew older with each visit. As a Sorcēarian, one had to remind himself that humans did not last long. Every moment counted with them. So, years later, when Baxter’s tenth anniversary arrived, Dovian, Lita, Karter, and I’Lanthe made it a point to show up together and celebrate with the man. Unfortunately, the tension between the races had only risen since their initial meeting.

  “And where do you think you’re going?” Gaius II asked.

  Lita spun, pulling her coat tightly against her chest. “Um, just meeting with Dovian and the others.”

  “Where?” the burly man barked.

  Lita scowled. “In Dovian’s room!”

  “And then where?”

  “Dad! What’s the deal?”

  “You’re going to that club again, aren’t you?” Her father folded his arms, matching Lita’s posture. Cyerys walked into the room, giving her daughter a saddened look.

  Lita scowled. “Yeah? So, what if I am?”

  “Lita, shouldn’t you be working?” her mother asked.

  Lita gasped. “Mom! I’ve worked all week! I’ve worked really hard! I’ve got the kids every morning, and I’ve got bible study at the church in the afternoons! You know I go to see Baxter and the others every other weekend!”

  Cyerys sighed, nodding slowly. “I know, but…can’t you stay here for this weekend?”

  Lita laughed. “Here? Come on, mom. Bingo night at the senior center is more exciting!”

  The girl inwardly cringed. The last time she went to one of the local pubs on Ives, she nearly fell asleep. Sorcēarians tended to be a bit too proper and antiquated in their forms of entertainment. Conversation constantly lingered on world events, war, and scripture debates. It was all good and fun every now and then, but Lita liked the human lifestyle. Humans didn’t seem to dwell on depressing matters as often as Sorcēarians did. Interestingly enough, house parties on Ives tended to be much more entertaining. Sorcēarians didn’t have to worry about keeping up their image or professional status when in the safety of their homes. But sometimes, Lita wanted to mingle with large groups, so that meant going to the human cities.

  “Besides,” Lita said as she flipped her hair over her shoulder, “we all promised Baxter that we would come tonight. It’s his ten-year anniversary. Kind of a big deal for him.”

  “Dovian is going as well?” her father asked.

  “Yeah. I’Lanthe and Karter, too.”

  Gaius and Cyerys looked to one another. The large man heaved a sigh.

  “You’re not going out tonight, Lita.”

  “What’s the big deal? I can do what I want! Last I checked I was a grown adult.”

  “Yes, but it is dangerous out there!” her father shouted back.

  Lita had her mother’s looks, but she had her father’s temperament.

  “Well, maybe if someone allowed me to train as a Scarlet warrior, you wouldn’t have to worry about me!” the girl growled.

  “You’re not going! And that’s final.”

  Lita reached into her coat pocket to twist the dial of her frequency tuner.

  “Lita, no!” Cyerys shouted, grabbing the girl’s arm. “A riot has broken out!”

  Lita paused, her angry features twisting into a look of confusion. “What do you mean?”

  “Baxter’s club…” her mother muttered quietly.

  Lita’s blood ran cold. Defeated, her father cast a projection from his armband. She gave a quiet yelp, covering her mouth.

  Baxter’s club was set aflame. A battle between humans and the Sorcēarian patrons of the club had broken out in the streets surrounding the facility. Some of both races were dead.

  “DOVIAN!” Lita mentally shouted.

  A few seconds after her call, a portal opened, Dovian taking a hurried step into the room. Euclid trailed behind him as well.

  “What’s wrong?” Dovian asked. “We were in the middle of an important discussion.”

  “Baxter!” Lita gasped, pointing at the projection.

  Euclid and Dovian’s eyes both narrowed.

  A news anchor’s voice spoke above the chaos. “Reports state there was a discrepancy between a group of people and a table occupied by multiple Sorcēarians. A verbal argument quickly got out of hand, resulting in a physical fight. Things escalated, the brawl spreading throughout the club to the outdoors where patrons waited to be allowed admission. The death count is currently unknown with dozens of people injured. The building has been set on fire with many still trapped inside.”

  The video feed was live, revealing the carnage and hate. Humans gunned down Sorcēarians. Rules stated that even when provoked, a Sorcēarian was to remain passive for as long as possible. Large walls of light had been cast to preven
t gunfire from hitting civilians caught in the chaos. Some Sorcēarians threw up shields to protect themselves. A few worked their spells to pull water from the nearest fire hydrants to put out the flames.

  Though not audible to human ears, Lita and the others could hear the minds of the other race. It was astounding.

  “It’s been brought to my attention that the owner of the club, a man who goes by the name of Baxter, was beaten, stabbed, and tied to a table. The blaze started when a group of men doused the man in alcohol and set him on fire.”

  “No!” Lita screamed. “I’ve got to help him!”

  Dovian grabbed Lita’s shoulder and tugged the tuner from her fingers. “It’s too late, Lita. You’re not going out there.”

  “How can you say that?! Baxter! He…he…” the girl sobbed, watching the scene in horror.

  “This is madness!” Euclid snarled. “Look at these people! Shooting their own kind! Shooting us! For what reason?! We save their lives, cure their diseases, feed their hungry, and this is how they repay us?!”

  “They fear us and our power,” Dovian mumbled.

  “As they should! And here we are!” Euclid pointed at his fellow men on the screen. “This is where the passive action gets us!”

  “What would you propose we do?” Dovian asked.

  “Teleport there immediately and wipe them out! Come on, Dovian! One blast from you, and they’ll all be down! You know it! The lives we could save!” Euclid stomped his foot, desperation setting on his face.

  Lita’s father glared at Euclid. “You go out there now and terminate those people, and you’ll have a full-scale war on your hands.”

  “And what do you call this? There’s a war going on right now, Gaius, and we are sitting by watching our men and women die!” Euclid argued. “What is with you Gaius men? Always waiting and never making a move.”

  “Let us go out there,” Dovian requested. “Euclid and I can easily put an end to this. We can disarm the men and prevent them from killing more.”

  “You’re not going to do a damn thing,” another deep voice entered the conversation–Gaius III.

  Dovian’s lips tightened.

  “We have strict orders for a reason. Sending our warriors out now will only cause more panic,” Gaius III stated.

  “Father, do you really believe that?” Dovian asked.

  “I’ve seen it plenty of times. I wish we could step in, but doing so will cause more deaths in the end,” the man coolly stated. He set his hard eyes on Dovian.

  “And not doing so will kill more of our kind. Are the humans worth it?” Euclid asked.

  Both Gaius men gaped at Euclid in shock. “Yes,” they both said in equal tones.

  Euclid’s hands balled into fists. Dovian palmed his friend’s shoulder, giving him a meaningful glance.

  “You agree with this?” Euclid hissed quietly.

  “I feel as you do, but my father is also right,” Dovian replied.

  “Ha! Madness! This is all madness! Where is Sir Gaius in all of this?” The Azure man shook his head.

  “I’m quite aware of what’s going on, Euclid. I’m also aware of the rules of war that have been placed upon us.” Sir Gaius joined them. In the blink of an eye, he was by Euclid’s side, his icy eyes curiously watching the projection.

  “Rules set by humanity to hold us back,” Euclid said.

  Sir Gaius looked to the young man. “Hold us back from what?”

  “From fighting back! From saving ourselves!”

  “From annihilating the human race at every little discrepancy?” Sir Gaius didn’t approve of Euclid most times. Euclid failed to understand that the Earth was not their home. Sorcēarians were there to guide and help humanity. To observe and learn. This was a temporary residence. Sir Gaius knew the Azure man to be reckless and far too emotional. At times, he wondered about Euclid’s mental stability regarding humanity.

  “Little discrepancy?” Euclid growled. “LITTLE?!” He gestured to the projection.

  “Euclid.” Sir Gaius turned toward the Azure Sorcēarian. “Fifteen innocent humans were killed tonight. Four Sorcēarians were slain. Much more were injured. It was indeed a hate crime committed by a group of extremists. It saddens my heart, but let me tell you about another incident that has occurred today–one that the media doesn’t deem worthy of broadcasting.”

  Euclid took a deep breath, calming himself. After a moment, he nodded.

  “In the Himalayas, there was a group of Sorcēarians buried in snow from an avalanche. The humans in the area rushed to their aid with helicopters and shovels. Sure, the Sorcēarians more than likely would have found a way out somehow, but that didn’t matter to the natives. They dug them out and rescued them, took them to the neighboring village and gave them warm clothes and meals.” Sir Gaius kept a stern expression.

  “How heartwarming,” Euclid muttered under his breath.

  “A clinic in Indonesia caught fire. A medic Sorcēarian saved all the patients and went back in to retrieve her weapon when the building collapsed around her. They fought to put out the flames and saved her. She received minor injuries which she healed herself.” Gaius paused only for a moment. “In Africa, this morning—”

  “Yes, I get your point.” Euclid’s expression twisted into one of frustration.

  “Do you?” Sir Gaius asked.

  Euclid didn’t say anything. Dovian finally nudged him.

  “Not every human is evil,” Euclid sighed.

  “There is kindness and love throughout the world, Euclid. Unfortunately, you’ve not been in the position to see that due to your status. Perhaps I should send you out for some missionary work,” Sir Gaius suggested.

  Euclid sighed. “No, sir. Not necessary. I was simply…caught up in the moment.” His cobalt eyes set on the projection before them, watching the flame that left Baxter’s club as nothing more than a charred frame. Good or bad, there was no excuse for things like this.

  “If you wish, we can further discuss details later. For now, I think we should take our leave. Lita needs time alone.” Sir Gaius placed his hands on Lita’s shoulders. The young woman looked at him with teary eyes. She sniffled, a large tear streaking her face. Sir Gaius caught it. “You have large tears. Just like your grandmother.”

  Lita gave a miserable quaking breath.

  “Come see me whenever you are ready,” Sir Gaius softly spoke.

  She gave a short nod.

  “Son, grandson,” the Elder looked to the other Gaius men. “My office?”

  “Certainly,” Gaius II agreed.

  “And I?” Dovian asked.

  “Stay with me,” Lita clutched Dovian’s coat sleeve.

  The other men said nothing more and vanished from their sight.

  “Euclid,” Dovian started.

  “Ah, not quite in the mood, anymore. Take care of your cousin. I’ve got other things I can do,” Euclid said in a deflated tone.

  Dovian only nodded, and Euclid disappeared.

  “I’ll make some hot chocolate,” Cyerys whispered, heading for the kitchen.

  Dovian stood beside Lita in silence. A few frogs croaked outside as a breeze rushed into the room from an open window. The bright moonlight dimmed as a cluster of clouds approached. Low rumbling thunder sounded.

  “Oh, Baxter,” Lita whimpered. She looked to Dovian. “He…his body….”

  “Don’t,” Dovian replied, tugging the girl against his chest.

  Feeling the warmth of his body and the tightness of his embrace, Lita broke down crying.

  “I’Lanthe and Karter…are going to be so…so upset,” she said between sobs.

  He glanced at his armband. “They each messaged me about it, but I will speak with them later in person.” He ran his hand up and down her back, trying his best to console her.

  “We could have saved him,” Lita cried.

  Dovian frowned. By the time they had heard the news, the building was already up in flames.

  “No, Lita. We couldn’t.”

&
nbsp; She wailed. “But…why?”

  “Terrible things happen. Sometimes they are out of our control.”

  “Why would they do that to him?”

  Dovian remained quiet as he thought for a good explanation. He set his head atop hers. “Because…he loved Sorcēarians.”

  "Baxter"

  Chapter 12

  “And so, the Lord granted us permission to leave the Kingdom, to spread His word and guide humanity to salvation. For He saw within His angels a love and kindness that He sought within all His creation. Forgiveness is a thing that He taught us. Love is another. He forgave us, the second to have fallen, not without His grace, but in sacrifice to sever ourselves so that we may live and understand the ways of humanity. So that those who were originally condemned to eternal damnation could rise again to live on this Earth, to be given yet another chance.” Sir Gaius stood at the front of his congregation, a massive cathedral tied to the side of his family’s living complex. “Now, what does that mean for us?”

  His blue eyes creased a bit as he smiled at his flock. The majority of those attending wore robes of white and black–the civilians of Ives. Here and there, a speck of color stained the crowd donned by the families holding statuses. Not everyone on Ives graduated in a class such as Violet, Scarlet, Emerald, or Azure. Much of the population was civilian. Each member of society had their place–chefs, farmers, laborers, designers, anything and everything that was found in human civilization.

  Usually, the civilians worked beneath the lead of a colored status. There was no hierarchy per se in Ives. Everyone was equal, received the same form of benefits and rights and opportunities. Not everyone wanted to excel at arts and literature and become missionaries, or fight in wars, or guide the race and intermingle with government relations throughout the world. Most Sorcēarians enjoyed simple lives. They built and cooked for themselves. They spent their days reading, fishing, and conversing with one another. It was a free and rich society. Every member excelled at something, but not all were proficient in the use of their spell work. To master a specific power, one would be required to take courses in the statuses they best fit into. If a member of society didn’t want to graduate in a status, they merely took basic lessons at the academies provided throughout the island. Most Sorcēarians didn’t regularly interact with humanity. Not out of hate or spite, but because they enjoyed their simple lives.