Chapter Text
Aura's heart beat so loud in her chest that she feared the other passengers on board of the freighter would hear it, or perhaps even feel it. She pulled her cloak tighter around her body, her back leaning against the ship's walls as it continued drifting through space. She saw stars pass by as she gazed out of the window on the opposite side, sprinkled over the darkness of the galaxy like glistening snow flakes. She began counting the brightest ones, her eyes flickering from one to the next while her mind processed the information. The task kept her occupied, distracted her from the treachery she was committing.
Most members of the Ring of Zephyrs would have called it treachery, at least. To them, the Empire and its leader were nothing but an antiquated regime, lead by a soulless being stuck somewhere between humanity and nothingness.
Proxima Opal, the former head of the Luminists, had denied these beliefs by following the New Octavo, securing Luminist support for the Empire.
But Proxima Opal was dead, and so seemed to be the New Octavo.
Tears stung in Aura's eyes when she recalled seeing her in her quarters; the lifeless body of her former mentor, friend and mother figure, the appearance of which has most likely scarred her for the next months, if not years. She wished that the Zephyrs had not been called to Opal's chambers that day, but it had happened and now it was irreversible.
When she joined the Ring of Zephyrs one year ago, she had just turned twenty, she was the youngest Zephyr thus far. Aura remembered the mistrust the others gave her, the way all of them underestimated her due to her lack of experience, while Opal had reassured them that her youthful insight would prove beneficial. After all, the maiden was a part of the Triple Goddess. A part of the eternal cycle of life, there to be cherished and respected, just like the mother and the crone.
The freighter swayed to the side abruptly, causing Aura to hold onto a nearby handle on the wall, as to not lose her balance. A few strands of platinum hair fell into her face and she used her free hand to brush them behind her ear. A man to her right cursed under his breath, his tongue slipping out of his mouth to lick over his lips while his eyes were glued to the holopad he was holding in his hand. From her position, Aura couldn't see what he was reading but given his flushed complexion and sweaty forehead, she could guess.
There were only a handful of passengers aboard today, some sitting in the uncomfortable looking metal chairs, which were arranged in rows of five and each facing the cockpit, while others preferred to stand, using the handles on the walls to balance themselves when the ride got a little unsteady.
None of them paid attention to her, and she was glad her simple clothing made her blend in as well as she'd hoped. She was by no means a fugitive, but she didn't exactly want to be found, either. Using one of the Maiden's ships would have drawn attention to herself by her fellow Zephyrs so, although she despised public transport, it seemed like the smartest thing to do.
The ship shook again, just as Aura saw the edges of a planet come into view through the window. The lights were visible even from outer space. In fine lines, they spread from one to the other, creating a network of veins on top of the planet's surface. The stars she had previously counted seemed dull in comparison, while the planet was lively and bright.
"Dear passengers," a voice said, and Aura's gaze immediately shifted to the speaker above her head. "We are approaching Trantor now. Thank you for flying with Interwings and we hope you have an enjoyable stay." Aura straightened her back as she watched the planet become bigger through the window, its surface getting clearer the closer they got. When they broke the atmosphere, the ship shivered briefly.
Skyscrapers emerged from the depths of the never-ending city, not a single spot of grass or dirt visible underneath the buildings. She'd never been to Trantor before, but the stories about an entire planet consisting of nothing but a city seemed to be true.
Her lips parted slightly as she observed the details, which got clearer the closer they approached. High buildings with countless windows cast shadows onto the metal ground, smaller ships formed streets in the sky, some lower than the others.
The city was busy and calm at the same time; its packed streets and many buildings a steady reminder about how many people actually lived on this planet, while no one seemed to be in particular hurry.
The city soon faded out of view as the freighter landed at the intergalactic spaceport of Trantor, lowering itself slowly until it stood on solid ground again.
Aura brushed her hand over her coat, as if to rid it of some invisible dust, while the exit opened to her left. The passengers left the ship one by one until only her and the man with the holopad were left behind. The electronic voice from the speakers reminded all passengers to leave the ship, and after casting one last look at the man behind her, Aura stepped out of the freighter and into the warm Trantor air.
***
She had never spoken to the Emperor directly. In fact, she had never even seen him up close, but the way he was sitting on his throne, so casually as if there wasn't a significant threat to his and his line's reign emerging, made Aura wonder how he might react to these news. She'd never met him before, he could have reacted negatively. There was no turning back now, however.
The gate in front of which Aura was standing closed again, hiding the Emperor from her view while the woman she had previously talked to appeared before her, her hands resting on her stomach calmly. She gave her a small smile, one which Aura did not return.
"Empire will see you now." Was all she said as she gestured towards the gates behind her, which slowly opened once more as if pulled by an invisible force. Aura offered the woman a nod of appreciation as she stepped into the throne room, greeted by two guards on either side who held weapons sharp enough to pierce through her body if needed.
She paid them little attention, her focus remaining solely on the three men in front of her; the youngest on the left, his gaze worried and reluctant. The oldest on the right, his eyes hard as stone while his white beard and wrinkly skin gave him a ghastly appearance. Her eyes then locked on the figure in the middle, the one she had seen as she peered through the gate, his tunic and trousers made out of the same blue fabric. His elbow was placed on the armrest of his throne, the hand slowly stroking his chin while his gaze rested on Aura. He did not speak until she came to a halt, offering a bow of her head to the trio, though the man in the middle held her eyes captive.
"Empire," she began, pausing for a moment to see if one of them would interrupt. When they didn't, she continued. "My name is Zephyr Aura Dale. I come from the Maiden to inform you of Proxima Opal's passing." He clenched his teeth, his gaze briefly shifting to the both men beside him before re-centering on the woman again. The man shifted in his seat, his posture becoming more tense as he parted his lips, his deep voice filling the entire room.
"We are sorry to hear that. Please accept our condolences, but know that her successor, Zephyr Gilat, will have the Empire's support as we have hers." Aura raised her chin ever so slightly, her silence causing the man to perk a thick eyebrow, gesturing for her to continue while the weight of her unsaid words lingered in the air.
"There are...disagreements between the Luminists. Those in favor of the Primary Octavo wish to gain power within the Ring. Another candidate is gaining support." She saw his face harden, and the elderly man's eyes darken. The man in the middle leaned back in his seat as he locked eyes with the elderly one, the silence which now spread through the room almost seeming to suffocate Aura. "If we return to the Primary Octavo," she continued, taking a slight step forward which caused the man's eyes to shift to her again. "This will not only set us back but threaten the Empire." The woman who had let her in earlier joined the three men at the front, her hands still in the same position they were before as she wordlessly looked between the men and the woman.
"I do not need a lecture on politics and religion," responded the man in the middle as he eyed Aura from head to toe, the determined expression on her face not altering. His voice was calm, yet powerful. As if he didn't need to put any underlying threat into it.
"Thank you, Zephyr Dale," said the youngest, his voice seeming almost fragile in comparison to the other two.
"We will consider our next course of action. The information is...noted, and appreciated." She saw the Emperor's eyes narrow ever so slightly while he looked her up and down again, suddenly making her feel naked even though she was fully clothed. A part of her started to regret not wearing something fancier, yet it would have only drawn attention to herself, which then would have slowed her down. She didn't know why he, who was himself dressed more modestly, had this effect on her but she wouldn't let her thoughts be seen on her face.
She bowed her head, eyes shifting to every one of the brothers before she took a step back, already turning to leave. It was the Emperor's voice that made her stop; he had stood up, his full height now visible to Aura, who had turned her head towards him again.
"Will there be a funeral?" He asked, his voice surprisingly calm and sympathetic. Perhaps it was an act.
"Yes. You are most welcome to join and pay your respects if you wish." She saw him look to the woman, one of his eyebrows raised. The elderly man opened his mouth in protest, his eyebrows drawn together as he looked at his younger self angrily.
"You cannot be considering this. The Emperor shall not leave Trantor. It is our rule," he protested, his hands forming to fists, but the younger man only raised a hand to silence his elderly brother, his gaze still resting on the woman, who Aura guessed was his advisor.
"It would be beneficial to keep the peace, Empire," she replied in an almost monotone voice. He nodded, more to himself than anyone else in the room.
"So shall it be, then. I imagine it will be held soon." He paused, waiting to see if Aura would disagree. When she didn't, he continued. "You may stay at the Imperial Palace as our guest until the funeral if you wish."
"Thank you," Aura replied, offering a faint smile of gratitude. "It will take place in three days time." She saw him nod in response, not revoking what he had previously offered.
"Then it is settled." He sat down again, and for a moment Aura had forgotten about the other two men, and the guards, in the room. "We welcome you, Zephyr Aura Dale," the three said in unison, before Aura was escorted out of the throne room.