CHAPTER 33: CLOUDHOLD

“Amaliel!” The furious shout echoed through the crystal halls of Cloudhold, causing the unaware residents to pause and turn to see who had broken the area’s relative peacefulness.

“Amaliel!” Nassima stomped through the grand expanse, her voice growing louder and angrier by the minute. Everyone ducked away from her path, less they become a target of her wrath. A few dared to follow a few steps behind, hoping to gather some salacious gossip, because it was the most excitement they had in weeks. But Nassima sensed them following her, and shot them a furious look of annoyance, sending them scurrying and bumbling away back to their quarters.

“Amaliel! When I find you…” Nassima did not finish the threat, hoping it would be enough to bring Amaliel out from wherever she was hiding at the moment. Nassima was already angry enough, and having to search the entire Cloudhold for Amaliel was just more fodder for her rage.

The flying fortress of Cloudhold was the home of the Azuri. It orbits high above Teoria, floating amongst the clouds, invisible to the eyes of the humans below. The fortress itself sat in the center of a flat disk of crystal whose bottom half bent and reflected the light around it to provide a near perfect camouflage. The top half however, was completely clear. So clear that when standing upon the disk it appears that one is floating in the air, instead of stepping on something solid. If not for the constant ring of turquoise blue light marking the edge of the disk, one could simply walk off the transparent surface without realizing it. Even though that was not a problem for the Azuri.

Cloudhold was less of a fortress and more of a miracle of architecture that defied the laws of physics and structural integrity. An inverted pyramid, precisely balanced on its tip, was the base for a second pyramid of equal size which sat on top it, forming a four-sided diamond shape. It stood in perfect alignment and stillness with one floating stairway leading to the doorless gateway to the inside. There are one hundred and eleven levels within Cloudhold, Which consisted of walls and floors made out of white crystalline stone which radiated and reflected light. Each level was connected by a complex maze of staircases and walkways that wove throughout the edifice and lead to various chambers, rooms and galleys.

A series of levitating platforms were present inside for faster ascension and descent between the numerous floors, but many of the Azuri instead enjoyed using their own abilities of short sustained flight to move between the floors. At the center of Cloudhold where the two pyramid bottoms meet, an open area serves as the observation deck where the Azuri congregate, sit, and observe the world below with an unobstructed view. They muse on and discuss the lives of the humans of Teoria, recording and studying them like a scientist would study a colony of ants. It was the Azuri lucky enough to be out on that deck this day, that witnessed the event which had provoked Nassima’s anger, and already surmised the turmoil that would be on display when she made her way back up to Cloudhold.

Nassima navigated to the upper pyramid floors aboard a levitating platform, having exhausted her ability of flight on the trip to and from the continent, and all eyes were on her. She was fully armored as she entered the fortress, but as tradition called for, she was obliged to shed her cuirass for more formal wear. In a blink of an eye, her armor went from solid, to a gossamer almost airy form, until it disappeared completely leaving only a few traces of ghost lines in its wake. In its place, a flowing and white silver gown appeared that highlighted Nassima’s beauty and form but did not decrease from her fierce and powerful image.

Nassima had a feeling Amaliel would be in the higher chambers of the upper pyramid. Which housed the sanctuaries of the apex level Azuri. Out of the hundreds of Azuri residing inside Cloudhold, only fifteen were considered apex level, including Nassima and Amaliel, and nearly all fifteen had drawn the ire of Nassima at one time or another. However, his time was different, Amaliel had broken a direct rule, and she would have to answer for it.

“Let me explain!” Amaliel cried as soon as Nassima burst into the Diamond Chamber, the exclusive council room reserved for apex level meetings. All of the apex Azuri were already present in anticipation of their altercation, including the Prime Matriarch Teorina, who sat tall and regal upon a white crystal dais. In Nassima’s mind, the Prime Matriarch’s presence emphasized the severity of Amaliel’s infraction.

“You better explain and have a good damn reason to unleash the Storm-Wraiths on that village during their festival! There were children present! You know the Storm-Wraiths are nigh uncontrollable and would wreak chaos over the entire area! What were you thinking?” interrogated Nassima.

Amaliel eyes welled up her lip pouted, as she looked at her toes unable to face Nassima’s anger. Amaliel’s creativity in imagining the most fantastic beasts was unmatched, and Nassima said nothing as her beasts became more vicious and dangerous. Nassima believed it was just an experimental phase Amaliel was having that would soon pass, because all temperamental artists fall into their dark periods. But the Storm-Wraiths were different from any other creature she brought into existence. They were faceless nightmarish beings with one flaming eye centered in their heads, cloaked in tattered robes and wrapped in heavy chains. They flew through the air using their frayed, storm-cloud colored wings attached to their backs. Long and sharp silver blades jutted from their wrists, above their large pale hands with long spindly fingers and black claw like nails. They were beings of pure destruction and violence, not fit for the human world and only existed to train Azuri warriors in combat. Som Nassima believed letting Storm-Wraiths run free on an unsuspecting village was an action so cruel Amaliel could not have conceived of it on her own, and she had to have been coerced in some fashion. There were others involved in this scheme, and Nassima was sure of it. Almost on cue, and confirming her suspicions, the Azuri Coreus spoke in Amaliel’s defense.

“That village rejected the offer of protection from the human named Victor Blackhelm in exchange for an Azuri temple. The Storm-Wraiths were sent to show the error of their ways.” Coreus stated as a matter of fact.

Coreus was a powerful Azuri, respected and feared. Snow white shoulder length hair framed his handsome face, and his muscular body earned him the title “God of Heroes” from the humans. They imagined him as the perfect example of what a hero should look like, even though his actions were often less than heroic. He was a highly skilled warrior, second only to Nassima, but his fighting prowess was not the reason he was feared. What gave him his dangerous reputation was his intelligence and scheming mind. He also lacked any kind of empathy and possessed a taste and talent for malice.

“Another temple to honor the Azuri?” Nassima scoffed at the idea. “How many times have I argued that we are not to be honored with temples! Blackhelm should know this, and more importantly, you should too! We should not be imposing ourselves in the world of humans as something to be worshipped!”

“The temples in the Triton Realm are not in fact for us. They are but symbols put there by Blackhelm and his cabal of High Governors,” added the Azuri Dyadona, who had her arms coiled around Coreus shoulders. Dyadona was his paramour and main conspirator, and shared his snow-white hair, ideal body and beautiful face. She also shared his prowess for calculating devious schemes. They almost made for the perfect couple, if they were not both so downright self-centered and borderline psychopathic.

“It is to show the people in that village who is in control. The leaders of the village denied Blackhelm and the High Governors. The High Governors came to us to mete out their punishment for that act. Thus, the Storm-Wraiths,” she explained with nonchalantness, which only increased Nassima’s vexation.

“What!? Since when did we become enforcers for Blackhelm and these so-called High Governors? I do not know what kind of arrangement you have with them, but it ends now. We are not to interfere with human politics and get involved in their conflicts.”

“Yes, you have told us that many times,” interrupted Dreven, who was also in attendance, and in all likelihood also had his hands in this plot. “Yet, you were quick to go to rescue the villagers and defeat the Storm-Wraiths. Also, no one will forget the legion of Realm soldiers you decimated a quarter cycle back at the request of one of those humans. A tad hypocritical of you, isn’t it?”

Nassima glared at Dreven with a look that would have ordinary men lose control of their bodily functions. “Do not be disingenuous with me, Dreven. The elimination of those soldiers was justified because of the slaughter they perpetrated on the peaceful inhabitants of a nomadic tribe. I answered an innocent child’s call for help, as is my duty. The Storm-Wraiths should not be part of their world. They were deliberately sent there in a show of power and scheme of intimidation, and I demand to know why!”

“Victor Blackhelm offered me a pact,” Amaliel finally spoke, “he said he would limit the hunts of my GodsDeer on the lands he controlled, if I helped them bring the resistant areas under the High Governors’ authority. He is trying to unify all the humans under the leadership of the Triton Realm. Isn’t that a commendable action?”

“Not at the cost of the lives of innocents!” Nassima objected in anger causing Amaliel to shrink away.

“All this is for nothing,” interjected Coreus, “I now guarantee a Temple will be built in that village.”

“Most likely in homage to you, Nassima,” added Dyadona

“Yes, and the High Governors will fund it and the rebuilding of the village. In return the village will come under the fold of the united Triton Realm. Life will go on, and Blackhelm will get what he wants.” Coreus concluded.

“I see now,” Nassima replied, “this was all a part of your plans. You devised this from the start. Tell me Coreus, what do you benefit from this?”

“The pleasure of a plan executed to perfection?” Coreus said with a grin to the chuckles of a few of the other Azuri. Nassima was not amused.

“Then why send the Storm-Wraiths?” She pressed, “Why not some other beasts more common to the area? The Storm-Wraiths are too powerful for me not to get involved. You know that.”

“Of course, I knew the Storm-Wraiths would get your attention. It was Blackhelm’s idea actually. He wanted a glimpse of you in action. The man is obsessed with the warrior goddess Nassima, who single handedly defeated over 4000 of his best men. He is impressed with your power and wants you on his side.”

“Tell Blackhelm that he does not get everything he wants.”

“Tell him yourself. He wishes to propose an alliance between the High Governors and the Azuri. He requests your blessings in particular. Obsessed as he is.”

“I do not ally myself with those who only seek power,” Nassima declared. She refocused her attention on the matter at hand, ending her discourse with Coreus.

“Prime Matriarch Teorina, I recommend severe sanctions be placed upon Amaliel, Coreus and Dyadona for their violation against the rules of direct influence of humans, and the intentional endangerment of human lives.”

The Prime Matriarch rose from her seat. Her height accented by her ornate headdress and her beauty emphasized by her majestic robes. Her looks belied her age and wisdom but did not diminish her stern and serious character. She was the undisputed paragon of the Azuri of Cloudhold and the final say in all matters.

“This is my judgement,” Prime Matriarch Teorina said with a calm but commanding voice, “the Storm-Wraiths should have never been released into this world, their terror is too great. The death and destruction they could have caused if not for the intervention of Nassima would have been horrific. For this Amaliel, you will confined to Cloudhold for 10 cycles and placed in service duty.”

“But my creations!” Amaliel cried.

“Will have to fend for themselves.” Teorina said dismissing Amaliel’s laments. “Coreus and Dyadona, you two are playing a dangerous game. I have tolerated your dealings with the humans because of the advancements you have helped them accomplish. But you have overstepped your bounds with the Blackhelm clan. You are to sever your ties with Victor Blackhelm immediately. When you return you will be confined for 8 cycles each. Nassima, I want you to accompany them and make sure the message is delivered. Am I understood.”

“Yes, Prime Matriarch,” the group answered in unison. Nassima side-eyed Coreus and Dyadon, they accepted their punishments without the slightest objection, which she found odd. The two huddled up with Dreven and gave Amaliel a silent invitation to come join them in their conversation as the Diamond Room cleared. Except, Amaliel ignored their invitation and strode out the chamber with barely a glance in their direction. She did however make eye contact with Nassima for a second. That second was all Nassima needed to know something was not right. Her instincts told her that the three Azuri were planning something, and whatever it was, it was not good.