I'm glad everyone's enjoying so far. I would like all the feedback I can get. If you have any specific comments to make about aspects of the story I'd love to hear them! Thanks to all my reviewers so far!
Chapter 5
Lyude's Opus
Lyude forced himself to remember the images wrought by the flame god. The first wave had been that of death and destruction. When Alfard was still on the earth before the coming of Malpercio there had been the organ. It's uses were always used for war and controlling the nation's people.
Faces flashed across his mind ethereal and evil, past Maestros who had used the organ for ill. The lands burned, the people suffered. All the while a select few lived in luxury and ruled with an iron fist but none dared stand against them for fear of the organ's wrath. He heard the organ masters play their songs of destruction, he heard the cries of the people, there was no relief. And within the organ the past Maestro's souls were imbued. Their malice comprising the organ's soul.
He wept. It was now in his power to do just as they had, and perhaps beyond it to do anything else. In five days he would be forced to play for the flame god Pyri. Yet all the songs he had learned from the images were those of destruction. He thought forward to the second set of images and realized as they slowly came into focus that these were not as horrible.
He saw a delicate young woman stepping up to the organ her face calm and beautiful. He heard her prayer as she took her seat. She placed her hands upon the keys and the flames surrounded her. She welcomed their embrace and began to speak. "Lord of Alfard great flame of our nation, too long hath you been used for hatred, let me ease your pain. Allow me to show you the true flame of Alfard. That which warms our children at night and guides our paths in darkness. Let your wrath be calmed and your light be bright as I play for you my own song. My Aria of Healing."
She closed her eyes serene and calm, and he heard the sweet music he had hours ago played float over the land, the dark clouds parted, the sun released it's gentle warmth and he felt peace surround him as if he had been present at it's first playing. "May those who follow bring you peace and bless you, dearest Alfard." said the woman and Lyude gasped at the final image before she disappeared and the vision was completed.
He paced the room solemnly in sad contemplation. He knew his choices. He knew what he had to do. Over the next few days Lyude was left alone for the most part, though Christov made it very clear that he would destroy him and the whole of Alfard if he was not obeyed. Lyude had learned why Christov had been so confident about forcing him into destroying Azha. He was under the impression that the malice of the organ demanded that blood be paid. He did not believe that Lyude could summon forth anything but destruction.
He thought that Lyude only had a limited selection to choose from. He did not realize that one could make their own composition. Christov's only worry it seemed, was that Lyude would try to direct the attack towards the desert where it would become an inconvenience rather than an example. Lyude allowed him to believe this.
Lyude spent most of his time bent over a desk, a pen in his hand. Alyssa visited with him often, her presence was reassuring and her company his greatest joy. He found more and more that it was becoming increasingly difficult to see her leave. Yet he knew that he must endure the solitude of his quarters and finish his work. Finally on the eve of the day of the flame he was finished. He lay his pen down and looked at his work with pride. "Tomorrow Alfard, your sorrows will be over. You shall finally escape the darkness that has so long overshadowed you. I will not fail." He knew that he would need all of his strength for the following morning so he went directly to bed.
On the dawning of that day a large barrage of soldiers lay in wait outside the Imperial headquarters. Kalas, Xelha, and Ricco had already snuck back inside, along with a chancellor from the relief committee.
The sky was overcast and blood red as it had been since Lyude's fingers had first touched the keys of the Organ of the Flame. Inside Kalas, Xelha, and Ricco waited along the red carpet that led to the organ. Lyude had been released from his room, there was no need to hold him by force now. He strode towards the organ alone, head held high, shoulders back, expression unreadable. He was every bit the soldier.
He noticed Alyssa standing close by the organ watching him approach. His heart sank as a thought entered his mind but he did not let it show. He had to be strong now, for his people and his nation. He noticed Kalas and Xelha next, accompanied by Ricco and a man he did not directly recognize, yet looked familiar nonetheless. He reached the end of the carpet and stood for a moment in reverent contemplation. "Forgive me everyone." he whispered, and took his seat, smoothing his coattails as he did so and placed his hands on the keys.
Immediately the flames swept up around him, embracing him this time instead of binding him. "Hear me, great behemoth lady." he said so that his voice could be heard by all. "For centuries you have wrought the hatred and cursed nature of man. You have known conquest and greed and wield the consuming fires of both, but you have also known the ever burning flame of that which is good in our world and have brought warmth and comfort to its people. I offer you my own flame, my opus, my hope that for future generations the burden of our fate will not rest on one soul, but the combined wills of all."
"What!" shouted Christov angrily. "How dare you boy, you have sealed the fate of all people with your foolishness. Die!" he said shooting a rifle directly at Lyude. Alyssa screamed, Lyude remained unharmed in the flames. Once the shot had penetrated the fires it had disappeared, not even a ripple in the fire's heatless embrace. Unperturbed Lyude continued his prayer.
"Great sovereign god of Alfard, rest now this great relic. May the evil that consumes it disappear and the true flame of Alfard shine through in the souls of countless others who may discover her beauty and express their souls through her voice. Relieve her of her burdens and bring one last blessing of peace to our lands. I offer you now my own song, my gift to all of Alfard, The Red Dawn's Finale."
Just as the sheet music for the Aria of healing had appeared, Lyude found himself staring at his own work. His offer had been accepted, all that was left was to complete the song without error. Then Alfard would be free, how he wished he could have had the chance to see it. His face was calm, he was not afraid, he allowed the flames to fill him, feeding off of his energy and strength, bringing forth his compassion and kindness. "I suppose I'll never get to walk to the cloud passage in Diadem with you little Andrea."he whispered. "Forgive me for breaking my promise."
Lyude began to play, the music was soft and gentle flowing around the organ itself and embracing it, the flowing melody built and at one point intensified, a soldier ran in shouting to emperor Christov that the Iron Beetles they had salvaged were engulfed in flame that destroyed the machines but harmed none that had come into contact with it. Christov turned again to Lyude, watching him now in awe.
Lyude's song ended perfectly, the sound had been so sweet and pure that even Commander Stryker had a tear in his eye, as the final notes died away the flames of the organ flickered and faded. Lyude's fingers slipped from the keys and a sigh escaped his lips as his head lowered to his chest and he fell backwards from the bench. Abandoning caution Kalas, Xelha, and Ricco ran forward towards him. When they reached him Alyssa already sat cradling him in her arms, two fingers on his neck. A cry of tortured sorrow escaped her lips and she clutched him to her, weeping uncontrollably into his chest.
"No . . ." said Kalas, "He can't be-" but as he looked upon Lyude's youthful and peaceful visage he knew that it was so. Their friend was dead.
Xelha collapsed to her knees her hands covering her mouth. She reached out tentatively to touch Lyude's cheek, her eyes filled with tears. "He knew." said Xelha. "He knew that ending the organ's pain would end his life. He knew this was the only way he could give Alfard a true chance at becoming whole again as a nation. He loved his country that much. Oh, Lyude!" she sobbed into Kalas' shoulder as he held her.
Kalas' face was stricken, he couldn't believe this was really happening. All he could think about was how badly he had treated Lyude. How he had insulted and belittled him. All the same Lyude had stood by him, steadfast and kind. It had always been his way. Lyude had sacrificed everything short of his life for Kalas and a cause. Now he had given even that to his homeland.
"You stupid jerk!" Kalas shouted, oblivious to the soldiers and even his friends surrounding him. The words of Lyude's prayer burning in his head, "I offer you my own flame." he knew what those words meant now. "You thickhead!" he shouted again at Lyude's lifeless form, "Why did you have to make me right? Why did you throw your life away? You had no right just dying on us like that. You were supposed to prove me wrong." he said pulling Lyude from Alyssa and shaking him roughly by his vest.
"Kalas!" said Xelha grabbing his shoulder."You were the best of us, Lyude. The biggest goody two shoes I've ever seen." he said tears rolling freely from his eyes. Releasing his grip with a deep feeling of hopelessness. Gently laying him back in Alyssa's arms. Ricco stood directly behind Kalas his head bowed, his long, black beard dampened.
Lyude stood in a swirling white mist, vaguely he could see the pale form of his body motionless on the ground surrounded by people. He saw a girl rush to his lifeless side, but he couldn't tell who. The figure reached out a hand tentatively drew back then rested her fingers on his neck looking for a pulse that wasn't there. He saw as the figure cradled his lifeless form in her lap.
He knew he was dead, of course. He had known from the moment he had seen the girl in the vision gently slide from the organ's bench, a priest standing over her in prayer as she breathed her final sigh.
The choice of the Maestro was harsh. If one chose to conquer they would have to continue playing the organ annually and pray that their finger never strayed, nor their foot slip. For only death would release them. If one chose to bring light upon Alfard then their lives were forfeit. It had been a price he was willing to pay.
"Lyude, my dear child." said a voice behind him. He turned and both sorrow and joy welled within him. "Almarde." he said softly and began to approach her slowly.
It was amazing how still the room was. Not one soldier moved to seize the now exposed companions. It was as if there was a spell upon the room that held all fast in it's clutches. All eyes rested on the dead maestro before them.
No one made a sound save for the Alyssa who continued to weep, her breath coming in gasps. Suddenly sounds of combat could be heard in the compound, the barrage had made its move. Christov recovered enough to order his men to take a stand there. The barrage broke through to them almost immediately and stood ready to make a move. "Surrender Christov. The empire shall never be restored as it was."said the commander in charge of the assault.
Christov laughed bitterly. "Fools. The Empire is forever. I will find another Maestro, this one has obviously failed. I will never stand down! Prepare to fire men." hesitantly, the soldiers surrounding him cocked their weapons.
"No!" came a shout and Alyssa rushed forward throwing her arms around her father. Kalas, Xelha and
Ricco watched her in concern, moving reluctantly from Lyude''s side to be closer to Alyssa should she need assistance, fearing what Lyude's defiance had done to the mock emperor's state of mind. "Please father, please stop this. Look where this hatred has brought us! All for nothing. This has all been for nothing!"
Christov touched Alyssa's cheek fondly. "My dear child, you will one day understand that what I do is necessary. You will be proud of your father when this is through and order is brought to Alfard once more. Ready Men." he said raising his hand. Both armies lifted their weapons.
"Hold your fire!" came a shout and a young man burst into the center between the two armies. The soldiers surrounding Christov drew back in shock, a young soldier stood proud facing them. From his gilded boots to his shocking red hair there was no mistaking who he was from any angle.
"Lyude!" shouted four voices in unison. Alyssa ran as quickly as she could through the petrified soldiers, followed closely by Kalas, Xelha and Ricco.
As she reached him she stopped, taking him in with disbelief. Hesitantly, she touched his cheek as if to assure herself he was real. Lyude smiled and gently brushed the tears from her face. She took hold of his hand as he did so and held it to her cheek. "You're alive." she whispered, more to convince herself than him. Tears of joy replaced those of sorrow.
Lyude saw the concern and worry on her face, he longed to tell her that leaving her had been one of the hardest parts about accepting his presumed fate. He couldn't begin to describe what she meant to him, but now was not the time. "Alyssa . . ." he said softly. Oblivious to anything but Lyude, Alyssa placed her hand on his chest, bent forward, and gently pressed her lips against his. Lyude's knees felt suddenly weak.
"Alyssa . . . you?" said Christov staring at his daughter, clinging to the boy that had ruined all that he had dreamed for thirty years. A boy who had miraculously returned after being claimed by the organ. Alyssa kept hold of Lyude's hand, seemingly afraid he would disappear if she released him for even a second, needing the assurance of his warmth.
Christov couldn't believe his eyes, then another realization hit him. "The organ." He said touching it, his fingers brushed the keys, but it was no more than what it appeared. A normal, if magnificent pipe organ.
"It's over Christov." said Lyude. "Enough of war and conquest. Don't you think our people deserve a fair and equal chance in life? Why do you insist on destruction? Hasn't Alfard seen enough of that already? We should be working together, not against one another. The Organ of the Flame no longer exists as it was. Your hand has been played. Give your faith to the people now, let them show you their worth and strength. Our sovereign god Pyri blesses Alfard and beckons his people to bask in his warmth. He has sent me with this message of peace."
Christov looked very old as his words sank in. This boy had been saved from the organ from the great master himself, sending tidings of peace and a promise for his people. His men laid down their weapons in unison. Commander Stryker the last of which. "Thank you." said Lyude to the soldiers. "What do you say Christov? Will you help rebuild your country?"
Christov stood tall for a moment as if to refuse, but moved slowly down onto one knee. "I have no right to claim this land." he said, "I was too weak, this great land must be led by the strong, I surrender myself."
After that the two units became one, preparing for departure. Alyssa placed her head against Lyude's chest, she was trembling when she looked up at him again. "I thought I'd lost you." she whispered.
Lyude didn't know how to respond, his hand touched her cheek, he lifted her chin drawing her close and kissed her tenderly. She threw her arms around him and they remained that way for a moment before they heard a low whistle and turned to find their three friends standing before them. The two drew apart sheepishly.
"You certainly are a hassle kid." said Ricco pulling Lyude into a great bear hug, "Don't scare me like that again."
"I'll certainly give it my best effort not to, if you allow me to breathe." said Lyude and the burly man released him. Xelha threw her arms around him in a quick hug. "Lyude, how? You were . . ."
"Dead! Stone cold dead!" shouted Kalas, grabbing Lyude by his tie and pulling him forward.
"What were you trying to pull huh? If that was some sort of revenge for what I said, you're crueler than I could have imagined."
"I didn't count on this Kalas, I assure you." said Lyude getting Kalas to release him and straightening his tie. "The Flame god Pyri said that the flame of my soul was still needed in this country. My duties as Maestro have only just begun. He dispatched a spirit guide to bring me back, A mortal can never return to their bodies without escort."
"A friend of ours that helped us in our defeat of Malpercio." said Lyude. "I wish you could have seen her Kalas."
"Her? Who?" said Alyssa.
"Huh? You don't mean?" said Kalas.
"There are advantages to being a spirit you know." said a voice.
"It is her!" said Xelha, "You came back!"
"Well of course I did. You didn't think I'd spend all that time with you and then never return, did you? Besides I couldn't let Lyude off the hook that easily could I?" said Kalas' guardian spirit.
Lyude laughed, "I suppose not." he said. "Thank you so much for your efforts."
"Just do what you do best Lyude." said the guardian spirit, "I'll be around every now and again to see how everyone's doing. I'll be seeing to it that all of you stay in touch, after all, I'll be able to find Mizuti a great deal faster than the rest of you. Right now though, I have to be on my way. Kalas, behave yourself, Xelha take care of him. And as for you . . ." she said to Alyssa who jumped at being addressed by the invisible presence. "You are one lucky girl, that's quite a catch you've got there. I know you'll take good care of Lyude." she blushed but leaned against him happily.
"See ya." said Kalas, "Well, hear ya anyway."With a final goodbye the spirit left their presence.
No. That's not the end, I still have three more chapters to put up here. I'm going to wait for a few more reviews first though. Again, thanks to all who have submitted so far!
