Chapter 5 - The Obscured Star

Zahra walked down the hallway out of the arena underworks, the smile she had shown Veil vanishing from her face as soon as she knew she was out of sight. She stared down at the tattoos on her arms and let out a sigh.

The match against Veil was something Zahra had been looking forward to ever since she heard about her. A slave from an unknown House, trying to rise above her station after awakening her power. It was as if Serapis wanted to remind her of her own past. If only the fight had ended better…

As she continued walking, Zahra thought back to a few hours ago, back to the match. Her eager mood had been immediately thrown off when she saw that Veil was looking tired before the fight even began.

I should have called it off right then and there… She shouldn't have had to take me on like that.

But the look Veil had in her eyes when she insisted on fighting struck at something in Zahra. At that point, she had resolved to give her opponent a proper fight, even despite the obvious problems Veil was struggling with.

As soon as the match began, Zahra started treating Veil the same as she would any other opponent. Using her power to make Veil forget where she was, she moved in for a chokehold for a quick, decisive victory. It said a lot that despite her lack of experience, Veil had managed to find a way out of the trick that had brought a swift end to a large number of Zahra's other fights.

What impressed her even more was the way Veil had started to figure out how Zahra's power worked. After taking a few hits and failing a few of her own, the slave girl started using her own power defensively, completely denying Zahra the chance to attack.

Zahra had intended to counter that strategy by using her power to overwhelm Veil's mind, alternating between being seen and forgotten until a point when a gap in her defenses presented itself. Unfortunately, Veil's fatigue had caught up with her before either of the two could find a way past the stalemate.

"Hey, Veil, are you sure you're feeling okay?"

Zahra canceled out her power, making her presence known before her opponent.

"I… I can…"

Veil sent a plasma ball toward Zahra, but the attack faded away before it even had a chance to hit her. At the same time, her halo and the plasma balls that had been shielding her faded away, and Veil started to fall over.

"Whoa, Veil! Hang on, I've got you!"

Zahra dashed over to her exhausted opponent, catching her in her arms before she could hit the ground.

"She passed out! She needs a healer, now!"

From there, Zahra had taken Veil in her arms down into the underworks, with the leading couple of House Tenebri following close behind. Thankfully, the arena had a healer on staff who took care of Veil from there, leading up to the discussion from earlier.

Zahra took another look down at the tattoos on her arms. Veil… All because of these damn castes…

As her thoughts concluded and she came to the entrance of the arena, Zahra soon found herself surrounded by her fans, as well as other members of House Safak. A tide of compliments and congratulations soon followed.

"Zahra! That was a great match!"

"Guess that slave girl was too weak to keep up with you after all!"

"Another win for House Safak, eh Zahra?"

"What could some no-name slave manage against a champion like you, though?"

Every word stung Zahra like a whip tearing into her flesh. Without realizing it, she began rubbing her head with one hand and clenching the other into a fist.

Her attempts to speak up were answered only by more fanfare. Zahra was half certain that if Veil had simply dropped dead at the start of the match, these people would still congratulate her for the win.

With a headache growing, Zahra let out a groan and activated her power. The empty platitudes and bad faith comments about her opponent were quickly replaced with confusion.

"Hey, Zahra? Where'd you go?"

"She's gone… That was her power again, right?"

"You think we laid it on a little too thick? I mean, that fight was-"

"Hey, don't start talkin' like that, every win counts for something after all!"

Despite the conclusions some of them had come to that she had run off to be alone, Zahra stuck around, listening to everyone's real thoughts on the fight. Some were disappointed about how anticlimactic the fight was, while others insisted that Zahra had earned the right to be proud.

Stray comments about Veil's use of her power were rare and often overshadowed by ones gushing over how well Zahra used hers. And yet, even with Zahra's apparent absence, not a single word of concern was offered for her opponent. She glared at the group, hoping in vain that even one of them would show Veil some sympathy.

Once she had grown tired of waiting, Zahra headed out into the capital's streets. After that display from her fans, she was eager to take her mind off of the fight. And besides that, there were other things she needed to do today.

—

As she strolled through the streets, Zahra smiled as the dreamkeepers around her were kept completely unaware of her existence due to her power. Her mood was already starting to improve as she took in the sights of daily life in Serapeum going on, completely oblivious to her gaze.

"This city is beautiful," she said to no one who could actually hear her. "If only everyone could see it like I do…"

In time, her eyes turned away from the usual crowds, and she began looking for activity in more secluded areas of the city. As the day-moon began to lower and evening turned to night, the city took on a very different atmosphere. Good people retreated to their homes to rest and pray before rising to greet another day. The ones who remained on the streets after dark were either people like Zahra, or…

A cloaked figure moving just outside of her peripheral vision caught Zahra's attention. A smirk grew on her face as she saw the figure skulking behind buildings, trying to avoid being seen by the few other people left on the streets. Still using her power, she took off after the figure, eager to see just what they were planning to get up to.

Her trailing of the figure took her down pathways that seemed to have little rhyme or reason to them, obviously intended to throw more inexperienced stalkers off of the figure's trail. Eventually, her pursuit paid off as the figure stopped before another cloaked entity amid the secluded dunes just outside of the city.

"I, I got the talisman you wanted, sir."

The first figure held out a tattooed hand with something clenched in it to the second.

"You weren't followed, were you?" The second figure spoke up with a voice that carried the chill of the grave.

"N-no, of course not, sir! I checked the whole way over, we should be safe."

Zahra laughed to herself. As the first figure handed an ornate prayer talisman to the second, she started looking at the two of them more closely.

The first figure spoke with an accent that was slightly off from what Zahra was used to hearing. From what little she could see of his arms, she could tell he was a slave, though he carried himself like a Walker normally would. Former Unseen, no doubt. And the other one…

When she managed to get a peek under the second figure's hood, Zahra nearly canceled out her power in shock. The person, or rather the nightmare, had a face that couldn't be mistaken for that of any dreamkeeper Zahra had ever seen. It had sickly green, beady eyes and a ghoulish, almost skeletal appearance, but its face was kept well shrouded. It was only thanks to her power that Zahra even had the mere sliver of an opportunity to see it.

"Are you sure that this will be enough?"

"I am certain, boy. What you have brought me will ensure your freedom. With my, shall we say, abilities, I could make the House that holds you captive burn as their Daughter dances to your whims. But why stop there? Why simply be free, when you could reign over your masters in secret, and plant the seeds of…"

As the pair continued to talk, Zahra cursed herself for not having picked up a weapon of some kind before heading out on her patrol.

"You mean it? Ha! That'll show those slave-driving bastards for sure! Imagine how many…"

The glint of something metal on the slave's belt caught Zahra's eye as he moved around in excitement. Once he had settled down, she grabbed the dagger he had been carrying, and he was none the wiser of its disappearance.

Now that she was armed, a smile crossed Zahra's face once more, and a plan began to take hold in her mind. She waited for an opening as the conspirators finished speaking.

"Then the agreement is struck. I will take this talisman, and work my magic overnight. Come morning, I am certain you will dine well on the fruits of my labor."

"Thank you, sir! Thank you so much! I never thought tha- Agh!"

The slave fell to the ground. As he looked at his legs in horror, he saw deep gashes where they had been cut open and his blood trailed out onto the sands beneath him. Instinctively, he reached for the blade at his belt, only to find it was somehow missing.

The nightmare gasped, tearing the cloak from its lanky body. "What? What trickery is thi-?"

A cut suddenly appearing over the creature's right eye turned its attention away from its words. Another one on its wrist made it drop the talisman, which disappeared before it could hit the ground.

The nightmare gaped as more and more wounds began to appear on its body, oozing its viscous vital fluids onto the ground beneath it. It clawed uselessly at the air all around it, only to receive more slashes from its undetectable assailant. Moments later, cuts appeared on its legs much like the ones the slave received, and the nightmare fell to the ground crippled.

"You traitorous little- You tricked me! I should have known better than to-"

The sound of crunching bones cut the nightmare off, and its head started twisting around. As his benefactor fell to the ground with a snapped neck, the slave gasped as he stared up at the young woman who had suddenly appeared standing over the collapsed corpse.

"Phew, good thing that nightmare was actually pretty weak! I don't think I even needed this thing to kill it! But as for you…"

Zahra looked down at the dagger in her hand, then looked over at the slave.

"Stealing from a Daughter of Serapis is one thing, but conspiring with a nightmare? Really? The High Ones are gonna lose it when they hear about this!"

"Y-you're… Who the hell are you!?"

"Just someone trying to keep the peace. And on that note, I'm gonna need to take you to the capitol temple. Seeing as your legs are kinda useless now, can I count on you to work with me so I don't have to do the same thing to your arms?"

The slave gulped and nodded. Zahra smiled, and started cleaning up the scene of the fight.

—

Unfortunately for Zahra, the trip to the capitol temple was full of frustration. With one hand, she hefted the nightmare's carcass over her shoulder, and with the other, she dragged the slave along on a rope tied around his wrists. His bleeding legs had been wrapped up with scraps from his cloak, but she soon began to wish that she had done the same with his mouth.

"Help! Someone help me! I'll be killed! Someone, please help!"

"No one else can hear you, ya know," Zahra said, taking a moment to point up at her halo. "And even if they could, do you really think they'd take your word over mine?"

The slave shot Zahra a glare. "It's because you bastards marked me as a slave, right? This whole fucked up caste system you've got is the worst! All the work, every damn beating, people treating other people like, like things! And it was even worse before I-"

"Serapis above, man, can you shut up? Sure, the caste system's got its problems! Yes, I know how bad slaves have it, hell, I was one! But what you were trying to do tonight? If I was hearing your little plan right, that would have been even worse than slavery for those people!"

"I, wait, you were a slave before?"

"Not a story you need to hear. Just shut up until we get to the temple."

For a while, the slave thankfully kept his mouth shut. But just as Zahra was about to feel a bit of relief, he began shouting for help again, this time accusing her of being a hypocritical ex-slave abusing her place in the caste system.

It was only through a tremendous effort of trying to ignore her prisoner that Zahra was able to carry him and his dead ally up the steps of Serapeum's capitol temple. After ascending what felt like far more steps than the massive pyramid actually had, she reached the entrance just as the slave launched into another rant calling for sympathy.

"Someone! You there, sir, please help! This lady's abusing her caste, taking me to be tortured! She doesn't even care that she used to be a slave herself!"

The slave started grinning as the man he called over walked up to the two of them. When he looked over at Zahra and saw her halo was gone and she was smiling at the man, his face went pale.

The man, one of Serapis's Praetorians, wore an elegant set of gold armor over his head, shoulders, arms, and legs. A fine white cloth skirt covered his legs, and a curved blade hung from his hip. His gaze turned from Zahra, first to the slave, then back to her and the dead nightmare.

"Is this true, Walker Zahra? You're capturing slaves to get tortured, now?"

"Hm, well considering he was making secret plans with this thing," she said, dropping the nightmare to the floor, "I'll admit I'm guilty of that. Oh, and he also stole these from the Daughter in charge of his House. Can you get them back to her after you're done with him?"

Zahra pulled the talisman and dagger out and handed them to the Praetorian. He took them, as well as the rope holding the slave, and nodded to her. After a quick look under the corpse's hood, he spoke up again.

"Serapis… Another nightmare? I see. Well, in that case, I can take care of everything from here. You ought to report to your mistress now. She'll want to know what her Eye has been up to, after all."

"Right. I'll get on that right away, sir."

Following a quick bow, Zahra used her power again. The slave blinked, trying to figure out where she went, while the Praetorian simply turned his gaze back to the slave.

After a moment, the slave spoke up. "Wait, an Eye? So she was one of the-"

"That's hardly what you should be concerned about, slave. You'll soon realize that Serapis has no mercy for dark dreamkeepers, nor do any of Her faithful. Whatever you know about any other nightmares, you will end up telling us. And after that, you can hope that your execution will be swift."

The slave paled. "S-spirits…"

—

Leaving her prisoner's fate in the capable hands of the High Son she left him with, Zahra turned to make her way to the High Daughter she reported to. She headed down a familiar pathway through the pyramid's corridors, passing by High Ones as well as other Eyes of Serapis from every caste, all of whom worked tirelessly toward fulfilling the will of the Goddess.

After navigating the labyrinthine corridors, she eventually arrived at the entrance to her Mistress's chamber, and made her way in. The room remained as lavish as ever, adorned with images and symbols of Serapis, all gilded and dotted with precious gems. Besides the idols and icons, the other most dominating feature of the room was the sheer number of scrolls: the Mistress's personal library and archive, most of which she herself had written.

In the center of the room, the Mistress was seated at a desk, writing in yet another scroll. She was a raven gryphon woman of considerable size, easily dwarfing Zahra at her full height. Her multicolored halo bathed her ebony feathers and fur in a rainbow of colors, and made the pristine white garments and shiny gold jewelry she wore almost difficult to look at for the way they bounced the glow off of them.

A single tattoo adorned the Mistress's body, and its design could be seen all throughout the room, including on the prayer talismans she and Zahra wore around their necks. A half-moon over a circle, with lines branching downward from the circle's bottom - The Most Holy Icon of Serapis - was inscribed in golden ink on her forehead, an eternal testament to the portion of the Goddess's divinity she bore within herself.

Zahra waited for her Mistress to finish writing before bowing and speaking up. "Mistress Mitra, I'm back from my patrol."

"Ah, welcome back, Zahra," Mitra said with a soft, yet somehow echoing voice. "You've returned exactly as was foretold. And as for the hidden darkness you were to bring to light?"

"Taken care of, Mistress. One less nightmare, and one less dark dreamkeeper on the streets. All according to Serapis's will."

"Indeed, my child. But now, I must ask you about another thing Serapis has informed me of. You recall my prophecy regarding the Obscured Star, yes?"

Zahra blinked. "Of course I do, Mistress. The Star was supposed to be me, right?"

Mitra smiled and rose from her seat. With a quick motion, she moved over to Zahra and rested a taloned hand on her shoulder.

"There are many roads that prophecies can take, my child. You may be the Star, or simply one of many who fulfills the prophecy's conditions. But Serapis tells me that you've come in contact with another who may fulfill the prophecy's conditions in time."

"Better to be sure about it, right Mistress?"

"Indeed, especially considering what's at stake. Now, do you have any idea who else could fulfill the prophecy? Anyone you've met recently who could become Thrice Marked?"

Zahra sighed. "Mistress, is it wrong to say I wish Serapis made your power work differently? All the poetic phrasing makes this much harder than it needs to be."

"I understand your frustration, but you must remember that it is our burden to bear, my child. If we are unable to find Her truth for ourselves, how can we expect to be able to carry out Her will?"

"I… I guess you're right, Mistress. But anyway, Thrice Marked… An Obscured Star…"

Zahra paused to think. After a little time had passed, a frown grew on her face.

Mitra looked down at Zahra. "Did you think of someone, my child?"

"Y-yeah, but I really hope I'm wrong. There's this slave girl I had a match with earlier today. She's been trying to get a Binding Offer done. I don't think she needs to deal with a whole prophecy on top of all that…"

"Well, if she truly has the potential to fulfill the prophecy, she may not have much of a choice. Is there anything more you can tell me about her? Her name? Her power, if Serapis has been so generous?"

"Right, her name's Veil. Tenebri Veil actually, from House Tenebri. And her power makes plasma balls."

"Plasma balls… I imagine they glow like stars, correct?"

"Exactly like stars, Mistress. And House Tenebri, well, it's not a very well-known House. And I noticed they have a unique dress style where they cover parts of their left arms. Veil does it with her prayer talisman, she wears it around her wrist, hanging over her left hand."

"So as to hide the caste tattoo on that side… Even without House Tenebri's lack of a reputation, that could very well point to the 'Obscured' part of the prophecy."

"And Veil wanted to become a Servant from the match we had… So much that she pushed herself too far and passed out… If I'm right and the marks from the prophecy mean caste tattoos…"

"Then Tenebri Veil is looking more and more like a candidate to be the Obscured Star."

Zahra lowered her head and stared at the floor. "Serapis… I just thought she would be a fun opponent to fight, but she could really fulfill your prophecy?"

"Well, my child, that remains to be seen. And on that note, I have a task for you."

"Yes, Mistress?"

"Keep watch over Tenebri Veil for me. Should she rise through the castes, it is possible that her role in the prophecy may reveal itself more thoroughly."

"Of course, Mistress. But, there's still a lot more to the prophecy, right? We still have no idea what the Eastern Wind part means, after all."

"True, that has proven difficult to discern, but I have my theories regarding that. In addition to watching over the Tenebri girl, I believe you should also keep track of the activities of the Reapers."

"Reapers? You think the Eastern Wind might be an Unseen?"

"Assuming the East refers to Anduruna, it's a possibility that we cannot ignore. And supposing you or Tenebri Veil should come into contact with such a person, it would make the possibility of either of you playing a role in the prophecy all the more likely."

"I see. Well, in that case, Mistress, I have something else I need to tell you."

Mitra tilted her head. "Oh?"

"I hate to think if it's true, but if the Eastern Wind is, or was, Unseen, then the dark dreamkeeper I arrested tonight might fit into the prophecy too."

"Hm, that would be troubling, but as you said before, it would be better to be sure. Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I'll head over to examine them now, before the High Sons have a chance to do too much damage. As for your tasks, keep them in mind as you recite your prayer for tonight. You are free to use any of the idols in this room for your prayer; Serapis will surely hear your words when you do."

"Of course, Mistress. Thank you."

"And Zahra? When you recite your prayer, keep the prophecy in mind as well. For all the Dreamworld's sake, hope must endure. Serapis's will be done."

Zahra nodded and bowed. "Yes, Mistress. Serapis's will be done."

Mitra smiled and nodded to Zahra, then left the room. Once she left, Zahra let out a breath that she felt she had been holding in for far too long. With little more to consider, she approached one of her Mistress's idols of Serapis, and kneeled down to begin her prayer.

"Serapis, thank you for your blessings. I, one of your Eyes, one of your most secretly devoted faithful, kneel before this idol in the heart of your temple, not for my sake, but for the sake of another.

"Please watch over the slave girl, Tenebri Veil, oh glorious Serapis. If she can truly play a role in your Divine Plan, please keep her safe so she can play that role. For my part, I swear with all that I am, to make sure she, and any others who might play a role in it, can weather the worst of what the prophecy foretells for us."

Zahra continued praying, keeping Veil and the prophecy in mind throughout the entire duration. When six minutes had passed, she rose from the floor and began to make her return to House Safak's estate. All the while, she continued to go over her discussion with Mitra in her mind.

Veil… It feels like I haven't had an opponent like you in so long, and now you're getting wrapped up in something you couldn't even know about… Hell, I actually know about it, and it still feels like I have no control over it!

Hardly seems fair, all these things happening over our heads… Castes, Binding Offers, secret ranks of authority, even prophecy… At the end of the day, we're still both slaves to fate, aren't we?

But if I have any say in it, we'll get through all of this. I might've only known you for a little while, but you've proven that you're worth that much at least.

As Zahra immersed herself in thought, she soon enough found herself back at the entrance to the pyramid. Sparing a moment to look up at the moon and stars, she thought about the words that Mitra had her commit to memory, all in the interest of ensuring the final line of them would come to pass: The words of the Obscured Star Prophecy.

The Obscured Star will be Thrice Marked, and then the world shall face a test

The Nightmare God will come once more, and summon legions in the West

The False God will break free from earth, to take his throne back in the East

The Goddess's heartland shall fall, assaulted by nightmarish beasts

The Eastern Wind must take the Star, and help her through this war divine

For on the Wind shall hope endure, and her Veiled Gift shall truly shine