Four | Marli
The Chamber of the Magna Carta is nothing short of breathtaking.
As my mother is part of the Magna Carta, I’m no stranger to its beauty. I’ve spent my fair share of days wandering its halls, exploring its sanctuaries. But today…
Today is different.
The mosaic-tiled floor glitters underneath the Sun’s radiant warmth. Today, she’s finally reached her true peak, an event so rare it only happens once every thousand years. She again calls for a soul who wanders our worlds to commence the Ceremony of Passage, and today, it’s Lady Hines. Her golden radiance brings an air of life to the Magna Carta’s gathering place, a ground so sacred I’d thought it mere legend.
“Hines?”
My ears perk up at the gruff voice. The man who’s addressing Lady Hines is vaguely familiar. His question is accompanied by the thunder of boots against the mosaic-tiled floor, hurried footsteps, hundreds of them. Their periwinkle robes rustle and flick behind them like flames nipping at the sky. They’re agents of the IHA, no doubt.
Their masks depicting the Magna Carta’s emblem are a dead giveaway.
“Aliya?” the man asks again, leaning in to listen.
“Yes!” Her voice is…unusually weak. “I’m alright!”
The chamber’s smooth walls are curved into a perfect circle, blooming with deep blues and vivid purples and the slightest hints of pink. Speckles of silver stars complement the colours, glittering at just the right angle. Nine skylights, spaced out equally, surround a larger skylight: it’s from this point that pure sunlight beams into the ground, where the tiles are shaped around its light.
This is where she stands.
A young girl, four at the most, approaches her with a book in her wobbly hands. Her robes are still too big for her, dragging against the floor. I spot a glimpse of her powder pink curls peeking out from behind her mask. She holds the book out towards Hines, and she takes it. It’s made of the most beautiful navy-blue leather with golden pages, strongly reminding me of the Pelagian seas.
“Thank you,” she tells her with a gentle smile.
“Please take care of it.”
The smile fades from her lips as the girl, Princess Nera, scurries off to hide behind her parents, their gaze piercing through their masks. The mother has one arm wrapped around her husband’s waist and the other held up against his shoulder, and it’s at this moment I finally recognise them. Emperor Orpheus isn’t usually one to show his face, but I’m surprised Empress Eurydice is hiding hers as well. As I glance to my left, I notice my mother watches them with the same perplexion I feel.
“What’s this all about?” I murmur.
“Not now, Marlinda.”
“Aliya Hines of Aurakalas.”
As Emperor Orpheus steps forth, Lady Hines clutches the book to her chest. His robes ripple like the waters beneath this chamber; I’m in awe of how he appears to glide across the floor.
“I am Orpheus, Ashberry’s emperor and the former Keeper of the Treatise.” Every word he speaks is with urgency. Does he know Solace is dead? He stops three strides away from me. “You have been chosen by the Mother of Worlds as the Magna Carta’s first of nine…once again.”
I’m shocked at his unusually distasteful tone. From the few times I’ve met Orpheus, he’s always been kind and incredibly insightful. What’s with the sudden change?
“Is he really surprised?” Mother murmurs under her breath.
My eyes wander to the floor. It’s beautiful, depicting mountains and oceans in a swirl of greens and blues, a beautiful complement to the walls. But I don’t belong here. I should be helping my father with the issues back home in Pelagia…
“I’ve always been dedicated to the Magna Carta’s cause, Orpheus,” Lady Hines finally tells her fellow Archangel. “The Earth and Hybridia are worth fighting for, no matter what cost it comes at.”
“I’d expect nothing less of you.”
Around the duo, the agents watch, stoic and unchanging. It’s frightening to think that such numbers are willing to give up their lives, their bodies, for the Magna Carta. To fight their wars, savour their victories, to dance with the gods and goddesses on their behalf.
“In your hands is the Treatise of the Magna Carta,” Orpheus continues, gesturing towards the book in her arms. “The Mother of Worlds has entrusted it in your care. Should you choose to accept your trials, you are to seek out the other eight who will help your cause.”
The nine skylights shimmer with a golden light, illuminating the place she will take. That is...if she isn’t lying about wanting to renew her term.
“You will also keep the peace between Solace Ignis Caelum and Occulus Terra Vates, and their respective followers, for the preservation of all life here on Hybridia and over on Earth.”
Does he really think she’s stupid?
“In exchange for your servitude of one thousand years to the Magna Carta, you will be offered power beyond imagine...and immortality. There remains but one question, Aliya Asra Hines. Do you accept?”
She bows her head down.
“I accept.”
Lord Cavaliere took this photo of Mother and I just before the Ceremony of Passage was to start. I only got ahold of it after Lady Hines' inauguration into the ninth Magna Carta. They say if it wasn't for my humanity, I'd be Mother's splitting image. But...I did notice something strange. A soft pink light appears to be eminating from Mother's shoulder. I didn't notice it at the time.