The Muse

The Muse - Episode Two - Clairaudient

The Muse - Episode Two – Clairaudient

A hundred year ago, an aviator flew across the Devil's Sea in pursuit of navigating around the world. The female pilot and her navigator did not anticipate the danger in that particular part of the Earth. They did not know how cruel the climate was and how violent waves run in the ocean. The aircraft crashed in the middle of the swirling sea... when a seven-headed serpent appeared and changed the flow of current, leading the plane to arrive at the shore of Saikan.

They survived and woke up in the gray sands. The two walked and explored the island. It was unique in colors and atmosphere. It was a rarely sunny day. When they got to the center of the island, a tribe welcomed them. They were not alone.

It was a whole pack of villagers. It's in the small town, Xi. The people are very friendly and welcoming. The people spoke a different language. As they stayed long nights in the island, they adapted to their culture and studied their language. They discovered that the island was unknown to the world and that they can never go back home. Years later, they began to teach them their language and educate the people. Guilds were built and technology was improved. The female pilot became the Governor of Saikan. And a city was named after her... "Earhart".

One day, another lost ship came to shore and had survivors who later on contributed greatly to the economic growth of Saikan. The ship was brought to the city, Lockheed. It was the Royal Voyager where Kingsbirth lives.

Kingsbirth's popularity equaled the names of the cities' lords. He is an influencial person with an enormous network. He leads the Theurgists of Lockheed and the entertainment kingdom of SRAM. Now he had the most talented girl in the country, his wealth expanded even more.

The girl he adopted was later on called "The Muse".

The Muse had an incomparable intellect in sound craft. It is believed that her ability is a gift of the seven-headed serpent and she was also labeled Clairaudient (hearing voice of supernatural beings and could speak in god's voice).

Kingsbirth raised her up and groomed her to be the most popular performer and an idol of Theurgists. The Muse led an extra-ordinary life and spent most of the time making music and attending to her celebrity life.

Every three nights, she attends the mass service of the Theurgists. She was worshipped like a goddess. Everytime, she would share a drop of her blood for the Clair, the invisible celestial being who grants powers. And another one for Rahydra, the goddess of the Dark Waters, hoping this would stop the curse of the river. And they would celebrate by her singing, as if its the voice of a higher being. Everytime she sings, people see images and memories. They all believed those were relevant to their world.

The Muse kept on living this life as long as she was sheltered and fed. As she grew older, she became curious about the mysteries going on with their world. One day, she was about to talk to Kingsbirth. She waited in the meeting room in the Royal Voyager. But Kingsbirth entered with guests. The muse became shy and hid behind the curtain and she overheard their conversation. The guests were the councilors of the governor. They talked about the lazy, slow, unintelligent leader of their nation. The governor was fat, eats a lot, and passes every decision to his councilors. He was a puppet. While the councilors seem to be having some trouble with the economy and the dark waters.

"The sacrifices have to be doubled. More and more personnel dies in the dam. We need to keep up with the harvests or we lose power in months." A councilor said.

"But the forcefield has been keeping out the civilians from the dark river. Our tech is efficient. We have to focus on our machinery and stop putting people's lives at stake." Kingsbirth debated.

"It takes time to develop another new sustaining technology. We have no more time to waste. We start from the lowest ranks." Another councilor suggested.

"We take two a day, we train them, we let them work at the damn, when they die, we replace them immediately. This is no longer about the plague, this is about the survival of our economy!" A councilor argued.

The muse reacted.
She was heard. Kingsbirth knew it was the muse. He covered up the noise by couging.

"We must delay this decision as far as we can." Kingsbirth insisted.

"I agree. This is a major decision, we must meet again with the governor. Atleast in a way to properly relay this to him." A councilor supported Kingsbirth. The meeting was over. They left.

Kingsbirth opened the curtain.

"O dear, what are you doing there?" He asked.

"Were lower ranks sent to the dam? Since when?" The muse asked in anger.

"Long ago. It was like that long long ago. You don't have to worry, I took you out of the lowest rank. You're here now, you're safe, untouched, sheltered, rich and well-fed." Kingbirth said.

"I had friends... on the street... were they taken to the dam?" She asked.

"I don't know. Probably. Why don't you go back to your room and rest?" Kingsbirth suggested.

"I am furious about this, Kingsbirth. I am disappointed." She said and left.

Many days after, the Muse was always found researching. She discovered a lot of things going on in Saikan. She grew more disappointed in Kingsbirth.

One night, the sanctuary was filled again by theurgists. They gathered in anticipation of another spiritual experience. But the tradition has been broken. The theurgists prepared for the grandiose entrance of the Muse. The Muse was covered in veil as she crossed the altar. Something is peculiar. The way she walked was not the same. When she reached the end platform, she was unveiled. It was a different person, not The Muse.

The day before that... The Muse had been alone in her room, praying. She started to sing an improvised hymn. And she uttered "Clair". The room's gravity changed. She and the things began to float. It's like a dream. Clair never responded like that before. Its power was to create and flash memories before the eyes of an audience whenever the Muse murmurs a melody. It cannot be seen or heard speaking. Its just a power... living inside the Muse. And now it heard itself as if its named for the first time -- "Clair".

"I fear you! I said I fear you! Will you devour me? Did you get mad that I did not go to the altar? I fear you, Clair, and I fear that I am not enough. I fear the questions and the answers and the reality. But I'd like to know... will you answer? What is my purpose, Clair?" Said the Muse, and the gravity went back to normal. Her pulse was cut, SRAM was seen. She removed it. She spent hours removing it and when she did, she cut her hair and died it. She removed all her face paints, wore a different clothing, sneaked out of the voyager, and disappeared.