Phantom Regency

The way to me is always open. No matter

what your past may contain, no matter how

many years you have lived in fear and

greed, no matter how hard your will has

become - I am but a word away. Speak to me

and I will answer. End your silence. Shut me

out no more. Test me and see if I will give

you peace and purpose. Have I not

promised the galaxy to you? Remain in

slavery no longer. The way is open. I am

listening and waiting. Will you call to me?

From “The Sayings of the Sky Man”

Xim and His sister Kaelin were playing Smashball at the palace gym. She was more athletic, but more reckless. Xim played more tactfully. He preferred to keep her out of scoring position each hit, rather than taking risks trying to smash the ball through a scoring hole every time.

Slam! Her wild shot bounced off the rim of the century-hole. It bounded quickly to Xim’s left. He took a step and smacked a shot off his wrist paddle directly into a side-hole for the win.

Panting and sweating, he walked by her to the door. “Better luck next time, sis.”

“I can’t believe you beat me again.” She was not breathing as hard but sweat glistened off her body. Her finely toned muscles stretched the fabric of her two-piece uniform. She glanced at the audience. Many had gathered to watch the royals play, dropping their own activities for the privilege. Kaelin could feel the stares of all the wretched old men of the court. She was too egotistical to be insulted. She was too pragmatic to not continue to entice all the men she could.

A cold fire burned in her soul for power and control. She raged against the reality that her brother had what she could never have. Not just because she was a woman, but also because she truly loved Xim. Their father had been a cold man. Their mother had died when they were young. Neither of them had a true friend in the galaxy except the other. She could not wish harm on him no matter how it may ultimately benefit herself. Nevertheless, she was determined that no one else would ever be number two in the Regency.

“Let’s talk in your office later,” she said to him over her shoulder as she strode away. “I want to hear about your trip.”

Xim nodded. He knew what trip she was referring to. He had left in his private yacht a week ago, and had just returned. The official log showed a simple pleasure cruise, but she deduced that he had gone to the Inferno to see the alien dragons. Kaelin continued to be obsessed with them. She talked excitedly about every new discovery she had made. Xim was actually interested now.

He had not been nearly as afraid on this trip as he had been when he went with father. A single dragon had boarded his ship and politely affirmed the desire that he and his descendants rule the galaxy. They assured him that the master plan would eliminate all resistance and put total power in his hands. Even now, their plan to destabilize the galaxy was at work. The bloated system of Council and Dominions must fall. They also alluded to the fact that there were other galaxies to conquer once his was stabilized. The thought of him being a conquering emperor excited him. He was beginning to relish his destiny once again.

It had been a year since that awful mess with the Authority captain. Voldruss had not contacted him since. No matter, the dragons would insure that the SERPENT Armada plays its part.

He went to sleep that night as self-satisfied as ever. He had talked and laughed with Kaelin for hours and then enjoyed a night of revelry with his courtiers.

In the night, he found himself climbing a tall, steep mountain. The heights were dizzying and he was terrified. When he reached the top, he met a young man about his age. The youth was happy and peaceful and reached out a hand to him. His hatred boiled over. He was shocked and surprised at the vehemence of his feelings. Xim attempted to throw him off the mountain but he was taller and stronger. The youth did not fight back but patiently held his ground. Xim fell back panting and glaring, wishing for a weapon of some kind. It was then that he noticed an object in the other boy’s hand. It was a small orb crackling with green phantom energy. As he looked closer he saw that it was an exact model of the Nexus.

Suddenly, Xim was assailed by a giant snake. It nearly swallowed him whole. He frantically looked for somewhere to run or hide. The other young man jumped in to help him and wrestled the snake to the edge of the mountain and threw it off. Xim’s relief was suddenly swallowed up in terror as its tail swept up and coiled around his legs. He was dragged to the edge and plummeted off. He screamed as he fell endlessly down, down, down…

He awoke screaming and bathed in sweat. He had never had a dream so vivid. He wondered for a moment if he really was dead. He drew in some deep breaths and tried to calm his pounding heart.

He recalled his father talking once about dreams from the phantom universe, dreams that could communicate present and future events. The thought terrified him. Would he have more? He arose trembling and called for his servants.

His fears came true. Similar dreams continued for several nights. They all involved his death at the hands of a reptilian creature of one kind or another. Many included the tall, peaceful youth. Xim was frightened. He began to have serious doubts about the kind intentions of the dragon aliens. But his pride wrestled with the idea. They are just dreams. They don’t mean anything. You will be emperor.

He was visibly on edge and avoided people as much as possible. Kaelin confronted him on the change. He badly wanted to confide in her but was afraid to tell her the truth. What would she say about the dreams? What if she confirmed his worse fears?

One day he was sitting at his desk. He had just brushed off another of his sister’s attempts to cheer him up. She had excitedly shown him a relic she had found in the archive vault.

She had boasted, “This is the Dragonblade, an ancient symbol of power and rule. In ages past before the rise and expansion of the Regency the race of dragons ruled parts of the outer rim. Their prince carried this weapon. It was found by a probe ship in 312.” She showed him an ornamental dagger with a bright red blade.

He would have been interested, but the pain in his heart quelled his excitement.

What is happening to me? he wondered after she left.

The holo-phone beeped.

“Sky Marshal Avenor is here to see you. He is accompanied by Minister Ulvanus,” his secretary said.

“Send them in.”

Sky Marshal Balton Avenor approached his nephew with firm, purposeful steps and stood in front of the desk. The Minister of Defense trailed behind him. Minister Ulvanus was the civilian head of the Regency’s armed forces. He shuffled in and stood behind Balton’s shoulder.

Xim spoke. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Your highness must realize the importance of our visit,” Balton replied with contempt.

“Really?” was the sarcastic reply.

“Sir, you continue to obstruct my efforts to obtain the phantom cylinders you hold in reserve. Last week’s no-vote was the third you’ve declared in the council already. Why do you not allow the democratic process to decide my motion?” Xim’s uncle was struggling to control his temper.

“Had you been paying attention, I assured the council that the cylinders in question continue to be in need of testing. My state duties have prevented me from inspecting them of late. I promised to release four of them within two weeks. The council was…”

“The council is weak! They do not see…”

“Do not interrupt me! I am the Regent! You will show proper respect or be dismissed!”

Minister Ulvanus pulled at Balton’s shoulder to stifle his protest.

Xim continued, “Do you really think just because you used to be my uncle that you have some great privilege to barge in here and insult me? From now on send your petty complaints through the proper channels. I have no time for roughneck soldiers to march in here and…”

“How dare you!” Balton leaned over the desk threateningly. Minister Ulvanus desperately clawed at his sleeve. “You think your special magic gift gives you dignity! There will always be a Regent. It doesn’t have to be you! If you die, someone else will get the gift! May fate grant that it be me! I seek to rescue the galaxy. You try to destroy it! The fleets of the Evanthans and the Authority threaten us and you do nothing! You…”

Guards barge in and dragged the still raving marshal out of the room.

Minister Ulvanus bowed awkwardly. “Your highness, please respectfully continue to consider our…”

“Oh, would you get out of here!” Xim raged.

The doors closed behind him. Xim got up and furiously paced the room. His life was becoming unmanageable. He was barely sleeping. When he did, he was tormented. His own ministers doubted him. The council was slowly being won over by his uncle. What else could go wrong? He believed that the galaxy was supposed to crumble and then be reborn with the dragons’ help into his new empire. But now that it really was crumbling, Xim was afraid.

He spent the rest of the day tediously doing damage control, strengthening the will of his supporters and reaching out to the undecided. He at least needed to hold on to the extra cylinders as long as possible.

That night, he had a huge party and indulged in every whim and pleasure. He was desperate to feel better. He wanted to be loved and appreciated. His ever-fawning courtiers were poor medicine, but they were all he had. He went to bed late, still drunk and full of self-loathing. What had he become? He had nobody to turn to. He felt like a trapped animal.

That night he dreamed again. This time there were no reptiles, no death. He dreamed of himself and the other youth sitting at his desk and talking amiably. He could not remember any specifics of the conversation, but in the dream, they were close friends who strengthened each other. Just before he awoke, he vanished out of the dream and the young man aged rapidly before his eyes and became Zangor!

He awoke, not fearful, but perplexed. Who was this friend? He didn’t resemble anyone Xim knew. He hoped to meet him soon. And why Zangor? He had not seen the old man in months. His health was failing and he rarely appeared at state functions anymore. Xim dressed himself, not desiring the company of his personal attendants just yet.

He went to his mirror. He saw a slight youth with haunted eyes. He looked tired. He felt tired. He was barely twenty but felt so much older. For the first time in his life he wished he had been someone else. He didn’t like his life. He wished he were ‘normal’. He realized he didn’t even know what normal really was.

Zangor came to mind again. A sudden determination arose in him. He took the private elevator to his office. He then opened the secret door into the catacombs of the station. He slowly made his way down to the acolytes’ deck. He was afraid being alone in the bowels of the station. He was accustomed to the constant entourage of attendants and bodyguards. He jumped at every sound and shadow. He suddenly realized that no one knew he was here. What if he disappeared? What if Uncle Balton took over the Regency? He became paranoid that a giant reptile would jump out of the shadows and eat him.

He was physically shaking when he emerged into the main corridor. He made his way down to Zangor’s room. The deck was deserted. The other acolytes had already begun the duties of the day. He entered the room without knocking.

Zangor was reclining in bed with a dozen pillows propping up his weak frame. His eyes were open, but he was lying so still Xim thought he might be dead.

“You are here because of your dreams,” Zangor said without stirring.

“How did you…?”

Zangor turned to face Xim. “The Sky Man knows all. We have talked much of you, young Vlademor. Please come closer.”

Xim obeyed. He stood at the edge of the bed.

“Tell me about your dreams,” Zangor said. His eyes twinkled. Xim felt peaceful. He told the old acolyte about each of his dreams. Zangor listened without comment, only nodding occasionally.

Xim finished his narrative and concluded, “I just wanted to know if you had any insights.” He tried to be casual, but he was a desperate, fearful man. His hands started shaking. Zangor reached out a hand and touched Xim. He immediately collapsed to the floor sobbing.

“Help me! Help me!” he cried.

“Death was at my doorstep. Breath was fading. Then I cried out to you and you came. My hope. My liberator. My friend. I am chosen and loved. I give my life to you. Set me free from the chains of greed and hate.” Zangor was quoting the Phantom Rites.

“Am I going to die?” Xim wailed.

“Everyone dies. We will all go to the Phantom Realm. The question, young Vlademor is not when you will you die, but how will you live?”

Xim’s heart was pricked. He stood up. “I do not like the way I live,” he said with conviction.

“There are few who do. My son, you are a Vlademor, a cursed family. Cruel and power-hungry from the depths of time, you destroyed your world with war and conquest. You were all too willing to worship the Great Dragon and forsake the way of the Sky Man. You have killed and tortured the true Regents. You have made a mockery of the sacred Nexus, the fountain of freedom, and made it a chain of slavery to greed and hate.

“Xim, young fool, Yoshun will return, the Sky Man will rule. Will you continue to stand in his way or will you change your heart? He stands waiting to accept you and give you a new destiny.”

“What must I do? What of my dreams? What does it all mean?” Xim asked fearfully.

Zangor closed his eyes and lay still for several moments. “The Sky Man shows me this: The true heir of Yoshun yet lives. It is he of whom you dream. He will come to you. It is by him you will be liberated. Wait for him. Receive him. Together, you will save the galaxy. Here.” He grabbed a book off his nightstand. “Read. His words give comfort and hope. I will speak to Sky Man of you. I must rest. Return when you can.”

“Thank you.” Xim left the room, his head spinning. He looked at the book. It was an ancient paper manuscript, frayed and worn. It was titled, The Sayings of the Sky Man.