Kai, stood up and paced around the fire, somewhat surprised, and said, “I’ve become so used to you referring to Speaker’s son as “the son” it’s almost hard to view him as being called anything else. Let me guess, Lyte is not his real name, and I don’t understand the power of names but this will make more sense in due time,” a sprinkling of sarcasm sprinkled into his voice.
Mik, a twinkle in his eye, a toothless, one-cheeked smirk on his face stated, “Actually that is his full and complete name.
The two men silently stared at each other, time itself latching onto Kai’s brain as he wrestled with a quick response and the internal debate if Mik was proving to be a far greater master of sarcasm.
Mik, never one to lose a battle of patience or will, sat patiently staring into Kai’s eyes, as Kai blurted out, “No seriously, is that his real name?!”
Whether Mik was proud to have won the battle of wills or was simply entertained by Kai’s rabid curiosity, responded, “Oh young Kai, unfortunately it is not his real name, no; however, it is the name we closest to him still call him to this day.
Kai’s mind drifted again, replaying parts of the story Mik had already shared, envisioning the name Lyte now being intertwined into the story. He asked, “Is it spelled L-I-G-H-T?”
Mik responded, “No, it is spelled L-Y-T-E, which is related to part of his real name, and has no connection with a source of illumination as one might think.”
“I have so many questions still, but I must know first, did he really speak the rest of the Malakh at this point?” Kai asked.
“He certainly did and not only did he speak the Malakh but an entire culture was born,” responded Mik.
“In a very short period of time, if there was time to measure, Doxa went from few to many. Millions of Malakh were spoken. First came the Dux. It’s spelled D-U-X, though it sounds like D-OO-CKS. 2,400 Malakh were spoken and given the title of Dux. 200 were assigned to each of the twelve Sar and would serve in leadership roles to help guide the other Malakh. The Dux received moderate levels of training prior to the remainder of the Malakh being spoken to be able to better assist us, though none would ever compare to an actual Sar.
As the Malakh were spoken they were given a series of tests to determine their natural gifts or affinities. Under each of the Sar existed four divisions, the Warrior class, the Knowledge class, the Beauty class, and the Builder class.
The Warrior class received extensive training in individual and joint combat, close protection, and communication.
The Knowledge class received extensive training in all sciences including research and development, biology, medicinal, astronomy, and technology. This class often worked closely with the Warrior and Builder class in designing new technology.
The Builder class received extensive training in both architecture and the production of equipment and technology.
The Beauty class received extensive training in music and art and all forms of aesthetics.
The classes each worked hand-in-hand to sharpen each other and make each other better, however, I would be omitting a part of the story if I did not admit at times there was strife between the classes within each Sar, but even greater tension between the Malakh assigned to each Sar. Where my Warrior class may have occasional conflict with my Beauty class, tension between the Malakh assigned to me and say, those assigned to App, was far more common.
Speaker and Lyte, always seeming to know the inner workings of the Malakh, even with so many, convened our council to develop a plan to encourage, even further develop this competitiveness, while maintaining positive relationships. It was here the first ranking system was proposed. I do not recall which of the Sar originally suggested it, or perhaps it was simply a group effort, but it was determined each of the classes would be given a rank within each of the Sar’s command. Actually, as I’m thinking about it, how could I have forgotten, Speaker suggested the idea first. Based on the combined rank of each of the four classes underneath a Sar, an overall rank of one through twelve would be determined. This rank would change on a regular basis based upon each of the classes productivity and abilities.
It was determined one of the best ways to implement this was regular competitions to be held at the Peirazo. Naturally the Warrior class would be the centerpiece of the events, however, the armor, technology, and beauty both physical armor and combat techniques would be heavily supported by the other classes. In hindsight I suppose the Beauty class always felt a bit out of place and desired to focus on things outside the arena. Speaker, a devout lover of all things beautiful, was always very supportive of the Beauty class despite them at times feeling ostracized.
Perhaps it was Speaker’s never-failing kindness, perhaps it was his ability to find beauty in all things, or perhaps it was the adoration all Malakh had for Speaker due to the understanding that all things, including their existence was courtesy of him and him alone, but he always seemed to find a way, despite differences, tensions or strife to not only keep the peace between classes but maintain a feeling of family and trust amongst all of us. There is truly nothing like him, nor will there ever be anything or anyone even close. All Malakh know this, not to say it is not forgotten at times.
As we discussed the benefits of creating competition to push each of the Malakh to learn, to research, to build, to create, App garnered the attention of all when he asked, “Speaker, you desire competition, you desire the Malakh pursue new ideas, you desire they build new things, yet would it not be easier and more efficient for you to simply create these things yourself, or to simply make them know these things?”
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Speaker and Lyte, both ever-patient met App’s gaze, before Lyte spoke up stating, “While the speaking of beauty, the development of knowledge, or the education of others is truly magnificent, is it not far greater to speak a being capable of doing all these things?”
The room fell silent at this response as we all processed this. Lyte was right. Given enough time there were many beings that could create beauty and develop new knowledge. There were no beings that could speak a new being into existence capable of such things. This truly was the greatest display of power, as the thing spoken, in it of itself, is a display of a far superior glory and power.
As we continued the discussion regarding the training of the Malakh, Eli entered the Apeiron followed by four beings we had never seen. The first appeared to be another Avopeia, similar in size to Eli, but instead of long braids hanging on his shoulders a single, braided ponytail pulled tight behind his head hanging down his back. The second being was an incredibly muscular lion. Mane softly swaying and gentle yet ferocious eyes scanned the entire room as he walked. Next to him strode an ox of immense stature. If appearance were any indicator, this ox could have pulled the entire Pyramid of Doxa, alone. Lastly, a proud, massive eagle strutted into the room. The gaze only a true bird of prey can possess immediately assessing all who were present.”
Pausing from the story, Mik looked up at Kai and stated, the one peculiar thing about these beings, all four had large elegant wings, tucked right to their backs. We never heard them speak, but from this point forward would see them regularly. Eli never offered us any explanation, though Speaker and Lyte did not appear at all surprised by their presence.
Mik continued, “Eli simply nodded, the four creatures moved to positions around the Apeiron, and he departed. Lyte initially tried to continue the conversation, however, upon seeing there was no way we, the Sar that is, would be able to focus enough to continue the conversation without some type of explanation, chuckled and said, “Alright, alright, they are here at Eli’s request. They will serve as permanent guardians to the Apeiron, the Eye of Tsach, and Speaker.”
Without hesitation App retorted, “Protection from what?”
Lyte, as if the question were read from a terrible movie script, responded, “Nothing. For now. Though as we have discussed, the greatest deterrent to future violence or evil is having a plan.”
App, again, did not appear entirely satisfied with the answer, though understanding the discussion of the training of the Malakh was more important at this time than discussing the need for potential security measures to the Apeiron, which happened to have the twelve most powerful beings in Doxa, not counting Speaker and Lyte currently sitting in it.
We continued discussing a great many plans regarding not just the training of the Malakh, but the plans for the future of Doxa, the continued development of its culture and Speaker’s vision for it all. Speaker remained adamant in the desire for the Malakh to have the ability to choose and create without the overbearing burden of too much guidance from the council. In the end, the council agreed on the formation of a ranking system, with the Malakh under each Sar being ranked as a group with possible rankings of first through twelfth. The larger ranking of the Malakh would be based upon the individual rankings of each class within the Sar’s control. For example, a Sar with a Warrior, Knowledge, Builder and Beauty class all ranked first, would be the first ranked Sar, or on the reverse a Sar with all twelfth ranked classes would be ranked twelfth.
The rankings would be decided in two ways. The Warrior class would be decided through regular combat matches and tournaments in the Peirazo. The remaining classes would be voted on on a regular basis by the Sar and Lyte, with the one rule being a Sar could not vote on their own classes.
We departed the Apeiron to deliver the plans to our Dux, who would disseminate the plans to the larger body of Malakh.
This proved to be one of Speaker’s better ideas as the Malakh, given a common goal, pursued this system at an exponentially higher level than we could have anticipated. Speaker was deeply celebrated for not only all he had spoken, but his ability to inspire his creation to pursue such creativity, expertise, and beauty. The better the technique in combat, the better the equipment used, the more beautiful the movements were, all pointed to Speaker and his ability to speak beings capable of such magnificent feats, all while allowing for the free will to pursue that which they desired. Much like a child always seeks to make their father proud, so too were the Malakh in their pursuit.
While Doxa was undoubtedly always a land of excellence, a culture of fine aesthetics, and truly breathtaking architecture, the injection of Speaker’s newly spoken Malakh accelerated the expansion of all things. The Malakh built magnificent structures from sky scrapers that reached to the clouds themselves, to farms, and groves of delightful delicacies outside the walls. Agriculture, architecture, metal working, transportation, weaponry, and music, were pursued to new heights.
The Sar led, with the regular direction of Speaker and Lyte during our regular council meetings and votes. We even became used to the lion, ox, eagle, and Avopeia in the council chamber, though to this day, none of them have spoken to me.
While I would certainly be omitting from the story to not say we, the Sar that is, took great pride in our ranking, I do not want to let this take away from the most important portion of this part of the story. The brotherhood that formed during this period was like no other bond that has been formed or will be formed. If I had to estimate the quantity of time this period encompassed, I would say it was nearly one thousand of your years, and truly one of the greatest periods in the history of Doxa.
The conversations, banter, and time spent together, Lyte, the Sar, the Dux, and the Malakh should have been documented as there will never be a time in history such as this. Much like soldiers in war or law enforcement task forces, these were times we all look back on with such fondness.”
Pausing from the story again, Mik asked Kai, “Do you have moments you relive in your head, looking back with fondness, and wishing you had been better about treasuring that time?”
Kai did not answer, finding himself deep in thought. As smoke dissipating in all directions his mind floated through all of the times with his wife when they were first married, not a care or burden in the world. He thought of the birth of his children and those early moments of no sleep, yet all the firsts, walking, talking, riding a bike, reading, writing their story and so much more. He thought of his time on the task force, and the blood, sweat and tears that were shed. His brain drifted even further back in time thinking of his brothers in arms on the athletic fields, the love and memories he shared with his parents and brothers. Suddenly jolting back to reality, Kai said, “I do, very much so, I do.”
Allowing the moment to simmer as a fine sauce in a five-star restaurant, neither spoke, both men staring into the fire reflecting on bygone times, times of before. While apparently from completely different walks of life, and possibly completely different places all together, both shared a common time, a time before chaos had descended, a time before.
“Would you care to share some of the individual moments? The ones you will remember forever?” Kai asked, whether out of actual curiosity, or simply seeking distraction from the thoughts, even he did not know.”
