The Muse

The Muse - Episode One - Lockheed Streetstar

In a far away land past the Devil's Sea... 

There is an island unknown to the rest of humanity. 

Saikan. 

A beautiful land that sprouted a nation.

It is a myth and no invaders ever attempted to come to Saikan for nobody knew outside that they exist. A thousand year ago, Sunken ships, wrecked and lost, washed ashore to the mysterious land. The people that survived a thousand year ago began a new civilization. Years after years, not only shipwrecks but planes crashing landed to their history. But in their legends, it is believed that a giant sea creature saved them, placed them in Saikan for a purpose, and protected the land. 

In Saikan, thunderbolts paint the sky day and night. Sometimes it is cloudy, sometimes it would rain. It is the norm and it is their friend. The humans adapted to Saikan's cruel weather and took it to their advantage. As the civilization grew, they developed high end technology and system, a little more advanced than what we have. 

The four cities, places to remember are named KM#05, Earheart, Xi, Lockheed. Each has stories to tell that are yet to unveil. And I will unlock these as you read along. Now before the real story begins, I shall brief you more about Saikan. 

In Saikan, the citizens are classified as: Maruns - people who work for MARU (government) Theurgists - people who believe and worship mysterious beings, believers of supernatural and divinity Teknikiin - people who develop and work on technologies Ediin - agriculturists, economists, businessmen Undergrounders (UGs) - rebels, and underground independent orgs J.O.P - Just Ordinary People Currency: Points. All citizens are monitored and microchipped at their pulse. The installed permanent device is called SRAM. With the help of SRAM, the citizens were monitored by Maru (government). The SRAM holds a person's entire biodata, entire web, entertainment, currency, entire life. Technology: They are able to turn a 3D holographic form to a physical object. Economy: Between the cities, there is a river connected to a lake, and the lake connected to the sea. Its water was mysterious, and it was the main source of power, oil, and minerals of Saikan. The economy was greatly dependent on it. But underneath the blessing was an equivalent price. The lake is called "The Cursed Lake" and river was called "The Dark River", for the water coming from there brought a plague. Anyone who touches it will be cursed. So the river and the lake were glass-sealed. Only selected personnel and machines were allowed to harvest from it. 

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The Muse - Episode One - Lockheed Streetstar 

Let us begin with a prophecy. 

All gathered, the cult in white hooded robes, recited the eminent future through a song. 

They sang: 

"Time... when the moon turns blazing blue; 

Time... when thunders no longer roar and land thirsts dry; 

Time devours the dead, 

And the dead devours the living; 

Time of destruction and of revolution; 

Time... is power... and power is born in the hands of the Clairvoyant." 

These white clothed men are Theurgists. They devote their lives unveiling the mysteries of their land. Their faith is grounded and built on solid foundation, influencing the culture and tradition of Saikan. The central city, Lockheed, is the place of the core believers. The theurgists here are influential. They are storytellers, magicians, actors, musicians, and media. They are the attraction and trendsetters. The cult is lead by Kingsbirth. Kingsbirth is a powerful man in the country. He lives in the biggest cruise-mansion called The Royal Voyager at Lockheed bay. He is greatly pleasured by art, performances, and divine powers. He is one of the richest people in Saikan, and one of the councilors of the governor. 

Meanwhile, on a street in Lockheed, there was a young girl who captivated the attention of the crowd by performing. She was playing ERHI -- a musical device that can record, playback, loop beats and melodies -- projected in holographic form. She was busking for points. The parks were lovely. The town was as sparkling as New York city. Tall buildings in peculiar architecture, flying vehicles, neon signs, holograms everywhere. The girl, though in the lowest ranks of the J.O.P., stood out amidst the crowd... for no one was as good as her in their generation. The girl is a street kid, 13 years of age, one in the smallest percentage of the population who lives in poverty. Most of them are abandoned children. But among them, she was oddly blessed in maneuvering the SRAM. 

It was a dim orange day as the sun's neon light rays peek in tiny holes of the clouds. After earning quite an amount of points through busking, the girl returned home -- a ruined infrastructure filled with street children. She distributed points to each of them, in which after, they ran, with gratitude and excitement, they ran to purchase their needs. She smiled as they run away. And the smile faded when she heard a noise. A child crying. She went to the little kid.

"Cicilli? Cicilli, what's wrong?" The little kid continued to cry. 

"I feel... I feel sad." The little kid said before she fainted. 

She was burning sick. She carried her to the hospital nearby. The doctor checked her up, tied her, and told her that Cicilli might have caught the dark plague. It was very alarming. 

"If anyone is infected by the dark river, the dark plague causes the following symptoms; at first, sadness, depressive thoughts, fear, and then insanity, and extreme hatred. Physicalizing, upon the next few hours, the skin will start to rot. They will bleed, drool excessively, and they will feel hunger, extreme hunger. They will eat food and not be satisfied. Until they eat flesh, their own and of others. The virus will then spread." Explained the doctor.

"We have to cut the parts that were infected. We have to cut her hand. If not, we'll go with euthanasia." The doctor added. 

"How much... for her to live?" The girl asked as if she can afford. 

"The operation costs 10000 points. That's already discounted." The doctor answered worrying. 

"Do it. I'll come back with points." The girl said. 

Believing the impossible, she agreed to pay for the operation and decided to go out and busk again. After several plays she haven’t reached even close 10000... 

“You need that much of points? Try to go to the Royal Voyager, maybe you’ll loot enough from the upper ranks.” A stranger suggested. 

And she went her way to the big mansion ship. She sneaked in to the lobby of the luxurious venue. She walked to the huge dining hall were higher ranks gathered. She opened her ERHI and began to play. The people laughed at her at first but then... something about the music changed the way they feel. They became so drawn to it that they started seeing images and memories. And right there, Kingsbirth was watching. After the song, Kingsbirth, as if heard an angel, walked towards her astonished and gave her the points she needs. 

"My darling, little sweet darling, would you like to live in royalty? You are divine! You are a goddess!" Kingsbirth exclaimed. 

"My friend is in a hospital right now and I need to go. Thank you, Kingsbirth. You have a good heart." She responded politely. 

Then she hurriedly ran to the hospital. After an exhausting race, she got to Cicilli's bed and saw the kid lying pale, her skin rotted. 

"She has ascended to the sky.” said the doctor. 

And the girl cried non-stop on the floor. She cried for two things; she cried for being low ranked; and she cried because despite having the points now, she is powerless to change the situation. The doctor, crushed in sympathy, embraced her, like a mother. 

"My name is Doctor Mishuno. Do you have anyone coming?" She asked. 

"None." She answered. 

"It's okay. You can stay with us. We will keep you." The doctor said. 

At the height of the moment, a young boy, her son, called to her and saw the young girl. 

"She's... she's that girl at the park! I saw her, Mishuno, she's the singer!" The boy claimed. 

"Ah... this boy, he's my son, Clio." Said the doctor. 

"Clio." The girl repeated. 

"I'm going home". And the girl walked her way out. 

She returned to the ruined infrastructure, but nobody’s there anymore. It rained. She sat on the sidewalk waiting for everybody, soaking. Then an umbrella appeared above her, preventing the water to soak her anymore. There was Clio. 

"Hey, sorry I followed you here! Mishuno said your friend ascended.... and you don't have to pay anymore." 

In quite a long silence, the young girl didn't say anything, instead, she sang. 

“Your voice resonates like thunder." The young boy said. 

"They're gone... all of them. I think they're not coming back." Said the girl. 

Then a luxurious vehicle stopped by them. Kingsbirth goes out. 

“Come with me.” Kingsbirth invites the young girl, whom he knew was homeless. 

"Hey, is that Kingsbirth, the theurgist oldman?!" Clio asked. 

"Hold on, little boy. Let me talk to my little lady." Kingsbirth excused the girl to an isolated talk. 

He persuaded her by claiming that she has a divine purpose and that purpose is to go with him and start a new life. Clio wondered what was happening. 

“Go home.” The girl said to Clio. Then she went inside the vehicle without looking back.

She left with Kingsbirth, seeking a better life.

Clio walks home alone. He encountered a strange man begging for food. When he couldn't give him any, the man bit him.