Bianca sat near the end of a long table alongside the managers of other houses who were sat by her side. It was a vast chamber of dark wood and silver filigree, walls lined with ancient tomes. A great orrery of the astrological cosmos turns silently above them.
The Mansion, house of The Dawn where the "upper management" of The Hermetic Order of The Akasha held meetings during critical moments to guide progress to the different houses under them.
The Committee of seven, the top leaders of the Order sat at the end of the room, facing the different house's managers.
They all looked strangely young despite the aged knowledge in their serene expressions, not quite immortal, but clearly Mages who strengthened their physical body against the unrelenting torrent of time.
One spoke up, dressed in a fine two piece brown suit, more aged than the rest, hairless other than his long white hair, he spoke softly, yet everyone heard it clearly. Magister Templi Aureolus.
"Brethren and sisters, we gather once more to discuss our operations — times have been rough, The New Iteration centralising its resources, Taskforce Q's aggressive grab at power in the world of magick, the current materialistic ethos and of course, most concerning; the the last prophecy of Nostradamus."
He looked back at the six council members
"And yet again we find ourselves facing the same question that troubled even our great founder... how may the Great Work be unveiled to humanity in a manner that uplifts rather than destroys?
"We have long agreed that enlightenment, by whatever form it ultimately manifests, must arise through individual and collective harmony. At this moment of strife this issue grows far more pertinent."
One of the committee members spoke up, a woman with long brown hair wearing robes with similar wise gentleness in her tone, Adeptus Expemptus Hahn.
"The path must honor free will. Any method that compels awakening violates the very law it claims to serve. We must inspire, not impose. Yet the question remains: how? The masses are as clay, but the sculptor must not mar the clay in shaping it like The New Iteration does."
One of the House Managers, The House of Lux, a man in his 30s requested permission to speak which was granted.
"I humbly suggest we continue to operate subtly, increasing funding in influencing stories, art, architecture… let humanity dream its way to knowledge through embedded symbols and potent insignias that would stick in their unconsciousness."
A third committee member spoke up, a woman with long red hair dressed much more casually, in male oriented clothes, smoking from a pipe, Magister Templi Arya.
"But dreams are devoured, are they not? The Fuzon Sykronos and The New Iteration twist every pure symbol into one of commodity or control in the ethos. How do we seed a dream that cannot be corrupted?"
She puffed, letting out smoke with an unasmused expression.
Another council member, a man in an English suit with thick facial hair spoke up in response, Adeptus Major Dr. Dee.
"Could we not begin in smaller steps the—limited magickal literacy, perhaps under guidance?"
Arya answered back, a wise yet unamused tone that had seen this play out many times.
"Limited magickal literacy invites inequality. Once we draw a line, we create hierarchy anew. We are here precisely to transcend such hierarchies, not replace one tyranny with another."
She took a puff from her pipe before exhaling.
"If we disregard equality in learning then like The New Iteration we tread the path of elitism, claiming to guard magick for fear of its abuse. Shall we too hoard the flame, believing ourselves its perfect stewards?"
Another council member spoke up, a man wearing a large cloak that obscured his face, Adeptus Expemptus Karl.
"Our intentions have always remained pure — to guide, not to rule. But the flame given to unready hands can only burn, we dare not hand a blade to a child. We seek not control, but preparation. Still… how do we prepare them?"
Another house manager, The House of Solis, a boy of about twenty one asked permission and spoke up.
"I agree regarding the insertion of symbols but may our medium perhaps be education instead? Educational Institutions, schools and universities. Then by principle only those who are curious shall learn."
The youngest looking council member, appearing as a male of about eighteen or nineteen, dressed in a white shirt and tie with an open suit and slacks spoke decisively, with a hint of simmering disappointment like that of the smoking woman, Adeptus Major Magnus.
"Education? Knowledge without wisdom is plentiful, we all can see what has come of it. Philosophy is drowned beneath distraction, the masses recoil at discipline and stillness, they crave quick spectacles, not wisdom. Who the hell would listen?"
Bianca sat watching as it played out. They had good intentions, they always did. And yet, their youngest member was just as pessimistic as one of their oldest.
The discussion continued, Council members speaking, House Managers giving suggestions, most of which were shot down, not out of pettiness, but pragmatism or going against basic ethics.
It ended like it always did. Lukewarm action, only a single step further from complete inaction.
Magister Templi Aureolus spoke.
"Then we have reached an Ethos, we shall significantly increase funding in the security and scope of the Hermetic Order to protect our agents and the order against the threat of The New Iteration, Taskforce Q, the non-initiated are seen as assets, not threats by them."
"Our goal regarding the masses for now shall be to increase our insertion of symbols in potent grids of intellectualism where we may find budding mages. The prophecy and the rising threat hold too many variables to act in haste. All in favour?"
The Managers of the house along with most of the council ruled in favour of the conclusion, with the exception of Arya and Karl who abstained from voting.
"Very well. The Logos shall reveal its path when we are ready to walk." Aureolus spoke.
"Then we only have to review formal requests sent by house managers directly to us. Please wait as you all shall be directed to a Committee member to discuss your request."
The Committee of seven rose from their seats before going to the chambers in the back. Agents distribute numbers to the House Managers in order to call regarding their request.
Of course, not all of them had given formal requests, at least directly to the council, it had to be very important in order to do that.
Bianca's request to investigate the sudden disappearance of budding mages was one such formal request. And she waited for her number to be called.
The disappearance of Adeptus Minors, Regular people who could become Mages in large unusual numbers was strange enough, stranger still was the disappearance of their family. What could be the cause...?
"Number 5! Miss Bianca Hyde of the House of Phos!" Said an agent aloud breaking her out of her stupor.
"Yes?" She questioned.
"Your inquiry has been reviewed by Magister Templi Arya, you are asked to meet with her in person to further discuss the issue. Please follow me."
The agent led her deeper into the Mansion, stopping at an ornate wooden door carved with intricate symbols of the 7 levels of Magick affinity.
She slowly opened the door.
"Please close the door." Arya's deep voice rang out and Bianca followed the instructions.
The room was a living room combined with an office, bookshelves, tables and chairs carved in Mahogany and even an unlit fireplace.
"Please sit." Arya said, pointing to a couch beside her chair and table as she tapped her pipe on an ashtray sitting on top of the table.
Bianca sat down as Arya puffed out smoke in the other direction.
Arya Dyaus, The Akasa of the East, The Imperceptible Dyu; one of the oldest and magickally skilled members of the Council, only matched by Aureolos and Hagall, yet just like the other members, with how she maintained her Od it would be impossible to know she was a day older than perhaps 30 at most.
Of course Bianca being a Mage herself could perceive her perfectly attuned Od which belied her appearance. To get an audience with her... The issue must have been important.
Arya slightly loosened the coat she wore over her casual shirt before speaking.
"I have read through your investigation request regarding the disappearance of Adeptus Minors and their whole family."
Bianca sat, as Arya took a puff of smoke.
"It has been approved. In fact I suggested investing in security for our agents after reading your report."
"O-Oh, thank you miss!"
"It is of no issue, however... One thing in your reports caught my eye. The appearance of Crawling Magick and the specimen you sent over for investigation."
Bianca jolted in surprise. Sure the use of Crawling Magick was definitely concerning given the timing of the prophecy and the contentious actions of The New Iteration and Fuzon Sykronos, but focusing on that aspect specifically? What could it mean...
"I'm sure you know of the nature of Crawling Magick, a form of Magick everyone knows instinctively is profane and taboo, even though information about it is so little even we know only a bit more than the majority of Mages."
She placed her pipe down, breathing out before speaking.
"Do you know why Crawling Magick is... Taboo?"
"Not fully Miss..." Bianca answered honestly.
"Good, it would've been best to keep it that way but... The appearance of Crawling Magick might be the point that connects all these disparate elements."
"!!!"
"Recall the first part of his prophecy." Arya asked.
Investigating and interpreting the prophecy, Bianca has obviously memorized it by now.
" 'From the dark night of the soul the horde of the rotting eagle shall rise, mounting Tarrasques of iron and Dragons of metal and shall return men into shades.' "
Arya smiled at her diligence " 'Dark night of the soul, return men into shades...' What do you interpret these as?"
"Well miss as of now I believe it refers to some sort of crisis, likely economical or Governmental causes by The New Iteration or Fuzon Sykronos that will lead to a 'dark night' for the regular people..." She paused for a second before containing.
"I believe the Rotting eagle refers to some form of old Tribalism or Imperialism which will be a direct result of this crisis, leading to some form of great occult war using 'Tarasques of Steel' and 'Dragons of Metal' , possibly some very powerful Tulpamancer... And for the last part..."
"..."
"I believe 'returning men into shades' refers to returning them to their primal and savage selves during the war, where morality is the first casualty and wanton barbarism the first wielded weapon."
Arya smiled wider, the corners of her mouth curling in a way most Committee members hadn't even seen much of as she clapped
"You are truly skilled aren't you? Knee deep in symbolic interpretation and translation, at such a young age too."
"Thank you miss, It's my area of expertise. I was assigned to translate the Liber Chnoubis." Bianca replied.
"Yes, then I shall get into it. I have evidence to believe the 'dark night of the soul' and 'return men into shades' does not merely refer to economic or Governmental strife... Regardless of what causes the first strife... Crawling Magick will be not just a tool, but it's very external manifestation."
"Pardon Miss?" Bianca asked, slightly confused.
"... Miss Hyde, you know the first principle of Hermeticism correct?"
"Of course miss 'All is mind, the universe is mental' it signifies that the universe is manifested from an infinite mind from the Tree of Life by channeling Aether. One of the founding principles of using Magick."
"Correct, we see this 'mind' as flawless and perfect... And yet, its flawless nature must be limited through the Tree of Life to channel Aether into an external manifestation. Of course this external manifestation is our physical world, dense and hidden from the light... But what are the consequences of this? It is still a part of the great psyche, yet what does it represent?"
Bianca continued to listen intently, the gears in her head turning. Yes, creation was mental, including the physical world, which was separated from higher degrees of perfections.
Where all of the sacred conceptual principles of the mind are given form and action, yet what could be its ultimate purpose? The physical culmination of all aspects from the Tree of Life, The so-called 'Kingdom'.
Arya continued. "Our mind is a reflection of these sacred principles, a microcosmic shadow, yet what of its negativities and imperfections…?"
"What if our existence itself was one of these imperfections? An inherently flawed aspect of creation?"
Her look turned serious, eyes crinkling at its corners.
"We believe the mental health of this 'mind' to be flawless, a state of seamless perfection yet… What would it appear if some parts of it were not? A schizophrenic split? How would anxiety manifest on a cosmic scale? How would depression be diffused across creation?"
She stopped staring directly at Bianca with a grave look in her eyes.
"..."
"... How would suicidal ideation be manifested externally? The longing for death, What manner of horror would such a simple yet grave idea in the mind of the divine bring about if manifested?"
"That is Crawling Magick."
She pulled back.
"Just as the Tree of Life channels vital Aether to bring about a dynamic existence, Crawling Magick is used as an agent of movement by The Tree of Death."
She looked away, at the window.
" 'And it was Good.' is stated to be the Mantra of creation when the Tree of Life produced the Kingdom of this world from the prototypes in its Foundation. Yet… Our mind is a reflection of the Divine Mind, for we were made in its image."
"Our frail minds; emotional discord, mental breakdowns and suffering are undeniable features of it, this is the diffusion of Crawling Magick that is channeled within creation, an undeniable function of reality."
"But even that is but a single temporary foam from crashing waves reaching our small isolated island from an Ocean of incomprehensible horrors. That is The Tree of Death. That is The Qliphoth."
Arya sighed, adjusting her fiery hair before looking back at Bianca.
"Just as The Beauty, Majesty and Eminence of Elyon is incomprehensible and inaccessible by necessity, for he represents its most abstract form, so that we may only know them internally as imperfections, with countless perspectives in our flawed existence."
"So does even the most depraved actions of humanity only scratch the surface of the capability of The Qliphoth, alien and incomprehensible horrors masking itself as horrors that are far too familiar to us…"
"The appearance of Crawling Magick was no coincidence. I believe 'The Dark Night of the Soul' refers to a stage or episode of The Divine Mind where it shall go through immense mental turmoil, reflected in the collective turmoil in the general ethos of the people, especially caused by the likes of The New Iteration and Fuzon Sykronos."
" 'As above, so below' as they say. And 'returning men into shades' cannot merely mean their primitive survivalist mindsets… It likely means something far more sinister… The Masquerade of The Tree of Death perhaps… But honestly, If I am correct, not even I can predict what manner of horror awaits us… The New Iteration is dealing with things they cannot control if they are experimenting with Crawling Magick."
Her gaze turned more determined, her flaming eyes burning with hope.
"But this is where you come in."
"Miss?" Bianca asked, surprise lacing her tone.
"Your translation abilities, you've translated 80% of the Liber Chnoubis in record time and the amount of progress on the mission regarding the prophecy, you have achieved so much at such a young age. This is why I wish to hand off a big responsibility to you."
Arya stood walking over to her bookshelf before picking out a book. It was extremely old, made of some type of skin parchment, the cover was red. There was no mistaking it. It was The Red Vulgate.
Arya walked over placing the book down on the table and giving it over to Bianca.
"!?" Bianca was too stunned to speak.
"The Original Red Vulgate… It is where The Committee learned the truth about Crawling Magick."
"Of course anyone can request a copy, including the one you have, but… The original is filled with powered Sigils that cannot be reprinted with their properly charged Od, leaving them completely untranslatable unless you have the original. For now, only 40% of the book has been fully translated, even the Committee generation before ours struggled with it… and after learning the horrific implications of Crawling Magick, decided to keep it only among themselves to prevent hysteria…"
She dusted off the top of the book. It was surreal seeing it, the book said to have the power to change the world, power so immense, it is said the original Council of Seven, led by Hermes Trismegistus founded The Order to know its secrets.
Further legends say the original council members disappeared off of the face of the earth when that allegedly translated it, some say they ascended beyond the Astral Planes, others say the knowledge it held was far too dangerous to be known and thus they left with it. Whatever the case, seeing THE Red Vulgate was an incomparable experience.
"We've had this for 200 years now… yet a majority of its mysteries remain hidden."
"I am handing it off to you for translation along with increased funding for the endeavour, Adeptus Major Bianca Hyde, for solving the mystery behind the Prophecy, Crawling Magick, and the role of Fuzon and The New Iteration in this scenario.
"I trust you will not disappoint."
Bianca stood up, bowing.
"I'll do my best, Miss Arya. I swear to The Logos that I shall not fail…"
Bianca's voice shook for a second, unsure of herself.
"But I must ask if I may… Why me…? I know I am good with translating, linguistics and sigils but this is a huge responsibility to bear… The Red Vulgate is the grimoire, from which parts of ancient holy texts and other grimoires are derived, the most ancient of mysteries…"
"..." Arya looked at her bowed head.
"Because you wish to bring about genuine change."
"!!!" Bianca lifted her head to face Arya as she continued.
"Because despite the New Iteration's elitism and monopoly, Fuzon Sykronos propaganda and materialism, and The Hermetic Order's stagnant progress, you want to help it move forward, bring about a better world, I can see it in your eyes, you're tired of non solutions, of watching the world toil in ignorance while we argue semantics over disseminating knowledge."
"Miss…" Bianca stood there transfixed, jolting when Arya placed both her hands on Bianca's shoulders.
"The Hermetic Order seeks progress without abandoning ethics and freedom of the people, even as they are deluded, exploited and made to kill each other."
"We can do nothing but watch meaningless violence, the Crawling Od flows through the minds of men, yet it would be stooping to the level of exactly those we despise to bring about any meaningful change through force."
"Even I am bound to play by the unfair rules laid out by The New Iteration and Fuzon Sykronos. You are different, you don't have to stoop to their level to pierce through their propaganda, your counter attacks have thwarted theirs perfectly."
Her grip tightened
"If we save as many people as we can when the prophecy plays out, regardless of what it may entail, I wish for people like you to lead the Order as part of the council, leading them to a better existence beyond the material delusions."
"Sabaoth himself said the one who knows The Red Vulgate's mysteries shall inherit the kingdom of earth and thus may transfigure the very fate of mankind."
Bianca was stunned into silence, the usually headstrong and swearing manager of the house of Phos, processing what she just heard.
Arya sensing she might have overwhelmed her let's go of her shoulders, giving a gentle smile.
"Well you can worry about that stuff later, for now you still have a translation and mission to uphold, chop chop!"
"Of course Ma'am." Bianca gave her a determined nod, her dark eyes shining with determination and dedication.
…
Bianca stepped outside of the House of The Dawn, dazed not noticing some of the remaining House Managers talking to each other and their Agents.
"Ma'am?"
Payton's voice broke her stupor.
"Are you doing alright?"
Mike came by her side. "Yeah you look dazed, did something happen? I've never seen you this uh… Wait… are you happy…!?"
Bianca being happy was something rather rare.
"LET'S FUCKING GOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!"
And extremely loud…