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DOOMDAY 1

Return to Dogesh Majorum

As the suns rose on the first full day of the Dogesh Centum, I remained in my cell and wrote the first of His chronicles. Only when there was enough light to see by, and fearing some Iron Scales may have stayed behind, I made haste to find my way back to the surface of the Wall but emerged further south than we'd entered.

I walked to the inner edge of The Wall of Civility for an overview of Dogesh Majorum: all was quiet except for a few burning crops in the south; the southern aqueduct was drained and the entire HighRail system was inactive. All of Majorum was without power. Then the Dogesh's wretched feline face came to mind and it occurred to me: the Dogesh is the only power en-Majorum now.

So far from Dogesh's Majorum and the wild Minor outside full of the feral beasts and now Iron Scales, I felt safe atop the Wall of Civility and was in no hurry to get down. I walked back along the inner edge toward the Iyang Segregator, keeping an eye out for movement on the ground but there was none that I could see. I passed the stairwell where we left the rope meant to get us down from The Wall near the Sole Gate. I thought about seeing the escape through, but I knew I couldn't brave the feral beasts of Minor alone, nor did I have the courage to defy the Dogesh.

I've been given a job to do and if I fail... I turned my back to escape and took the zip-line back to Aorn's apartment building, clinging to the tablet, my lifeline. Falling back into the morning shadow cast by The Wall, I realized the irony of The Wall of Civility now surrounding Dogesh Majorum; it was built to protect us from the feral beasts of Minor, and now keeps us trapped with the Beast of Major.

Back on the roof of Aorn's apartment building, I kept a wary eye around me and removed my harness. Cori's harness lay where we left it so I knew if It lived, It did so en-Majorum. Maybe It had actually come to meet us but arrived after we'd already left and unknowing waited for us there. I decided to return to Aorn's appartment, hoping to find Cori and to say my last goodbye to our dear fuzzalhood-familiar.

To my disappointment, Cori was not to be found but I did find a pack for my tablet among hordes of electronics and other contraptions. Aorn's abode reflected It's personality: messy and chaotic but entirely intellectual. There were bookshelves full of books on science and technology and there were drawings and schematics strewn across Aorn's desk and hung on every wall. This was Aorn's life-work.

During much of our youth, the Dogesh had not yet been named but prophecies related to His imminent arrival had taken root in the minds of the Anthrogyne, en-particular the young and impressionable. Aorn, Cori, and I spent most of our youth hatching fantastical plans for defeating the Dogesh. Although, as we grew, Cori and I contributed less to said plans and contributed more to otherwise productive society. Aorn, on the other paw, grew fanatic, even contributing as a tactician for Governance, Policifur, and Iron Scales, and spending It's free time developing en-secret our escape plan, telling Cori and I only what we needed to know.

I rested my paw on It's plans and said my goodbye, turning away sudden not to dwell. Then, on the way out, a rack of swords and sheathes bearing Aorn's mark caught my attention. In no way, was I prepared to use such a weapon but, having my tablet strapped to my chest and Aorn's sword strapped to my back, I felt ready for anything.

Familiar Faces

Unsure where else to look for Cori, I found myself missing my other familiars: my parental-familiar Cairoh, my sibling Dill, and Its heirs, Tele and Gripe. Guilt has kept me from my kinfur for nearly a full cycle, for they were hurt by my fall from grace as much as I was.

Those that knew them when they were proud of my noble chronicling seemed to forget them when nobility forgot me. I'd broken out of common giving my familiars noble status and in less than five cycles, we were all shamed, less than common. But even that guilt doesn't compare to the guilt I feel for trying to escape without them. I would never forgive myself if I did not try to find them now.

Cairoh's apartment was only a few buildings southward so I ran all the way, forgetting stealth. These buildings from my fuzzalhood are where I became familiar with my fellow Anthrogyne; buildings with windows now boarded or broken; Anthrogyne therein: dead or surviving... I could not know.

Major powered systems were still off-line, so I had to run up three flights of stairs to Cairoh's apartment. Outside It's door, I was stricken still, fisted-paw ready to knock but unwilling. What if the Dogesh finds me here? Will He punish my kinfur for my hiding out? Will my kinfur even welcome me after my bringing shame upon them and abandoning them thereafter?

I tried to force myself to knock but couldn't and lowered my paw instead. I turned to leave but the door swung open and another paw reached out and grabbed me. It was my sibling, the dog-type Dill, who pulled me inside and shut the door behind us before taking me in It's loyal arms.

"I'm so glad you're alive! I wanted to come find you on my way here but had no idea where you were." Dill said, passing me to Cairoh.

"Where have you been?" My fuzzalhood guardian, the elder lemur-type Cairoh, spoke stern and hugged me en-tight.

Dills eldest heir, the brave fox-type Tele, asked next, "Did you see the Dogesh?"

Dill's youngest heir, the little lion-type Gripe, was newly fixed when last I'd seen It, and is still quiet fuzzal. It didn't recognize me so did not greet me and instead clung to Tele's leg.

I wanted to tell them I was sorry. I wanted to beg for forgiveness, for leaving them for solitude, for trying to escape without them; but instead remained silent, holding back my emotions.

Cairoh always had good senses about me and took the pressure off. "It's okay, Chatter. Relax as best you can. Dill, fetch It some water, would you?"

Dill did as asked and passed me the glass, then It removed my tablet pack and sword without question and set them aside. It then began to tell me of It's own experience last night, and I sat on the couch, drank my water and listened.

"I saw Him but wish I hadn't. I'd taken Tele and Gripe on a tour of Central Metropolis and was just leaving the Governing Spire when He appeared. We were directly under Him when the fog surrounded us and our fellow Anthrogyne started running in every direction. Most ran into the Spire ground floor or one of the shops of the Central Market. The Dogesh turned fur into ash-"

Gripe whimpered and jumped into It's siblings arms, burying It's face in Tele's chest. Tele sat with It on my left and Cairoh then sat on my right.

Dill sat and put an arm around Tele, petting young Gripe to comfort It. "We were almost hit a few times but we made it here okay."

Cairoh sighed. "I guess I'm somewhat lucky. I had no idea what was going on and still haven't seen the beast. I almost didn't believe it when Dill told me what'd happened. But, of course, the prophecies came to true. When have they ever not?"

My dear parental-familiar, like most other common Anthrogyne, never questioned Governance Propaganda. I grew up the same until, through my work for Heir Master Brickish, I came to understand: the Governance executors are self-serving and all their prophecies are self-fulfilling.

Dill continued. "Well, we may be doomed but I refuse to roll over. I believe we can escape and it would be foolish not to try."

A Failed Escape came to my mind; I set down my empty glass and I placed my head in my paws. I've been closer to Minor than anyfur I know with the most capable fur I know. Escape won't work, but telling Dill that would only dampen It's comforting spirit and lead to more questions than I was ready to answer.

Dogesh Policifur

All was quiet for a moment while we thought of escape. Then a loud knock issued from the door and Cairoh let a startled growl, causing the hair on my neck to stand. Dill jumped up in front of us to protect us from whatever was outside, and Tele covered Gripes muzzle to quiet It's whimper.

The door crashed open and in walked two Anthrogyne dressed in black Policifur uniform. Both were nearer Tele's age, but were made much more intimidating by their Policifur batons, wrapped in wire same as Aorn's.

"What's the meaning of this?!" Cairoh stood to address the Policifur.

The thicker Policifur was familiar to me and after searching my memory I recognized It as Burchem, an heir from the neighborhood.

After looking each of us over, Burchem spoke. "Is there anyfur other in this dwelling?"

"No," Cairoh spat, "Now, answer my question. What's going on?"

Burchem snapped to attention and recited, "We are the Dogesh Policifur. Anthrogyne we see fit will be enlisted to serve with us as such. The elders and young will go with His Nursefur. The rest will remain in their dwelling until further notice."

"You aren't taking anyfur!" Dill shouted back, either not intimidated or determined to protect It's familiars.

Burchem didn't reply but, instead, turned It's head to the door and whistled twice. In walked two Nursefur dressed in typical white scrubs.

One went for Cairoh. "Do you need wheels, elder?" The other went for Gripe. "Come now, young one."

"No, I don't need wheels and I'm not your elder!"

Gripe cried and clung to Tele.

"Then you will need to walk with me now." The Nursefur had Cairoh by the paw and was urging It toward the door.

Cairoh snatched It's paw back, beginning to panic. "Did the Dogesh really think it would be so easy? Get your paws off me!"

"I said, you're not taking anyfur!" Dill jumped at Burchem and swung a fisted paw but was struck first by the other Policifur. The baton zapped as it made contact with Dill's stomach; and Dill fell to the floor, writhing and groaning en-pain before passing out.

"Dill!" Tele yelled and Gripe cried louder.

Burchem hollered, "Understand, we are under orders by the Dogesh Himself but He doesn't need us to do this for Him..." It paused en-remembrance. "I've seen what He can do... if we cannot take you by force, He will take you all in a flash of light."

The Policifur who struck Dill spoke next. "Actually, I heard Him say He's more likely to take the familiars of resistors and the Policifur who fail to force compliance, rather than the resistors themselves."

"What are you talking about, Tot?" Burchem asked, oblivious.

"It doesn't matter..." Tot refocused. "Let's just get them out of here."

"Good idea." The Dogesh said, His voice a low growl.

Our dwelling filled with darkness, erratic black tentacles and that unnerving stench. Cairoh went limp en-terror; It's Nursefur had to catch It and help It sit again. Tele remained sitting and guarded Gripe's eyes. The Policifur and Nursefur knelt and bowed with respect. I was once again filled with the same fear and desperation I felt last night, met by the Dogesh in my cage.

Burchem was quick to defend Itself. "Master, they were resisting."

Tot panicked, no doubt remembering what the Dogesh had said. "We can handle it, Mast-"

"-Apparently not!" The Dogesh howled back.

"Master-" Burchem said no more before It was taken by Dogesh bolt.

The crack so loud and the flash so bright left me deafened and blind for the moment. I pulled my ears over my eyes and tucked my head between my knees.

Through ringing in my ears, I heard the Dogesh ask, "Who did this?"

I peeked from under one ear, through the residual bright in my eyes, to see Him roll unconscious Dill onto It's back with a tentacle.

"I- I did, Master..." Tot said, now bowing so low It's head touched the ground near Burchem's ashes.

Another deafening strike came. This time, I guarded my eyes in time and, after a pause, peeked again to see ash falling where Dill had been.

"Noooo!" Tele fell to the floor still holding It's weeping young sibling; both stared into the ashes of their lost guardian.

"Resistance works against you...", started the evil voice from within the Dogesh, which then morphed into a most awful cackle. "You..." He pointed tentacle at Tot who jumped to attention. "...you know what to do, so do not fail me." With one last look around, He ordered Tot, "Leave the rabbit." Then He left us in our despair.

Tot looked at me then looked away, unquestioning. Cairoh was en-shock over Dill's ashes. Gripe continued to cry as Tele hugged It to calm them both, and the Nursefur rose to their feet. One of the Nursefur, a thin rabbit-type nearer my age, had tears in It's eyes as well.

"Let's go," Tot said, half-stern, half-exhausted.

Without another word or looking back, Cairoh stood and walked with It's Nursefur out the door. Tele passed Gripe to the other Nursefur; the fuzzal cried and struggled as It was carried away.

Tot motioned for Tele. "You're coming with me."

"Why?" Tele cried, still staring over It's lost guardian.

Tot had Tele against the wall, en-an-instant. "Can you not see?! We do not have a choice." The urgency in It's voice showed It's determination; failure was not an option.

Tot thrust a knee into Tele's groin and pushed It out the door. Then all were gone and I was left alone inside my familiars' barren abode. I hurried to the broken door and pulled a nearby shelf against it.

Policifur continued to kick in doors on this floor and others. My only distraction from the shouts and cries was remembering familiar faces, which I may never see again. Dill deserved better than to be left on the floor by Burchem; but sweeping their ashes seemed as Dogesh as their death.

My Fellow, It's Fellows

After some time, when all was quiet and my mind was spent, there came another knock at the door which might have startled me if I weren't so numb; but now that all my kinfur had been taken, I was desperate for another familiar face. I moved to the door and before I could ask, I was answered by a familiar voice indeed.

My fuzzalhood-familiar, the deer-type Cori, called through the door, "Chatter, I know you're in there. Let me in!"

With an eager quickness, I pushed the shelf aside. I opened the door and Cori entered, ducking It's antlers under the door-frame. Cori helped me replace the shelf then removed It's pack and hugged me.

"I'm so glad you're here," It said, "I know you tried to escaped with Aorn."

"Where were you?" my voice reflected my feeling betrayed by It's absence, but en-secret I knew if Cori had come with us It might not be here now.

Cori answered, "I made it to the roof just as you were climbing onto the Wall of Civility, but the Dogesh was getting nearer. Following behind you would've been too risky." It's sincerity has always made It grudge-proof.

When I offered no response, Cori asked, "So what happened? Why have you returned?"

It deserved to know what'd happened to our Aorn but I couldn't confess the details.

"We didn't make it. Aorn is gone": is all I could manage.

Cori slunk to the couch to process this loss; how lucky It was to not have seen it Itself.

I sat next to It, staring at my feet, and asked, "Where were you... before the Dogesh?" This time, I tried to hide my feeling of betrayal.

Cori understood. "Listen... I'm sorry I haven't been there for you since Brickish went back to Iyang."

This was the first time I'd heard the name spoken since my chronicles of the Brickish Campaign were blacklisted.

I remained quiet, so Cori continued, "I followed the news of your fall from grace but I didn't know how to help you... Then, it was painfully clear the campaign to reopen the Sole Gate had failed." Cori sighed. "I knew how trapped we would be if the Dogesh came. So I spent this entire last cycle preparing; learning all that I could about The Wall and Gate, studying the Dogesh prophecies, and finding all my fellow Anthrogyne willing to do the same."

"It might have helped just to have a friend."

Cori looked at me en-sorrow. "But I was near; I kept an eye on you, you just didn't know. My parental-familiar tended crops near yours and I would check in from time to time."

I felt guilty again and now selfish too. "Do you know what's become of It since the Dogesh Arrival?"

Cori stared at It's wringing paws with weary eyes and said only, "It's gone."

It hadn't pressed me for details about Aorn's demise so I returned the favor and changed the subject. "How did you know I was here?"

"With all my familiars gone, I came looking for yours. I got here just in time to see you arrive... but I didn't understand why you were back..." It hung It's head. "I thought you might already be serving the Dogesh."

My cheeks flushed red under my fur which hid my guilt and shame.

Cori added, "Before I could decide what to do, the Policifur showed up and started collecting fur. I could see they were only bringing out elders and fuzzals and those they intended to enlist. When they brought out your familiars but not you, I figured you weren't yet serving."

Welling up inside of me was the greatest urge to confess, but I pushed it back down and said nothing.

Cori looked around, recalling, "I didn't see Dill though."

My eyes led Cori's to the ashes on the floor. "The Dogesh took It. I saw it happen... It's heirs saw it happen... and there was nothing we could do..." My tears began to flow again.

Cori petted my back and spoke with care, "We cannot undo what's been done, we can only move forward. I don't know what the Dogesh intends to do with those He left behind and I don't intend to stay here and find out. My fellows and I agreed to meet at St. Moe's University to form a resistance and escape."

"Resistance is futile and escape is impossible." I dried my tears with my ears.

"The Dogesh has your familiars so I wouldn't ask you to defy Him, but I've got nothing left to lose except you, and everything to fight for. If you come with me, you won't have to fight or resist, and if we are discovered, you can surrender and the Policifur will have no reason to hurt you..."

Trying to refuse Cori was as difficult as I imagined standing up to the Dogesh would be, but for very different reasons. Against better judgment, I considered the option: the consequences of resistance and the implications of escape as well as failure. However, the Dogesh commanded me first, to not remain hidden. Maybe we risk being captured while running about en-Majorum, but I fear the consequences of my remaining here, with nothing to write about for the Dogesh, would be far worse.

I must serve the Dogesh, to observe Majorum and chronicle His centum. Maybe... just maybe, I can help Cori in some way while not neglecting my Dogesh duty. "Okay... okay, I'll come with you."

It's smile put me at ease.

We will rest until morning; though, I doubt I'll get any sleep. Then, before sunsrise, we'll leave SurWest and head south toward the farmlands. If the aqueduct is still drained, we can use it to remain out of sight while we make our way to The East; then we will have not much further to go before reaching Cori's fellows at St. Moe's University.