Hapax

Parsec Submission Download Link K.T. Bryski ktbryski@gmail.com Best Speculative Fiction Story: Large Cast (Long Form) [LCL]

In a special interview episode, I chat with actress Blythe Haynes (the voice of Serafine) about acting, writing, Hapax, and the NaNoWriMo Musical. Learn more about the latter at www.nanomusical.com and www.indiegogo.com/nanomusical.

In support of the Acts of Whimsy Fundraiser for Jay Lake, a podcast version of my first published book (age 8). A pack of wolves embark on an epic quest for a legendary valley, in a stirring tale underlining the importance of family and environmentalism.

At last, the journey has reached its conclusion. In this world after Apocalypse, what ending remains for our heroes?

Time has run out: the Apocalypse is here. Serafine, Gaelin, Davi, and River engage in their final confrontation with the Angel and Alesta. The world is ending; who will be saved?

Dawn breaks on the seventh and final day. Davi and River infiltrate the Ecclesiat to rescue Praeton, while Alesta prepares her sacrifice.

The magi have crafted a spell that they believe will allow Serafine to hear the Hapax. Every guild and faculty gathers on the Magistatiem lawns, to cast one of the most complex spells ever written...

Davi, River, Gaelin, and Serafine return to the Magistatiem. While Davi convinces the magi to aid their cause, River must hide her identity from those who would destroy her without a second thought.

Upon learning that River has escaped, and Praeton is to be sacrificed instead, Gaelin confronts Alesta. Later, Serafine reunites with him, and plotting commences.

Serafine and Praeton attempt to rescue River before Alesta can sacrifice her. At the Magistatiem, Davi comes to terms with the destruction wrought by the fire.

River struggles to cope with her emotions after receiving news that fire has ravaged the Magistatiem. Davi has yet to return. Not only is his fate unknown, but River's aither supply is exhausted, leaving her in very real danger as well.

Serafine wakes Davi before dawn with the news that the Magistatiem is burning. Duty and desperation force Davi's return to the magi - heedless of the reception awaiting him.

While ministering to the City's residents, Gaelin discovers that the Magistatiem is planning something, but Davi suspects a trap. Meanwhile, Alesta's efforts to appease the Angel take a drastic turn.

It is the morning after Serafine's revelation, and the skies rain blood. Davi and River experiment with the aither, eventually drawing Praeton into their investigation.

During Osvald's funeral, Alesta officially assumes leadership of the Ecclesiat. Afterwards, Serafine gathers Gaelin and company in the anchorage cells...answering some questions, but raising many more.

Gaelin and company continue their investigation into the Hapax. Unexpected discoveries leave Gaelin feeling disillusioned and more drained than ever.

Father Osvald is dead, and Gaelin struggles to cope with the aftermath. Davi and Serafine venture into the City to check on the bridges' progress, while Praeton and River bond.

Gaelin and Alesta examine the "Prophecies of St. Memoyah," and discover references to the Hapax: the Word of Ael, the Word which began all creation. Meanwhile, Davi and River seek refuge in the Ecclesiat. They stir Gaelin's sympathies, but by passing River off as human, they play an increasingly dangerous game.

An unfortunate encounter piques Professor Volpes's suspicions, forcing Davi and River into flight. An assembly of the monks devolves into an argument between Gaelin and Alesta. The end is coming, but so is change.

Gaelin ventures into magi territory to retrieve "The Prophecies of St. Memoyah," where he encounters Davi and River. Back at the Ecclesiat, choirboy Praeton makes a new friend...and a new enemy.

The results of River's evaluation leave Davi fearing for her safety. Meanwhile, unrest among the people draws Gaelin away from his vigil over the increasingly-ill Father Osvald. Though he is determined to investigate the failure of Candlemass further, he must decide how deeply he is willing to delve.

Brother Gaelin was already nervous to preside over Candlemass - the Ecclesiat's most sacred day, occurring once every twenty-seven years. When the ritual goes wrong, he is forced into accepting the impossible: the end of the world is coming. Meanwhile, we meet student mage Davi Sanders, who is more concerned about his thesis on the origin of aither than the prospect that the End Days might be nigh.

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