The Beginning of the New End by Byshera Moore-Williams

Artist Statement:

I have always been a fan of science fiction. X-Men was one of my favorite shows as a child. I had never worked with it before so I set out to write a science fiction story and make a diorama of one moment in the story. I ended up making a digital image instead for two reasons. One I think that it looks cleaner and more put together. Two I didn't really have time to make and paint all of the parts I would have needed for a diorama. My work incorporates storytelling because I wrote a story that you can draw your own images from and an image that you can make your own story out of. I have gained the knowledge of working with a new genre and another change to improve my digital art skill. I hope that my audience gains some enjoyment and appreciation of the genre the way I always have.

Intro:

The year is 4040. There is a new world order. In 2050 there was an uprising of the third world countries and the impoverished of Americas. The battle resulted in nuclear bombing and air strikes. But those would were once on the bottom came out on top. Now the world is built of an artificial atmosphere and so run buy the fat king and queen. There are now only three classes with three gods. Pigs for the extremely wealthy. Owls for the middle class that is thought to be wise and rats for the lowest class.  This is the story of Cyferia a young girl in the Owl class. She, her mother, and her grandfather are on the way to Prince Irose manner so that he and Cyferia may be married.

The beginning of the new end:

Another day in Athasar. Its a perfect seventy five degrees.The factories were making clouds and the cocos had there daily gear tightening before they want off flying just like they did everyday. The glass and bronze egg shaped buggy was making great time to Princes Irose’s manner. Which is to be expected when you are getting pulled my two steel horse, the best that money can buy, there is no reason you shouldn't be. “The road is much smoother here. Don't you think? You could take wonderful walks here. It will be an amazing home Cyferia.” Her mother's words cut through her thoughts. However she was right as they moved closer and closer to the home of Prince Irose the road had become a lot less rough but Cyferia really didn't care how smooth the road was. “Can I keep one of the horses?” She asked her mother is a lethargic voice that matched her mood perfectly.

She was dressed a lot like one would if they were going to see someone down the black river. A long dark grey dress that cover her from neck to hands and a grey lace vale. “Why of course not dear. The Prince will have horse that you can ride.” Her grandfather looked at her mother with the same tiredness that his granddaughter was experiencing from waking at three this morning so that they could make good time. He had been quiet for most of the ride sat next to her facing the front of the buggy. He unlike her mother and herself wore what he always wore. A brown metallic suite with a black tie and a white shirt with his favorite black shoes. Cyferia was wearing a white dress with gold pieces of gears and clocks hanging off her waist. She hated the dress however this is what the so called great Prince Irose had sent her and it was what she wore.

“Cyferia do smile when me meet the Prince.” her mother said as she forced a smile onto her own face. “I wonder if the Fat King and Queen ever roll down their smooth roads.” Cyferia said under her breath. “Why of course not dear they can't risk losing any weight.” Her grandfather whispered to her. They both laughed at their newest inside joke. “Father please do be kind to the Prince. And no making jokes you two, we are honored guest and must act as such.” Once her mother finished her statement she began checking the clocks on her daughters dress to make sure they were on time.

“My poor dumb daughter one would think that you would have more wits about yourself.” Her grandfather paused to pulled out a small gold owl and attached it to Cyferia’s dress. “The rich are nothing that we should fear or respect they are alone here to show that this world is working the way it should be. However we all know it is not and I will never stop scuffing because of the Fat King and Queen or the Fat Prince for that matter.” When her grandfather was done talking he looked out of the glass buggy to see how much longer he had to share space with his youngest child and only grandchild. For even though he loved them both he hated small spaces. “I didn't know we were meeting the Fat Prince.” Cyferia said looking at her mother through her vale. “We’re not. We are meeting one of  the noble Princes. Your grandfather was just talking nonsense.” Her mother was obviously upset with what Cyferia grandfather said.

She was one of the only people that thought that the Fat King and Queen were doing any more then sitting up in their castle eating. “It makes sense to me and if it was up to me there would be another rebellion.” both her mother and grandfather looked at her but they were two totally different looks. Her mothers was full of shock and fear, while her grandfathers had a pride full look on his face. “Where did you hear about the rebellion?” Her mother said in her womanly soft yelling voice. She was leaning over so that her face was only a hand space apart from Cyferia. Cyferia took a deep breath and said “Mother your father is 463 years old and you let him watch me when I was young. Don't you think he would tell me about the rebellion. In Owls name stop treating me like a child.” Before her mother could say anything else the buggy stop. The coach robot was at the door opening it up on the left side so that her and her mother could get out first. His blue and gold medal looked worn when it was compared to the gold and bronze five floor home that lay in front of them. “Thank you Aqual. Please be very careful with the bags.” Cyferia said rushing out the buggy and to the door the home. Her mother got out next and then her grandfather last handing the robot something very small. “Aqual please be very careful I’m feeling that something strange is coming.” Aqual looks into his hand and sees a small golden owl. “Oh sir thank you I am honored and of course sir I am always careful.” As the family walked up the long winding steps the robot gathers each of their bags.

Before they can make it halfway up the first set of steps they hear a voice form what seems to be the top of the house. “Hello guest, please come no further I will have my butlers come and get you. Welcome to Irose Manner. You will be treated like family from this point on.” As the nameless and faceless voice echo fades into the metallic leaves of the trees four very buff and well maintained  robots in what looked like black and white dyed silver were rolling down the steps with large rhinestone pillow in one hand and a snake tray in the other. “Wow, what a way to spend your inheritance.” Cyferia said before the last of the four stopped in front of her. “Hello madam Cyferia. An amethyst pillow with gold trim along with a tray of rose punch and blondes.” She was shocked that so much work had gone into planning out each of these small details. As she sits on the pillow and the robot slowly rolls back up to the door that they had just exited from. Her mother had a pillow of sapphire with white tea and lemon cakes. Her grandfather had a pillow of real feathers and a plate of whiskey and a cigar. Each one the these things must have cost at least a million silver. Cyferia could not even imagine what the inside of the house looked like if this was just the greeting.

As the doors of the manner opened Cyferia was slowly let down for her pillow. The great hall of this house had a very large fireplace plated with diamonds and silver. The artificial fire was one of the  elegant that the family had seen. On either end of the fireplace was there was a set of square spiral steps. By the time that Aqual was let down from his coal pillow three young men were standing in front of the family. And the two robots where on either side of them. the one that seemed to be the oldest stood in the center. He was tall at least six foot three. He had tanned olive skin, eyes of night and hair of coal that was well kept. He had light scruff on his jaw line. His larger muscles did seem to make him heavy enough to be thought of as a noble however his clothes said otherwise. He wore black trousers that were well fitted, a lime green button up shirt , a white scarf that was fouled into it and a pair of round black glasses. He looked more like a scholar then a noble. The one of his left looked more like a doll them anything. He was no bigger than 5 feet tall. He had eyes like the river of live a mix of blue and green. His hair was black like coal but his dark skin made his eyes look that much bigger. He was wearing a blue and pink swirled pattern top that looked as it it have been filled with foam in the arms. His pants and shoes matched the pattern. He was the biggest of the three boys. The one on the right of the tallest was only a bit shorter close to 6 foot. He was wearing an all black suite with what looked like a sapphire crusted top under it. His shoes seemed to melt into the gold floor.

“Welcome to Irose Manner.” All three of them said in unison. At bit tired of the show Cyferia steps forward and says “Which one of you is Prince Irose. My mother and I have business with him.” The three boys didn't move for a few moments and then the one in the center  finally says “My lady, I'm very sorry if our hospitality has hindered your meeting. My Prince Irose is to my right. and his brother Prince Emat is to be left. I am Ezok their tutor and caretaker.” When he bowed it draw Cyferia’s attention to his bare feet on the gold floor. “Please come with me to the library my lady, we can start the meeting there.” Ezok’s walk was very proud his height only added to what looked like the skillful walk of a knight. The arches of the doorways were decorated with ravens feathers and copper, all five of them. The extremely long hallway have doors between each arch. No one looked at them, ask about them or dared to open one. At the end of the hall there was a door that when from the floor all the way up to the sealing. Ezok reached into his pants pocket and pulled out a key that was almost the same size of Prince Emat. He used the large grey colored key to open the even larger matching colored door. “Welcome to the original library of rats. Here was where the first rebellion of the broken people meetings took place. Every plan that they ever made, decision they ever had, and fight that was ever won, was planned right here along with many other things. The story of the rebellion lives in this very room. Because of the Irose families involvement in the great rebellion they were granted the luxury to build their home around this monument. You do know the story of the rebellion yes Madam Cyferia, Madam Eldema, and Sir Luforus.” They all were very still as Ezok finished his rounds around the oval room moving books back in place and tidying the desk. “The rebellion is not to be taught in schools.” Eldema said looking straight at Ezok. He laughed at the the comment. In fact he was laughing so hard that he was almost doubled over. “Prince Irose if you would be so kind take your brother to the play room. This meeting is going to be a lot longer then I had thought and we would not want him getting antsy, do we.” “Of course brother Ezok I will be back as soon as possible.” The lean body quickly took the little boys hand and left through the large door that the group had entered through. With in seconds the both boys where gone. Ezok moved from the desk to the door closing it only a little and then the auto lock set in. He then moved with the same swiftness he moved to a book that seemed like it belonged in a poor mans house not in the home of a Noble Prince. “With your permission Lady Eldema, I would like to tell you three a story.” As he says the last word he opens the book an a blinding beam of blue-white light eliminated the room.  “Yes I mind. My father has filled my daughters head with enough nonsense. I thought we were here to talk about.” She took a long pause. Ezok looked on confused. “I am so sorry. Prince Irose is still much to young to be married off. He is but sixteen and your daughter must be.” “Eighteen.” Cyferia said. Interjecting her self. “If he is not interesting in marriage why did he send me this dumb dress? Why are we here?” Ezok walked back around the table and laid the book on the table. “I need your fathers’ help. The dress was a gift to get you to come. This was not an invitation of marriage. I am afraid I have a much more pressing matter.”