Adasion

Jun’ep kept pace behind Juliana to her right as they walked to her class.

“I have so much I want to ask you, about you, about your world.”

Juliana smiled. “You are the first person since I’ve been here who’s asked me about my former life.” She paused, “The first person to really care about it. I mean—Nue’ant has been nice—but they doesn’t bring up my past.”

Jun’ep frowned, “It’s because those from Earth all eventually forget their past lives. They remember Adasion, but forget Earth.”

She stopped. “What do you mean I’ll forget Earth? You mean everyone loves this place so much they don’t think about home?”

“No. My lady, I hate to share this, but humans forget their whole lives from Earth. The elders believe the amnesia is caused by your bodies adjusting to our planet.”

They reached into their pocket and pulled out the local currency. Small brown coins represented the lowest denominator. The other colors had dots to represent their value. There was no color symbolism for which coin had how many dots. Clans preferred to paint over their coins their own power color. For example, Nue’ant’s clan painted their coins white in honor of the High Judge.

“Do you remember what your coins look like?” Jun’ep asked.

“We use fiat currency on earth. More paper money, less coins today. And we also use plastic cards.”

“Plastic? The word’s not translating. I’m imagining an artificial stone. All right. Countries on our continent will use different types of money. Is it the same on your planet?”

“They’ll use paper money, but it’ll look different.”

“And you remember this because you remember the money you used daily.”

She nodded.

“One day you’ll forget its color, another what it looked like. Someday you’ll forget how money existed on your world.” A sad look crossed their face.

Wait, did that mean she’d forget her family, her adventures traveling, and her days as a mayor? A deep fear flashed through her eyes. What else were they hiding?

“That’s why you want to hear about my world—because there’ll be only so many days to learn about it before I forget.”

They didn’t respond.

Entering a small auditorium, Juliana found a seat while Jun’ep stood behind her for security. It was awkward. She offered they also sit, but they insisted. Looking around the room, she noticed that a few of the other women also had private security nearby.

Introducing herself to those around her, Juliana found her classmates nearby included Sophia, the Sol, Natalie a redhead with tight curls, and Georgie, a young fair 19-year-old blonde teen. She recognized them from the event, but one was noticeably missing.

A woman with freckled skin walked to the podium and introduced herself as Mrs. Peterson. “I am sure you all have many questions, we will get to them all.”

“Excuse me,” Juliana called out to the woman at the podium, whom she assumed was the instructor, “Where is Royce? He’s the man who arrived with us.”

“He will not be attending here. He will get a stipend from the government, but unfortunately, most countries on this planet view human men in the same category as the Do class. Or worse. Most likely he’ll end up living in the Re and Do districts. Think of them as the trades class and the laborers. It will be safer for him there as their powers are weak.”

Juliana didn’t like hearing that. He must be feeling alone and scared. She would try to find him later.

Mrs. Peterson frowned, “I suppose we should start our lecture about mana and what the Adasions expect from those from Earth. This planet produces a strange substance that is both energy and matter. It’s unlike anything found on Earth. The locals call it mana. The life evolved from this planet is formed from this energy. Some plants and animals can replicate themselves, others will grow seeds or young by absorbing enough mana to make offspring. Adasions are unique. They come from the planet itself.”

Georgie raised her hand, “I don’t understand. A planet cannot have kids.”

Mrs. Peterson answered, “This planet does.”

A few of the women gasped.

She continued, “Mana collects and creates Adasion nesting areas. Eggs are formed from this environmental energy. The more dense the mana energy, the stronger the Adasion. These creches are highly guarded by the countries because they are their future. However, the number, color, and strength of the eggs are up to nature. Nothing is controlled. Nature determines where the creches form and the Adasions created. Nations with too few Fa elves end up weaker compared to their neighbors. That was until the arrival of humanity. My assistant will now bring a glass model so you can see it.”

The whole auditorium was silent. The women there were in all states of disbelief. Jun’ep glanced at Juliana, waiting for her reaction.

“You mean they’re born from eggs? Like birds‽” Georgie squeaked.

“That’s disgusting!” Natalie exclaimed.

Jun’ep sunk in their chair, bending their shoulders. Their expression shuttered.

Mrs. Peterson then called over a purple-haired assistant. The Adasion carried an egg model in their arms. It was slightly transparent and a juvenile elf could be seen from within the soft glowing shell. Its shape reminded Juliana of a pixie.

Mrs. Peterson continued her lecture.

“Women can gather and condense the energy. When an Adasion helps them, these two things happen: first the Adasion will have a temporary boost to their abilities—even making them as strong as the next level. This breaks through the caste system they currently have. The second thing that occurs, is that in a rare moment, the woman gathers the energy in front of her and it condenses into an egg, equal or greater than the clan’s power. Clans automatically have claim over an egg formed this way. Eggs formed in the wild choose their clan after they’re hatched and educated. Many apply to strong clans but not all are accepted. Some will even apply to be servants of a strong clan even if they do not have the same power. They do this for protection and status. For the clans, a woman member is both an honor and a necessity for politics. Women joining a clan benefit with stability and a longer life with through the mana exchange.”

Discussion murmured around the room. It took a few moments for Mrs. Peterson to redirect their attention.

“Our first contact was a disaster. The first human arrivals came from our Victorian era. They were scattered across the nations. The Gongre Confederacy tried to communicate with them through mana exchange. What a mistake! A man nobly volunteered to be the first. The Adasions touched his forehead with theirs and held his hands. Once the singing started, the mana power suddenly leeched from the elves in the circle. They fell dead. The Gongre Confederacy assumed all humans were dangerous and attacked those from Earth. The Gongre Confederacy hunted many on their lands. Half managed to escape and travelled north. From what we know, many more humans died in the harsh conditions on Adasion. The women who survived formed the Una’Ta Matriarchy. The Una’Ta Monarchy or Matriarchy, and they are called by both names, dislike the Adasions and interact with them as little as possible. They’ll try to recruit you and especially any men they’ll come across.”

“A land ruled by women.” Juliana echoed. She wasn’t so sure if it was a good or bad idea. In her days in politics, the women were just as ruthless and cunning as the men. She also regarded the continent and world maps on the wall. It was true that there was a northern peninsula, but the map drew it more as an iced land. Nope. Sorry. She had no interest there.

“Make no mistake--human men are not treated the same way as women in the other Adasion countries on this continent. Men are seen as dangerous for the Adasion. When they attempt a mana exchange, the male body permanently steals power. If Adasions have no connection to the planet’s energy, they die. That’s why the Asa Dominion hires men to execute prisoners. Once the mana is depleted, the men become like the Adasion. They’ll fill with the power of the one they executed, and they’ll live as long as an Adasion.”

Sophia called out, “So they can become as strong as a Sol?”

Mrs. Peterson shook her head, “Oh no. I didn’t mention. They can only steal mana once. Whatever power they collect is what they have. If they attempt to mana exchange again, they’ll kill the Adasion without any personal benefits.

Jun’ep whispered, “That’s why it’s important that if they must kill, they’re not forced to kill a Do as their first. Dos only live about 40 of your earth years. The men will also live a quicker life.”

“Despite the Asa Dominion wanting men to integrate with the same power and respect as most Adasions, most men from our planet refuse to do force a mana transfer. They don’t want to be murderers. Who’d blame them? I wouldn’t want to be in that position. Just being a threat they’re feared, hated, sometimes denied medical treatment, and sometimes attacked.”

Sophia spoke, “Sounds to me they want men to become weapons.”

Juliana raised her hand, “What about the other nations? Do they use men as executors?”

“Gongre confederacy kills men on sight. Lysara is tolerant of them,” Mrs. Peterson answered.

It’d be terrible to be asked to kill or to be hated just by existing. Juliana spoke, “Does the Asan government make them execute elves, so they’ll become like Adasions and not have to pay any longer their stipend?”

The instructor continued, “They’ll always get their stipend. But no matter what, humans are paid a stipend. That stipend is gathered from that bidding tradition. I’m sorry we all experience it. We see it as a symbol of us as property. They do not understand. For them, it’s symbolic. What the government gathers in total to pay all humans they find. You all are new to this planet, so you may not have been told, but the Asa Dominion won their continental war. Thanks to this, the other countries, except for the Una’Ta Matriarchy because they remained neutral, must surrender all women to Asa upon their arrival for the next half century. This has greatly shifted power on this continent. The fastest way to recover as a nation is the creation of the next generation’s upper classes to recover the Adasions count they lost during the war.”

“Why are you called Mrs.? Did you marry an elf?” Georgie asked.

“No, we do not marry the Adasions. They have no concept of marriage—only clan ties. I married a human man. He also came from Earth and we fell in love. Because I’m not associated with a clan, our situation is unique. My capacity is only Re, so I wasn’t the best choice for the clans anyways. I had to get special permissions from the King to stay clanless. You see, all of us from Earth risk losing our memories if we do not exchange mana with the Adasions. From what I wrote in my diary, I had terrible memories of Earth and wanted to forget them. For some of us, this planet is a blessing. And before you ask, my husband, like most men, did not assist in a mana-deprivation sentence. He’s a regular, sweet guy.”

Sophia spoke, “How long does it take for us to lose our memories between mana exchanges? How do you exchange mana? Hirote keeps saying I am destined to be his partner.”

“Is it, like sexual?” Georgie pipped in.

“Oh no. I mean, it’s intimate, but it’s not sexual. It is best to exchange mana monthly, no later than biannually.”

Georgie changed the subject, “Can we call them elves? They look like elves—with the ears and all.”

“Your translation spell will translate it as Adasions. It knows your intent behind the word.”

That was good to know.

Mrs. Patterson continued, “In this class we will learn about the culture, history, and skills you’ll need in Adasion. Hopefully we along with your sponsor will help you find a clan to match with in the next three or four months. As you may have heard from your sponsors, the Asa Dominon recently won a long war against the Gongre Confederacy and Lysara. All from Earth who arrive over half a century are promised to Asa Dominon as tribute. It is their price of peace. You are not slaves. You are free to travel all of Adasion. However, Asa Dominion has first right to try to match you to a clan and they will do everything they can to convince you to stay. Tomorrow, we will travel to the Egg Fields where we will see Adasions hatch.”

After class was dismissed, Jun’ep pierced their lips.

“Anything wrong?” Juliana placed her hand lightly on their shoulder.

“Women think we’re disgusting.”

“Why would you say that?”

He held his hand up and a partially transparent image of a brown and purple stripped egg rotated in view. “Doesn’t this look horrible to you? This was my egg. Don’t lie. I heard you all when the model was brought in class.”

Juliana led them to a bench underneath a large tree with small fragile sweet-smelling blue blossoms. She held his hand. “Being born from an egg isn’t what made us squeamish. Animals like birds and reptiles are all born from eggs on my planet.”

“But not humans.”

“No. We’re not. A man places his seed inside a woman where her tiny eggs are. Humans develop shell-less. We grow in a woman’s womb.” She took his hand and laid it where her womb was.

“They grow in your belly?” Jun’ep looked queasy.

“Just as how you grow is strange for us, how we are made are strange to you. For us, it’s unfathomable that you do not have genders here. But that is how you naturally are,” she sighed, “I think the idea of a foreign energy transfer might be uncomfortable to the women. It’s a new idea.”

“But it is seen as very honorable for a woman to grow one of us! Her clan celebrates her—no matter what note level the new Adasion is. Each rare egg formed by mana transfer automatically is accepted into the clan. Not like the egg fields where they will be assigned to a random group depending on which area of the world they formed. Only women can make our planet stronger by collecting mana. Otherwise, it’s just wild, free floating around the planet.”

That evening, Juliana sunk into her round bed with thick blankets. She had taken a hot bath filled with fragrant oils. She thought about Jun’ep being worried about her impression of them. This was a new planet. She’d had to expect things would be different. She wondered what her new life would be like and she looked forwards to the Training Center’s field trip the next morning.