A S I R E N ’ S E C H O
Editor’s Note
It’s this time of year I’m reminded that the Goldilocks zone exists, and it’s not a piece of science fiction. The relentless permafrost of the winter months finally yields to the sun’s gaze. Shrinking back into the depths of the underworld to be coddled until next winter’s chill.
Petrichor. Brume. Showers.
Signal to me that summer has come again. The pounding hum of a bumblebee’s wings echoes in and out of earshot, the bird sound followed by the cawing of the neighborhood crow brings me immense joy. In this issue, we explore the mysticism that surrounds spring/summer. As humanity emerges from their warm capsules, we celebrate the change of seasons, indulge in the mulled spirits that’d been brewing for months, and satisfy our desire for communal gatherings. We tell stories, share secrets, and pass them along from one generation to the next in the form of sound waves I sincerely hope you enjoy this issue of A Siren’s Echo as much as I’ve enjoyed creating this issue Welcome to Mythic Summer
PREFACE
A Siren’s Echo has gone through many iterations. This next piece is from the founding idea of A.S.E. It serves as a welcome to the reader/explorer and paints a picture of the universe that is A.S.E. As you can surmise from the name, the world I wanted to create is based on mythical women with the power to plunge ships to the bottom of the sea with onlytheir voices. Welcome to A Siren’s Echo depicts the beginning of your journeyto the Isle of Nereia.
WThe swing of your hips shifts the sands beneath your feet The imprint of your heel becomes the only memory and tangible proof that you existed here As soon as it appears, it then vanishes with the approach of the waves. Time is a funny thing that only exists in the minds of those who don’t have the fortune of its constant companionship, and here it’s not a thought because there is an infinite amount of it Where is here? You question as you briefly look behind you to find only a small trace of your journey, and a vast and expanding cliff and the rolling tides
To your left, the sea is bashing against a rock outcrop Something is protruding from where the rock cracks into a small tidal pool Curiosity implores you to investigate
Further and further you travel out into the outcrop Balancing on the slippery
E L C O M E T O A. S. E.
rocks a balancing act until you reach your destination. Bending down, you release the glass bottle from between the pewter boulders. A small scrap of paper rests inside, tilting the bottle you grasp it in your fingers.
Aloud, you read.
Passage to the Isle of Nereia is what I seek. Reveal unto me the secrets that you keep. Caspian, set your sails for I wish to travel to see the creatures that lie behind heaven’s veil.
An odd message, you think. Before you have a chance to place the bottle down, you hear it. The soft sounds of someone across the sea calling you. Slowly, you lift your head toward the sea and out of the fog, a ship appears. A magnificent 3masted ship and even closer a man rowing towards the shore. He stops at the other end of the rock out crop wadding in the waters. You gaze upon each other for a moment, and without thinking, you walk towards him.
Isle of Nereia, he questions.
You give a silent nod. He offers you a hand to balance. It’s rough to the touch but stable enough to lead you into the boat.
Names Caspian, I’ll be your guide to the Isle. His voice has a raspy quality to it. And your name?
Parting your lips to speak your name, you paused to think. What is your name? It seemingly has floated away and vanished.
No matter, she’ll give one to you for sure.
She? You speak softly.
Caspian smiles and continues to row. towards the ship. It’s not long before the row boats collide with the side if the larger ship. Ropes descend over the side, and Caspian wraps his arm around your waist, lifting you towards the ship’s opening.
Sails drop at Caspians’ command, and the ship begins to pull further away from the shore. Until there’s nothing but horizon.
From the helm, he yells down at you....
Welcome to A Siren’s Echo.
Author: KHOR
2 0 2 6
E A R T H
We are Earthseed. We are flesh_self aware, questing, problem-solving flesh. We are that aspect of Earthlife best able to shape God knowingly. We are Earthlife maturing, Earthlife preparing to fall away from the parent world. We are Earthlife, preparing to take root in new ground, Earthlife fulfilling its purpose, its promise, its Destiny.
Author: Octavia Butler
I F E
ECHOES ECHOES II
D A U G H T E R S’ C O V E N A N T
IT BEGAN WITH THE GREAT GRANDMOTHER, THE HEALER. SHE PASSED IT DOWN TO HER DAUGHTER. THE PROPHETESS. WHO PASSED IT DOWN TO HER DAUGHTER, THE CHAIN BREAKER. SO ON AND SO FORTH. THROUGH THE GIDDINESS OF GIRLHOOD TO THE TUMULTUOUS SHORES OF ADOLESCENCE.
IT WAS GIFTED TO DAUGHTERS. IT WAS NEVER SPOKEN ALOUD ONLY IMPRESSED UPON THE SUBCONSCIOUS MIND.
A TEARY EYED PROMISE TO A MOTHER TO NEVER LEAVE HER BEHIND. A WHISPER TO A FATHER TO NEVER GROW UP AND A BOND OF FOREVER FRIENDSHIP TO A SIBLING.
A COVENANT WITH SELF TO NEVER ABANDON.
FIN
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