by J E Reed
K.J. once told her he’d never marry. Life had convinced him he’d never find an adequate partner in life, but judging from the spark in his eyes, life had proved him wrong.
He stood with his hands clasped in front of him and for once he appeared well-rested. His trousers were neatly tucked into their boots and there wasn’t a trace of dirt on his shirt.
A soft horn sounded across the crowd and everyone fell silent. All eyes turned toward the aisle. The back line stood and Kiuno took Elite’s hand and did the same. They exchanged a smile and sweet memories flowed between them.
She recalled the nervousness and the butterflies in her stomach at her own wedding. But she’d had months to prepare. Palindrome had done it in days.
Palindrome walked down the aisle with Iggy at her side. She was all smiles, sweet and tender as whispers of awe followed her down the walkway. Palindrome’s hair was braided back into a crown of lavender flowers with one tucked between each strand of waterfall curls.
The gown was elegant and flowing. It spoke of a strength within Palindrome’s beauty and accentuated every positive quality of the people’s beloved leader. Long sleeves hung loose at the elbow and pastel flowers wrapped around her bodice, tied at her waist, and trailed behind.
Soft music played all around them, but the performers were hidden from Kiuno’s view.
Palindrome and her escort paused before K.J. and the clergyman—or whatever he was. The man ushered Palindrome forward then lowered his hands as a sign for the crowd to sit.
K.J. gave Palindrome his crooked smile and Palindrome sweetened hers. The pair stared into one another’s eyes, the world and its troubles forgotten. They repeated vows, promising to uphold them no matter the trials to come.
The officiant produced a long red string from his pocket and placed K.J.’s hand over Palindrome’s.
“The red thread carries a legend that speaks of two people fated to come together.” He glanced between them.
“We’re here, each of us, under impossible circumstances, yet the red thread of fate has shown through. The legend states when we’re born, we’re fated to a person and though the thread may tangle or stretch, it will never break regardless of place, time, or circumstances.”
The older man lifted Palindrome’s little finger and tied one end of the string to it. “Palindrome has been a friend to us all. She’s faced impossible danger on our behalf, the latest threatening no chance of survival, yet here she stands, the fates bringing her back to the man her soul is bound to.”
He wound the string around their wrists and hands before tying the other end to K.J.’s smallest finger.
“K.J. has led us through trials beyond imagination, always pushing us forward with the promise of a better future. I think I speak for everyone when I say the two of you were meant to spend your lives together.”
He turned the couple toward the crowd. “You may kiss your bride.”
Palindrome interlaced her fingers with K.J.’s and K.J. wrapped his other hand around the back of her neck and pulled her into a deep kiss. Kiuno clapped and cheered with the others then took Elite’s hand and wrapped her fingers in his. They put tomorrow’s worries aside and celebrated the union of two souls.
20: Traitor
Realm: 5
Day: 257
A celebration. How utterly ridiculous. He stood at the back in the shadow of a building and folded his arms across his chest.
His eyes followed their smiling faces, the sea of people whispering of the perfect union. If it weren’t for him, none of this would have even been possible.
He sighed. Yet here he was, left in the dark. Forgotten. Cast aside. Again. Perhaps he should have planned his disguise better, as it was, there wasn’t much he could do yet. Unless he wanted to show all his cards at once.
But that would ruin the game.
And take away his fun far too soon.
He pushed up from the wall as the clapping ceased and marched back to the castle.
He needed to be patient.
Things were about to get interesting.
21: Felinians
Realm: 5
Day: 270
Kiuno darted down the castle steps, sprinted through the gates, and all but threw herself into Reece’s open arms. He twirled her around once and placed her feet back on the ground.
“I thought I told you not to be a stranger.”
She shrugged, but her smile didn’t disappear. “Well, you know, things come up.”
He folded his arms. “Heard you got in a bit of trouble. Why wasn’t I invited?”
“It wasn’t anything Palindrome couldn’t pull me out of. Besides, you’re here now.”
“You know, one of these days we won’t be there to save you.”
Her expression faltered.
“Forgetting something?” Elite called. He handed her the reins to her horse.
Elite and Reece clasped hands and Reece asked, “You excited to see the next realm?”
Elite scoffed. “Not excited for the long ride there.”
Reece tilted his head toward her. “Not much for travel, is he?”
“I’ve always been the adventurous one.”
Elite swung into his saddle. “If I let her take every wild adventure that ever crossed her mind I’d never sleep.”
“Sleep is for the dead anyway,” Reece said.
K.J. emerged from the castle and strolled down the stone steps. It’d been two weeks since the wedding and the two lovebirds had all but disappeared from the world.
Kiuno smiled. It was good for them. They needed time for themselves. She’d not wasted a minute of it and Kiuno felt her training with Maltack and Scorpios had finally made progress. Especially with Maltack. He’d all but mastered bending her magic to his will.
Kiuno mounted her horse and the rest of the men took their positions.
Palindrome had chosen to stay behind. She claimed there were neglected duties that called for her immediate attention. Kiuno’s heart ached for the lovers’ separation. She’d hate to do the same with Elite, but when one claimed a leadership position responsibility came first.
It wasn’t the first time Kiuno silently thanked her lucky stars to not be a leader in this world.
A gentle breeze shifted through the plains and Kiuno tilted her head back to enjoy the open air.
Elite pulled his mare up beside hers. “Excited?”
She nodded. “I’m tired of being trapped behind these walls.”
Reece fastened a bag to his saddle and swung up, adjusting the reins. “You’re always welcome to join us Ki, no walls in sight.”
“You’d like that wouldn’t you?”
“Of course, I’d have someone to pawn Nsane’s wife on.”
“So that’s why you’re late,” Kiuno giggled. “Did she pack you a lunch too?”
“Only the best.”
Kiuno’s horse pawed the ground and surged forward when the line moved. Nikita soared overhead, roaring into the breeze and Jim chased behind. The wind pulled at tendrils of Kiuno’s hair, releasing them from her braid as freedom washed over her in an intoxicating rush.
Kiuno gave the horse a kick and they took off, leaving the others behind.
Freedom. How often did she let herself relish in the feel of it? Unbridled. Uncaged.
The animal eventually slowed and Kiuno allowed those at the front of the line to take their rightful place. She fell back with Elite and Reece and rode the rest of the day at their sides.
With evening, Kiuno helped light their fires then plopped on the ground beside K.J.
“So, where are we headed exactly?” she asked. Elite sat on her other side.
“Toward the mountain. It’s a longer journey, but the scouts haven’t found anything in the open so we’re assuming the portal is hidden within the mountainside.”
“Aren’t the other alliances closer?” Elite asked.
K.J. smirked. “They are, but since I took it upon myself to burn the forest down, the leaders have gi
ven me permission to see things through.”
She snorted. “Seems like you do everything.”
“Only the stuff worthwhile.”
The next four days passed without incident. Their group maintained a steady pace and the sun kept them company on their journey.
Upon seeing the mountain in the distance, Kiuno half expected the looming trees to have survived the flames, but their ominous shadows didn’t greet them.
Instead, a blackened expanse of ash-covered land stretched as far as her eyes could see. Trees that once stood menacing and tall were nothing more than skeletal remnants of their former glory. They stood in patches as if defiant against the flame until the last trace of life had leached from their wooden veins.
The horses whined and pulled back from the charred landscape.
Eerie silence coated the air like a blanket as the horses took hesitant steps forward. There were no bugs in the air, no birds overhead, no lingering creatures to scurry beneath their feet. Everything was just… gone.
The scar on Kikyo’s leg crossed her mind. He’d seen this before and now she understood his fear.
Even a single spark could spell disaster.
Their group proceeded forward covering mile after mile of nothing but gray death. Kiuno still felt burning it was the right decision, but it left an emptiness that tugged at her heart. It was hard to convince herself the animals weren’t real when the horse she rode upon acted fearful and skittish. She ran a comforting hand along its neck.
Maybe they’d made a mistake.
Shouting ahead drew her attention, and she exchanged a nervous glance with Elite before kicking her horse into a trot.
A line of grass started where the ashes ended and trees, tall, yet young, guarded the area beyond.
The scene was strange. As if someone had intentionally saved the area from burning.
Silence hovered over the group.
Kiuno jumped from her horse and ash crunched beneath her feet. “What do you make of it?” she asked no one in particular.
K.J. dismounted, but before he could reply Nikita drew everyone’s attention. She landed in a crouch and startled the horses. One bucked and a member of their party cursed as he hit the ground. Nikita paid them no attention.
The feline crept forward, her wings folded tight and ears flat against her head. Jim followed on foot, sticking close as he gripped his weapon.
When the young felinian ducked into the trees K.J. instructed Iggy to stay with the troops while Kiuno, Elite, Maltack, and Reece followed.
They paused when Nikita did, her ears twisting this way and that before flattening again as she dashed to another tree and smelled the ground.
Kiuno wondered if they were foolish to follow her into the unknown, but she wasn’t about to let Jim go in on his own. She hoped it wasn’t the lizard creatures that had Nikita’s attention.
Kiuno stepped around a tree and a roar shattered the air. The wind left Kiuno’s body as she hit the ground, pinned by a massive paw that made drawing breath difficult. Claws dug into her chest and Kiuno gazed into a pair of emerald eyes.
The creature’s maw drew back in a snarl and displayed sharp pointed teeth and a mouth big enough to engulf her head.
Another roar followed as Nikita slammed her body into the larger felinian, allowing Kiuno to take in a breath as she rolled to a seated position.
Nikita paced before Kiuno and expanded her wings to make herself appear larger. Her fur stood on end and a growl ripped from her throat as she dared the beast to attack again.
It was a male, that much was clear from the mane and the set in his jaw. His wings fanned out on either side, one big enough to wrap around Nikita even with hers expanded. He was black as midnight and just as menacing.
Kiuno glanced to Maltack who stood motionless, much like the rest of them. Elite remained still, but his eyes flicked between her and the massive felinian who continued to growl.
“Easy Milo.” A woman appeared from his shadow, placing a gentle hand on the felinian’s side. It huffed in response, but otherwise remained still, his eyes locked on Nikita.
The woman ducked beneath his wing and smiled when her eyes landed on the smaller felinian. “Well, aren’t you a little one?”
Nikita growled, her eyes darting between the woman and the bigger feline. Kiuno remained on her knees, one hand gripping her sword.
“You can relax, he won’t attack while I’m here. Unless you’re planning your own advance, but I caution against it.”
Kiuno returned her sword to its sheath and the felinian’s eyes followed her movements.
Nikita shrank back as the male took a few steps toward her. She looked like a kitten encountering a large dog for the first time. He sniffed her and Nikita answered with a fierce snarl. As if mocking her he snorted and circled the woman, his wings tucked close.
“I’ll assume you’re the ones who tried to burn down our home?”
“You live here?” Kiuno asked.
“Isn’t that obvious?” She examined them. “I’ve lived with these creatures for a while. It was difficult to save this patch of trees and I’ll warn you. If you’ve come to claim it, we’ll see you as an enemy.”
“We’re not here to take your land,” K.J. said, stepping forward. “We’re simply looking for the portal to the next realm.”
The woman laughed. “Why would you want to find that?”
“So we can progress toward the tenth.”
Seriousness swept over her features. “I see.” She jumped on the back of the large felinian and gestured for them to follow. “I warn you, if you cause any harm to the animals, the pride won’t hesitate to kill you.”
K.J. nodded. “Understood.”
She glanced at them then clicked her tongue and the felinian strode through the trees. They followed and the smell of the blackened forest faded as life took its place.
“What’s your name?” Kiuno asked.
The woman cast her a backward glance, her body bobbing with each stride of the felinian she rode upon. “Are names all that important?”
Surprised, Kiuno said, “I suppose not.” She glanced at Reece who shrugged, and they continued. Nikita stayed close to Jim, letting out little huffs as she glanced between the thinning branches.
Trees opened to an expanse that caused all to pause.
Wings filled the sky as felinians of all sizes and color hopped between the mountainside plateaus and through the trees that dotted the clearing. Others lounged in the shade, their eyes either closed or watching the younger few wrestle amongst themselves.
The woman smirked at their reaction and continued forward. The youngest couldn’t have weighed over ten pounds and the largest were bigger than the fearsome creature their strange escort rode upon.
People walked among them without fear and small houses had been built from the natural structures in the area.
Short ladders led to tree houses, cabins hugged the mountainside, and some even seemed to rest in the crevices between the rocks.
Nikita appeared more curious than fearful as they continued to follow. Some animals lifted their heads and their human counterparts waved. Jim stayed close to Nikita, like a father protecting his child.
Curiosity got the better of Nikita and she crawled toward a group of young felinians. Kiuno looked to the woman who halted their procession, but she only watched with a fond smile.
The little ones froze as they caught Nikita’s scent and huddled around one another. One cub, who appeared larger than the rest, took the initiative. They touched noses and it raised a paw to bat at her, but Nikita took a step back and growled.
Before Kiuno could blink a full-grown felinian female flipped Nikita on her back and bared her fangs, Nikita yelped, and Jim drew his weapon and charged.
To Kiuno’s surprise the female took a step back, freeing an unharmed Nikita to run behind Jim with her tail tucked between her legs.
“Your friend is brave.”
Kiuno’s heart pounded as the
female took a few steps toward Jim. He lowered his weapon.
“Shouldn’t we do something?” Kiuno asked as she watched in helpless anticipation.
“They function as one. If you interfere, the whole pride will turn against you and there’d be nothing I could do.”
They remained still as the creature sniffed Jim’s hair, examined him, and took a step back. She licked her cub and turned toward the pool of water. The little ones followed.
Jim knelt next to Nikita and she nuzzled him, eyeing the retreating creature and her cubs.
“She acts like she’s never seen her own kind,” the woman said.
“She hasn’t,” Jim replied. “At least not since she was younger than that cub. I freed her from a trap, and she’s been with me ever since.”
The woman’s eyes softened. “Her mother was killed then. They’re a fiercely protective species and would die before abandoning their young.”
The woman turned away from the felinians and once again they followed. Several larger creatures sat on the outskirts of the village and raised their heads as the group passed.
Behind a thick row of trees and beneath heavy brush cold air rushed to meet them from a hidden cavern. Kiuno’s hair stood on end.
The woman jumped from her felinian and gestured them inside.
Dim lighting made it difficult to see and Kiuno’s foot caught on a rock. Elite’s arm gripped her bicep to keep her steady and they continued down the short passage.
Before them stood the swirling vortex, the black center darker than the shadow of the cavern tunnel. The woman walked straight through, disappearing before their eyes. To Kiuno’s dismay they followed.
The world spun in a sea of colors and she almost fell upon reaching the other side, but Elite gripped her arm again. His eyes asked if she was all right and she nodded, thankful he didn’t draw attention to her issue.
Thick, damp air assaulted her senses and the heat beat down on them as they overlooked a sea of green. Mist hovered between a tall canopy of trees that stood level with the plateau.