A World Beyond the Dark

by Andrei Navala

  He tried to move his left hand around. He wanted to at least feel his surroundings but only his fingers barely moved. A warm, slender hand grabbed his and all his worries faded away. He sighed with relief, taking deep breaths. He could sense an aura of joy from the person next to him.

  “I wish not trouble your mind with my thoughts, but I have seen a prophecy come true. Along with the Queen’s fateful banishment, a warrior drenched in the stench of demons would appear at my door step. At first, your demonic aura was so intense that I had thought of ending your life, but I was soon reminded that appearances can be deceiving.”

  A single memory came rushing to Anvalth’s mind. He was surrounded by armored men, rushing to get to someone. Horrifying screeches and vigorous shouts all echoed around him. All around him turned to mist and his vision disappeared. He clenched his fist, filled with anger. The source of his rage was unknown but agonizing. He felt mocked by his loss of memory and a sense of battle sprouted inside of him. He wanted to stand up and look for his rapier but another hand reached for his forehead. He was sweating all of a sudden.

  “Rest now, child. You will need your strength soon enough.” The hands let go off him and he could feel the presence going away. The being made not even the slightest, most silent sound.

  Anvalth felt exhausted beyond belief. It was a strange, unusual sensation being unable to see. The lack of vision was highly disturbing, more so than he’d ever imagine before. He couldn’t fall asleep even if he wanted to. His past bugged him, trying to search his memories. Only vague images crossed his mind, nothing in particular that could be the cause of his situation.

  “So the One-Not-To-Be-Named was banished?” He thought to himself, forcing himself to stand up. The strain on his terribly weakened body was terrible, but he managed to move at last. He felt pain in every single joint of his, as if a dagger was stabbing through. “That must mean the war is over… I can return home.”

  “Not quite so.” A voice echoed in his head. It was heavy and powerful, unlike that of any being he knew of. He had sensed no presence nearby and his heart jolted. It wasn’t necessarily that he was unable to perceive someone’s presence, but that it was communicating right through his thoughts. “While it is true the Demon Queen was expelled from this realm, the same doesn’t go for her endless hordes of minions.”

  “Who are you?” thought Anvalth, trying to focus in conveying his words in his mind and listening for a response.

  “My name is Silhelm. I am the proud companion of the master ruling over this mansion.”

  “Mansion?” Anvalth sighed, disappointed that he could no longer see. He had no clue as to where he was or what anything looked like anymore.

  “The orders from my master were for you to regain your strength. Lie back down, human.”

  “I… can’t sleep. More importantly, what are you? You called me human… that must mean you’re of a different race. And I believe the person here before, your master, called me something similar…” No response came in return. His body started to feel heavier and he yawned loudly, falling back on the soft bed which lured him in. His dreams were hazy yet relaxing and he slept like a baby in that cradle of safety.

  When Anvalth woke up again, he took in a deep breath. A gentle, sweet fragrance invaded his nostrils and warmed him inside. He instinctively touched the stub which used to be his right arm. His hand then slipped downwards, feeling all his scars. All the wounds had closed but their presence was forever marked on him. With trembling fingers, he gently touched his eyes as if trying to remember something… the light. He stood up with sluggish movements and felt around with his hand, trying to find anything to lean on before getting out of bed. He felt a wooden corner, and as his hand moved forward, something cold and smooth, the guard of his rapier. He gripped it excitedly, holding it close to him. When he tried to stand up, he realized his bare feet were touching the floor and assumed he must’ve been completely naked. With the rapier still in hand, he searched around on the bed for any clothes and to his surprise he did find something silky bundled up. He decided to let go of his rapier for but a moment and inspected the clothing with his fingers. They were of extraordinary making, the silkiest and most refined clothing he’s ever had his hands on. He put on the trousers and shirt in a hurry and reached for his rapier. His hand came into contact with another hand instead. He jumped up in fear, assuming a guarding position with his only arm.

  “How long have you been standing there?” The voice coming out of his throat was deeper and rougher than he remembered. His very own voice took him by surprise in an unpleasant way.

  “Calm yourself. The loss of sight has put you on edge, but you have nothing to worry about here.” The voice responding to him was pleasant and gentle, like that of a young woman. Nonetheless, he was doubtful of everything happening.

  “Where am I and why am I here? The last thing I remember was fighting alongside my comrades on the battlefield. After that we were all to return home. What happened from then to now?”

  The other person listened silently and the bed suddenly creaked. Anvalth could tell that the female stood up. His legs were coiled and ready to leap forward and his arm was ready to punch.

  “I will start from the beginning with the introduction. I am the wise elf Ainnea, witch of the enchanted woods and heir to the throne, exiled from my homeland. This here is my mansion and residence until I am to return and reclaim the throne rightfully.”

  He was left speechless, unable to fathom that he was in the presence of an elven princess. He prostrated himself, and begged for her forgiveness.

  “I apologize for my utter rudeness and show of disrespect and distrust. I am…” He stopped, not knowing how to continue, but it was more important to continue than to worry. “I am but a humble human mercenary, fighting for my country.”

  “Rise from the ground. You are far too modest for your deeds. My scouts have told me all about the massacre at Death’s Pass.”

  It was coming back to him… the screams, the violent, dark colors. He left the squad of the maiden for Liam and his mercenary unit. What happened with everyone else? Upon standing up, Ainnea handed him something, his rapier. He hesitated to take it but his fingers couldn’t resist the temptation.

  “Curious blade you wield. How were you able to imbue it with the essence of slaughtered demons?” She held onto it a while longer before letting it go.

  “Excuse me, I don’t understand.” Anvalth took one step back worriedly. “Is there something wrong with it? Is there something wrong with me?” Without a second thought he dropped the rapier onto the ground and felt his body all around, searching for anything out of the ordinary.

  “I wouldn’t exactly call you an ordinary human, but it’s not harmful in any way. Your being and your sword were both infused with the essence of the demons you slew, granting you the ability to sense anything concerning magic or powerful beings. It’s not the same as having real sight and it does not apply to regular beings, but it is very useful for what I am about to propose to you.”

  “Wait, is that why I could sense your presence before?”

  “Exactly, I am a magic user versed in both arcane and nature and now that you have a special connection to the threads of the ethereal world you were able to sense my simulacrum.”

  “So it wasn’t your physical form back then, but now…” He reached out forward, feeling the soft skin of her arm. He immediately pulled his hand back, remembering with embarrassment the difference in status. She cleared her throat and continued.

  “As I was saying, I have a proposition for you.” Silence fell afterwards and he didn’t know if it was appropriate to ask her about it. He felt a strange feeling around his ankles and above his head. Unnatural heat was burning around those areas and he felt his stomach clench and a jolt through his fingers. It all happened at once and so fast that he didn’t notice the breeze blowing through his hair and the soft grass beneath his feet. “I have transported us outside for it would’ve been a hass
le walking around, in your condition. Let us take a seat.”

  Anvalth waved his hand around and right behind him was a wooden chair which he pulled closer and sat on it. In front of him was a surface as far as he could reach, cold and smooth, perhaps stone or marble.

  “I want you to remain here and take care of this place in my stead when I will leave for the throne.”

  “I can’t.” His immediate, blunt response took her by surprise.

  “It is a terrible world out there, filled with grief and ruin. Here you will be safe and-” There was visible pain in her voice after his refuse.

  “I’ve got to go home. My wife is waiting for me.” He said those words without any emotion, as if it was an obligation and not a feeling. The past events must have left deep scars not only physically but mentally as well.

  “Is it your final response-?”

  “Yes.” He was so sure of himself that he dismissed her question with arrogance.

  “Perhaps I was selfish, requesting of you such a thing. Nonetheless, you will have to remain here until you know how to navigate the world by yourself again.” He could hear her stand up and he did the same immediately.

  “I ask that you do not hold a grudge, princess. It’s just that I lost everything else and I don’t want to see the final piece of my heart ripped to shreds as well.” Compared to before, his response felt genuinely sincere and heart felt.

  “I-I understand. Then, we have no time to waste. The world is full of dangers more so than before and she might not be safe for long. Have you ever used or seen magic used?”

  “I have known druids who used restorative powers of nature, and priests who use the Light to heal, even though I don’t really understand how this divine light works.”

  “What you first described is the nature realm of magic. You see, mana is contained within all beings and the very trees and stones surrounding us, anything you can think of. The mana that comes from the corporeal objects and beings is used to form natural phenomenon. Instead, the mana that comes from the ethereal plane is called upon for use of arcane phenomenon, much vaguer than the other. Lastly, there are two realms of magic only accessible to those with affinity from their Telaar, the Light and the Dark.” Upon hearing the word, Anvalth bit his lip. “It is a root to some primordial beings, believed to be the source of the world. These two are the most powerful and also the rarest because they appear only in humans.”

  “Does a Telaar define a person?” His voice was suddenly weak.

  “I had no resources to study on Telaars and their nature, but judging by the prophecy, it is so.”

  “What do you mean by that?” He had a terrible feeling.

  “Just as I was told by my mentor, a person more demon than man, enveloped in an aura of indomitable rage masked only by his insecurity will arrive at my doorstep. There was one other thing which I can’t really remember…” Anvalth flinched, clenching his fist.

  “Is this what I am to others?” He said, his voice shaking.

  “Relax… mages have a tendency to talk in metaphors. It’s just a way of saying that you’re no ordinary person.”

  “What happened to that superior coldness from the other day? This is making me uncomfortable…” He took a few steps back and was about to stumble on the chair. Ainnea dashed towards him but it was too late as he tripped over the wooden chair, turning it upside down and falling next to it on the grass. She leaned down over him and grabbed him by the hand, helping him stand up.

  “Tell me your name.” Her tone shifted drastically, distanced and powerful.

  “Anvalth, son of Geralt.” He let go of her hand and fell to his knees, bowing his head. “Excuse my insolence yet again, I had a panic attack all of a sudden.”

  “You are pardoned. Rise now, Anvalth son of Geralt. We have much to work on.”

  It was hard for Anvalth to cope with his blindness; nonetheless he made efforts to learn from Ainnea as best he could. It wasn’t hard to follow orders. He was used with it from all the years of service as a mercenary.

  “It took me some time to find a solution to your problem of navigation. Without granting you magic vision which is way beyond any magic user, even my mentor, there are limited options. The easiest one to achieve is to create a connection with the place you desire to reach and follow the threads of the ethereal world. It will feel like a gut feeling, moving you a certain way.”

  “I understand. Please show me how to do so.”

  “You will need to clear your mind of everything. Not a single thought should pass, and you shouldn’t feel any emotion. If this general state is not kept at all time, you can just take a break and reach it again, for example if you will have to sleep or fight.”

  Anvalth took a deep breath and tried to chase away all thoughts. It was close to impossible at first. He had never meditated in his life. After all he had no such affinity with these things; at core he was just a peasant working the fields. Only after an entire week of hardships and intense training was he able to achieve the state required to continue the ritual. In the meantime, he got more acquainted with the mansion’s surroundings and its wildlife, as well as with Silhelm. His expectations were completely shattered when he found out he was a massive wolf. He was somewhat scared of him, but came to realize it would never prove to be a threat. He was more harmless to friends than actual people Anvalth met during his life. After each session of instruction, he’d take some time to rest on the veranda. He could tell night had fallen because of the change in temperature. Small steps were headed his way.

  “I have brought you some tea, to take the stress away. How are you feeling?”

  “They should teach these kinds of techniques to everyone. After getting the gist of it, it’s absolutely out of this world… the sensations and the state of mind that you have. I am speechless.” He seemed genuinely happy and that cheered her up as well. She handed him a cup of tea and he slowly sipped from it.

  “Many people don’t need it nor can they understand it. They are content with their simple lives, living each day like the other. That goes for the poor and the rich as well.” Her tone was nostalgic and melancholic. Silence fell and the two of them enjoyed the tea, sitting together at the same table.

  Anvalth never realized how much he took for granted having both arms, or having the ability to see. He really pitied those born with malformations, not so lucky as to live a normal life. Since he started training with Ainnea, at the end of the day he would pray to Tela, thanking her for giving him another day. The ordinary folk cared not about such things, resorting to cursing fate for making them like that, instead of being thankful that it could be worse.

  “Princess, I have a question…”

  “Please don’t call me that. It makes me uncomfortable.” She giggled, putting the cup of tea down.

  “I can’t really call you master out of session. Should I call you by name?” He was embarrassed by the change in topic before he even started.

  “Do as you wish.”

  “Ainnea, can you describe to me how you look? I was always curious, you see…”

  “My, my…” He couldn’t see, but the color in her cheeks turned slightly red. “Oh well, this is the least of a reward I could give you for working so hard.”

  He smiled and took another sip of his tea before putting the empty cup on the table and listening intently.

  “I am of regular height for an elf. My locks are blonde, flowing over my shoulders and with a single long braid running down in the back. I have azure blue eyes, sparkling of knowledge.” His grin widened, trying to picture her in that manner. “I have an aquiline nose, accompanied by thick, rosy lips. I am quite slender overall.”

  “You really look like a princess…” He said, lost in thought. His remark didn’t go unnoticed and she stood up from her seat. Alerted by the sudden sound of creaking wood, he was awakened from his thoughts. “Is something the matter?”

  “I am going to meditate. Tomorrow will begin your first trial so steel yoursel
f.” She walked away without the slightest sound but he could feel her presence slowly disappear into the darkness of his senses.

  Anvalth moved his hand through his long, messy hair and leaned back on his chair. With a prolonged sigh, he stood up and looked around.

  “Silhelm?” he said, trying not to yell loudly and still catch his attention. A powerful voice like a roar echoed in his mind.

  “What is it you require? Need guidance to your chambers?”

  “Thanks for your concern but I’ve grown accustomed to find my way there. Say, is there some sort of bathing place here? I would like to take my time and relax for a while.” He could hear massive steps which made the earth tremble.

  “Follow me, human.” He walked right behind the large wolf, wandering the forest surrounding the mansion. Not far from the great tree, he could hear a slight murmur of water. “We have a gentle, warm spring here. I will join you, whether you like it or not. I have matters to discuss.”

  Anvalth hesitated, slightly nervous that he might be in trouble. He moved forward, imagining how big of a spring it had to be for Silhelm to fit in properly. He suddenly felt the touch of a large, humanoid hand covered in a thin coat of fur. He jumped up in surprise, wanting to pull back his hand.

  “Watch out, there are steps right in front of you.” The voice was loud and clear, but this time it wasn’t in his head. It was as strong and deep as the one he heard before, but it had something more human to it. With care, he stepped forward, walking down the small set of stairs into the hot spring. As soon as he got in, he could feel all his worries go away. He felt such a calming sensation that he might have fallen asleep, were it not for Silhelm being close to him.

  “What was it you wanted to discuss, Silhelm?”

  “Firstly, I want you to stop using my name. It was given to me by my master and it is sacred. It should not be thrown around at your leisure. You can call me Great Wolf or White Wolf.”