Radiant

by Ela Lourenco

  Sena was just about to ask her guide what she needed to do next when the cocoon exploded, falling in silver strands to the foot of the core, revealing an almost blindingly bright new sphere, larger and more vibrant than before.

  “What colour is it?” her mentor asked.

  “It isn’t really a colour exactly,” Sena paused, trying to find the words to explain what she was seeing. “It looks like a blend of gold, silver, and blue with streaks of bronze through it. I’m sorry, I’m probably not describing it very clearly.” She missed the look of shock on Sya’s face, as her eyes were still closed, her mind still entranced by the beauty of the core of her essence.

  “Uh, no, you’re doing fine,” Sya reassured her weakly, managing to disguise the growing unease inside of her.

  Finally, Sena managed to tear herself away from the almost hypnotising sight and opened her eyes. “Does everyone’s core look like that?” she asked in awe.

  Sya plucked at her long robes as though removing some imaginary lint. “Oh, right. No, everyone’s is unique,” she replied, not quite looking Sena in the eyes.

  Her young charge smiled, her entire face lit up with a serene joy that was almost painful to see. “Thank you so much, Sya!” she gushed. “That is the single most awesome thing I have ever seen. I can’t believe It’s been there inside me all this time, and I never knew to look for it!”

  “I am very proud of you,” her guide smiled gently. “You are ready for the spirit walk tomorrow now that you have achieved completion and bonded your two halves.”

  “So, what else do I need to do for tomorrow?” Sena asked as they walked back along the stream towards the exit of the Hyios. “Is there anything I need to do to prepare?”

  Sya chuckled at her student’s enthusiasm. “No, young one, all you need to do is to get some good rest and be back here in the morning. I will help you with the cleansing and meditation before the ritual begins.” She gently stroked Sena’s cheek when they came to a stop at the doorway. “Go now get some rest. I will see you bright and early in the morning.”

  Sena smiled, a small yawn escaping her as she nodded. “Bye, Sya, see you tomorrow.”

  “Goodnight, little one,” Sya murmured to herself, her smile slipping the moment she was left alone. Worry marred her perfect features, as she gracefully strode back the way they had come. Stopping at the stream, she raised her hands over the gentle ripples and drew a series of glyphs. The dancing silver waters froze at her command, an eerie golden light sparking from their depths. Static crackling filled the air, and a large bubble rose up from the riverbed carrying the image of the one Sya had sought.

  “What is it?” the face in the water asked. “Why have you made contact? We had agreed not to meet for a while.”

  “I know, and I’m sorry, but it was imperative I speak with you,” Sya countered. “Is it safe?”

  After furtively glancing over her shoulder, the woman nodded. “You may speak. We are alone, and I have done my best to soundproof our conversation. However, you know as well as I that there is always some risk.”

  “I will be brief,” Sya stated. “Something has happened. Something we had not expected.” She paused for a second, choosing her words. “The girl’s essence, it bears the mark of the Phoros.”

  “Impossible!” the reflection gasped. “It is but a myth, a legend. None have ever been marked by the Phoros, not even the first. Besides, no one has seen a Phoros in over two millennia. They are no more,” she scowled. The Phoros were dragon like magical creatures. They were not only beautiful, but possessed powers and magick far beyond that of any other animals; or at least they had been until mankind, in their ignorance, had hunted them into extinction for sport and glory. “Idiot hunters, they did not even know the rarity and value of what they killed.”

  “I know, I know,” Sya agreed. “But she described it to me perfectly. A blend of silver, gold, blue, and bronze … it can be nothing else. We both know no other creature bears those colours.”

  The woman paused, thinking. How could it be? There simply was no way any Phoros had survived. Surely, someone would have seen one during all the years since.

  “You know,” Sya said thoughtfully. “Perhaps the Phoros did not all die after all. One of their powers was the ability to shift into any creature they chose. What if there are survivors? What if they shifted into another shape in order to protect themselves?”

  “And hid for over two millennia?”

  “Why not? Were they not the most intelligent of creatures?” Sya protested. “They were renowned for their wisdom and strength. Is it such a stretch of the imagination that they would have resorted to such extreme measures in order to survive?”

  “Perhaps, but even so, even if you are right and the girl’s somehow tied to a Phoros, what does it mean?”

  Sya frowned. “I have no idea, and that is precisely what worries me.”

  “Well, we will know for certain after tomorrow once she has completed her spirit walk and attained level one of her ascension,” the other woman said wearily. “I will go to the archives and see if I can find anything there that can help us understand this all.”

  “All right, old friend,” Sya touched her hand to her heart in a farewell gesture. “Please be safe.”

  “You as well. And Sya, we must continue to keep this between us, especially if what you suspect is true.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  The soft, orange light of dawn was barely visible in the horizon as Sena grabbed her coat and softly left home. She had left a note saying that she had gone to gather more herbs in case her mom wondered where she had gotten to. Pushing down the guilt, which threatened to rise in her throat, Sena walked quickly down the stone-paved lane from her cottage to the edge of the forest.

  “Gods above!” Z grumbled. “It’s the middle of the night! Why are we up at this godforsaken hour? She told you to come in the morning, not to disturb my beauty sleep at crazy o’clock!” She blinked her amber eye rapidly as though disorientated. “Will you slow down, chica? You’ve got me bouncing all around the place!”

  “Sorry, Z, but the earlier I get there, the sooner we can start!” Sena enthused. “Aren’t you excited? We’re going to find out what animal I can shift into today!”

  Z rolled her eye. Young people, peh!

  “Come on, Z,” Sena cajoled, “I know you’re just as curious as I am.”

  “Well,” the Dyx huffed, slightly mollified. “If we have to be up before the sun is even up, let’s at least hope that you get a good one. It will do my street cred no good at all if you’re stuck turning into something like a house cat.” She grimaced. “Or worse, a slimy frog or something. Bleh!”

  Sena only half-listened to the rest of Z’s running commentary, as she hurried towards the clearing where the Hyios was hidden. Her stomach tingled with nerves, as she unwarded the large stone, entering the amber light of the portal. Barely registering her surroundings, she headed straight for the stream.

  “Good morning and happy birthday,” Sya greeted her with a wide smile. “I have to admit I didn’t expect you quite this early.”

  “I’m sorry,” Sena blushed. “I was just very excited.”

  Sya chuckled, her voice resonating pleasantly across the clearing. “I understand, it is a big day for you. Actually, it is good that you came early. We can start the purification ritual now, so that you can get home in time for the birthday celebration you told me about.”

  “I wish you could come too.”

  “As do I, little one, but it would raise too many questions at this time. Besides,” Sya winked at her. “I get to celebrate with you now. Come.” She led the way a short distance upstream to a small wooden hut.

  Sena had not noticed the cabin before. It was small and round, almost cylindrical in shape. The dark red-brown wood of its walls were unlike anything she had ever seen on Xanos, gleaming with an almo
st purple hue in the soft amber light of the sun. There was no door to the structure, merely an oval opening that she could not see into. Only afterwards did Sena notice the small circular pool of almost golden water to the side of it. Steam rose in soft whirls from the shimmering surface. Violet flowers with silver tipped petals grew in bunches around the pool.

  “What is this place?” Sena asked in awe. “It’s beautiful.”

  “This is where you will undergo the ritual,” her mentor explained. “The pool is a natural hot spring. It has its own minerals and magick, which will begin the cleansing process. And these,” she delicately touched the tip of a petal. “Are Chali, a plant native to Zaman. They have a variety of different uses from healing to purification.” She picked a flower and held it to Sena, gesturing for her to breathe in its scent.

  “Wow, that smells like … well, I don’t know how to describe it, but it smells amazing. Like sunshine and ripe fruit.”

  Sya nodded. “It does smell good, but more importantly, its scent will help you to enter the trance necessary for the spirit walk. Don’t breathe in too much of it just yet, or you will be off before we have a chance to complete the purification!”

  She led her young student to the pool and sat at the edge, as Sena slowly stepped into the water.

  “It’s so warm!” Sena exclaimed, laughing as the gentle bubbles gravitated towards her, tickling her senses.

  “Now, lie on your back and float. Let the magick in the water soak into your skin. Close your eyes and try to blank your mind. Do not think of anything, but the gentle gurgle of the ripples around you, the warming touch of the magick below you.” Sya trailed off as Sena’s face relaxed, all tension melting away from her.

  Sena bobbed gently up and down in the pool, the magick in the water holding her afloat lovingly. Her own heartbeat joined the soft murmur of the ripples in a soothing chant as she let her mind drift away.

  “Come,” Sya said, gently rubbing her shoulder after what felt like mere seconds.

  Sena practically floated out of the warm embrace of the waters, body languid and boneless, a feeling of serenity and calm she had never before experienced settling over her. Sya led her into the hut and Sena dreamily noted the soft animal fur throws on the floor and the flickering flames of the golden fire in the centre of the room. Sya pressed her down gently so that she was sitting in front of the fire, her back to the door, and held a small bowl out to her. “It is now time for me to leave. It is forbidden for all, but the one undergoing the spirit walk to be present during the ritual. Good luck little one, although you will not need it. You are ready for this next step. Remember to open your mind to all that is inside and around you and you will be fine.”

  Sena nodded almost imperceptibly. The scent of the Chali oil in the bowl had started to work its magic already. Sya quietly backed out of the hut and rewarded the doorless opening to wait for her student outside.

  Everything around Sena fell away into nothingness. The hut, the forest … everything just vanished. Only the dancing flames remained. Everything slowed down before coming to a stop. Nothing existed but Sena and the fire suspended in a never-ending darkness. All of Sena’s senses were heightened even as her mind drained of all thought. Frozen in a stasis-like state, she floated. Seconds passed, or was it minutes, hours? Time had no meaning here, no place, as though it had ceased to exist altogether.

  Slowly, the darkness receded, the flames dimmed, and the haze lifted from Sena’s mind. She stood and looked around at her surroundings. Warm sand cradled the soles of her bare feet, an endless amber beach caressed by waves, the colour of honey stretched out as far as the eye could see. Everything was quiet except for the faint whispers of the foam caressing the shore. Sena started walking. Oddly, although she had never been to this place before, it was as though she knew where she needed to go.

  Stopping just at the shoreline, she looked into the translucent honey sea. A bright flash of light drew her attention, and the water started churning, gently at first, and then almost violently. Sena stood her ground, unafraid, waiting. A bronze crested head rose out of the water followed by a large mass of silver, blue, and gold scales, each shining as though aflame in the light of the sun. Liquid gold eyes looked at Sena, holding her gaze. Neither moved for a moment until the creature walked, with a grace surprising for one of its stature, over to where Sena was rooted.

  Never had Sena, not even in her wildest dreams, imagined a creature such as this. Glimmering scales ran all down its body, a perfect circle of hard bronze horns crowning its head majestically, a long gold, silver and blue spiked tail swished from side to side as the creature and Sena examined each other with mutual interest.

  “I have waited a very long time for this day,” the creature spoke first. “Some of my brethren had begun to doubt that this would ever come to pass, but I knew. You and I, our meeting was written in the stars. It was foretold long ago before the creation of Xanos, before the Gods themselves existed.” She dipped her head down and bowed low in front of Sena. “Our patience has been rewarded. Our hopes have not been in vain. It is an honour to meet you. I am Kalla, leader of the Phoros, or at least what remains of us.”

  “It is an honour to meet you also,” Sena replied with a bow. “My name is Sena.” She hesitated for a moment before speaking up, “I am sorry to have to ask, but what is Phoros exactly? It’s just that I have never met one or even heard of one before.”

  “You will not have Sena, for we are extinct. Hunted down for our scales and horns for mere trophies,” she paused, calming herself with a deep breath. “Well, the world believes we are no longer. We realised that our race would cease to exist if we did nothing, so we hid. We hid for over two thousand years.” She smiled, revealing a set of very sharp silver teeth. “No one has seen us but you in all this time.”

  “How did you manage to remain undiscovered?”

  “One of the traits of the Phoros is the ability to shift into any creature of our choice. We cannot hold the forms we take indefinitely, however, as it very magically draining, so we had to take it in turns, some keeping watch whilst others transformed. There have been some close calls over the years. Young men on a mission to prove the Phoros exist and the like. But managed to throw them off of our scent.”

  Sena reached out and patted Kalla’s wing. The scales were surprisingly soft to the touch. “It’s strange,” she said. “I never thought I would ever be standing here talking to you, a Phoros. Something I had never even heard of, and yet, there is something familiar about you. It’s strange.”

  Kalla leant down slightly so that their eyes were level. “Look closer inside of me,” she urged. “You will see why you feel you know me.”

  The liquid gold of Kalla’s eyes began to swirl as Sena gazed into them searchingly. As their gazes connected, silver threads of magick shot out of Sena, whilst blue tinged golden ones burst out of Kalla, colliding in the air between them both. Neither spoke as they watched the magicks bond, weaving into each other, creating a unique quilt of light with their combined colours. The magick settled into an intricate design, and began to pulsate with such force that the very ground beneath their feet shook.

  Gazes still locked together, Sena and Kalla remained as still as two statues amidst the magical tempest around them. The melded magick between them gave one last pulse and expanded, wrapping itself around them both. It cocooned them together until they were face to face, Kalla’s tail coiled around Sena’s waist to hold her up, seeping into their skin, their eyes, and their mouths. Bodies twitching as the magic charged through them both relentlessly. They clung together. Images flicked through Sena’s mind, flashes of memories that were not her own. People and places she did not recognise sped past her mind’s eye for what seemed an eternity. Head reeling with an overdose of information she had yet to absorb, her body jolted again as she felt her magick being pulled out of her. Kalla’s head had snapped back in tandem with hers, both their
magicks flowing out of their mouths and into each other. There was nothing gentle about the process. Sena felt as though she had been stripped down to nothing and rebuilt as her body took the full brunt of Kalla’s magick into itself.

  Then, just as violently as the interchange had begun, it stopped. The cocoon of magick shook one last time before falling away, dissolving into sparks of light lost in the air. Kalla gently lowered Sena back down to the sandy beach, keeping her tail still wrapped around Sena who seemed a little shaky.

  “That was …” Sena rubbed her throbbing head. “That was, actually, what in the gods’ names was that?”

  Kalla gave a little chuckle-like snort. “That was your magick accepting your chosen shifter.” She stood up to her full height before bowing low, her regal head almost sweeping the sand. “It is an honour to have been found worthy. I vow that I will always do everything in my power to aid you on your path and to protect from harm.” She tilted her head back and released a stream of bronze-streaked blue fire across the sky.

  “You are my bonded spirit, my shifter half,” Sena stated with certainty. She had felt it as soon as she had seen Kalla, that strange sense of déjà-vu, that familiarity. Her right shoulder throbbed. She looked down, belatedly noticing the dull ache at the top. Pulling up the sleeve of the tunic, she had donned for the ritual, she gasped. There was a glowing golden tattoo on her shoulder! Bewildered, she looked up at Kalla who was inspecting her own mark identical to Sena’s, but for the fact that hers was silver.

  “What is it?” Sena asked, gingerly tracing the design. It was a perfect circle, and inside were three curved daggers.

  “It is a spirit mark. All those who bond with their shifter self get one, although everyone’s is different. Each bonded pair, the Sharran, that is you, and the Ranash, that is me in this case, is marked with a symbol unique to them and their destiny,” Kalla explained.