"Yes, I do," Rey answered.
"Pleasure to meet you," Auron said and went for a handshake.
Rey Ling looked confused then stared at Akielas, waiting for his friend to guide the interaction.
"Auron, umm..."
"In Tong Doran Cho people do not shake hands with strangers," Caim clarified. His feet finally touched the ground then he demonstrated the greeting of the southerners. "In this country you bow with both hands together. This is a symbol of respect to those who you do not know. The people of Tong Doran Cho are shy, sometimes timid, yet direct and to the point. They do not touch strangers at first sight for religious reasons and have a great need for personal space. Introversion is common in this part of the world."
"Sounds like I will fit in just fine," Auron said but Akielas knew he was being sarcastic.
"Auron, be polite," Akielas ordered.
Auron stepped forward and bowed, bending his torso with his hands together. Seeing Auron copy the southern traditions put a smile on Rey Ling's face and he also bowed.
"Now that we got that out of the way," Caim said eagerly, "tell me, Rey Ling, how is it that you know cosmo magic?"
"Cos...mo...magic?" Rey Ling wondered. "What are you talking about?"
Caim's body rose, his feet three inches off the ground and he orbited Rey Ling. "This must be very confusing to you. Should I say it in Xaianese?"
"I speak your language just fine," Rey said.
"Why were the Specters attacking you, Rey?" Akielas asked.
"They wanted this," Rey replied and dug a hand into his vest pocket. He pulled out the Omnistar and everyone stared at it.
Caim's eyes flickered a lavender light looking at the item. To Akielas it meant that this was another cosmo item that the Specters sought. It was a gorgeous gemstone and, although Akielas could not sense cosmo energy or maju, Caim was reacting to it.
"What in Necros is that?" Auron asked. "It blinks. Does it have a mind of its own?"
"In a strange way it does," Rey answered.
"What does it do?" Caim asked and peered closely into the star-shaped gemstone.
"It opens windows to places that I have already visited," Rey Ling answered.
"A portal opener," Caim corrected. "Of course. This item works with your mind. May I take a look at it?"
Without question Rey Ling allowed the demigod to hold the stone.
"Does it have a name?" Akielas asked.
"My father called it the Omnistar," Rey answered. "I have traveled all over the country with it. The best transportation device ever. Better than the hayunsuh and the train. If only I knew how it worked then maybe with magic I could find a way to harness its ability to open portals."
"I am afraid that is impossible," Caim said. "For a human, that is."
"Why?" Akielas asked, displeased to hear such a conclusion.
Caim clutched the Omistar in his hands and felt its power. His eyes glowed and so did the gemstone. "Only cosmo can trigger cosmo. That is why twilight magic is the only thing that can oppose cosmo magic, because it is the closest energy source similar to cosmo. Cosmo is ultimate, so to harness the power of this gemstone a mage must learn cosmo magic. Only the legendary Prodigus Kollos had been able to do it."
"How can anyone learn such art?" Rey Ling asked. "You said you are a demigod. I have read scrolls about entities like you, and I have experience with the paranormal as well. So tell me, how did you gain your powers? I am sure you were once human."
Caim chuckled and looked away. Akielas became curious as well to know how Caim had become half-god, half-man. Now that I think about it, Caim did mention that he was once human, Akielas thought, it does make me wonder. Can anyone reach his level of power? Looking back at the battle he had with Hertha, not even the cosmo jewels had much effect on him.
"We are not having this conversation," Caim averted the topic. He sighed then explained, "I was chosen by the dragon gods, don't ask why. I still am unsure myself."
"Well it doesn't matter anyway," Auron interrupted. They were all drawn to his voice. "We are here to find the Specters. If the Specters are after the Omnistar then they will be back for it. Why don't we use that cosmo thing to lure them in instead of arguing about it?"
"I doubt that they will show up simply because we have the Omnistar," Caim disagreed. "They know that Rey Ling here is on our side. It will be difficult for them to corner him since he is no longer fighting alone. Furthermore, I too have been added to your team so the Specters will be more cautious from now on."
"I agree with Caim," Akielas said. "Yet we cannot just wait around either. If we go to their home we would also be at a disadvantage."
"You know of their whereabouts, yet we hunt for them?" Caim asked, disturbed.
"Of course I know where they live," Akielas answered. "It's a tower on a tiny island north of El Nido. It's always dark in that area and we would be at a disadvantage since most of their tower is made of kaminyte. Am I right?"
Caim crossed his arms and then gazed at the farmlands. "So you know of my weakness," he said.
"I was just assuming," Akielas replied then pointed at Caim's forehead. "How else was Hertha able to make you bleed? It's not like you ran into a hill made of kaminyte."
"Oh wise Akielas. That is why people follow you," Caim said and laughed.
"If you really want to fight the Specters again so badly then we should go and see the queen,” Rey Ling suggested. "I am sure she knows more about them than we do."
"And what makes you think that?" Auron asked.
"Just yesterday my factory was destroyed by the one with the broken horn on his mask, Naunet," Rey explained. "His black monsters stole my kaminyte then Naunet tried to take my Omnistar. Then when I fought them on top of the train, one of them confessed that they had made a deal with the queen to steal my kaminyte and give her the opportunity to take my company. However, their plan had failed the minute all of you showed up. Had you not helped me I would have been ruined."
"I am glad to be so unintentionally helpful," Auron said. "So the queen of this country is working closely with the Specters?"
"According to what they said, yes," Rey answered. "If the queen is willingly giving away the kaminyte that I provide for her to these masked villains, then she must know much more about them. I know her well enough. My family has never gotten along with her and she has always wanted to take over my family's company. Please come with me to see the queen. I need you around in case these masked villains appear again."
Auron chuckled and crossed his arms.
"What is so funny?" Rey Ling asked with a grimace.
"So you want us to be your bodyguards?" Auron asked.
"I will compensate you handsomely. I am the richest man in this country," Rey Ling said, trying to persuade Auron.
"We don't do this for the money," Auron replied. "Especially not Caim. We will help you. If this queen knows more about the Specters and the tri-eclipse, then we must make her talk."
"The tri-eclipse?" Rey Ling asked again, rubbing his chin.
"The Specters are trying to rid the world of magic with cosmo items like the one you have," Akielas explained. "When the two moons align with the sun they will somehow cause all mages to lose their magic."
"I see..." Rey stopped, but continued thinking. "Then...let's go. I will open a portal and take us to the queen's castle in the Choelio Pathways. We will sneak into her castle and finally see what she is doing with all that kaminyte my family has been giving her."
"I must pass," Caim said unexpectedly.
All eyes turned to Caim. He was needed the most since his powers overshadowed the Specters, even when they used the cosmo jewels.
"You are going to turn your back on us now?" Auron complained.
"I hate being around kaminyte," the demigod said. "I will just wait outside the castle while you deal with the queen."
"That is fine, as long as you are with us," Akielas approved.
"Great. Then we are now allies," Rey said.
He looked at the Omnistar and the gemstone glowed. "It was not working earlier but it looks like it's back to normal."
Rey Ling extended an arm with the Omnistar. Akielas and Auron stepped back and watched Rey open a portal. The gemstone shone purple then released a beam that punched a hole in the air. A circle expanded and, like a window, they could see the castle of the queen of the United Pathways. Akielas's eyes swelled. It was impressive when Caim opened portals, but to see another human do the same was incredible. The portal floated in midair. It was like a round frame that one could hang on a wall, yet it was a passage to another location that was miles away from them.
"What are you waiting for, jump through!" Rey beckoned.
Caim flew inside the portal without hesitation. Akielas wanted to jump in as well but he was nervous.
"This just keeps getting more and more interesting," Auron said and slowly entered through the portal starting with his arm and then his whole body.
"Don't get left behind now," Rey said then jumped through the portal.
It was beginning to close as Akielas gaped at it but then he breathed deeply and ceased all thought. He leapt inside the portal thinking, A demigod, an Amaranth and a Xaianian engineer, there is no way we are going to lose.
Eckxio
It was like looking at a miniature version of his own kind. The Effeelions looked at him as if he were some rare treasure. They were all one foot shorter than him. While humans could grow up to six and even to seven feet, the Elves grew to no more than five feet tall and the Effeelions only up to four. Designed by the dragon gods, each race looked very similar to each other, yet their traits were very diverse, or so Eckxio thought.
His father once told him of the Effeelions, Elves that used the Aero Cosmo Jewel to ascend and evolve into higher spiritual beings. Now these creatures of lore, their tale written on Elven scrolls and told in bedtime stories, stood before him. Their ears were longer, their eyes round like cats with small noses. Their skin tones varied but they were all born with the innate element of air, blessed by Aeramus, the dragon god of wind.
"So the Specters destroyed your village and now you seek revenge," Nehushine spoke with Eckxio.
"What else am I supposed to do?" He asked and looked at his fist with grief. "Not only did they destroy my home, but they also stole the soul of the woman who is to be my bride. And as you may already know, they now have the Emerald Cosmo Jewel which belongs to the Greamos. The Greamos will die without the remnant. They are relying on me to return the jewel. You can call it revenge or whatever you want, but the Specters must pay for what they have done. I cannot watch them cause more destruction. This isn't just Akielas's responsibility, we must all defend against these masked villains. We must all defend this world."
Eckxio frowned and shed a tear. He wiped his tears with the wrist that was wrapped in bandages. The council of seven frowned as well and Tortori, a big bearded Effeelion, placed a hand on the Elf's shoulder.
"You have a good reason to fight," Tortori told the Elf. "Don't give up."
"I see much light in your future, Eckxio," Nehushine commented. The leader hovered over the floor in a lotus position and the rest of the council sat upon the crescent moon platform. "Your heart is in the right place Eckxio. Your intentions are as pure as your soul. You are the right candidate for the Angel Valiarmos. The Lumnos will definitely welcome you."
"I would like to know, where is the girl's body?" Areira asked. She sat on the far right of the platform.
"You mean Willow, my wife," Eckxio responded in a shy manner. "I left her with the Elves in the forest. I had come across them in the Spirituah forest and my father said that he would keep her body safe until I found a way to retrieve her soul. By now she should be in the new village of the Elves."
"Make sure you use dead salt to keep her body from withering," Areira instructed.
"Dead salt? Does that really work?" Eckxio doubted.
"Trust me, my dear, it will keep the blood in her body circulating to prevent it from drying," Areira explained.
Eckxio felt at ease listening to Areira. Perhaps it was because she reminded him of Willow, with her blonde hair and blue eyes. He could not help but imagine Areira as a shorter version of Willow. However, he quickly snapped out of the fantasy and focused on his mission.
"I am itching to know, how is it that the Effeelions evolved from Elves?" Eckxio asked, eager to know now that they were no longer just a fairy tale.
Nehushine laughed gracefully. A clucking sound like a hen, yet loving and friendly. The old Effeelion stroked his long triangular beard.
"I knew you would ask sooner or later," Nehushine said. "Nova twins, would you please explain to our guest how the Effeelions came to be."
The twins, Nova Linda and Nova Luna, glided towards Eckxio on top of a book. Their tunics had soft leather covered with feathers extending outwards like wings. They stopped and landed in front of Eckxio, then they read the large tome titled, "The History of the Evolved Elves."
Tortori brought over a wooden chair and invited Eckxio to sit. He felt awkward yet at home as he saw the Effeelions gather around for story time. Nehushine took a pipe from his robe pocket and puffed smoke in the shape of a dragon. Tweng, another Effeelion with a long beard, also smoked while they all listened. Kazemee and Areira covered every window and every stained glass that illuminated the dome. The curtains shut the sunlight out and, when the Nova twins opened the book, a white silhouette of a man stood over it while the twins began to tell the story.
"Once upon a time there was a paradise called the Garden of Eden," the Nova twins commenced to tell the story simultaneously. "In this paradise all was good, all was peaceful. Men and animals lived in peace. There was no need to work for everything was provided by the paradise around them. There was unlimited food from the trees, nature gave them shelter and they sang and played every day. Sin was nonexistent as well as pain and suffering. The dragon gods lived among humans in the paradise and gave them the gift of magic."
The white silhouette of the man showed him running in a beautiful verdant paradise with animals. The man cast fire, water, air and earth, the four primary elements. Eckxio was looking into the past.
"With the gift of magic soon came the knowledge of light, the divine element, and darkness, the shadow element. A curious man named Cain asked Odiamus, the dragon god of darkness, for the powers of the night, for shadow powers. Odiamus granted Cain's wish and, with the knowledge of darkness, feelings such as jealousy were born. The feeling that Cain felt towards his brother, the first life he took. Such a feeling had never existed until Cain awoke the darkness within himself. With jealousy came hate, and with hate came suffering, and with suffering came the manifestation of evil. Cain was the first human to use magic to hurt other humans. Violence had not existed before this time and it caused much confusion. Cain realized what he had done and relinquished his magic, that we now call shadomancy, to Thogemus, the dragon god of twilight."
More silhouettes appeared over the tome and tribes of people began to slay one another with black shaped hearts on their chests. It then showed the character Cain surrendering his magic to the god of twilight.
"With the new knowledge violence it caused animals to imitate the behavior of humans and the animals began to eat each other. This caused the dragon gods to exile their most intelligent creature, the humans, out of the Garden of Eden. After they were exiled their violence did not stop. The humans separated in the lands outside of Eden. At this point in time the ego was born. The ego; mankind's worst enemy. The ego was believed to be the source of evil within the hearts of men, yet no one knew how to eradicate it. Outside the lands of Eden men created nations and fought for territory. They fought for religious beliefs, a sense of belonging and to never be abandoned again. That instinct was encrypted into their minds, hearts and souls, and is endlessly reinforced by the ego. With separation came different languages."
The silhouettes over the book showed men in lands outside of the paradise
from which they had come. Towers arose symbolizing the nations they had built, then they collided in war. The ego of men was shown as a reverse heart on their chest.
"With war it was not long before the birth of illnesses and sickness. Many grew tired of the battles and the destruction caused by the ego of men. So, a few humans abandoned their nations and sought peace elsewhere. They went on a pilgrimage to find lands untouched by war, greed and hate. With prayer and desire these few humans were able to evolve using what is called the unmanifested. They changed their reality by choosing to be different than others. They rose to new intellect and a new way of life and, as their life changed, so too did their bodies. These few humans called themselves Elves. As they evolved, their magic abilities were enhanced by the level of their consciousness. These were the first to have consciously evolved from humans. The Elves decided to live in forests and only fight to protect their homes, but war was their last resort and peace was their priority. The Elves were the first to have melted the human ego which then led them to evolution."
The silhouette of men over the tome showed a group of people leaving castles, towns and villages and journeying to a far away land on a map. The silhouette morphed from the shape of a human to an Elf, much shorter, with pointy ears. The reverse hearts turned upright but were still black.
"Other humans followed the same path by leaving the chaos behind and finding new places untouched by man. As new species came into existence, these new beings soon discovered the remnants of the dragon gods. Some Elves journeyed to find these remnants and the ones who found the Aero Cosmo Jewel ascended and decided to live in the sky. These Elves evolved once more and became more enlightened. With the element of air their intelligence grew and they wanted to fly, to soar forever. This new species of Elves wanted to ascend higher and to one day meet their creator. They called themselves the Effeelions."
The silhouette of the Elves then changed into much shorter characters, the Effeelions. Their fortress, Kazenolumos, rose from the book and then the Nova twins closed the tome.
Spirit of Mages (Rift of Chaos Book 2) Page 18