by Ross Turner
This astonishing combination of acrobatics and talent was incredible, but so out of place. How could these two boys, two children, have this level of ability? A mixture of speed, stealth, accuracy, and then of course their inhuman reflexes; Isabel could think of no other description for their ridiculous reaction times.
Zanriath and Isabel watched in awe as the boys continued with their ‘fight,’ hardly able to even follow their lightning movements and blades flying back and forth. It continued for a few minutes, enough time for each of them to throw their knives at least twenty times, and leap with ease between trees and rocks. Soon they were both atop high branches, somersaulting and cart wheeling, moving back and forth through the copse.
The most bizarre thing was that the whole event had the whole time remained ghostly silent.
As the boys climbed all too easily back to the ground they were barely breathing any more heavily than usual, though they both fairly dripped with sweat from their exertions. They headed eagerly back to where Zanriath and Isabel awaited them in awe.
“What do you think?” They both chimed their question in unison, and their immediate reply was a stunned silence.
“That’s quite possibly one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen.” Zanriath replied with total honesty. Isabel remained dumbfounded.
“One of!?” Ben replied, feigning an injured expression.
“I was raised by a God, remember?” Zanriath pointed out, raising one eyebrow.
“I suppose that would be pretty incredible.” Zhack said for the two of them.
“But honestly though, some of those reflexes are verging on inhuman.” Zanriath said.
“Why thank you!” They exclaimed as one voice, and Isabel found hers again.
“Do you always know what each other are thinking?” She enquired. “It’s a little strange.”
“Yeah, actually.” Zhack replied. After little more than an instant Ben took over.
“Our little show wouldn’t have been half as impressive if we didn’t know what the other was going to do.” He told them grinning.
Zanriath glanced up at the sun and then over to the left where the shore was now more clearly in view.
“We need to get going. We need to get to Hinaktor as quickly as we can. We need to find our next companion.”
“Yeah. Let’s go.” Isabel confirmed, agreeing with Zanriath.
“Alright then. Let’s go!” The boys said wiping the last of the sweat from their foreheads.
And without further confirmation the four of them set off at a swift pace, heading once again towards the open water, all knowing they had a schedule to stick to, even if they didn’t fully understand it. The bridge they were to cross ebbed ever closer, stretching off into the distance over the calm ocean.
It was strange that, in the short period of time the four of them had been in each other’s company, they had gelled so well, falling almost immediately into strong friendships. The twins had been together for their entire lives, working, suffering and fighting side by side - Isabel and Zanriath, not as long as it probably seemed at first glance. But the four of them knew there was much more to come, and far worse things waiting just over the horizon.
Zanriath’s eyes were a rich jade, deep and mysterious. Isabel once more fell into her own pondering thoughts, only to have them broken by the twins.
“Hey Zan. Have your eyes changed colour? Or is it just us?” They too had noticed the change and wore a pair of equally perplexed expressions. They didn’t hold back with their questions however the way Isabel tended to.
“I was wondering how long it would be before you asked.” He threw Isabel a quick smile before continuing, making it obvious that he knew she’d been dying to know too. She blushed lightly.
Luckily for her the boys either didn’t notice or made little of her reaction and focused on Zanriath, eager to hear his explanation.
“It’s because of the amulet. The one Isabel’s wearing. I helped Ormath to create it, and in doing so the three of us became connected.”
“Woah woah woah. Hold on. You helped Ormath?”
“As in, the Ormath?” The twins sounded sceptical.
“Yes, the Ormath. I already told you…”
“Well yeah, but we just thought you meant spiritually: the sort of thing where you had dreams and He told you what to do.”
Isabel allowed herself a smile at the boy’s comments. They were reasonably perceptive, but still only very young. She yearned to know more.
“Ok.” Zanriath replied with a smile and a small shake of his head. “He can appear physically, but only to those requiring such. And He really does control the element of fire. I also have that ability. I am a sorcerer of Rilako.” This time the boys had nothing to say, fully understanding now what Zanriath meant. “Together, on Dragon’s Peak, we forged the amulet, and then He sent me to find Isabel. My eyes change colour along with the amulet, and along with Ormath’s.”
They kept walking, in silence for a few minutes now, three taking in everything that was being said, and one deciding how much to say.
“As to why it changes colour, I’m not entirely sure. I think it may be down to Ormath, maybe even His mood.” That was enough to give them all something to think about, and the party remained silent.
They still had many miles to walk, even maintaining their brisk pace. The day passed slowly and, as expected, the weather worsened. The hills rolled as they walked and Zanriath explained more about his mentoring under Ormath, but more specifically, about his ability to control fire. Ben and Zhack couldn’t resist asking for a demonstration, arguing with the fact that they’d given a demonstration of their own.
Zanriath politely refused however, preferring not to risk attracting unnecessary attention to them, and instead described more of the mountains in Rilako.
Inferno Range, as it had come to be known, covered the most northern part of Rilako Island. It was an arctic range and its peaks reached tremendous heights. Snow fell all year round, except for very occasionally when freak firestorms ravaged the peaks, giving the range its peculiar name. He talked of where he’d trained with Ormath, Dragon’s Peak, and how, when the time came, the God had come to him for help. But even then Ormath had been under instruction, knowingly or not, and had been led to Zanriath. In just the same way that for the whole of his life, Zanriath had been nurtured and prepared for the tremendous task that lay ahead of him.
They rested for the night in an empty farmstead after a long day’s travelling, which they were sure felt so much longer without horses. The boy’s enthusiasm for their quest seemed to have faded slightly as their eyes started to droop and the rain seeped through the cloaks Isabel had fashioned for them from the supplies Zanriath had recovered. They soon settled down after eating and were asleep, warming themselves by the fire.
Isabel sat with Zanriath, content with his silent company. For the latter part of the day he seemed to have been lost in thought. She wanted to ask him what was wrong, to help him, to do more, to be better. But alas, she refrained, and soon her worries consumed her and she drifted into an uneasy sleep, becoming unconsciously overwhelmed by her own thoughts, by her own imagination. Why couldn’t she do more? Why was she so compelled to be better? She had to help him. She had to be strong for him. She had to be with him.
All too soon it was morning. They ate quickly and cleaned up and were moving again within an hour, Zanriath’s pace relentless. The sky was grey and there was a heavy mist hanging about them. They walked in silence for most of the morning. They all saw the look in Zanraith’s eyes, his concern, but even the boys knew better than to pry. Something was wrong.
By midday they reached the coast.
They looked out across the seemingly endless ocean, shrouded by thick mist and fog, like a living, breathing curtain isolating their small world, threatening, content to be undisturbed.
Looking back, Isabel recalled her childhood years. How she had played with friends and lived with her mother and father.
She’d learned, and grown, and lost, and now she felt small, small and weak. Her knees trembled under the enormous weight of her task, the task she could not yet even begin to understand. Despite the extraordinary ability she apparently possessed, she was afraid, terrified. Young and burdened, she would venture into unknown lands, crossing dangerous oceans and encountering hideous creatures. The pathway before her extended from the cliff lined coast of Land and out into the mist, merging from the ground itself. The bridge was quite narrow, stretching out across the sea like a knife and vanishing into the never-ending blanket of fog.
Breathing slowly to retain her composure she clutched her hand tightly in his. Regardless of her fear, she wouldn’t be alone, and that counted for something, for that loneliness was what she feared above all else. She looked at Zhack and Ben, their eyes wide and a little afraid. And Zanriath had the same concern in his eyes as he stared out into the mist. But he was calm. He was ready.
So was she.
They began to cross, continuing blindly further and further from her home. Once again, memories came flooding back to Isabel as they headed toward Compii Tower.
Zanriath remained calm, and that collected composure seeped out to the twins, giving them courage. He held Isabel’s hand, protecting her, walking closely at her side. This was it. There was no turning back. Not that there was anything to turn back to.
12
The bridge they walked along was narrow, only just wider than a horse and cart. The air was cool but with the endless fog all around them it felt damp and hung heavily over the calm water. The bridge itself was made from stone and looked surprisingly pristine, having spent years out at sea with no evidence to show for it. It was very square, every block cornered off perfectly. The floor was made of large, smooth slabs, each one polished and flawless. The waist-high walls either side were made of much smaller blocks but were still precisely cut. The bridge stood only a few feet above the water, and yet seemed to be held up by nothing at all, making contact with nothing but the ground it had merged from in Land.
Amidst the fog Isabel had no perception of time. The sun wasn’t visible - it probably would have made little difference if they’d been travelling at night. The fog gave them nothing, their sight reduced to a few dim feet.
And so they walked. The twins grew noticeably more nervous as they crossed. The unnervingly docile water and never ending blanket of fog threw their calm. But it wasn’t the fog setting Zanriath on edge. He could still sense that something wasn’t right, though he knew better than to worry the others even more. Isabel however, wasn’t fooled by his masquerade and squeezed his hand tightly.
“It doesn’t feel like we’re even getting anywhere.” Zhack commented, glancing over at Zanriath. His voice sounded strange breaking the eerie silence that had fallen over them and carried off over the water, lost in the fog.
“How long have we even been walking for?” Ben said following suit. Zanriath rubbed his cheek firmly and thought for a moment.
“Quite a while.” He concluded vaguely. “We’re almost at Compii Tower. We’ve covered a fair amount of ground. It just doesn’t seem like it in this fog.”
“What exactly is Compii Tower?” Isabel asked, desperate to prolong the conversation and keep at bay the unnerving silence around them.
“When the Gods first came here there was no such thing as the Kingdom of Tamarack. There was no land, only water. They were despised and hated by the Souls of the Ocean. As the Gods stood atop the sea and considered the planets potential they were cursed in screams from underwater. The lost souls tried to drive them off.” Zanriath’s voice flowed smoothly and Isabel even imagined it cutting a path for them through the hazy fog. His expression suggested to her that this story had been told to him many times, and he was taking great care to recite it correctly. That notion only made her thoughts and questions deepen.
“Then the Gods cast their meteors down to the ocean, forcing them deep into the water, and the souls wailed in anguish, but could do nothing. They expanded their meteors and they rose to the surface, becoming the four islands we now know at Rilako, Hinaktor, Vak’Istor and Land.”
“We’ve never heard it told like that before.” Zhack said, his nerves vanishing.
“No” Ben agreed. “We were only ever told that the Gods created the islands and that they brought them up from underwater.”
“I always used to hear the same thing, except that the Gods have always been here.” Isabel agreed.
“Well that’s partly right.” Zanriath conceded. “But they haven’t always been here. They’ve overseen many other planets and many other civilisations. But eventually their people always die out for one reason or another, like the Souls of the Ocean did, and then the Gods move on.” He thought briefly for a moment before continuing, gathering his thoughts. “Then, before they set about anything else, the Gods crafted Compii Tower, bridging the four islands with unbreakable stone pathways. The tower itself is the crossing point, and is guarded by the first four creatures that the Gods created in Tamarack.”
“Creatures?” The boys questioned as one, and Zanriath raised a hand and continued his explanation, answering their queries.
“Each God created one guard. They have the bodies of men, but I doubt you would recognise them as human. They are each combinations of fragments from the many races the Gods have overseen. Each God then instilled their guard with fragments of their own power. Ormath gave His control over fire. Enthel gifted His with godly strength and unparalleled fighting skill. They were the first and were created specifically to fight, to defend the Tower. Koack saw His brother’s creations and pondered over His own. He decided to gift His guard with flight and immortality. Though His sentry has less offensive power, flight allows it a great advantage over any adversary. In turn, Koack’s creation also gifted the other guards with immortality, ceasing only in unnatural death.”
“So they have the God’s power, one can fly, and they’re all immortal unless something more powerful can defeat them?” Ben asked. Zanriath thought for a moment.
“Yes, that’s about right.” He replied finally. “But don’t make the mistake of thinking they’re invincible. No matter what power they have been instilled with, they’re still physically bound to this earth just as we are, and because of that, they will never be invincible.”
“So what could kill them? Surely a demon wouldn’t be a match for all four guards?” Zhack continued his brother’s trail of thought.
“No you’re right. I hope you’re right.”
“Maybe not one…but what about an army of them?” Isabel had been so quiet the whole time that her sudden frightening contribution chilled the others to the core.
“I thought the demons couldn’t be controlled? Depozi couldn’t do that.” Zanriath interjected, questioning her logic, admittedly a little concerned by the concept she was suggesting.
“No you’re right, he couldn’t. But the boy probably could.” For a moment there was silence. They hadn’t considered that option previously and the notion was suddenly terrifyingly realistic. Finally it was Zhack and Ben that spoke up.
“How could the boy do that?”
“Yeah, why would the demons follow him?”
“He’s not actually a boy, that’s just the form he chooses to take. I think he’s probably stronger than all the others. They’ll listen because he’ll threaten to kill them otherwise. There’s no clever democracy or leadership, he’ll rule them by fear. For all we know he could have spoken to Depozi and be working with him to stop us.” Again the silence was unnerving. Isabel’s own words began to sink in and a pit formed in her stomach. She suddenly felt very sick. Depozi might have control over the demons after all. She and Zanriath’s thoughts were mirrored as they began to contemplate the sudden danger the four of them were in.
“What about the fourth guard Zan?” Ben piped up, desperately wanting to change the subject. Zhack followed shortly.
“What power did Depozi give His guard?”
“Depozi’s guard again was not created to fight, but was created as a pure physical being, with a link directly to Depozi. Because He is an angel, He and the other three Gods stand for all that is pure and good in the universe. Therefore, so do the guards, preventing the passage of anything wishing to challenge a pure spirit. His guard enhanced the abilities of the others, whilst diminishing the ability of any non-pure adversary to virtually nothing. Their sole task is to guard Compii Tower, allowing passage to only those the Gods grant it to.”
“So if a demon, or even an army of demons, were to attack the guards, they’d become powerless and lose?” Ben asked.
“So it’s ok then?” Zhack continued.
“They can’t cross!” The boys’ spirits lifted as they bounced their revelation off one another, ceasing only as they realised Isabel and Zanriath’s concern had not dissipated so easily. They looked confused and worried. What else was there? Isabel chose to break the bubble.
“That would be absolutely right, if Depozi still stood for all that is pure. He unleashed demons on an innocent mortal Kingdom. Admittedly, He lost His mind and is bent on destroying the Souls of the Ocean and not Tamarack’s people, but the fact that He is bent on destroying anything would make me think His moral compass has shifted ever so slightly.”
“She’s right I’m afraid.” Zanriath continued. “He isn’t the same God as He was when He created His guard. But because of the spiritual link He has with His guard, I would say there’s probably been a shift in the power at Compii Tower too.” At this point the boys had gone very pale. Ben spoke first, his voice shaky.
“So, if his guard has turned evil too…”
“And a demon attacked the Tower…”
“The demon would get stronger and the guards would get weaker?”