The shadowy silhouette of South Gate began to appear through the snow, and with it, three dark figures standing just inside the border. Two of them, Damien and Kitreena, were faced in Arus' direction and appeared to be speaking with the third, a young man cloaked in black with a pair of knapsacks tossed over his own shoulder. As Arus grew closer, he could tell that the stranger was Vultrel, but what he couldn't figure out was why Vultrel had packed two bags and joined them. He'd waved off Arus' earlier suggestions that he join the Alliance. Had he changed his mind?
"Hello, Arus," Damien said, bowing as he approached. He wore his usual attire of black cloak and blue Zo'rhan garb. The weather didn't appear to faze him. "I trust you have everything you need?"
"I think I'm all set," Arus said, giving Kitreena a hug. "Hello, Kit. I've missed you." She returned the hug with a kiss on the cheek. It was strange to see such a pretty young lady in a wool coat and pants like his own, but then, Kitreena had never been big on typical feminine attire. A sky-colored cloak was wrapped around her shoulders as well. Why she was so bundled up, he had no idea; she could heat the air on her own if she so desired.
He turned to Vultrel and smiled, but he was met only with a blank stare. "Have you decided to come with us? We'd love to have you along."
For a moment, it seemed as though Vultrel hadn't even heard the question. His unfocused stare stretched on into the night until he finally looked up and shook his head. "No, I haven't. I've come to say goodbye."
"Are you sure you don't want to join us?" Damien asked him. "You've proven yourself to me more than up for the challenge."
"We always wanted to follow in our fathers' footsteps and fight to defend the village, right?" Arus asked, putting a hand on Vultrel's shoulder. "How about we fight to defend the entire universe instead?"
"Perhaps one day," Vultrel murmured, nodding slowly. He couldn't quite bring himself to make eye contact with any of them. "One day. But I have much to learn before I can hope to be of help to others. I hope that someday I'll be able to follow the example that my father set for me, but my experiences have made it very clear that I have a long ways to go before that day comes. There is much about me that I need to change. Pain that needs to be dealt with. Anger that needs to be purged."
"What do you have planned? Where will you go?"
"Do you remember old Master Sythen in Narleaha? He was a good friend to both of our fathers."
Arus nodded with a smile. "I remember. We used to chase his son around their farm when we were children. What was his name again?"
"Sonny," Vultrel said, grinning in spite of his mood.
"That's right! Sonny!" Arus laughed. "What kind of name is that, anyway?"
Vultrel shrugged and spread his hands. "Anyway, I'm going to go see Master Sythen and try to study under his tutelage, if he'll agree to it. If not, I know of a few contacts that Father had in Hemanal, and a couple more in Beremain. I don't know exactly where I'll wind up, but I feel as though I owe it to my father, my village, and to you to try to figure out what drove me to the despicable actions I committed, and to find some way to atone for what I've done. I know that you have told me it isn't necessary, but it is important to me."
"If that's what you feel you need to do, then I support you," Arus told him. "At the very least, would you like us to take you to Narleaha? It would only take a few minutes by transport."
"Thanks, but no thanks," Vultrel said, directing the response to all three of them. "The journey alone will do me good. Teach me how to survive on my own without relying on other people to watch my hide. Besides, I've been spending too much time amongst the stars lately. I want to enjoy my time exploring Asteria. Perhaps one day, I'll join you out there," he gazed up toward the sky, "but not now."
"Very well," Arus said, making the most respectful bow he knew how to make. "May the grace of the Maker guide you in your search, Vultrel."
Vultrel responded with a bow of his own. "Thank you, Arus. You be careful out there, all right? And don't go wandering too far." A smile crossed his face that reminded Arus more of the old Vultrel he'd once knew. "We have a score to settle," he said, extending his fist.
Arus returned gesture, tapping his own fist against his best friend's. "I look forward to it. Take care of yourself out there."
"You, too." Vultrel bowed to Damien and Kitreena before heading through the gate. "And Arus?" he called without looking back. "Don't let anyone give you any trouble over that implant! It doesn't change who you are!" And with that, his dark outline faded into the night.
"Do you think he'll be all right?" Damien asked. "He's been struggling to cope ever since the war ended."
"He'll be fine," Arus reassured him. "If there's one thing I know about Vultrel, it's that he's not a quitter. He's got a good heart in him, and he won't stop until he's found what he's looking for. I'd wager my life on it."
Damien nodded, and Kitreena squeezed his hand as she spoke. "Shall we get going, then? I've got some fresh Lavinian Malt onboard to help us warm up."
She never seemed to run out of foreign foods for him to try. "Lavinian Malt?" he repeated, raising an eyebrow.
"Think of it as liquid chocolate," she told him. "But it's hot like tea."
As if to reply for him, his stomach growled. "Sounds delicious."
Arus followed the two of them through the gate and into the night, leaving behind the soft glow of Keroko Village and the thousands of memories he treasured, memories of when children were permitted to be children, always confident that their fathers would be there to watch over them. As painful as it was to say goodbye to those days, the time had come for those children to become adults, and for those adults to take over the responsibilities of protection. It happened every day; boys became men, girls became women, but few could say that the transition had brought with it the trials and struggles that Arus and his friends had been forced to endure. Still, he knew in his heart that he wouldn't give back any of those experiences even if he could. They had molded him into a better person.
As the transport rose over the trees, Arus watched his home shrink away into the darkness and offered quiet thanks to the Maker that this time he was leaving by his own choice. His fears of alienation over the implant hadn't been realized, and he'd helped to usher in a new era of prosperity not just for Keroko, but the entire world. The amulet against his chest served as a constant reminder of Mateo's wisdom and a symbol of the Maker's love for those who trusted in Him. What had begun as a meager battle between desert bandits and simple villagers had ended with a union never before heard of, spirit and flesh, Maker and man, united in arms to fight the demons that would enslave the souls of men and give rise Kuldaan himself. Mortal and immortal were united on that day, and the universe would never be the same again.
With an arm around Kitreena as she snuggled against him, Arus took a sip of his Lavinian Malt and settled in for the journey ahead. "Wow," he said softly. "I've never tasted anything quite so sweet."
"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works." Hebrews 10:24
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END OF VOLUME THREE
Special thanks to my family for all of their support, and to my beautiful Laura Crump for never giving up on me. Most of all, thank you God for giving me the opportunities to get my ideas onto paper.
*******
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The story continues in The Fourth Dimension: Shades of Gray
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And don't worry; there is much more to come. Arus' story has just begun.
Eye of the Tornado Page 29