by Jarod Meyer
There were no food centers or entertainment centers. In fact, the valley was almost completely devoted to one’s inner mind and body. Had she come here for leisure she would have been bored to tears.
After a few more moments she found what she was looking for. It was simply labeled “the library”. It was a smaller structure and out of the way, but she was sure they would have what she needed. She looked up and tried to get a mental picture of where she was going, and then made her way in the right direction.
The library wasn’t a spectacular structure. It was made from treated timber and had a green glazed roof with exquisite applique design, and beautiful flower patterns on the wooden pillars, suggesting an oriental designer had built it. She entered through a sliding paper door, and felt the soft padding of silk beneath her bare feet. Her toes enjoyed the rug for a moment before she continued on. She was the only person in the library, and welcomed the solitude.
Book-lined shelves stood close together, covering every wall. Everything seemed to be close and almost claustrophobic.
They should have made a larger library, she thought to herself.
Craning her neck to see the titles, she found that most studied the meditative arts and spiritual healing. Jackpot, she thought and grabbed one of the books.
Over the course of the afternoon she got through ten books. They were all about meditation and finding one’s inner silence. She tried to discern the difference between these arts and what she did every night. Most talked about finding one’s center and focusing on peaceful thoughts, sometimes even trying to completely clear the mind. However, none of the information was what she wanted.
Her mind became fatigued from reading, and she still wanted to try a little of what she read. After leaving the small cramped library she found a group of people meditating in a small garden. Butterflies circled gently over the flower-filled area, and for the first time Katrina noticed that there were no birds singing anywhere.
Unusual, she thought, but reminded herself that this valley was all about silence.
The meditating group ignored Katrina as she approached and plopped down on a mat with her back against the bushes. Most were wearing bright, sky-blue robes and almost all had blond hair. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw that one of the women wore a robe with the seal of the sentinel embroidered upon the chest. She’d already sat, otherwise it would have looked even more suspicious if she was to jump up and walk right back out.
This sentinel may be the only individual in this courtyard with a significant energy level, making her the ideal candidate to try to sense. She pushed the discomfort away and tried her best to clear her mind. Instead, she focused on the readings, specifically the steps for meditation. Focusing on her breathing, she tried to block out the rustle of the leaves and the sun’s warmth upon her face.
Soon she began to get an itch on her lower back. She struggled to ignore it and focus, but finally she let out a huge breath and raked her fingernails against the bare skin under her shirt. Opening her eyes she looked to see if she had disturbed the others. Nobody flinched. This wasn’t going to be easy. She simply wasn’t a patient person.
After hours of trying to clear her mind or find her center she decided it was time to give up for the day. Quietly getting to her feet, she began to walk out of the courtyard.
Kat was extremely frustrated, but tried her best not to let it show. She didn’t know how these people could be so quiet, calm, and serene all the time. She walked with purpose through the valley along the stone paths. Each stone was perfectly shaped and even which also annoyed her. Nothing in this valley was like her. She finally found her way back to the Shaolin temple and entered through the same doors they had upon their arrival. Samuel ran in behind her, and grabbed her by the shoulder, startling her.
“We were worried about you. Where have you been all day?” he asked.
“Learning Kung Fu,” she replied casually.
“Really? That sounds interesting,” he said, a little surprised.
“What were you doing? Worrying about me all day?” she asked, continuing to walk through the temple.
“I suppose so. Parsa and I just thought it would be a good idea to stick together, given the circumstances.”
“I’m a grown woman, Sam. You do not need to worry about me. And since when is Parsa so worried?” he seems to be in control,” she replied.
“I’m worried, because we don’t need anyone recklessly blowing our cover,” Parsa snapped, appearing suddenly. Even Samuel was surprised and flinched.
“Then I suppose you shouldn’t do anything reckless,” Katrina retorted.
This left both of her companions speechless and she darted quickly into the women’s bathhouse to avoid further interrogation. She spent the rest of the evening grooming herself.
She didn’t normally pamper herself. Being a soldier took its toll, however. When she looked in a mirror she found that her hair had become long and shaggy. She habitually kept it cropped short, so that it couldn’t be used against her in battle. Hair had a way of tangling in everything, weapons, branches…fists.
She found some shears and cut it to her normal length above the ear leaving he bangs slightly longer to hide her forehead which she had always thought was too high. She felt much better afterward, but wondered when or if her hair would stop growing altogether. Some Archonian minds became so accustomed to this reality that they could make their hair stop growing.
She wasn’t nearly dedicated enough to find time to master such a trick, and supposed that cutting her hair every once in a while wasn’t so bad. She’d actually become pretty good at it anyway.
Once finished primping and cutting, she washed herself under one of the fountains, scrubbing the salty film of sweat from her skin. Once finished cleaning herself she decided that she didn’t want to continue being interrogated yet, so she entered the pool in the center of the room.
It was still warm, and this time she wasn’t alone. She recognized the woman who liked to stare out windows. The sight of her nearly made Katrina laugh, but she maintained her composure. The woman sat in the steaming water, her gaze unfocused, evidently completely at peace.
Katrina got comfortable in the steaming water and let her mind wander. She considered the cramped Guardian barracks. That bathing facility was too small for so many women. If she ever made it back, she vowed to put in for an upgrade to the facility. For now, she would enjoy this.
A much-needed holiday.
With all the scouting missions and rigorous training after the breach of peace at Mt. Olympus she’d never really gotten a break. Kat inhaled deeply, taking in the thick incense-perfumed air, and laid her head back against a towel. Soon, her odd friend got up and left, leaving her alone.
Looking around to make sure that she was alone, Kat began to reminisce about her night with William. Heat blossomed between her legs and her breath caught in her throat. She slid a hand into the water and down her thigh, tracing the route his lips had taken.
Kat thought of William’s strong arms and his perfectly sculpted abdomen, the steam caressing her skin like his hot breath. She bit her tongue, trying hard to be quiet for fear of someone hearing, but a moan reverberated in her throat as her climax built.
Katrina gasped suddenly, as pain tore into her heart. Fear and anxiety flooded into her, racing through her veins in a torrent. Her heart skipped a beat, just as tears began streaming down her cheeks.
“No…stop!” she shrieked in horror. Something bad was happening to William. She could feel it.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
OLD EMEMIES
William scribbled on his map with a broken piece of projected graphite. The crude sketch of his trail through the wastelands was taking shape.
“How much longer until we reach this place?” he asked.
“I assure you we are getting close. Shou just needs a momentary break,” Leopoldo said.
Anxiety swam in his brain. For all he knew these souls could be leading him into
a trap, after all, he only had their word that they were his allies. He would have to trust that their motivation to become Archonians was enough.
William skipped over the ashy plains of Dichonia, Leopoldo firmly on his back. He effortlessly dodged furnace vents, and jumped crevices in the ground.
“Why haven’t we met any resistance? I was warned not to draw attention to myself when traveling,” William said.
“Do you see this?” Leopoldo asked, pointing to a crest upon his chest. “This is the symbol of Vanity, and we are still in his lands. This keeps us safe from our fellow Dichonians, for the most part. Many simply see that we are three full bodied Dichonians. This is a formidable force to any stray onlookers,” Leopoldo replied.
William didn’t argue the finer points. He was happy about their pace and the lack of opposition.
Soon the trio came upon the vast wall of the eastern mountains. Several little hovels were tucked against the edge of the stone barrier. The village was even smaller than Tamara’s. William counted only a handful of small, decrepit creatures hobbling about. Almost all of them hissed, or mumbled at the group, slinking away in fear.
Leopoldo approached a small dwelling sunken into a hill, resting against the large rocks at the back of the village. Unlike the rest of the hovels, which were dark, light shone from holes burrowed in the ground near this structure. Leopoldo stopped well short of the front door, which barely rose up to William’s waist.
“He does not like uninvited guests. We must give him a chance to greet us,” Leopoldo explained.
“His name is Kavin, which in the Indian language means handsome, but be prepared,” Shou whispered. William looked at him quizzically, but said nothing. The three stood for many minutes, and William became impatient.
“What are we waiting for?” he asked.
“Shhhh…” Leopoldo hissed, desperately.
William shook his head in annoyance, but before he could retort, the front door of the hut creaked open. He stood up straighter, bracing and expecting the worst.
A short, stooped figure emerged. It leaned on a gnarled cane made from the root of a tree. William couldn’t make out his face in the shadow of the dwelling’s light.
“One amongst you is rude. It was very unwise to bring him here, Leo. Please come in. Oh, hello Shou,” the stooped man said in a meek voice. Shou bowed low, and Leopoldo walked in, slowly following their disfigured host.
The hut was not as small as it looked from the outside. It went into the ground a fair distance. Rich light filled the room from a blazing fire, which crackled and wheezed as smoke rose up a chimney made from stone. The fragrant smell of incense filled William’s nostrils. As his eyes adjusted to the light he took in dusty shelves set against the walls, lined with trinkets and baubles that looked suspiciously like junk. The owner hobbled over to the fire, stirring it with his cane, allowing William to catch sight of his face.
Holy shit.
Mutilated was the only word that came to mind. Not just his face, but the other parts of his body that showed as well were covered in sores and boils. His tiny arms looked as if they would snap at any moment. William found a stool and sat, his companions giving him incredulous looks.
The tiny, disfigured man gave William a terse look, and said “You may be seated.”
William’s two companions settled carefully on a couple of chairs by a short table.
“This is Kavin. We are guests in his home,” Leopoldo said, diplomatically.
“Your friend is rude, Leopoldo. Where did you dig him up at?” Kavin asked, pointing towards William with his cane.
He watched his companion’s faces fill with terror. Did they know something he didn’t?
“I apologize for my behavior. I come from a different time. I’m new to this place. I come seeking your wisdom, and guidance,” William said.
The others looked surprised, his apology seemingly satisfying their strange, little host.
“This is true. Everyone I see comes from a new era. It is difficult to predict what their mannerisms will be. So what brings you to my corner of the world, young Archonian?” Kavin asked.
William’s heart skipped a beat. He knows. William was speechless, and Shou took the initiative.
“We have a problem. One of my friends is being held captive by a tyrant named Vanity. He has charged us with the destruction of the creature,” Shou offered, as Kavin already knew what he meant.
“Ah, another soul seeking Karma. Demons have been coming to me for centuries, you know, asking for the very same thing. Each has foolishly met their demise. Come to think of it, hasn’t your little trio come to me before, asking for aid in this endeavor. I believe I told you to give it up,” Kavin said, stoking his fire again.
The room was getting warm now from the bodies and the fire. The incense was making it hard to breathe. William kept his mouth shut, deciding it would be better to merely listen in this conversation.
“Yes, but this time we must go through with it. We do not have any other choice,” Shou said, ominously.
Kavin erupted into a laugh that turned into a coughing fit.
“And you wished to know how I managed to escape?” Kavin stated, plainly.
“Yes, that would be helpful. In fact, any information will be helpful,” Leopoldo said, helping Kavin with a mug he couldn’t quite reach.
“It seemed that luck was on my side. Despite what many believe this beast does not cause misfortune. That is a much greater power. In my ancient religion, when I dwelled back in the land of the living, my people believed that we were judged for every action that you make. If you did something inherently good, then in your next life good things would happen to you. Of course, the opposite is true as well. I did many bad things back in the mortal plain, and didn’t heed this warning from my elders, and as you can see I have suffered greatly in this life,” he said, trying to form a smile with his disfigured face.
William impulsively averted his eyes. He was almost ashamed to look at the poor man. He seemed to be kind enough. Perhaps he learned his lesson, and was trying to find his own version of redemption. Silence followed, so Kavin continued.
“I will caution each one of you, as I have so many before you. Abandon this quest. You will only serve to make this creature stronger.” He fiddled with his cane. Kavin seemed to already know what William was going to say. He could probably see it in his eyes.
William took a deep breath and spoke. “There is no other way, and I won’t abandon Tamara to die because of my actions. Shou, Leopoldo, I won’t ask you to risk your future for me, but this is the only way to get close enough to Vanity to destroy him.”
Kavin studied William intently. The fire flickered in his eyes and William could almost see the thoughts swimming in his pupils. Then with surprising speed he scurried over until he was mere inches from Williams face. His gnarled hand grabbed his chin. With strength unbefitting his size, Kavin held his face firmly in place.
“Those are such noble words from such a rude vessel. They move even this old husk of a man. I will help you with your quest, young one.” Leopoldo and Shou perked up at this statement.
“That is kind of you. How can you help us?” William asked, as Kavin hobbled away.
William got up, and followed Kavin, steadying him as he walked over to a table littered with old maps. The tiny man tossed aside many of them carelessly, until he found the one he was looking for. Then he sat down in a chair next to the fire.
“This map will guide you. The beast lies deep in the recesses of this world. In a prison created by a group of patriarchs long ago. You will travel through fire, water, and darkness, but these are the least of your worries. The beast itself is named as such, because it uses your worst memories against you. It invades your mind, and creates illusions. You will re-live your worst nightmares, but not only this. It causes you pain. Though only a product of your mind, it becomes more unbearable the closer you get to it. With both the pain throughout your entire body, and horrible images blind
ing you, there is little hope that you will even find the creature. I myself only made it close enough to hear it breathing. The repulsive smell is as vivid in my mind today as it was that day so many centuries ago. In the end, my salvation was my appearance. The beast only wants to absorb that which will make it stronger,” he finished, wheezing again.
William listened so intently that when Kavin finished his story he had to snap himself out of thought. He looked down at the crinkled old map in front of him, which looked more like the scribblings of a mad man. It almost sounded like a poem.
Down into blackness.
Right of the flame.
Under the water,
and into the pain.
There was a rough picture of a pathway from the eastern mountains of Dichonia to a black dot, where William guessed the journey would begin.
Looks simple enough.
Kavin spoke as if he had read William’s mind. “It looks simple yes, but it is a very treacherous journey,” he stated.
“How were you able to make it?” William asked. Kavin began to cough, which turned into a wheezing laugh.
“I have gifts, my friend. There is a reason why your tyrant Vanity leaves my little village alone,” he replied with a crinkled smile.
William just nodded, and smiled back.
“But enough of your task. You have intrigued me, young warrior, and I will ask you to stay for dinner,” he said. William, not wanting to be rude, agreed.
Kavin cooked something that smelled decent, but looked as if it was made from vomit. William was apprehensive when he pulled the pot from the fire. He slowly put a spoon full to his mouth, and closed his eyes, trying to imagine that it was something delicious. To his amazement, it tasted ok. Leopoldo and Shou both ate theirs respectfully as well. Nobody asked what was in the stew.
The rest of the evening the three men listened to Kavin retell wild stories from centuries past.
“I once ruled these lands, before that little bastard Francois took them from me,” Kavin said.