by Lyra Shanti
Hearing herself speak such words of commitment, Ona wondered why she feared him in her dreams for so long. She looked at his tearful, beautiful face and realized how wrong she had been about him. He wasn't a man hell-bent on dominating her. He was a man full of emotion who had been through the most brutal experiences. If he was guilty of hurting anyone, it was only himself.
Suddenly, it dawned on her. The nightmares had been trying to tell her she had to heal him of his tendency to hate himself. She now realized that in her dreams, The Great Adin inside Ayn was being suppressed and beaten by his darker side. That darkness was currently surrounding Ayn, threatening to smother him in guilt and sorrow, and only she could help him see the light inside his soul. Ona felt important, yet terrified. She didn't want to fail him!
“Ayn, please, listen to me,” she hushed him while stroking the collar of his light-blue vest, “if nothing else, know this much: you were meant to come to Kri and open my heart. The truth is, I've always felt cold inside. I've been like a frozen flower in winter, unable to be warmed by the sun. I've learned well in science and politics, but I've never understood how to give and receive love. Much of that is probably due to losing my mother so early in my life. Yes, I loved... love my father, but he wasn't exactly there for me. He was supportive, but not the most emotionally giving man, and I think he kept a distance with me because I looked so much like my mother.”
Sighing, Ona then added, “What I'm trying to say, Ayn, is that you are the one who has opened me - you, and only you. For that, I'm deeply grateful, and I want to make you feel the same. Please let me reach you, my glorious one. If you let me, I will heal you, and I will love you... forever.”
Ayn felt out of breath and light-headed.
“Oh, my Ona!” he said as he grabbed her tightly. Feeling her body against him, his blood raced and his heart swelled. He then kissed her ferociously, and for the first time in his life, he felt entirely like a man.
–
Looking into the mirror of Jin's room in the infirmary, Meddhi's mind raced. He desperately wanted to remember more about the man he used to be, not just because of his recent vision of Amya holding Ayn, but because he felt so empty, as though someone was holding his soul hostage.
Without memories, what are we? he thought as he stared into the mirror. Looking back at him, his reflection appeared much older and wiser than he felt. His face was that of a man in his early forties with creases on the sides of his dark-blue eyes. His short, black hair only had slight traces of gray, but he still didn't feel as old as his image looked. He wanted to run away from it, but couldn't stop staring at the deceiving visage.
“What are you looking at?” came a small voice. It was Iliya, and she was wearing a white nurse's dress. Meddhi smiled, thinking she looked absolutely adorable. He wasn't sure if he'd known her on Deius, but he instinctively sensed her heart was pure.
“I... don't know. Myself, I guess.”
“Well, if you get tired of doing that, Mr. Vain, can you help me with Jin's medicine? He gets two shots of pain killers after he eats, and I could use someone to help me with distracting him. He remembers you, I think, and it would probably help him feel better to talk to you while he gets his shots.”
“Of course. I'd be glad to help,” said Meddhi with a smile. He was actually desperate to help – to feel useful – and he craved distraction from his own issues.
Iliya smiled and took his hand, leading him to the room where Jin was recuperating. Meddhi was glad to see Jin actually sitting up, something he couldn't do just a day ago. He still had massive trauma to his forehead, as well as a few broken ribs and a broken arm, but he seemed much better than the last time Meddhi saw him.
“How are you feeling?' Meddhi asked as he walked to the side of Jin's bed.
“I've... been better,” Jin replied, groggily. He hadn't seen Meddhi before since his eyes had been too swollen to open, but he had heard his voice. Jin had assumed Meddhi was a doctor or nurse. There was no way for him to prepare for what he saw when he looked at Meddhi's face.
Gasping, Jin felt his sore ribs ache as he uncontrollably flinched.
“What is this?!” he blurted. “Who are you?!”
Iliya came to Jin's bed and pet his hand. “It's alright,” she gently cooed. “This is Meddhi. He's a regenerated version of your old High Priest. He was brought back to life by a doctor named Hessen. He's basically the same as before, but he's even better now, in my opinion. He's nicer now, I think.”
Jin looked at Iliya with a shocked, yet somewhat amused expression. “What?” he said, unable to really process her words.
“He's Meddhi-Lan,” she said with a decisive nod of her head. “Don't you remember him?”
“Meddhi-Lan was shot!” Jin replied. “I saw it with my own eyes!”
“This isn't good,” said Meddhi. “He's getting quite agitated, and he should be resting. I... should go.”
As Meddhi turned to leave, Jin cried, “No, wait! Please don't leave. I want you to explain everything... about what happened... to both of us. Just tell me... everything.”
Meddhi nodded, then sat down in a chair next to Jin's bed. As he proceeded to explain all of what he himself remembered, Jin interrupted with questions, some of which Iliya was better at explaining. Together, they distracted Jin very well – so much that he barely noticed when the nurses gave him his shots.
Jin yawned, then sleepily said, “I can't believe they've figured out how to bring back the dead. If Amun-Lan was here, he would be horrified.”
“Thank the Gods he's not here then,” said Meddhi as a twinge of bitterness swept through his subconscious. Meddhi wasn't sure why, but he felt almost glad to be rid of his old teacher. It seemed a bit cruel, but he couldn't help it. He wondered if Amun-Lan had done something awful to him once. If only he could remember.
“And... The Bodanya is alive?” asked Jin. “I can't believe that!”
“Isn't it amazing?!” said Iliya, who had gotten the truth about Ayn out of Pei before he left for Sirin. “Now Ayn can save us all from Notama and everyone else who is evil!”
“Wait a minute, Iliya,” said Meddhi. “It's not exactly that easy.”
“Why not?” she asked, pouting. “He's The Bodanya! He's supposed to save us!”
“Well, I'm sure he will, in time, and in his own way. You shouldn't have such high expectations though. He's obviously been through a lot. We need to give him time to recover.”
“But!”
“No, Iliya,” scolded Jin, “Meddhi is right. The Shiva Bodanya has already done so much, just by surviving. I am sure he will save us when the time is right. We need to have faith.”
Iliya pursed her lips together and folded her arms. “Well, he should hurry up,” she willfully replied. “I want my home back!”
“We will all go home,” said Meddhi, “when the Gods decide it is time.
“Well, I hope the Gods hurry up and decide already!”
Both Meddhi and Jin laughed at her stubbornness, though it seemed to hurt Jin's body to do so.
“You really should get some rest,” said Meddhi.
“I've been resting for too long,” replied Jin. “I want to be awake! I want to fight for our home.”
“Believe me, my friend, I feel exactly the same way, but you'll be of no use to anyone in this condition, and I, in turn, won't be any good without my memories. There is still much recuperating we all must do before we're ready for a fight.”
Jin nodded, impressed with this new Meddhi, and his ability to give him words of wisdom, like he had done as High Priest.
“Meddhi...” Jin softly spoke.
“Yes?”
“Even though it was a sin for them to have brought you back, I’m glad you're alive. I missed you.”
“Thank you, Jin. I'm glad you're alive as well. Now, please, get some rest. We'll talk more soon.”
Jin nodded as Iliya helped him lie down.
“Good boy,” she said with a smile.
Med
dhi slowly walked out of the room and waited for Iliya to join him. She came a few moments later and said, “Do you think he'll be alright? I have prayed every night that he'll make it through this.”
“I don't know, Iliya,” Meddhi replied honestly. “These things are hard to foresee.
“Well, he better,” she said with her chin up. “I think he might be my soul-mate.”
Tickled by her proud, Shiva-like confidence, Meddhi smiled then bent to his knees, looking at Iliya's face. “Then I am certain he'll make it. He has love to fight for, and when a man has that, nothing – not even death – can stop him.”
Iliya smiled wide, then gave Meddhi a big hug.
“I'm glad you're alive too,” she said by his right ear.
“I'm glad as well,” he replied. “Now how about you and I find something to eat. I don't know about you, but I'm starving.”
Nodding happily, Iliya walked through the marble halls of the palace, hand-in-hand with Meddhi. Once arriving at the dining hall, they enjoyed dinner together, taking comfort in each other's company as hope slowly returned to their hearts.
–
Looking into Ona's sparkling green eyes, Ayn felt lost, and yet, found. He stroked her soft, dark auburn hair, which hung to her waist, and he wondered how he had ever lived without her.
His feelings were so intense and had happened so fast, though that didn't make it any less real or true. He only hoped Ona felt the same.
He may not have known, but Ona was just as drunk in love and desire, a state of being she never thought she would experience. Yet, here she was, feeling faint in his arms.
Lost in each other, they didn't notice the sun had set, revealing the stars and the bright moon of Kri. They had spent the afternoon sitting under the hanging tree in the garden, talking and kissing. It was the best day of Ayn's young, tumultuous life, and he hoped it would never end.
“Ona...”
“Yes, Ayn?”
“Do you really think you could love a man like me?”
“A man like you? What do you mean?”
“A man who is neither a man, nor a God, but someone stuck in between. I feel so crazy most of the time, Ona. Are you sure you love me?”
She smiled and pet his neck. “My silly, beautiful one, I am very sure. I know I can love you... because I already adore you.”
Overwhelmed by her words of love, Ayn gently pulled her by her waist and gave a passionate kiss.
No thoughts, no doubts... only love, he told himself.
Just then, a strange noise disturbed the young lovers. There was a great whirring sound that seemed to be coming closer and closer, getting louder every second.
“What is that noise?” asked Ona.
“I don't know,” Ayn replied, confused. He looked around and saw nothing out of the ordinary, only flowers and trees, surrounded by grass and a plasma-lit stone pathway, which twinkled in the moonlight.
The sound, however, seemed to be coming from somewhere up above. They looked to the sky and saw a glowing ball of light.
“Is that a shooting star, or a meteor perhaps?” asked Ona, a little afraid.
As Ayn noticed that the glowing ball seemed to be zooming straight at them, he quickly shouted, “I don't think so!” He then grabbed Ona's hand and ducked with her behind the hanging tree.
Not knowing what was happening, Ona hid in Ayn's chest behind the tree. The loud whirring crashed with a bang, and then all was quiet again.
Peeking out from the tree, Ayn and Ona saw a sight they never would have expected. It was Axis in Sarax form with Srah on top his back!
Then, in a matter of seconds, Axis changed into his Sirini body and ran up to Ayn saying, “Thank the heavens I found you!” He then hugged Ayn tight.
Shocked by what he saw, Ayn said, “Axis?! Is it really you?!”
“Yes!” replied Axis with an excited smile. “Don't you recognize me?”
“Well,” said Ayn, “you look... different.”
“No I don't,” replied Axis with a shrug. “Anyway, Ayn, you have to come with me! There's no time to explain. Just get on my back with Srah, and I'll take you to Sirin so that-”
“Wait... what?!” Ayn interrupted.
“We have to go to Sirin!” shouted Axis.
“Why?” asked Ayn, utterly confused.
“I'll explain on the way!”
“No, Axis, explain now!”
Srah, who had been trying to orient herself after the trip through time and space, finally said, “Axis, let me explain things to Ayn. You can take this moment to rest for a moment."
“How can I rest?!” cried Axis.
“Just try, my love,” Srah replied as she gently rubbed Axis' back. “Save your strength for the trip back.”
“I'm fine,” said Axis with a pout. “It's you who tires so easily.”
Srah shook her head and smirked.
“Ayn,” she said, walking up closer to him and Ona, “Sirin is in grave danger. There is a creature of great power there, and he has awakened, killing all who come across his path. Axis and I have tried speaking with it, but it hasn't worked. The creature isn't sane, and if it's not stopped, we think it might destroy, not only Sirin, but possibly the entire universe!”
“Yes!” added Axis. “We need you, Ayn! I mean… I need you! Only you can help me do whatever it takes to stop this… thing! I never knew what to do on my own, but you always knew! So, before everyone died on Sirin, I decided to go back in time, your time, that is, to ask for your help. We can fight this insane Sarax together! I know we can! I don’t know how, but we will!”
“Alright, hold on, Axis,” said Ayn, trying to process everything they had bombarded him with. “What exactly happened?”
“I told you already, but fine, I'll try to give more details,” Axis replied, annoyed. “It is a Sarax, but not right in the head. It’s gone insane or something. I’m not sure how, but it’s changed - mutated somehow into something terrible!”
“According to Sirini legend,” said Srah, “the monster’s name is Raxas, and it is extremely old.”
“Raxas?” said Ona. “I’ve heard that name before. The Raxas is indeed an ancient Sirini legend. He is the mountain God who protects the untapped energy in the holy lands of Sirin. Why would such a noble creature want to kill its own people?”
“Because its gone insane!” Axis replied. “Didn’t you hear me?!”
Srah looked at Axis and telepathically scolded him, saying, Shh! Didn’t I tell you not to be rude?
Axis was about to defend himself, but one hard look from Srah hushed him up tight.
Ayn sighed and said, “So… this insane creature is impossible to stop?”
“It seems that way,” said Srah. “Not even the Lirhan warriors could stop them.”
“They all died!” shouted Axis. “That’s why I had to go back and find you! You’re my missing strength, Ayn! You have to come with me and find a way to stop the monster!”
“Wait,” said Ona, now fully panicked, “are you saying that General Reese is dead?!”
“Yes…” Axis sadly replied. “Well, no. I mean, not yet.”
“What does that mean?” Ona nearly yelled.
“It means if you come back with me, we can save her, and everyone, before that even happens!”
Ona was baffled, but understood Reese was in mortal danger. “Ayn,” she said, turning to him, “can you save her?”
Ayn didn’t want to disappoint his beloved princess, or any of them, but he wasn’t sure what he was capable of. He still wasn’t certain he could control the Adin side of him, nor had he ever faced an insane Sarax before. However, he knew he had to try.
“I’ll do my best,” said Ayn as he nodded to Axis who smiled proudly in return.
“Good, get on my back!” exclaimed Axis as he instantaneously turned back into his Sarax form.
Ona was scared; Ayn could tell by her expression.
“It’s alright, my love,” he said as he grabbed onto Axis’ back and jumpe
d on. “I promise to return soon… and in one piece. I love you, Ona. My heart is with you, no matter what happens.”
Ona’s brow knotted in fear, yet she forced a smile and replied, “I love you too, Ayn. Please, be careful, and come back soon.” She felt as though she had no power over his leaving or staying. He was The Bodanya, and she had no choice but to let him go.
“Come on, Srah!” said Axis. “Get on my back too! As much as I wish for you to stay safe here on Kri, I know your people will need you to be with them to give them hope. Besides, I need you too.”
Srah nodded, then jumped up to sit behind Ayn on Axis’ back. Axis then began to lift from the ground. Nervously, he said to Ayn, “So… what are we going to do to stop the monster?”
Ayn smirked, saying, “First, before we leave, you’re going to take me to the training room in the palace. Then, we’re going to convince The Great Adin to fight against a Sarax, though he probably won’t do it willingly.”
“How are we going to do that?” questioned Axis as he flew toward the palace.
Ayn grinned and said, “With a relic.”
Chapter 14: The Riddle
As Reese prepared herself for a rather painful death full of teeth and digestion, she suddenly heard a loud rumbling in the sky, which caused the giant monster holding her to drop her down onto the ground. Somehow, the sound seemed to disturb the creature so greatly that it reached with its long, dragon looking claws for the side of its enormous, lion-like head, appearing as though it was in utter agony.
Despite her sprained ankle, Reese stumbled over to where Vuntu lay unconscious and tried her best to wake him. “Come on!” she yelled. “Now's our chance! Get up!”
It was no use. He was either dead or knocked out. Reese knew she'd have to defend them both somehow. Noticing where Vuntu's spear had fallen, she decided to make a break for it. While the monster still wailed from the thunderous rumbling in the sky, Reese ran across the clearing of the mountain and grabbed Vuntu's spear.