by A D Lombardo
The man Kai believed was Lucca spoke again. “Are you each willing to leave behind the ways of the modern world?”
“I am,” they said in unison.
The first woman spoke. “Do you promise to protect and keep the secrets of the Katori, guard them with your life?”
“I do,” they said in unison.
“Do you commit yourself to the bonding of your spirit to the protection of Alenga, the mother of all nature?” Lucca asked.
“I do,” they said in unison.
“You cannot continue together. Choose your path, follow it to the end, and carve out your crystal. Your stone will help you control and withstand the force of your magic. Our spirits are not capable of manipulating such raw energy. Alenga created this crystal mountain to encapsulate part of our power. When she blesses you, she will reveal your gifts by filling your crystal with color: red means you’re a Stoneking, green for a Kodama, purple for a Weathervane, blue for a Beastmaster, and yellow is for a Lumen. You will understand soon enough what Alenga has in store for you. We will see you at the end.”
Separately, Rayna and Kai both walked around opposite sides of the small pool. Rayna quickly chose and walked down the path to the left. She did not look back. Kai stood before his only choice. The cave did not call to him, but something did.
From a voice high above came the command. “You must choose.”
He knew they were right—his body burned, his chest seemed to get hotter. He closed his eyes and placed his hand on his chest. His gleaning revealed a third choice. He pressed his hands against the wall. It did not budge.
The voices above began to whisper and chatter. Kai pushed again—still nothing. More chatter echoed above. He knew there was an opening here, but why would it not open. Then he heard a word resonate within his mind—strength. The thought was a test. Kai considered what the word meant. Clearly, brute strength would not open this hidden door. The words of his uncle Haygan came to mind—you have a strong spirit. It would take his strength of spirit to open the door.
Kai folded his hands in prayer. “Alenga, give me strength and show me the path.” In silence, he waited. Nothing happened. Then he leaned his feverish forehead onto the cold stone. A small light beamed from the remaining open path, tempting him to take the easy choice. Still he waited.
“Alenga, give me strength to take the difficult path. My faith will take me on the true path you set for me.”
Light beamed along the floor at his feet, and the wall started to give way. He felt it give a little, then a little more. He pushed against the wall. Finally, there was a space large enough for him to slip through and he let go of the stone slab. It slowly slid back into place, sealing him into another room.
The chill in the room felt refreshing against his hot skin. Steam rose off his damp clothes, and tiny clouds of smoke formed on his breath. The glow of white crystals beaded around the wall. In the center of the room was a stone pedestal; it held a double-headed hammer and a large metal chisel. Kai took both and looked around the room.
Eyes closed, he gleaned the rocky wall. He could see the chisel marks from others before him. He searched for the crystal that called to him. White light emanated from one spot on the wall. Sweat dripped from his face, and his chest burned in agony. He did his best to calm his breathing and focus on his task.
He placed the sharp point of the chisel against the wall and used the hammer to carve out a chunk of rock-encased crystal. After each strike, he pulled the chisel out of the stone and moved it around the edge of his crystal, careful not to strike it. He landed several more blows on the nail head. One last hit and his stone came free.
Finished with the tools, he set them back on the pedestal. In doing so, it sank deeper and deeper into the stone floor. As the stand went into the ground, it slowly revealed a spiral staircase descending deep into the floor.
Kai followed the staircase down. Star-crystals illuminated the walls as he went. At the bottom, he smelled a hint of fresh air. Hundreds of star-crystals illuminated the corridor. As he continued, the walls began to weep, and the ground started to slope. Soon the grade became so steep that he slipped onto his side and began to slide downward. The smooth wet stone rushed him through the illuminated tunnel.
The ground dropped and twisted to the left, propelling him faster and faster. The next drop spun Kai to the right. He slid high up the curved wall. Water sloshed around him. The ride excited him, and he whooped with excitement.
The meandering ride continued for several minutes before another drop propelled him straight down. Water rushed by his face, nearly choking him. He covered his nose and mouth. A change in the slide eased him upward, reducing his speed. Another turn deposited him into a small pool. He sat up in the water. The air was warm and sweet.
Kai climbed out of the shallow pool. A warm breeze blew against his wet face. Sunlight leaked into the cave. The walls expanded and sunlight streamed down from above. Suddenly he knew that he was at the beginning of something new; all he had to do was trust Alenga to guide him. With faith in his heart, he stepped out of the tunnel.
Chapter 8
Alenga’s Blessing
Kai walked out of the mountain and into a large glen. The sunshine was too bright for his eyes, which had become accustomed to the dark. He squinted against the grandeur. The jagged mountain ridge curled around them, creating a surreal meadow. Kai’s eyes adjusted. He observed the faces of the people who had come to welcome him. Strangers everywhere. The crowd came closer.
Eagles swooped down from the sky, transforming into people. Beasts of all types changed into people. Kai was in awe. Great trees in the meadow morphed into women. Each person was dressed in flowing linen and silk clothes. They wore a variety of an assortment of colors. There were shades of red, blue, purple, and green, with only three in yellow. He noticed their clothes matched their crystals. The one thing they all had in common: no shoes. Their smiles seemed welcoming, yet Kai was unsure how to feel.
Concerned, he looked back toward the cave. Where was Rayna?
Whispers from the crowd brought his attention forefront. The crowd drew him closer. The same feeling he had felt from Diu was now intensified here. Something called to him. All this time, he’d thought it was the mountain or the magic within the crystals, but it was much more. Everything here had a thrum of power.
Compelled to move forward, he edged around more strangers. They bowed and smiled, welcoming him. One man stepped through the crowd, followed by a woman. Finally, there were faces he recognized. “Haygan. Simone.” He grabbed Haygan’s outstretched arm.
They greeted him with pleasant smiles and ushered him down a smooth stone path. In fact, they were nearly pushing him to another small gathering of people. “Kai, come quickly. You need to hurry.”
When they parted, he saw Rayna. She had changed.
Gone were her muddy boots and wet clothing. Her wet hair was neatly brushed and swept over one shoulder. She stood in her bare feet and wore a bright white linen dress. She too was clutching a fist-sized rock-encrusted crystal. Yulia stood by her side.
“Yulia, how did you get here so fast?” Kai whispered.
Her toothy grin bubbled into laughter. “Dragons fly over the mountains, and I know a few.”
Before he could ask more, Haygan and a few other men ushered Kai into a moss-covered stone gazebo. Thick green ivy covered the arched marble opening, concealing him from view. “Change into the white linen clothes on the bench,” Haygan instructed from outside. “Do so quickly.”
Vines or not, it was a little embarrassing to change publicly, but Kai quickly did as he was told. He struggled to remove his wet clothing. His damp things plopped on the white marble floor. A burst of wind whipped down from above through the gazebo and dried his skin. He hurried to put on the clothing provided. Like Rayna, he was now dressed in white linen pants and a white shirt. The material was soft and flowy.
In one hand, he held the stone he had carved out of Alenga’s mountain. In the ot
her, he held his mother’s necklace. Unsure he should take it with him, he slipped it into his boot and stuffed his socks inside to ensure it would not be noticed.
“Ready,” Kai announced, running his fingers through his hair.
Haygan again took him by the arm. “We need to hurry.”
Beads of perspiration began to form on Kai’s brow. Sweat ran down his back. Again, he felt an urge to move forward. The power of Alenga pulled at his core. He clutched his stone and took note of his surroundings.
Two massive weeping willows sprang up where the mountain ridge ended, protecting the entrance to the secluded garden. Their long tendril curtains nearly touched the path. Two women in purple swirled their hands, and a delicate breeze parted the vines for the crowd to pass.
Together they traveled along a white marble path that curved through a magical garden. Occasionally the path arched over an iridescent blue stream. Wildflowers and blooming trees dotted the landscape. Kai could feel the energy in the air. Magic rubbed against his soul. He felt happy.
Katori was much more than Kendra and Liam’s descriptions. There were graceful stone gazebos, pergolas, and bridges, all modestly laced with flowery moss and variegated vines. There were sprawling gardens, each connected by endless blue waterways and delightful fountains and curvy white marble paths. Everywhere he looked there was harmony.
Unlike home, Katori gardens replaced the symmetry of Diu gardens with twisting pathways, mythical sculptures, and exotic flowers. There were green plants, arched stonework, sculpted cascades of stone and water. It was a delightful display of flowers, vines, and trees.
The sounds of bird song echoed on the wind. Birds of color fluttered across the deep blue sky. Wild animals slinked through the flowers. He saw three wolves and a mountain cat. Butterflies and hummingbirds buzzed from flower to flower.
Massive trees stood around the edge of the garden, beset with egglike structures made of living vines and branches, intertwined with stone spirals and connected sagging bridges. Strange-looking windmills swirled in the distance. There was so much to take in at one time. They were moving too fast. Kai wanted to gawk.
Haygan rushed Rayna and Kai towards a large structure. Through the flowering trees, Kai caught a glimpse of the Agora’s white and gray marble. Kendra was right, the stone curves and twists around the edifice looked alive. It appeared to sprout out of the ground. The rotunda had eight curvy arched entrances, one for each side of the octagonal building.
The closer they came to the Agora, the more power he felt. Peace washed over him. Energy coursed through his veins. The structure, or rather an essence inside, emanated a great power. Even the trees nearby swirled with energy, and each had grown twisted. Shafts of power had curled the trees into individual sculptures.
At the entrance, an older man awaited them. Kai was speechless. He had never seen an old Katori person before. He had wondered if any of them ever aged. The man’s skin was rugged, and his expression was serious yet playful. He stood straight and tall. If it were not for his long white hair blowing in the breeze and tan complexion, he could have been a statue.
“My name is Orin, Stoneking. I am the master of crystals. Hand me your stone,” he said to Rayna.
She cupped her precious stone in both hands, offering it to him.
Orin placed one hand atop the stone and the other underneath Rayna's hands. He looked deep into her eyes. His toothy smile brought a giggle to Rayna’s lips. With a bow, he took her stone. He rolled it over in his hands. Bits of ordinary rock fell away like dust through his fingers.
The sound of stone being crushed rumbled from Orin’s cupped hands. He worked quickly to remove the unnecessary bits. More dust slipped through his fingers. The wind blew away the unwanted material, and Kai caught a glimpse of her true stone emerging.
Orin pressed the crystal between his palms. White sparks slipped through his fingers. Rayna shielded her face. The old man ran his fingers around the remaining gem, creating the final shape. Finished, Orin opened his hands. He handed Rayna a smooth white teardrop crystal. “I see many tears in your future, some of pain, and some of great joy. Let them be a testament to the bold woman you will become.”
Then he extended his hand to Kai. “May I have your stone, please?” Orin asked.
Kai held out his rock-encrusted crystal. Orin’s vise-like grip surrounded his; Kai felt the warmth in the man’s touch. Orin’s cosmic blue eyes looked deep into Kai’s. It felt as if the man was searching his soul. Then the old man bowed. He took the stone and quickly began to roll his hands around it.
As before, plain rock disintegrated in his hands and blew away in the breeze. When he pressed against the stone, he shifted his hands from side to side. His fingers rubbed and pinched at the emerging crystal. Sparks blinded Kai from seeing the finer points of creation. Orin’s maneuvers were slightly different this time. Finished, he opened his hand and gave Kai his crystal, now transformed into a white hexagonal shape. “The hexagon is the strongest shape known to me. You have a strong spirit, use it to protect others.”
Kai thanked Orin and entered the Agora. The stunning room was spacious and grand. He wondered if the entire Diu palace could fit inside this massive space. Around the perimeter, arches and towers created smaller meeting spaces. The alcoves were already full of people, many holding round cushions. They appeared to be waiting.
In the center, there was a clear pool, shallow and roughly twenty feet across. Straight above, the roof swooped upward to a matching opening to the sky. Sunshine bathed the pool below. Kai and Rayna approached. At the bottom of the natural spring, Kai noticed the three interlocking loops with no end. The design was set into the stone and illuminated in blue crystal.
Haygan directed them both to wade into the water. “This is the celestial spirit pool. Both of you: enter together with your crystals. May Alenga restore your health, replenish your spirit, and bless your future.” With a bow, he backed away and sat beside Simone.
The crowd sat, eagerly waiting, their posture angled inward towards the pool. Kai looked at the water’s shimmering smooth surface. Light glistened down from the mirroring circle above. As instructed, he waded into the pool. Energy-charged water invigorated his body. Pure magic seeped into his skin. He could feel the power building around him. The water beckoned him deeper.
The crowd began to hum. Power filled the air.
One step, then another, Kai went deeper, Rayna at his side. The water temperature was refreshing against his hot skin. On the fourth step, Rayna paused, glanced at Kai, and stepped forward. She sank below the water’s surface. A bright light surrounded her. The power within the pool became intense.
Kai felt a presence call to him. Peace swelled in his heart and mind. He too stepped off the last step and plunged under the water. Light burst into every bruise, welt, scrape, and gash. The water bubbled with fury, and the temperature rose. He felt a heatwave consume him. The essence of healing poured through him. His bones felt stronger, his muscles strengthened, and his mind cleared.
The temperature cooled to a comfortable lukewarm. The heat within was gone. For the first time in weeks, Kai felt free of the heat, the ache in his bones, and the pressure in his chest. Warm white light surrounded him. The face of a woman appeared before him.
Without words, he knew who she was—the sacred mother Alenga. Her iridescent blue glow bloomed in front of his eyes. Her hair floated outward around her head. He had seen her before. She had saved him that day in Port Anahita when he’d nearly drowned.
She pressed her hand over his heart. Alenga spoke to him. “Breathe, my child. You are made of this water.”
Kai took in a breath, and his lungs filled with the sacred water, yet he could still breathe. He could feel the power within the water healing his lungs. Alenga touched her fingers to his forehead. Again she spoke. “See, my child, how we came to be…what we were given.”
Kai’s mind exploded with images. His body convulsed with the connection to Alenga. Light pushed against t
he dark. Stars pricked against the black sky. Plants crept across a vast landscape in blooms of color. He saw towering trees. The ground shifted to change the rolling landscape. Rivers and oceans carved the world into segments. Creatures roamed the land and sea. The birth of nature was a powerful moment.
Alenga wrapped her hands around his fist. “Understand that everything is connected. Nothing is ever lost, only changed. Bring home your brothers and sisters.”
An awakening stirred Kai’s spirit. Raw energy swelled in his soul. Alenga clasped her hands around his, the crystal held tight within. His fist glowed as bright as the sun. He closed his eyes against the blinding light. Magic coursed through his crystal, raced up his arm, and washed through his body.
He could feel the building blocks of nature, the flexibility tangible within his core. Creatures large and small came to his mind. There was a visceral connection to each. He somehow understood that he would become a Beastmaster. When the light faded, he saw Alenga’s face clearly once more.
She leaned in close next to his ear. “Understand and remember,” she whispered, touching his forehead one final time.
Mesmerized by his experience, Kai closed his eyes and felt Alenga fade away. Slowly he floated to the surface. A delicate breeze blew across his face, and he inhaled fresh air. Barely lucid, he sensed his uncle Haygan. Still, Kai lingered between worlds. Haygan lifted Kai from the pool and laid him on a soft mat.
Kai felt the stone in his hand, yet he sensed the mountain range from whence it came—a mountain inside another mountain. He felt the air fill his lungs, and yet his mind floated on the breeze which blew over the vastness of this world. Layers of time pressed against themselves. He saw his childhood, his struggles, his pain. Faces flashed in his mind: his mother and father, his uncle Haygan, Rayna, Kendra, Davi’s tribe.
Lost between the here and now, Kai’s spirit drifted on the knowledge he’d been given—access to history itself. War and peace, loss and rebirth, love and hate, regret and joy, fear, and trust. Emotional awareness. And still, the soft mat against his back was ever-present.