The Year of the Lumin

by Andrew Ryan Henke

  A silence came over the room. Grandel repeated, “We need them to fight each other first or we will be crushed.”

  Elrid added, “Given the fact that this is technically Tierian territory, that will give the Tierian forces enough reason to attack the Chrion forces.”

  Noir thought about all of the soldiers he had traveled with for the past week. “Sirs, we can’t just let them kill each other. We should do something.”

  Cairn acted as though he was flabbergasted at what Noir had said. “We should do something? They are here to destroy us. They will not falter with their blade stroke, we should not present to them our vitals.”

  Grandel asked, “What do you mean 'do something?'”

  Noir fumbled for words. “I don’t know. Negotiate? Something.”

  Cairn drew down his brow and said to Grandel, “Why is this boy here again, Grandel?”

  Grandel shot a stern look at Cairn. “That is enough, Cairn.”

  Adeel said, “That’s just not possible, Noir. You don’t know the deep-seated hatred that these two groups of people have for each other. We need to worry about Talik.”

  Noir motioned to Asiada and himself. “We traveled with those Chiron soldiers. We got to know some of them. They are just following orders.”

  Grandel said with growing frustration in his voice, “They chose their path. They have already given their lives to Chiron.”

  Noir laughed with disbelief. “That doesn’t mean their lives aren't savable. If times were peaceful tomorrow, they would be alive. That means something.”

  Grandel, Elrid, and Cairn looked at each other. Cairn said after a moment, “We have things to discuss that aren’t drivel. Can we get this kid out of here?”

  Adeel said softly, “Noir, you aren’t making any sense. Those two war and kill each other all the time. It’s just the way of things.”

  Noir looked around at the others at the table. Though everyone would have said it in their own way, they seemed to be in agreement. Noir wasn’t sure why, but he suddenly felt resolute. “Then maybe it’s time we put effort into solving the problem rather than running away from it.”

  Grandel caught his meaning and stood up harshly. “Get out! Do not return until you get your thoughts straight and stop wasting our time.”

  Noir frowned then nodded. He walked toward the door as Asiada stood up and followed. Noir walked swiftly out of the building and into the cool night air. As he passed the guards at the door, Noir asked where the horses were. Asiada caught up to him and said, “I’m confused. Where are you going?”

  The guards answered his question and Noir walked in the direction they had pointed. “I can’t stay here while those people out there die. We are going back to the Chiron army.” They walked around the side of the town to where their horses had been taken.

  “What? Why are we going back there after all the effort to get here?”

  “We have to try to stop all of this from happening.” Noir found his horse and mounted it.

  Asiada grabbed the reigns of her horse as well but did not yet climb on. “And how in the world do you think you will do that?”

  Noir looked down at her and said, “Asiada, I don’t know, okay? I just know I have to try. Now are you coming with me or not?”

  Asiada looked up at Noir on his horse for a long moment. Seeing the young man atop his horse so resolute in his decision made Asiada see him in a new light.

  Asiada nodded and climbed onto her horse. “Yes, I am coming with you.”

  ~~~

  By the time Noir and Asiada could see the scattered sleeping shapes of the Chiron army in the distance, the pale light of morning was coming over the small hills to their left.

  Noir blinked away the gritty feeling that came with staying up for too long and rode forward. Asiada slumped wearily in her saddle. There had been no sign of Ratt during the night.

  They had been stopped by two sets of scouts circling the area. After answering a few questions, they let them proceed toward the army. Noir felt as though the fact that he was a Luxin made it easier to get by them. Most soldiers would have been accused of going to the enemy with information, but Luxins were desperately needed.

  Noir had decided that he needed to talk to General Fasiliar. They walked their horses through the ranks of men preparing for the day. Noir scanned the stirring men and found someone who did not look exceedingly busy. He quickly asked where Fasiliar was. When pointed in the right direction, he found the modestly unadorned tent that stood out no more than the others until they got close. One guard stood directly in front of the entrance. As they approached, soldiers standing nearby eyed them suspiciously.

  Noir approached the one guarding the tent opening and said, “I'm here to see General Fasiliar.”

  The man responded with a low cautious voice, “I have no word of a Luxin's arrival. Why do you need to see him?”

  “I have vital information about the upcoming war.”

  The man's face became stern. “And how have you come by this information?”

  Noir was unsure of how to answer. “It is just something that I know.”

  The guard responded with hesitation, “You are not making a very good case for yourself, Luxin.”

  Noir held out his hands in a pleading motion. “Please, you must let me speak to him. It is of the utmost importance.”

  “Then tell me and I will deliver the information. What is so important, Luxin?”

  Noir looked helplessly at Asiada beside him. She had a pitying look on her face that Noir did not understand. He turned back to the Chrion guard. “Look, this army is walking into a bloodbath for no reason. We need to turn back.”

  “So you embrace cowardice.” A few of the other guards around them chuckled. “We have found the traitor Grandel after years of searching. Why would we not proceed forward unless you vie for his safety?”

  Noir watched as the guard placed a cautious hand on the hilt of his sword and said, “No, that's not it. I just think--”

  “You are giving me great reason to doubt your intentions, Luxin. I suggest you turn back and guard our men as you are getting paid to do unless you want to be sent back to Chiron with a slave collar around your neck.”

  Noir saw no further benefit in talking to the man, so he gave a quick, small bow, turned, and walked away.

  ~~~

  Asiada quickened her step and came up beside Noir as he walked away from General Fasiliar's command tent. “So what now?”

  Noir did not answer for a few moments and instead weaved a path between the preparing men. Asiada was unsure if he did not know how to answer or did not want to. Tents were being taken down and bags packed. It looked as though the forces would be ready to move out in minutes.

  Finally Noir stopped at a spot that was out of earshot of the Chiron soldiers and looked Asiada in the eyes. “Now I have to try to stop the battle directly.”

  Asiada shook her head. “You're crazy, Noir. What are you even talking about?”

  “I'll have to protect both sides from harming each other.” Noir's face was drawn together as if he was perplexed about how to do what he had just said.

  Asiada reached out a hand and gently grabbed Noir's arm. “Noir, you can't do that. Men who are bent on destroying each other cannot be stopped by any normal means.”

  Oddly, Noir looked to the sky. “Then by normal means it will not be done.”

  Asiada searched Noir's face for some sign of what he was thinking. “What?”

  Noir grabbed both of Asiada's arms and looked her in the eyes. “What if Osarik's right, Asiada? It all makes too much sense.”

  Asiada broke Noir's slightly uncomfortable grip. “Oh, come on. You're believing him now?”

  “Think about it, Asiada. It fits too perfectly. I mean, how many people come from another world?”

  Asiada looked at the ground and said, “Actually--”

  Noir talked over her, “Well my cousin is too, but she can't be the Lumin. And Steven isn't....” he trailed off
.

  Osarik's voice came from behind them. “Therefore you are.” He walked up and held up a triumphant fist upward. “I am glad you are taking this seriously, now. Welcome to your destiny, Noir.

  Noir nodded to Osarik. “Do not get me wrong, Osarik. I admit the possibility.” Noir shook his head in self doubt. “But if it is, why do I not feel anything? I can do barely any more than any other Luxin.”

  Osarik replied, “You know the answer. I have seen you reading the prophecies vehemently. Answer your own question.”

  Noir thought through the Lumin prophecies and came to the second-to-last section. He recited the lines.

  The three vigors he will wield through denial. The chakra of all is the power of the Lumin. The fourth vigor he rides like a gull on an ocean breeze.

  “But how does that apply? I cannot use the other two vigors. I don't even understand the meaning of the rest of it.”

  Osarik bowed deeply. “I trust in you, Lumin. You will discover the meaning when necessity is met.” The man stood upright again. “My men will protect you in the upcoming battle if it is your wish to be a part of it.”

  Noir said, “Thank you, but I must say no. If you believe me to be the Lumin, then follow my desires.”

  Osarik nodded proudly. “State your desires then.”

  “Stop them from killing each other.”

  “I do not understand.”

  “Order your men to not harm anyone and to counter all offensive actions on both sides.”

  Osarik shifted his stance as though he was uncomfortable. “Noir, my men are trained in combat, not humanitarian missions.”

  Noir quickly turned and walked away. “Then return to Chiron. I have no need of you or your knights.”

  Asiada watched Osarik's eyes follow the young man. She noticed a sparkle of some odd emotion as he called to Noir. “Luxin Noir, stop.” Noir did. “I will try and do as you ask.” Osarik paused then said, “At each step you take, you reaffirm my beliefs in you three-fold.”

  Noir nodded and said, “Let us hope they are not misplaced,” then continued to walk away. Asiada quickly followed after him.

  Chapter 47

  The Year of the Lumin

  The Chiron army continued to march toward New Talik. The cliffs loomed in front of them but the first sign of the Tierian army had not yet been seen.

  Asiada was adamant about staying with Noir. He had tried to convince her to retreat or stay behind with some of the abandoned, no longer necessary equipment and the few slaves that the army had brought with them. But despite his wishes, she walked alongside him as they marched onward.

  Ratt was also troubling Noir greatly. He had sensed the change and growing dissent within Ratt, but he had not expected his friend to disappear. Noir pondered on then dismissed various theories that came to him as to where he had gone.

  Asiada followed at Noir's side. As they marched, Noir was subconsciously aware that something was bothering her, but he felt like he couldn't think about it with what was quickly approaching and what would befall them when the forces collided.

  “Hey,” Asiada said next to him. “Hey, Noir.”

  “What, Asiada?”

  She looked uncomfortable. “I know we already talked about this, but it has still been bothering me.” She looked at him for a response.

  “Yeah, what is it?”

  I hate to bring it up again, and I'm not sure how to say it.” She paused. “In your world where you're from... this will sound stupid I'm sure.”

  Noir looked at her. She continued with hurried speech. “Is there a green furry monster who is in a metal can in your world? I know it sounds stupid, but I swear I remember it.”

  Noir's mind reeled trying to figure out what she meant. It sounded bizarre, but somehow oddly familiar. “A green furry monster?” He thought, “Why would she be asking about something like this? Especially now.”

  “And also a giant yellow bird that talked. Oh, I can't believe I'm telling you this.”

  The faint familiar feeling suddenly gave way to recognition and Noir's knees began to feel weak. How in the world could this girl know about that?

  Asiada misinterpreted his shocked expression and said, “Okay, I know it was stupid. I'm sorry. Dad told me not to tell anyone. I just figured--”

  Noir stopped walking and interrupted her, “No, Asiada! Sesame Street! That was a show on television!” He spoke hurriedly. “They were puppets, not real. How... how is it possible for you to know about that?”

  Asiada also stopped and turned to face Noir. “You have that where you're from?! Noir, you've seen those things?” Her eyes immediately started to shed tears and she jumped at Noir. He struggled to not fall over as Asiada's weight was flung into him in a hug. She repeated over and over, “I'm not crazy. I'm not crazy. I was right all along.”

  As Noir held the girl, he tried to think of any way that she could possibly know about Sesame Street. Was it possible that he was not the first to go through that cave and end up in this world? Why hadn't she talked about it before?

  Marching soldiers broke their ranks to avoid Noir and Asiada embracing. Noir grabbed Asiada's shoulders and gently pushed her away from him so he could look into her eyes. “Asiada, tell me your story. How do you know about these things?”

  Asiada sniffed and collected herself. She said amongst laughter and tears of joy, “My father adopted me. He always told me the story of finding my mother and me starving in the wilderness in the plains near Aldine. My mother didn't survive long so he decided to raise me as his own.” She broke her story and gave Noir another hug. “And my memories are true! After all this time of suppressing those thoughts, they are true. They all said I was crazy!”

  “Why didn't you tell me sooner, Asiada?”

  She pulled away and happily grabbed Noir's hand as she started to walk again. “I didn't know how. I figured you would think I was crazy like everyone else. But I did try a couple of times.”

  Noir let her lead him onward with the marching men. She pulled at his hand while she went ahead almost skipping. Somehow all of what had happened since that cave had seemed like a dream. It was like he would wake up and tell the bizarre dream to his parents over their breakfast. But meeting another person from his world like this changed everything. It gave validity to the dream.

  A series of trumpet bursts echoed on the hills from ahead of them. They signaled that the Tierian forces had been seen. Noir's mind went back to the coming battle, but a few new realizations came to him anyway. If Asiada had come from his world, perhaps others had as well. Noir felt like an immense burden had just been lifted from his mind. The thought that he was this prophesied Lumin person suddenly seemed absurd. He could not use three vigors and he was not the only one from the other world. Someone else held the destiny of protecting and saving this world. He was just some kid.

  Another calling of trumpets reminded Noir that he still had a part in this battle, and it was about to start. Whatever that part was, he had to try to prevent as much death as he could.

  ~~~

  After a short, nervous march under the cries of trumpets, battle came. Noir's plan on keeping everyone safe was still forming in his mind. Noir hoped the Chiron soldiers would figure enemy Luxins were protecting the Tierians and not one of their own.

  Unceremoniously, the two armies flung themselves against each other before Noir. The battle had started. No debate had taken place. The forces simply marched into each other. Noir hadn't known what to expect, but this was mindless.

  Noir and Asiada stayed back a couple hundred yards on the side of a small hill. Noir recognized the bluish-green and black armor of a couple Azurite Knights around him, but most were parrying attacks and pushing back the Tierian and Chiron forces along the battle front. Noir was glad Osarik had listened to him for the most part.

  Noir tried to fling up light barriers to protect the warriors on both sides. Each time that his chakra was drained a bit more, he wondered what he had been thinking. Even if he guarde
d every attack for an hour, eventually he would be exhausted and the armies would slay each other. But he had to try, even if it had no positive effect in the end.

  The cry of another man meant another swing of a weapon that Noir did not quite have the reflexes for. Where axes, swords, and spears fell, they rebounded before they connected with their target. The din users of the Tierian forces flung fireballs and ice shards which had to be diverted away from men. Each time this happened, a plate of white light shined for a fraction of a second then disappeared. Where men flung themselves at each other, they were pushed back by Noir's unseen force.

  However, an occasional swing went through and found its target. As more of the two armies crashed into each other, these instances became more frequent. The sound of men in pain came through the clamor of battle cries.

  Each blow missed was felt even more by Noir. The ground beneath a small group of men heaved upwards and then down, swallowing them. How did he miss that? He gritted his teeth and shook away his tears for the fallen men. He dug deeper into his chakra and strained it more and more. He had to try his best to whatever end, but his efforts were growing exceedingly useless.

  Despair suddenly struck him. “These people that I allowed to march to war are going to die because of my arrogance. Grandel was right. I'm a fool!” A soldier surprisingly close to him cried out in pain at a connected blow. The forces were irreversibly mixing and growing closer to him. There was no way to stop it now.

  Suddenly, a red fireball streaked through the crowd toward Noir. He just barely threw up a shield in time, deflecting its flames up into the air. The two Azurite Knights were suddenly in the path of where the attack had come from. Then another fireball came as fast as the first, but this one had a curved blade at its forefront. The Azurite Knights flung up their own light shields in time to block the attack, but the figure tumbled acrobatically behind them. Two quick slashes came from the darting red cloaked figure and the knights fell screaming, each of their hamstrings sliced in two.