"You are correct," Lionar said. "Rador was the Creator."
"And did he create the world?"
"No, this world was always here," Lionar said. "But Rador did create the magic that works within it. That was his greatest talent before we came here."
"Then why'd he give it away?"
"Because he and Krinir were once great friends. He saw the way that Krinir was giving into his destructive nature, and he thought that giving away his own powers of Creation would balance out that side of Krinir. Rador was wrong, of course. The duality between Creation and Destruction has driven Krinir insane. He transferred the status of the Creator to Warrick, but the damage had already been done. Krinir can never recover."
Those last four words confirmed what Markus had always feared. Now he saw the defeat in Lionar's eyes, and if Lionar believed there was no hope . . .
Markus didn't want to finish that thought.
"Then our only hope is to somehow defeat him?"
"And that's no hope at all," Lionar said.
"There has to be a way. Something we've overlooked. If we can get Warrick to fight at our side, then we'll have the Creator and the Restorer against the Destroyer."
"It still won't be enough. As I told you, Krinir will see us coming."
"And I always will."
Markus turned to see Krinir striding along the corridor beside their cell. Krinir stared into the cell as if examining them. "Such a pitiful duo you two are. Lionar, how many secrets have you let the foolish mortal know?"
"We're both going to die," Lionar said. "What does it matter?"
Krinir frowned thoughtfully. "I wouldn't be so sure about that. Perhaps the Webs of Fate tell me that you must remain alive."
"In the end, we'll all die," Lionar said. "Assuming you have your way."
"Perhaps."
Lionar glared at Krinir. "What do you want?"
Krinir turned his unnerving gaze to Markus. "Oh, I just wanted to tell you that your beloved is on the way. She'll try to rescue you—well, assuming she survives long enough. This future is a dangerous place after all."
Krinir smiled, then turned away.
Chapter 33: Through the Jungle
Tylen stared at the spot where Kara had been. The magical energy coursing through the temple had ceased, but it had taken Kara with it. He didn't know how to feel about that, for he'd never particularly liked the woman, but it still seemed senseless.
They needed as many people on their side as they could find.
"What just happened?" Farah asked.
"I have no idea," Tylen said. "But she's gone. I think we can agree on that."
Gram looked around the temple. "But where could she have gone?"
Tylen stepped down from the platform containing the orb. "I don't know, but we're not going to stay here and wait for her. She survived a long time in the Shadowed Land. If she's still alive somewhere, she'll survive again. She's a strong and capable woman."
He was surprised to realize he meant what he'd just said. Once, he would have dismissed her as a foolish Order member, but the last few months had changed the way he looked at the world. Strangely, it was Warrick who had brought about this change in him.
"We need to find the other party," Tylen said. "Warrick thinks we can help them."
Farah put a hand on Tylen's shoulder. "Do you have the map?"
"I thought you had it." Tylen turned to Gram. "Do you have it?"
"No."
"Well, isn't that just great?" Tylen said. "Kara had the map, and now she's gone."
Gram's eyes were wide. "Then how're we gonna find our way?"
Tylen paced at the bottom of the platform, across the cracked stone floor. He had an idea, but it was a bit insane. "All right, this is going to sound strange, but I've always had a knack for tracking anything I'm hunting. Warrick has told me this might be part of my magic."
Warrick had also informed him that he had remarkable persuasive magic, and Tylen had to agree. His words had always seemed to sway others' opinions. He'd been doing it without thinking. Maybe he could improve that ability if he focused on it. Warrick had hinted that there might be more to it than simple words. It was part of Tylen, and if he learned to control it, there were no limits to what he could do. That was an exhilarating thought.
"I guess we'll have to follow your lead," Gram said. "There's no better option."
"Don't worry," Tylen said. "I'll lead us to the right place." He wished he could feel as confident as his words. Once, he would have had no doubts. Once, he had been sure of his path in life. Now he had to forge a new path, a better path.
Right now, though, the only path he cared about was the one that would take them through this jungle. They started to the south. From time to time, Tylen stopped and closed his eyes, hoping he could sense the right path to take. It happened without thought, however. He couldn't tell anyone why he chose one path over another.
Vines were draped across everything, and thick undergrowth tangled their path. In the distance, animals called out with high-pitched shrieks. Tylen tensed at every sound, but nothing threatened them. He wondered if his intuition was guiding them away from the worst of the monsters. That would suit him just fine.
They walked through the day, then settled down for the night in a small clearing. Amidst all the screeching of nearby animals, Tylen struggled to sleep, tossing and turning all night, his mind racing. When morning came, he didn't feel rested at all.
Despite their tiredness, they kept moving. Step by step, Tylen guided their path. He didn't think about it. Most of the time, they walked in silence, too anxious to talk, fearing that any conversation might attract monsters. Tylen hadn't seen any monsters yet, but he could have sworn he felt their presence, distant but terrifying.
Shortly after sunrise, Tylen heard voices in the distance. He held up a hand to halt the others. They hadn't heard at first, but once they listened, they discerned the voices as well.
"You think that's them?" Farah asked.
"I don't know," Tylen said, "but we should find out." He led them through a tight path overgrown with vines and other undergrowth. Tree branches hung low, scratching at his face. Insects scuttled away from them as they pushed through the dense foliage.
At last, they entered another clearing, and Tylen felt as if a weight had left his chest.
Or he did at first.
But then he saw Rik resting against a tree trunk, his eyes closed, his face pale. The other two stood with him—Garet and Lara, if Tylen recalled correctly. He had met Lara and Rik, but he'd never met Garet, though Warrick had told him about the seasoned adventurer.
Garet and Lara turned at the sound of Tylen's party approaching.
"Tylen?" Lara said. "What are you doing here?"
He took a tentative step closer. "Warrick told us to come here and help you."
"Is he dead?" Farah asked.
"Not quite," Garet said.
"Then maybe there's a chance that I can save him." Farah rushed to Rik's side and knelt beside him. She closed her eyes, running her hand along her body as if she could detect whatever was ailing him. When she opened her eyes, she said, "I'll try my best."
She knelt there a long time, touching the injured spots on his body. The scratches and bites healed over first, but she kept working.
"Is he gonna be all right?" Lara asked.
"I don't know," Farah said. "I'm still trying to get the poison out. I did this once before but couldn't remove all the poison. This poison is different, but I also think I've learned from my mistakes with Aric. I think I can heal him. Please, let me focus."
Lara backed away a step. "Sorry. I'll leave you to your work."
Tylen stood off to the side, wondering what he should do. He felt no real connection to Rik or any of these people. He was helping them only because Warrick had commanded him to do so. Was that the kind of man Tylen had become? A man who simply followed orders?
In a way, it was what he'd always intended to be. As the High Lor
d of Crayden, he would have been subject to Warrick's orders. Perhaps he hadn't changed that much.
Garet stepped over to Gram. "Good to see you again."
Gram chuckled. "I would have liked to meet in a better place than this."
"Are you gonna help us find the Stone of Restoration?" Garet asked.
Gram nodded.
"I'm not sure that's the wisest idea," Garet said. "Krinir wants us to find the Stone of Restoration. We don't know why, but doesn't that mean we shouldn't find it?"
Lara stepped close to them. "We have to find the stone. It's the only way to cure Eliza."
"Warrick also wants us to find it," Tylen said.
Garet laughed hollowly. "I'm not sure I'd trust Warrick's judgment. Yes, I understand that he's not the evil bastard I always thought he was, but he's got his own motives. And then there's the fact that Krinir might be controlling him."
"He isn't under Krinir's control," Tylen said. "Not anymore."
Garet's expression was stern. "He claims he isn't under Krinir's control."
"Well, I can't argue with that," Tylen said. "I can't be sure." Once, he would have argued that point, but he no longer felt the dying need to prove his superiority.
"After all," Garet said, "it's rather convenient that you'd show up with a healer at the exact moment we need one. What're the chances of that?"
"Warrick can read the Webs of Fate," Tylen said. "He must have seen this thread."
Lara shook her head in disgust. "I am growing to hate these Webs of Fate."
"You're not the only one," Tylen said. Perhaps Warrick's manipulations of the Webs had made Tylen into a better person, but they'd also made his life very difficult.
"It's done," Farah said, interrupting his thoughts.
They all turned to look at Rik. His eyes fluttered a few times, then came open. He groaned and moved his arms and legs experimentally.
"Guess I'm not dead," he said.
"You have Farah to thank for that," Tylen said.
Rik looked up at him. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"Saving your life," Tylen said. "So I'd have a better attitude if I were you."
"Thank you," Rik said. "Is that better?"
Tylen held back his frustration. He knew he deserved some of the anger others directed toward him. Whatever excuses he might make, he hadn't been a good man. He was trying to become better, but it wasn't always easy.
"If you must know," Tylen said, "Warrick sent us here to save you."
Rik got to his feet shakily. "Then I guess I have him to thank."
He took a few steps, looking unsteady on his feet. But the longer he walked, the more certain he became. He looked down at his body, his eyes widening when he saw that most of his injuries had vanished, though the blood still remained, staining his light traveling clothes.
Smiling, he turned to Farah. "You know, I think you're a better healer than Markus." His smile faltered, and he looked down at the ground. "I don't even know if Markus is still alive."
"He is," Tylen said. "Or at least he was before Warrick sent us after you."
"I guess Warrick saw him in the Webs," Rik said.
Tylen stood a few feet away from everyone. Before, he'd felt like a leader, like he deserved to be in charge. Now he didn't know where he stood with these people. They were all friends of Nadia's, and surely she'd told them how he'd treated her.
He wished he could take it back. If he had another chance, he would treat her with more tenderness. He would understand why she held her strong views about Warrick. After all, despite her hatred for him, he still liked something in her spirit.
Farah was beautiful and kind to him, but it wasn't the same. He didn't let her know because Farah was the only chance he had, and he did like her. Maybe he even loved her, but she didn't stir in him the same feelings he'd felt for Nadia.
No one ever had.
Rik's voice disturbed his thoughts. "Markus doesn't know I'm alive. For the first time, I think I just realized that. He's out there somewhere, and he thinks I'm dead."
Lara put a hand on his shoulder. "Berig must feel the same way about me. But there's nothing we can do about them. Perhaps we'll meet them again. Until then, we have to focus on our own mission. Remember Eliza."
"Who is Eliza?" Tylen asked, surprised that he felt genuine concern. All these recent events had taught him that people were people. Once, he would have considered someone like Rik beneath him. But Tylen was the same rank in society now.
"I met her in the Shadowed Land," Rik said. "I think we have feelings for each other." He shook his head. "She's also Krinir's daughter."
Tylen felt as if something had slammed against his chest. "Why would Warrick keep that from me?"
Rik frowned. "I don't know. Maybe he doesn't know."
"Or maybe he's keeping secrets again," Tylen said bitterly.
Farah cleared her throat. "Rik, how are you feeling?"
"A little weak, but I think the poison is gone. I can travel."
"Good," Garet said. "We need to reach this temple and find the stone."
"I'm still not sure that's the right thing to do," Rik said, pacing beside a large tree draped in green and purple vines. "Krinir wants us to get the stone, but maybe we can do something else." Pain flashed across his face. "Maybe we can destroy it."
Lara looked him in the eyes. "You do understand what that means, don't you?"
"I do," Rik said. "But it would be worth losing Eliza."
"How can you be sure?" Lara asked. "We don't even know Krinir wants the stone."
"I have to agree with Rik," Garet said. "If Krinir wants the stone, we should keep it from him at all costs."
Tylen didn't know what to say. They had clearly shared many experiences of which he had no inkling. "I have a question," he said, surprised at his hesitance. "You said this Eliza is Krinir's daughter. Does that give her some kind of special powers we can use against him?"
"I don't know," Rik said. "She only did anything out of the ordinary when Krinir tried to kill her. It seemed like she understood everything in that moment, and she also seemed to get some of his powers. It's hard to explain. It happened because of some strange explanation I don't quite understand. Krinir created her, but that goes against his nature as the Destroyer. And since he created her, I guess he can't destroy her without making strange things happen."
That was the worst explanation Tylen had ever heard, but he held his tongue.
"Allow me to explain," Garet said. "Rik wasn't actually there. I still remember those moments quite vividly." He chuckled. "Even if I was under half the library's ceiling."
"I'm listening," Tylen said, focusing on being patient.
"Krinir said he made a mistake in creating her. He is not meant to create because he is the Destroyer. Then he tried to destroy her, but in doing so, he's destroying a piece of himself, and that is the one thing he can't destroy. When he tried to kill her, things got very strange."
"That makes a little sense," Tylen said, still trying to digest the explanation. "Now that brings me back to my original question. Are you sure it's wise to destroy the stone? If we destroy it, we'll have no chance of healing this Eliza. She may be useful."
Rik glared at him. "She is more than useful. She is a woman I care about very deeply."
Tylen took a deep breath, reining in his frustration. "I'm sorry. I just meant that she may be very important—not just to you, but to the entire world as well. I didn't mean to say she didn't matter like a normal human being."
Trying to be a good person took far too much effort.
"Apology accepted," Rik said, though his mouth was still a thin line.
"And I'm sorry for being such a jerk in the past. Can we please move on?"
"You treated Nadia like trash," Rik said.
"I know."
"And it's hard to believe you've changed that much in such short a time," Rik said.
Tylen sighed deeply. "We've all changed."
Lara stepped between
them, her expression tight with impatience. "Is this the time to have this discussion? We're trying to figure out what to do about the stone."
Rik adopted a look of grim determination. "We have to destroy it."
"But what if we can't?" Garet asked, leaning wearily against a nearby tree. He brushed a large insect off his arm. "Such a powerful magical artifact might be indestructible."
Rik's expression sank. "I didn't think of that."
"We'll figure out what to do once we get there," Lara said.
They all nodded their agreement and set off toward the south. Tylen took the lead, explaining that his intuitions had guided them well so far. Everyone else was too weary to argue, so they followed his lead. He could feel Rik's hatred, though, as if it were stabbing him in the back. It was hard to ignore that feeling, but he had to try.
Had to show them he'd become a better man. Had to prove it to himself.
Days passed, each one feeling much like the one that came before. The jungle didn't change around them, and though they followed their compasses, Tylen put more trust in his own instincts. At times, he led them on strange paths, but no one argued with him because his routes always led them away from monsters.
Nothing threatened them at all, and Tylen almost fell into a false sense of security, but he remained alert, knowing danger could strike at any moment. Recent events had taught him that lesson more than once. They'd all learned it at some point.
Tylen remained apart from the group most of the time. He didn't feel like talking with them. It was partially his old prejudices telling him that they weren't worth talking to. It was partially the shame he felt for the man he'd been before. He felt at war with himself, caught in between the man he had been and the man he could be.
It would be so easy to return to his old ways.
The walking seemed as if it would never end. Tylen was sure his feet would never stop aching, but he didn't complain. Before, he would have done just that, but they were all suffering. Some missions required such sacrifices. Some things were more important than an individual's suffering. Warrick had taught Tylen that lesson over and over again.
They caught a few jungle animals for food, avoiding anything brightly colored. No one got sick, so they stuck to the first few meals they'd gathered. Their magic proved very useful for hunting, and it also gave them fresh water, much to Tylen's relief. He didn't care for the thought of drinking water from the jungle floor, or even from some of its dangerous-looking plants.
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