by Ted L C
* * *
Light Path
“It feels so satisfying to confess my identity!” Eri’s voice mirrors through a collection of colossal trees.
“Where—” Derek’s eyes shifts. Facing pom-poms of emerald spearheads. They stem from branches the size of buildings. “the hell are we?
“Why do the fringe worship Jean-Zoey or Lahn?
“Why did they call us Geminis?
“Why are they all inbred hicks?
“Why’re there so many references to Jialongs?”
Upon turning his head, the wall of bark shooting to the skies magnetizes Derek’s gaze. His dwindling pupils follow the aged wood. Surface lined with a collection of sketches and letters toward an ocean of jade leaves.
“Why is this tree so big?”
“Are you unfamiliar with Vishv Vrksh?”
“What?”
“It’s Hindi for World Tree,” Eri brushes her palm against the chestnut husk. “I could have sworn California had one of these in the Redwood Forests—”
“Halt!” two figures make their way toward the duo. “You are trespassing on sacred grounds—”
“Excuse me,” Eri’s legs carry her to the pair of armor-bound men. Her stare shifts dribbling between short swords sticking to their belts. “I made a deal with the three tribes of these lands for meditation usage of this area every day at this time.”
“Madam, Eri,” one of their fingers aims, facing a distant arbor of brush. “it is past sunrise. None of the three villages have smelled a Jialong upon waking from their slumbers.”
“This man and I ran into some trouble back in Thede—”
“The deal was,” a guard glue his chest to hers. “you bring each village leader twenty-one kilograms of Jialong each week to have uninterrupted sessions. For an untold amount of time, you were punctual with your promise; however, this time you were not. Thus; we must bring you to the sacrificial stake. For punishments of not following through on your promise—”
“What if we get you fifty kilograms of Jialong meat ?” the cobalt aura engulfs Derek’s body. “Because I know that you won’t mess with a man who just met one of your gods. That you won’t—per se—piss us off. I know we’re more powerful than your weak asses—”
“Stop with the intimidation, Derek—”
“You met with a god?” the cheeks of the leftmost man flush with a salmon tint. “Which one?”
“Achilles—”
“Oh my, Achilles!” both men murmur. “the two of you were approached in the right spot, then! What was he like? Was he as powerful as the blessed book speaks?”
“My child, would you be so kind as to flick me a spark?”
The brick tinged orb slides along with Achilles’ cupped palms. He presses a finger over a tunnel aside the apparatus. A droplet of red liquid rests over the button carved over the side.
The man rests his blue lips against the hollowed surface atop the device. A cyclone of smoke animates within the transparent sphere. His stomach collapses inward—
“Yeah,” the boy’s visualizations shatters. “He summoned a mighty ice giant—taller than two skyscrapers combined.”
“In defense?” the guards’ fingers brush against their hilts.
“No. To teach me about elemental tethering and Final Commands.”
Final Offer… Eri’s eyelids crumple.
“We apologize, Gladiator,” they arc their upper bodies forward. “Please do not speak ill of us to Achilles.
“Legionnaires!” a voice followed by rasps echoes throughout the thicket of titanic chestnut towers. “I bring the most urgent news!”
“Yes, messenger?”
“God has spoken to our chief!” he plants a folded paper into one of the guard’s hands. “Open not this letter! Our Lord and savior told our leader to bestow this blessed doctrine to a boy titled ‘Derek’. Our Lord also slain a Jialong, cooked it, and left it in the middle of the village.
“Our eyes watched as he summoned an enormous titan made of ice and crushed the Jialong who harassed our encampment for many sunsets!”
“I must be the Derek he’s referring to,” Derek waves his palm toward the trio of devotees.
“Yes,” a sentinel borrows a knee into the mahogany grime. He presents the parchment using two hands. “This boy also claims to have spoken with him and was taught by God himself!”
The boy’s fingers clamp against the piece of paper. His eyes scan the crimson ink.
“To my silly goose, Derek. I am extremely grateful for you telling me about the obscene amounts of Achilles’ Heels over by Harbine. Also, thanks for the author’s inspiration.
“To express my gratitude, I hunted the Jialong that Eri was supposed to off. Because I heard my leaders bitching about not having any Jialong for breakfast today. And that usually means that Eri won’t be able to meditate. From what I remember, if she doesn’t meditate, she gets as pissy as Alyssa does when she doesn’t sleep. So I’m saving you from a pissed off Gladiator. You’re welcome.
“Praise be my name, Achilles.”
Did he know of our contract? Eri’s thumb brushes against the hilt of her sword. Yet, he allows me to continue even though I challenged him.
“Praise be his name!” the messenger hurls his back against the ground as every limb of their body twitches.
“Ww-we,” the guard raises to his soles as they hoist him backward. “Are not worthy to be in your presence!”
“M-might I—” the envoy’s hands slides his body through the muck. Yanking the man against Derek’s feet. “Keep th-that letter? I will give you anything you desire.”
“I want some coffee—”
“We would love peace to meditate now,” Eri’s gaze transfers between the boy and the forerunners. “Please, leave—”
Tiny fingers snatch the paper from the lad’s hand. His body transforms into a blur, dashing toward a distant cluster of foliage. The guards’ suits of onyx armor mutate into transparent afterimages.
“How odd,” Eri plants the upper half of her sword within mold encrusted soil. “Who would have thought Achilles would do anything nice for me.
“Derek, you truly have broken the cycle. I thank you—”
“I really wanted more coffee, you know.”
“I understand your desire for substances. Loss of your loved ones. Changes in your life. Questioning your existence. But what exactly will substances do? They’ll serve as a crutch—eating away at your life—your wallet—your family.
“Once your crutch breaks. Once your body becomes immune to the mind-numbing effects of your poison of choice, then what? You find the next thing to numb your mind and soul? It’s only numbing, my HESTEK brother. It’s not the actual cure for your problems.
“I know that you used to be a smoker—I can tell from the stains on your teeth. Same as you, I used to be one. Whenever a thought of uncertainty came into my head—puff. Did I have an awful day? Puff. Perhaps I did not hear the news that I sought not to hear—puff. After these puffs—have my problems vanished? They haven’t—only new problems form.
“For a while, after being separated from my brother, smoking was an instrument used for my demise. For it did not bring him back. And eventually, the nicotine high was harder to obtain. My brain demanded more. More sticks for that sweet rollercoaster of dopamine blazing through my brain. Yet, the rush was only temporary. The problems surrounding my addiction worsened—”
“I appreciate the concern,” Derek’s Revelator bursts into a mushroom cloud of Nanos. “but I don’t need a lecture like this over me simply wanting some coffee. I want answers to the questions I’ve asked earlier. I don’t know how long I’ve been here, but I want to have something that makes me feel like I’m at home—”
“The purpose of an adventure is to be away from your home, right? To conquer your comfort zone for the sake of exploration? Sacrificing worldly possessions to gain knowledge? I do not think you understand what you signed up for by wishing for an adventure, Derek.
>
“Nostalgia in tandem with substances is lovely to indulge in every once in a while. But once again, the term, numb, makes its way into my vocabulary. If you have too much of something, it not only becomes unhealthy, but it becomes calloused.
“This is part of the reason why I took you to the World Tree on Faxian. I want you to see the wonders you can experience in this gorgeous universe. This is only an experience you can benefit from. No Normie can come to Barter without risking their lives. You, Achilles, and I—we all have gifts. We found ways to stand out from the multitudes.
“Please—Derek, take some of my teachings to heart. Now, you might not understand what I’m telling you. Eventually, you will understand.
“As for the aforementioned Gemini question. I do not know why they call us that. Perhaps from seeing our auras aside each other.
“Jialongs are considered to be the best tasting meat among the four galaxies. Jialongs are challenging to slay; therefore, it’s also the most expensive. Usually, Betas or Gladiators are paid hefty amounts by the Chinese government. They’re then secretly shipped here and harvest Jialongs. Then they ship it to Vulcanis for a hefty price. It’s also an aphrodisiac.”
“Any back at Sulu’s place?”
“Mr. Sulu does still have a little of it remaining. Perhaps I can suggest farming him extra this round. So I may introduce you to it. I will ask him once we get back to the house. How would you like it cooked?”
“Chef’s recommendation—”
“Exquisite!” Eri’s eyes drift toward the sheets of light blaring through the cracks within the clusters of leaves. “Has she told you what a world tree is?”
“Who?”
“Cy—” Eri’s lips roll toward her tongue. “Companion who has slain Diablo.”
“I’m such a big fan!” a barista materializes inside of Derek’s mind. She flashes her phone and presents her a picture of a tree, larger than a skyscraper. “I’ve heard about you planting a Vishv Vrksh on numerous planets to symbolize mankind’s unity—”
“No, she hasn’t,” chilled humid gales caresses Derek’s rose-tinted cheeks. “Will you tell me?”
“I will tell you later,” her eyes follow the rectangle made of light crawl upwards against the bark. “Our time here shortens. I would like us to meditate before departing—
“There is one question, Derek. What is the purpose of that blue aura surrounding you?”
“I suppose there’s really no combat use for it. Mainly use it when I wanna intimidate people.”
“Intimidation will only help strong-willed opponents strengthen their bulwarks. It only truly affects the weak-minded. For such a tool to be in your arsenal will take your life if you ever face a Gladiator, a Beta—or even a clone of Zeresh.
“Every action needs to drive toward a purpose. Though us as HESTEKS have infinitely more time than a Normie, time and opportunity will still pass us quickly. Therefore, a wasted movement could be a loss of life. The energy used to create that useless aura could be better invested. Perhaps to create something more productive.
“I envision a web of electricity. This creates a barrier between my opponents and I. If they step into it, their insides become burned Jialong.
“This gives me time to plan either an escape or my next aggressive moment. To counter aggression, you either need wits or similar aggression. Not passive aggression.”
“Why do powerful HESTEKS talk the most—” Derek utters.
“Because we become either outcasts or gods. Unable to connect with anyone else due to the fear of either unsettling their dogmatism. Or igniting a mob. The only person I talk to is Mr. Sulu. He, however, cannot talk much due to his duties for a gang to protect him for when I am not there.”
“I understand now—”
“Exquisite—” Eri’s calves curl underneath her thighs as she lifts the lower half of her kimono. “Please, Derek. Perch yourself. Search through your thoughts. Surface useful memories in which might help your cause. Perhaps you might bring to light answers to satisfy your curious mind.
“Execute your ego for a second or two if possible.”
“Do I just sit here with my legs curled?” Derek’s eyes aim at a purple worm dancing across the soil.
“It does not matter how you do it. Your eyes may be opened, or closed. You may sit, or stand. A trick I use is to simply focus on my senses. That helps clear my mind the quickest.”
His glossed lens’ switches from Eri’s collapsed eyelids to the hazel superstructure.
Neck arches forward as darkness fills his sight.
“Why don’t you just get a normal job? Or better yet, go to college and capitalize on your limitless potential. Make a business, for the sake of the cosmos!” Rainy’s voice occupies his head. A watercolored painting of the girl weaves strands of coiled cobalt hair through her nails.
Rainy?
“This isn’t as romantic as I thought it would—” Alyssa’s voice mutters. “H-how do I use your ability?”
“The first step, skin to skin contact with someone is essential,” Derek says. “Or, touch a metal surface that’s coming in contact with their skin.”
When did this happen?
The image forms of a claymore, the length of a small car flashes from an ivory trench coat, splitting a man’s abdomen.
A droplet rolls across Derek’s cheek.
“Make it stop! I don’t want to be in here, anymore!” Derek’s shriveled pupils magnetize to a clock larger than a bus.
“You must face your thoughts to find the answers you seek,” a girl, appearing the age of seventeen, murmurs. Derek’s eyes dash toward a massive golden blade lining the surface of a mattress.
“This thrill is unreal!” a grafting tone dribbles between the surfaces of a metallic room.
“Aid me, Derek!” Achilles’ face appears at a low opacity. As it fades, the Reivscere logo materializes. The phoenix rotates as a digital watch form where the crescent moon usually is.
“Help me, brother!” a voice evaporates.
“Help me, babe!” another follows.
* * *
“Help me set up the table, my dear,” a distant person says. A collection of colored blurs fill Derek’s line of sight.
“Fascinating,” Eri’s stark catlike eyes appear; facing the boy. “You had an even more intense session than my imagination could fathom. You must have a lot of weight yanking against the strings of your soul.”
“How—” an aroma of pork mixed with rosemary vent through the boy’s nostrils. “Did I make it here?”
“I ’ported you here after you passed out. At one point, you kept shouting ‘help me’. If you don’t mind, I would love to pick at your brain a bit. Never had a meditation partner before—”
“My goodness,” a polished bald head appears. “I am glad you’re okay, young man!
“My name is Abe Sulu. It is very nice to meet you—Derek, is it?”
“Yeah. It’s great to meet ya, Mr. Sulu,” Derek’s vibrating arms push his body upward. The skin of his nostrils collapses and expands. “What’s that pleasant smell?”
“Miss. Motozawa requested that I throw some Jialong in the cooker, tonight. She told me you’ve never tried any! You are missing out. I do hope my cooking can prove satisfactory. I must retire to the kitchen. Making sure this meat darkens at the right temperature is essential.”
“Thank you for your hospitality,” Derek’s eyes follow the man’s limp movements crawl toward the doorway.
“I heard you scream my name at the top of your lungs, Derek,” Eri shuffles her calves on the mattress. “What did you see?”
“I don’t remember, Eri,” an image of a cat portrays itself in the lad’s head. “I remember a couple things. One, I saw a teenager who looked like you on a tatami floor meditating and your giant Katana—”
“Murusame—”
“Murusame—on your bed. Two—I heard Achilles’ voice mention a spacecraft port in Thede—”
Chuckles burst from Eri’s li
ps and the other side of the cloth covering the doorway.
“A spacecraft,” a watery droplet runs against her coral tinted cheeks. “in Thede—”
“That is like asking that New Beijing vanish from the planet,” a voice comes from the doorway.
“Did Achilles tell you this?” the girl’s fingers tap against the droplets.
“Yeah—”
“Was Achilles under the influence?”
“Yeah—”
“That is a myth, Derek. The party across the sea whose name I will not name sent a barrage of E.M.P. missiles over to our side. Disabling our technology. Afterward, they began swarming our shores and slaughtering HESTEKS like animals—”
The table before them jerks as the shockwave hurls a collection of mugs against the bamboo floor.
“Fissure—” the duo says.
Walls and cupboards lining the dwelling dances with each other. A symphony of cracks flows throughout the room. A myriad of keepsakes leaps from the shelves.
“Derek,” the porcelain from a shattered cup scrapes against her foot. “You must go, now.”
“But—” Derek rests his palm over the crimson liquid surfacing from her hand. “Why? We can go on a slaughter spree—”
“I must protect Mr. Sulu with my life. And I do not want to put your life in danger. If you teleport back to me while on Faxian, I might accidentally eliminate you—”
“B-but—”
“I—” Eri’s palm rests itself against Derek’s head as the candles surrounding them darken. “Love you—”
* * *
The boy’s legs hoist him through an opening between a couple of enormous pillars.
Eyes drift toward a large crater inside of the center.
A pair of wooden stakes appear ahead of Derek. An image of a couple burning alive illustrates itself inside of his mind. A frigid breeze scrapes his cheeks.
“No Alyssa,” his voice carries itself throughout the field of triangular emerald plants surrounding him. “Swore she would be here—”
A blistering sensation blossoms within Derek’s shoulder. His appendages clamps against the weapon’s shaft. Plucking the blade from his body, the boy’s eyes drift to the stag’s head hilt.