Like a vampire I’ve become hooked on blood as a means for my survival. Taken it to a whole new level. I’ve become a ripper, tearing through bodies like a butcher house. And yet somehow, I believe it is all part of a bigger plan. In order for me to ascend, I have to reach a real low. My lower self. My hell. Whatever my true form is enduring now, blood and all things that come with it is only the beginning. I am ready to accept my change and ascend.
“We need to go back home. Our assignment will have to wait Khari.”
“We’ve already wasted a lot of time. Sis I got you.” Our hands entwine and I feel something trickle out of my nose. Blood. That isn’t all. My neck stiffens and my legs become dead.
“I can’t feel my legs.” I whisper. Breathe. My body is playing a trick on me, things will return back to normal. Dakarai moves over to me and places his hands on my legs. I don’t feel a thing. Someone knocks at the door. No one moves.
“What’s happening Cali?” I don’t know. I think this body is finally giving out on me.
Behind Dakarai’s eyes lingers fear. He cannot lose me. He wants to make things right. Tadaaki would be the last to die. After all those years, he is now physically and mentally equipped to save me. The memory of Tadaaki’s death has been a constant reminder of his failures. His world had fell apart when it was already in shambles. His parents excessively told him, Tadaaki’s death was not his fault. Tadaaki’s sole purpose was to protect him by any means necessary. This doesn’t mean it hurt any less. Who was protecting Tadaaki? Having his back like brothers from another mother supposed to. Youth and experience taught him to accept his role as protector. Back then he was a victim. Helpless. Something he never wants to be again. The numb feeling in my legs dissipates. I’m able to feel Dakarai’s taps, but that’s the least of my problems. One of Ramiyah’s memories invades my mind. This one follows the story of her being a monster. Someone to fear.
*
She came in the night. She was shrouded by darkness with the moon’s light illuminating her face. Her hands balled up in fists. The owls cooed outside and the fire crackled in the fire place. In a corner a man slept. Barely her height, which wasn’t tall, he had patches of hair on his face. Not far from him his family were sleeping- a woman huddled under a thick blanket between two children.
Her bare feet softly moved against the creaking wooden floor, her ankle beads rattled with every step. The man stirred. Soft snores escaped his mouth with a raspy undertone. The closer she reached the more she noticed a raw stench that burned her nose. She couldn’t help but make a distasteful and sickening face.
“You sir have been accused of rape.” Another step. “You deserve what is coming your way.” Energy passed through her hands and ignited her flame. “I hereby sentence you to death on the accounts of multiple rape incidents of poor little children, who don’t know any better. Their innocence tainted by your lack of restraint and vile behaviour.” His eyes open as he sees her flame. He constantly bats his eyes as if he’s still in a dream.
“Princess.” He mutters in disbelief. He’s unable to look away from her glowing birthmark on her forehead. Everyone knew what it meant. The phoenix is her spirit animal. “W-What…no…please.”
“Murder, not mercy.” The tears that had gathered in her eyes spill. She completed her task, setting the man on fire. His dying screams woke up his family who only huddle closer together and watch as he turned into a pile of ash and bones. In silence they watched the Princess exit their hut, looking for her next kill.
This is not the last of the memory. This is after her time in the dark.
She was hanging upside down from her bed lost in a daydream, which ends quickly as she overheard a heated argument somewhere in the palace. She decided to investigate, as did Zaire and Tamari. Once they arrived outside the throne room, they noticed a small crowd in front of their father. He was not on his throne. Their mother stood beside her husband observing, ready to jump in if necessary.
“Your highness, this is getting out of hand. The people are scared.”
“She is a monster.”
“You can’t have her running loose, killing people she feels have disobeyed the laws of nature.”
The king huffed, shaking his head. “My people that is hardly a matter.”
They talked over each other, not giving one another a chance to fully explain their concerns. Ramiyah knew they were talking about her; Zaire knew it too.
Some feared her for her raw power; others worshipped her as protector of her people. Most importantly a lot of villagers believed death was not the answer. But if death was an illusion, why did it matter so much? One of the villagers, the same boy who tried to drown her, looked in her direction.
“She’s out of control.” He stated firmly, pointing at the burn on one side of his face. She resented the way she was treated by her people. All she wanted was for them to see that her actions were done out of love. Love of justice. Love for her people.
She entered the large chamber of the palace stopping just short of the crowd. “Discussing me, again? Don’t you see I’m trying to help our people and relieve our society of injustices that go on without actions from any of you. My methods meet the purpose. Why should I be out casted because I choose different methods to deal with certain situations?”
“Your methods are ruthless. You are ruthless.”
“No I am strong. If it weren’t for me the villagers would have still been at each other’s throats catching little children in their wrath. I am your saviour. Your Princess. What more do you want from me?!” She steps closer.
“We want you gone,” someone shouted.
“You need to be put down. You’re an animal!” The boy shouted. How dare they? Anger bubbled. The tears mixed with her anger and caused her flame to sprout from her fingers. The villagers stepped back.
“Ramiyah.” Her mother called. “Don’t give them what they want.” Her birth mark glowed.
“Why should I care about that? I have been selfless. I deserve more than this!” The flame grew, encasing her whole body, tears streaming. Zaire stepped in and pulled on her wrists. You are better than this. Don’t allow negativity to bring you down. It’s not your fault they can’t see the goddess that walks among them. Not everyone is going to accept you. The only thing that matters is that you accept yourself? Your flaws and all.
She dropped to her knees and cried out. If she released her anger, the whole building would come down. So many deaths. Unnecessary deaths. She had to bottle it back up. Like a vacuum, bit by bit, she sucked back in her flame until there was nothing left.
“What were you saying about lack of control?” Tamari said mocking the boy.
*
“Calista.” Dakarai grabs at my hands, which is encased with my flame. Shocked, I quickly stamp it out. There’s another knock at the door. I guess we forgot someone else was there.
In the corner, Khari packs away their case files and mood board. Then I feel this tingling sensation. The door becomes fuzzy and Maliyah steps through. What the hell?
“Did you see that?” I asked.
“See what?” Khari is standing by the door inviting Maliyah in.
“What are you?” I point my finger at her.
“Uh…What? Don’t you mean who?”
“I saw what you did. No human can do that.”
“What did I do?”
Dakarai looks between us, his eyes squinting looking for what he is missing.
“I don’t need to tell you because you already know.”
“Clearly I don’t.” My temperature rises. She’s playing mind game.
“Now it makes sense. Why you tried to get close to Michael…”
“Michael who?” Dakarai’s head snaps to me and his eyes widen. Is this another episode similar to the girl in the bar? He thinks. “Oh, you mean, Dakarai and…Khari.” She winks at them both. More mind games.
“Who are you really? You’re not Maliyah the club waitress.” I ask.
I’m a refle
ction of you, as you are I. A variation whose whole is within you. The sooner you realise this, the better. Who said that? Images. Myah…
“Ramiyah.” I breathe. My head starts to spin.
“Cali, my ears must be playing tricks on me. Are you saying Ramiyah or Maliyah? Or…?” Dakarai whispers as his mind pieces everything together. Every clue that indicates she is hueman.
“The mind.” All that my other half had learnt quickly rushes through my mind. It won’t be long before I forget it all.
“I always had my suspicions.” Khari starts to ramble. His mind is really on overload. “When we first met I knew not to touch your hand. There was something off about you.”
“How did you find me?”
She closes the gap. “I never lost you.”
“Wait…” Dakarai calls out, but it’s too late.
She walks through me, stepping into my body like a ghost. The darkness I welcome, for now I am whole. Before I black out the darkness encases both of my eyes.
*
When I return back to consciousness, the boys are standing beside the box filled with their assignment. It’s half empty, especially since one vital component is missing.
“Where’s SARAH?” They freeze. A glitch. Their image becomes distorted. Then they return back to normal. The box is empty. “Who’s SARAH?”
“Who’s who?” I too had a…glitch.
Forgotten the SYSTEM and all that comes with it.
“Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out but to see who cares enough to break them down”
- Socrates.
26
The signs
{Calista}
Over the next couple of days, my body shows signs of decay. My cheeks have sunken in, hands are shaking, constant nosebleeds and my movements have become more restricted. My hair is the only thing that still shows signs of life. Every night I slip into a deep dream and wake up feeling hot and cold. While I battle my own demons, so does Dakarai. Tonight, will be the last of my internal battle.
Wakey, wakey Cali.
Are you woke yet? A shadow runs by. The overhead lights flicker with its passing.
Wake up!
Woke.
Voices from all around attack me. Whisperings. The pitch and density increasing and decreasing. Darkness draws closer. The threshold disappears. I wait at its door. A crystal black mirror with her on the other side. Her hand pushes against the glass which moulds around her. Bending to her will. Stretching with the purpose to be broken. Her hand pushes against mine. I push back. She pushes back and darkness thins. Her hand eventually surpasses the barrier, creating an opening. Like a sack bursting she squeezes through. Naked. Reborn.
We meet again.
She straightens and presses her thumb against my third eye, as I do hers. Images flash by. What are they the present, or future? I am unable to decipher them. A feather-like touch of true enlightenment. A bunch of codes laced with melanin: its core power.
I jolt awake coughing up blood. Haemorrhaging from my ears and nose. My bones start to break. Make it stop.
Dakarai finally leaves his dream world, with an overwhelming image of his younger self being pulled away from Tadaaki, as he and his parents continue to run for their lives. The look on his attackers face would be one he’d always remember. Until they meet again, his revenge would have to wait. He rolls over to face me. I can barely see his eyes in the dark. My precision is off. He gently shakes me.
“You’re too late. I’m beyond saving.” I’m drowning in my own blood, just like I was drowning in the waterfall. I don’t know which one is worse.
“I refuse to believe that. There’s nothing I cannot do.” I can hear the tiredness in his voice but there’s also an underlying persistence to seek every possible solution. He repositions his body and props my head on his lap. I look at him from upside down.
“Show me where you are Cali, that’s the only way I can help you.” He presses his third eye against mine and I open my mind.
He sees the cell. At first everything is pearly white. I have on clean white clothes and my hair is neatly combed back. But then he says show me the real you. The image becomes like water and slides to the ground. Unmasked. I’m lying on the floor with blood smeared across my face and my hair is a mess. My clothes are ripped and my body is covered with wounds. The floor is black and sticky. My head twitches like a bird with dark eyes staring off into the distance, looking at something or someone Dakarai couldn’t see. Tamari. Zaire. Ramiyah. I cough up more blood and feel my body folding inside out, the energy being squeezed out. Soon, I find myself out of my double, looking in. A ghost.
“My love.” My body turns to ash. All at once he sees me and Tadaaki. A tear slips from his eyes. I cannot tell you the last time I saw him cry.
“Love was the most savage monster of all.”
27
Aelburn
{Dakarai}
The steel gates crack open, and we walk through. The scanner identifies us and we pass through the electrified barrier. The Supreme Warriors bow their heads and welcome us, their spears thrust into the ground in front of them. They are bare-chested with their broad shields mounted on their backs, and a thin sheet of dashiki is wrapped around their waist. Six of the warriors stay behind to guard the north side of the wall, whereas two escort us to the palace. The villagers smile and greet us. Women feed their infants seated on wooden stools, some children read books, while others perform exercises instructed by their teachers. The elderly chat amongst themselves, laughing and reminiscing on their past as they rest in the shade under the willow trees. Some men help cook dinner with their wives, others carry bags of rice, buckets of water and play board games with their brothers and sisters. As we pass the waterfalls, a couple of children rush out of the water to give us quick hugs and high fives. A few Supreme Warriors signal a greeting. The lions play with their mates in the tall grass. The giraffes hold their heads high nourishing their bodies. The elephants play tug of war with their tusks.
Aelburn is beautiful in every aspect. From the rainforests, waterfalls, the beautiful people to the palace stretching across the land ahead. Its glass walls reflect the sunlight. It still takes my breath away every time I look at it. We walk up the wide steps that surround its entire infrastructure into the open doors. Lavender hits our nose. The regal handmaids with red jasper beads wrapped around their neck and wrist greet us with a curtesy. They wear their hair in afro and their purple skirts lightly blow in the wind. We kiss their hands before moving forward.
Inside, Aziza and her twin, Kwame are mindlinked. Those two are always up to something. Once they see us they quickly break apart and greet us.
“How was Earth, brother?” Aziza asked as we hug. I do a fist bump followed by a shoulder touch with Kwame.
“It’s hard to put into words really. It’s a bit fuzzy.”
“Interesting,” she laughs. “I suppose that is code for a lot of drinking, and partying.”
“Not even close.” Khari squeezes her small neck. She gives him a weird look. She can sense bad news. I keep quiet while trying to think strategically. How best should we tackle Calista’s situation?
After our reunion with our parents, we decide to hurry things. By the looks of it Empress Nubia already knows why we have returned.
“Calista has been kidnapped. I received a premonition. It was a bit of the past mixed with the present. Strangely, hard to decipher,” Empress Nubia said her hands clasped in front of her.
“What we don’t understand is how she landed herself in such a preposterous situation on Kimarr?” Aziza said, agitation in her voice. It still amazes me how she is able to act so mature when she is only 14 years old.
“What’s not to understand? The Sixth Dynasty lives,” Khari’s eyes flicker to his father’s, waiting on a reaction. He doesn’t even blink. Is he processing what Khari just said or does he not care because this is old news? “Apparently there is some speculation on her kidnapping. Did she go there of her own fr
ee will, attracted to the unknown, or is this whole mess all bogus?” Khari gestures with his hands unable to keep still.
“She reckons Ramiyah, yeah you remember her, the one who was feared by her people and not to mention is the first born, has possessed her body. How funny is that?”
The Emperor rubs his jaw, clears his throat and speaks. “And is this all speculation and conspiracies or do you actually have proof?”
“You mean proof that you were the benefactor behind the Civil War? And the cause of the annihilation of the other Dynasties,” Khari huffs.
“Who proposed such a drastic idea? Did HE tell you that?” This time the Emperor gets up from his throne and meets us on our level. My mother and father stand close behind me and the Empress paces by the windows.
“Zaire actually, I hear he has all the answers…”
“But that’s beside the point, let’s deal with one thing at a time. How are we going to rescue Calista?” I straighten my back, place both hands together in front of me and look the Emperor dead in his eyes. Prince and protector meet with Emperor. Neither of us backs down. The Emperor smiles.
“She got herself into this mess, she can get herself out of it. I hear possession is a tricky thing, one we are unable to tackle under such short notice. Besides I have no interest meddling with all that spiritual nonsense.” He makes me mad. Any other father would be reeling with anger and use their power– power which he has in abundance to free his daughter. A daughter is supposed to be a father’s most precious and loved person besides his Queen, but this doesn’t seem to be the case with Calista. Does she even matter to him?
“Who are you?” I stare at him in disbelief. “A crown on top of a rocky foundation. You, a fraud and a disgrace. You’re not a man. What are you trying to protect and prove? Is your throne that much greater than the offspring’s you have created? The heirs to your throne. When they most need you, you give them no help!” I let out all my frustration and anger. It doesn’t matter that I am talking to the Emperor. The Emperor needs to be reminded of who and what he is, his purpose as a man, as a father, not just an Emperor. I want him to see that when someone threatens his family, he needs to do whatever it takes to prove that he would defend and protect them with all the power he possesses.
The Masterpiece (The shadow I cast Book 1) Page 13