Afaris: Shadows on Aora

by Ciubotaru, Tudor George

  ‘Father clearly said nobody should climb the mountain.’

  ‘Your father suggested it wasn’t ok for anybody to go there, he didn’t forbid us to. I and Debiana have felt this energy. What do you say, darling?’

  Debiana was anxious, she did not want to overlook Saraf’s words, but the proposal was alluring:

  ‘Honestly speaking, I am curious. Maybe like this we’ll understand your father’s perspective.’

  Afaris, in his turn, was tempted to go back. He wanted to know more about the energy pit.

  ‘Alright, but we’re going after sunset so that nobody knows.’

  Ulmaf smiled broadly, delighted that Afaris had decided to join their small adventure.

  ‘Alright. We’re going tonight’ Ulmaf said.

  ‘We’ll see. I must see what Father is doing, so that we’re not unfortunate to run into him on the mountain.’

  ‘We’ll have to be cautious about the Nymphs, too’ said Debiana. ‘If they see us sneak on the mountain in the dead of the night, especially since we’ll be so close to the place where the Nymph’s body was found.’

  ‘Yes, you’re right. That will be very interesting, sneak past them all.’

  Ulmaf was thrilled and beaming with enthusiasm. He had not done anything so exciting for long.

  Afaris felt the energy irradiated by Ulmaf and shared his enthusiasm to some extent. If everything went according to the plan, he would only win. He would find out more about the energy and persuade his friend about its existence and, at the same time, hazard.

  ‘I will tell you via thoughts tonight whether the time is right and what the city escape plan is.’

  ‘C’mon, the plan is simple, we’ll sneak out unseen’ Ulmaf said.

  ‘Yes, I’ve learnt some new things while training with Father. You’ll see’ Afaris said and winked smiling.

  Ulmaf and Debiana regarded him with interest.

  ‘OK, you’ve made me curious. What’s this about?’

  Afaris stood up.

  ‘You’ll see.’

  He shook his cloak and bade his friends goodbye:

  ‘I’ll see you tonight. In the meantime, I’d like to meditate and speak to Father.’

  ‘Well, we look forward to hearing from you’ Debiana said.

  The three greeted each other and Afaris left hastily back to the town, leaving the two basking in the sun.

  ***

  In the great hall of the tower there were more Aorians meditating than on any other regular day. They were seeking the peace and quietness to gather their thoughts. Afaris was treading next to them so as not to disturb them, looking for a spot to sit down next to the energy pit. Without an alternative, Aorians were sitting close each to another at the pit base to fuel themselves with the planet power, leaving just a passing aisle for those ascending and descending through the energy, Afaris stepped past them and launched himself into the energy wave, floating towards its centre. He closed his eyes, relaxed his body and started meditating.

  His mind became free from thoughts, empty and tranquil. The energy beams started fuelling his body, attracted by him. In the past days, his father had taught him first and foremost how to over-fuel his body, so that his energy barriers could be overpassed. He had taught him how to draw energy from the planet and then from any other source, people included, without any physical contact, such as fingers placed under the donor’s wrist.

  ‘The more energy you control, the more things you can do’ Saraf would tell him.

  If some days before he could handle things such as water, snow, rocks and even fire, he could now create the things he needed. He could create fire with his bare hands, energy balls and even the energy shield his father had used on the mountain that night.

  Softly raising his hands to the sides, palms facing upwards, Afaris summoned the energy flowing out of the pit into his hands, creating two small spheres of pure energy. He wanted to experience an energy manipulation method his father and brothers used, which would be of great help in the trip he was planning with Debiana and Ulmaf. Focusing on handling the energy in his palms, he ordered the two energy spheres to turn into two energy birds. The two birds’ minds were tightly connected to his. He could see what they saw. They were two extensions of his mind.

  He let them fly in the room, guiding them mentally, as they left behind a slight energy trace which glowed for some seconds and then dissipated into thin air. Even though it seemed easy and natural, it took a great deal of concentration to maintain and coordinate them, and the farther they were from him, the more difficult it was.

  He was delighted though. As the days passed he discovered he could do more and more things with his mind, things unheard of.

  He guided the two birds towards the tower gate and took them out. It was too difficult to control them both, so he gave one up. It just exploded and turned into energy dust. The other continued its flight, watching the town from above, while rising to the tower peak.

  It was a very pleasant feeling. While his body was flowing inside the energy pit, his mind roamed free, over the town, in the form of a bird.

  Reaching the tower peak, through the bird’s eyes he caught a glimpse at his father meditating under the sun rays, on the meadow on the highest floor balcony. Sensing his presence, Saraf opened his eyes and saw the energy bird flying around him. He understood immediately what it was and where it came from, smiled at it warmly, delighted with his son’s performance, then his smile turned into a cunning grin.

  Above his head, out of the blue, a bigger bird took form, its claws were menacing and it fixed Afaris’s small bird with a sharp look. Afaris realized his father intended to put him to a much more difficult test than controlling an energy bird.

  The hunt was on. Saraf’s bird started chasing Afaris’s. Out of reflex, Afaris plunged his bird to the tower base, trying to speed up. Glancing behind he noticed the other bird closing in threateningly. He made a sudden turn, heading for the tower, hoping he could lose it among the houses and have enough time to gather more energy in his bird so as to turn it into a sizeable opponent. He knew it was more agile and mobile, smaller as it was, but as he moved farther it became more and more difficult to control. He felt sweat running down his forehead from the effort.

  It was obvious, he could not win, and he could not evade Saraf’s bird. His look went hazy and he could no longer see where he was flying. Exactly when he thought there was no way out, he felt a new flow of energy directed to his bird, fuelling it, yet not strong enough to alter the bird’s shape. There was still enough energy to keep control of the bird, and the plan remained on. If he tried to evade the predator, he would have enough time to try a transformation.

  The two birds continued to fly fast among the houses. Afaris tried to turn his around and get it closer to the tower, but his father messed up his plans flying so as not to give him another option but fly away.

  Turning his bird abruptly to the right on an alley among the houses, Afaris glanced behind to his adversary, but he was not showing up. This was the right time to shake him off. One more turn and he could easily hide. He looked around and noticed that in 2 or 3 wing beats he would reach the following crossroads. On reaching the crossroads, Afaris waved wings strongly and passing the house corner, caught a glimpse at Saraf’s bird which was closing in on him fast, beak open, ready to seize its pray.

  No sooner had Afaris closed his eyes than the game ended, Saraf’s energy bird catching the smaller one in its beak, turning it into energy dust.

  Afaris opened his eyes suddenly, scared as if expecting to see his father’s predator heading towards him. In front of him, there was Calis, his mother, meditating next to him, floating in the pit’s energy, while her white hair flowed with the energy waves. She opened her eyes and smiled at him.

  ‘It was an interesting fight’ she said through thoughts so as not to disturb the other Aorians who continued to meditate, without being aware of what had happened.

  ‘So it was you who helped me?’
he asked her.

  ‘Obviously. Anyway, you did very well for your first fight’ Calis congratulated him.

  Afaris started laughing while wiping the sweat off his forehead with the sleeve. Then, his powers slightly restored, he readjusted his body temperature to normal, dried his hair and clothes of sweat.

  ‘I am glad to see you’re advancing so fast with your training.’

  ‘If only Father agreed.’

  ‘He does, but if he placed no pressure on you, you’d not perform this way. To exceed your limits, you cannot wait at their border. You need an external impulse.’

  Afaris approved his mother’s words with a nod.

  ‘I’ve spoken to your father. He’s considering inviting you to the Council table. What do you say?’

  ‘Me? What shall I do there? I’m not able to express my views on the matters they will discuss.’

  ‘Maybe not, but you’d better sit and listen. Soon you will establish your own Menom and the more you know by then, the easier it’ll be for you and you’ll have more self-confidence.’

  Afaris became pensive. He knew it was not the right time. He had rather attend any meeting so far instead of this one. This was no ordinary meeting, to discuss the evolution of towns and the petty matters of inhabitants, but a discussion that could completely change the Aorians’ way of life and he did not want to get in their way.

  ‘If Father insists, I’ll be present, but I honestly don’t want that.’

  Calis left herself carried by the energy to the pit edge and stepped softly among those who were meditating, holding her long hair as if she did not want to hit anybody with it, while Afaris gazed at her from his spot.

  ‘I’ll leave you continue your meditation. And don’t tell Saraf I helped you, he’ll be angry with us,’ she told him.

  Afaris focused quickly and generated in front of his mother an energy flower, as a token of appreciation. She smiled and grabbed it by the stem.

  ‘Thank you’ he told her, while Calis was heading away to the tower exit.

  Afaris closed back his eyes and resumed his meditation, but could no longer remember what he wanted to do.

  Before he remembered, he felt the tower shake. He opened his eyes and noticed that everybody in the room had felt the shake. One announced them in a loud voice:

  ‘A Nymph landed on a tower, probably Akdarosif. No need to worry.’

  They all relaxed and continued their meditation, but Afaris became curious. He left himself carried by the energy to the tower peak, where he hid behind the pit brim to see what was going on.

  Akdarosif was sitting next to his father, at the balcony edge.

  ‘Spirits have calmed down, our brother was sunk into the Lake of Mirrors a few days ago. However, some Nymphs are lurking around the Mountain of the First Light. I advise you not to roam there in the following days, I don’t want any more incidents.’

  ‘I agree. I have already told Aorians not to get close. I will strengthen my words at once.’

  ‘Good. Have you managed to meet your sons and daughters?’ asked Akdarosif.

  ‘Unfortunately, no. Most have arrived, but those from the other side of the planet will arrive the following days. With your permission, I will announce you after the council.’

  ‘Summon me and I will come. Our tournament will start soon and I’ll be quite busy. I thought to invite you to the final duel and watch it together, Nymphs and Aorians.

  ‘Do you reckon it is a good idea?’

  ‘Yes, it’ll tighten relations among us. And it’ll also mark the entrance into a new era and we will leave behind all issues between us.’

  ‘That’s a good idea’ Saraf said.

  After a moment of silence, Akdarosif resumed the conversation, on an even more serious tone:

  ‘It was a close shave that night.’

  ‘Yes, I feared the war would break out.’

  ‘Saraf, you know I fully trust you.’

  ‘There’s no doubt about that, my dear friend.’

  ‘Our future and yours is in your hands, you are the only one able to forge the future of our peoples, as you did in the past. You have my full support, whatever you need, you know where to find me.’

  Saraf nodded thankful.

  ‘Does anybody else except us know?’ Akdarosif asked.

  ‘No. And we’d better keep this secret for ourselves for now.’

  Afaris became restless. He knew he was witnessing a conversion to which he was not allowed. He had no idea about the consequences of being caught, yet he was determined to listen on.

  ‘Doesn’t your son know?’ Akdarosif asked.

  ‘No. He was with me that evening as he had discovered an energy pit on the mountain.’

  ‘An energy pit? Like this one?’ the King asked in surprise, pointing his beak to the pit in the centre of the tower.

  Afaris ducked, fearing he could be spotted.

  ‘No. It does not flow from the earth centre, it just exists like a portal floating in the air. I think you can guess what is coming out of it.’

  Akdarosif sighed softly.

  ‘So that’s what I felt that night. I thought it was just the Nymphs’ tension. I will drop by now and get a better opinion with you permission.’

  ‘Sure, but I advise you to be careful, the energy is growing and I do not know what it can do if you are getting too close.’

  ‘I will be. Where is it exactly?’

  Saraf stretched his hand to the Nymph’s closest claw, grabbing it. Afaris realized he was transmitting him the exact location of the pit.

  ‘Very well. We’ll keep in touch. Good luck with the meeting, Saraf.’

  ‘Good luck to you, dear friend.’

  The Nymph took off so strongly that the tower shook again.

  Afaris decided it was time he went down. He was intrigued by what he had just heard. What secret had the two spoken about?

  He could not descend too much as an energy bird his size took form in front of him. It snatched him in its claws and lifted along. Then it threw him to his father’s feet and then turned into energy dust.

  Afaris rose rapidly, panting with fear and crossed his father’s angry look. Neither said a word. Afaris did not know what to say to his defence, so he tried the easiest way out:

  ‘Apologies?’ he said with emotion.

  Chapter 6

  Sneaking through the woods

  Saraf continued to stare at him frowningly without a sound, while Afaris waited patiently for his father to burst out with anger. Instead, he put his arms behind his back and asked:

  ‘Why?’

  Afaris looked at him puzzled not knowing what to say.

  ‘Out of curiosity’ Afaris replied.

  ‘You do not trust me?’

  ‘What? No way! I just … don’t know what I was thinking.’

  ‘Why were you spying on me then? Do you think I am hiding something from you?’

  Afaris looked at his father in surprise. He actually was hiding something from him, he was hiding something from everybody. What could he say? Any answers he would give would cast the blame on him.

  ‘Yes’ Afaris replied in a low voice.

  ‘Why would I do that?’

  Saraf’s questions and the tone he used were devastating for Afaris. He did not know where his father was going, but with every question and every answer he felt like being buried alive.

  ‘I don’t know’ Afaris answered eventually.

  Saraf stepped towards Afaris, while he was going back, in awe, failing to understand Saraf’s behaviour.

  ‘Why don’t you know?’

  Afaris did not know what to answer and his father was closing to him menacingly.

  ‘What are you afraid of?’

  Afaris swallow hard and replied:

  ‘You.’

  Saraf raised his eyebrows in surprise:

  ‘Me? Me? Your father? Why?’

  ‘Because you’re upset with me.’

  Saraf stopped. He lowered his look and
shook his head slightly, sighing as if disappointed.

  ‘Maybe I am a good actor, but I have never harmed you. Why do you think I would do that to you now?’

  He was now lost for words. Afaris could understand nothing of his father’s behaviour.

  ‘Your legs are shaking as if you were facing death. Your mind is playing tricks, it makes you doubt yourself, me, everything you have known.’

  ‘Were you testing me?’ Afaris asked surprised.

  ‘In a way. Last time we went on the mountain, I started fearing for myself. Inexplicably, I feared the energy pit. I could not find any explanation, but the energy was attacking me psychically and this made me wonder: what other effects has it got on us that we are not even aware of?’

  Afaris continued listening, calmer than before. Even if his father no longer had an aggressive behaviour towards him, he was still quite uneasy.

  ‘You said you feared me. What feeling generated this fear? What wishes?’

  ‘To run away or …’

  Saraf completed Afaris’s sentence:

  ‘Or charge. Right?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Do you understand where I am going with this?’ Saraf asked, fixing him with his look and looking forward to his son’s answer.

  Afaris nodded, mouth barely open, in amazement. He had realized why his father feared the mystic energy. Without notice, he could have charged at him, even if he did not do anything to him. That energy was so perverse. It had darkened his mind without him noticing it. Numerous threatening questions flooded Afaris’s thoughts, but one shook him more than the others:

  ‘What if this happens? What if we start killing each other?’

  Saraf smiled briefly, but his sad eyes masked the falsity of his smile.

  ‘I think you already know the answer. I agree with you. But this simplifies things.’

  ‘Meaning?’

  ‘Well, first of all we know what the future holds in store for us. Butcher each other, without sides, without a war, simply the lust to kill, which may have various reasons, see your fear. We know how to fight the energy, how to protect ourselves from it for we know what it aims at.’

  Even tough his father’s words were staggering, the cruel truth was the first step to solving the problem. They knew the source and the effect of the disease.