‘Why?’
‘I’ve told you why’ Falus told him in thought, ironically.
‘Father, can’t you heal him? Restore his lost limbs? To even the odds.’
‘Unfortunately, I cannot, it is too difficult to work on a foreign living tissue when it was removed completely. Moreover, we should not interfere with their traditions. It is enough we received the honour to attend the fight.’
‘Well, I will not watch the finals.’
From the dome, they heard screams and shouts. The three looked up listening.
‘I do not think you can anymore.’
Afaris looked down. He knew what had happened.
‘Let us go, too. It is our honorary duty to congratulate the victor and give our regards to the defeated Nymph, wherever his spirit may be.’
The three started to walk through the tunnels heading to the tree dome. Afaris was leaning on his father, as he was still weak. Falus offered to carry him, but he said no because he wanted to relax.
The noise of the crowd was growing. When they got outside, they saw everybody was agitated. A sharp cry came from the arena, from behind the crowd, followed by screams of terror.
‘Stop! NO!’ the crowd were shouting.
‘Something is wrong’ Saraf said in a firm voice. ‘Falus, do you see anything?’
‘No. Jump onto my back, quickly!’
‘Can you carry both of us?’
‘I’ll make an effort … come on!’
Afaris, too, mounted Falus who took off over the crowd. In the middle of the arena they saw two small Nymphs. One was fallen to the ground and seemed severely injured. Looking closer, Afaris saw it was the disabled Nymph. In front of him there were several Aorians who seemed to be protecting him. The other Nymph was agitated and another one, the size of Akdarosif, was coming from behind:
‘How dare you?’ they heard the Nymph’s voice in their minds.
‘It should not end like this!’ shouted one Aorian.
‘What is wrong with them?’ Saraf wondered, agitated.
The small Nymph dashed to his opponent who was on the ground, but one of the Aorians replied with an energy shield cast directly to his neck, slitting it by mistake. The Nymph started to struggle and scream under the crowd’s terrified eyes. The hearts of all present seemed to have come to a halt.
‘You bastards!’ the huge Nymph shouted and hit the Aorian with his entire strength throwing him to one side. It was obvious the Aorian could not survive such a blow.
Akdarosif jumped into the arena, trying to stop him. The Aorians took a battle position some generating energy weapons and shields. Then more Nymphs entered the arena attacking the Aorians. It was beyond words, tens of Aorians and Nymphs fighting while Akdarosif was wrestling the huge Nymph. In the stalls, everybody was scared and panicked, not knowing what to do.
‘It is Lint …’ Saraf said.
‘What!?’
‘Down there. Lint and his people started this.’
Afaris looked carefully at the crowd in the arena. He then saw his brother Lint fighting a Nymph. It was him, there was no doubt about it.
Akdarosif knocked down his opponent then screamed using all the power of his thoughts:
‘STOP!!!’
The crowd stopped.
‘This madness shall stop now!’
‘How dare you defend them over your akin?’ the other huge Nymph said, standing up. ‘They interrupted the ritual and killed one of ours.’
‘As you have one of theirs.’
Afaris looked at the body of the Aorian. The other Aorians, probably friends or relatives, were holding his hands and cursing the Nymphs, eyes in tears.
‘What shall we do?’ Afaris asked Saraf, scared.
‘No idea …’
‘If Crifius loses it, only half of you are going back’ Falus said.
‘Who’s Crifius?’ Afaris asked
Falus flew to a branch and landed there. Saraf and Afaris dismounted him, looking at the arena attentively.
‘I apologize, I could not fly with you two on my back. Crifius is the other Nymph the size of Akdarosif.’
‘He is the one who invited them to the tournament ...’
‘I remember from your memories’ Afaris confirmed.
The three continued to watch the scene. Akdarosif and Crifius were bickering and everybody was ready to charge.
Crifius looked down, to the disabled Nymph, who was barely alive. He raised one claw and stuck it into him, putting an end to his misery.
‘This is not the way to start a new era’ Crifius said, shaking the Nymph’s blood off his claw.
‘No, and this is not the way the tournament was supposed to finish …’Akdarosif said,
‘Get rid of them or I will …’
Akdarosif looked at the crowd concerned. Then, he saw Saraf:
‘Run! Get your people and leave while you still can.’
‘How?! We are in the middle of the ocean.’
‘I don’t know. Find a way, fast!’
Saraf nodded.
‘Everybody to the pit, we are leaving!’ he shouted as strongly as he could.
He started running down the branch to the energy pit, Aorians following him, in awe. Afaris was right behind him while Falus was flying above them. Tens of Nymphs were swarming around them, shouting and screaming. It was obvious that, if only one attacked, the tree would turn into a bloodbath.
‘Falus, go away!’ Saraf urged him.
‘I can help you…’
‘No. If things get out of control, they will kill you for taking sides with us. Go away now!’
Falus, agitated and afraid, changed course and left them.
‘Take care, Afaris’ they heard his thoughts.
‘You too, dear friend.’
The Aorians descended fast through the energy wave, as many as possible at once, scared and panicked. Reaching the ocean, through the roots of the humongous tree, Saraf directed his energy to the water which froze on the spot. That was his plan.
‘Run as fast as you can!’
Saraf’s right hand was stretched out in front of him and through it he was channelling his energy to the water, turning it into ice. Afaris was running behind him feeding him energy, helping him. All Aorians were running their fastest after Saraf. Shortly after, they came out of the tree and ran on the ice. All they could see in front was the ocean and it was difficult to tell where the nearest shore was. They had no other possibility but keep on running. Behind, the tree was fading into the distance, and the Nymphs’ hundreds of angry shouts could be heard. It was hot, and the ice generated by Saraf could not last too long behind them. If somebody stayed behind they fell prey to the ocean. Nobody had the energy it took to swim from there to the shore.
Saraf’s other sons reached the first line and started helping their father. All but Lint. They continued to run, tired as they were, even if they felt like stopping and letting themselves engulfed by the ocean.
Later, the shore appeared on the horizon. Sweat was running down all Aorians’ foreheads. The image of the shore gave them the extra strength they needed to last a little longer.
On reaching the ground, they all collapsed, sighing and panting. There were some thousands Aorians on the ocean shore. They were all exhausted and frightened.
Saraf stood up, even though he could barely walk. Afaris and Calis were lying on the ground, next to him, breathing with difficulty.
‘Is everyone here?’
A woman next to them shook her head and started crying, face in palms. Many Aorians were crying and calling their akin. Urfius stood up with difficulty and headed to Saraf, his chin was shaking:
‘Many gave in … the ocean swallowed them.’
Then Urfius fell to his knees continuing to pant, holding his hand on his chest. Saraf was looking around. He did not see Lint in the crowd, nor did he recognize any of the faces of people in his town.
‘Have you seen your brother, Lint?’ he asked Urfius.
‘Not since we fled the Nest.’
Saraf sat down next to Urfius gazing into the distance, sighing without anybody hearing him. Urfius lifted his head and asked him:
‘What now?’
Saraf shook his head. It was crystal clear. There was no room for doubts, possibilities or false hopes. He turned his head to his son and told him:
‘War…’
Chapter 18
Tension at the council table
By the end of the day, the Aorians reached Saraf-Menom and remained there for the following days, staying 10 or 12 in one house. They supported each other and grieved their losses. One could not roam the streets without hearing a mother crying over her child or grown-up men mourning their brother, sister or lover.
Since that day, Aorians ceased looking to the ocean, or, at least, they did so in a different manner. Even if it started at the outskirts of the town, they avoided looking at it. The ocean was now a graveyard for tens of Aorians taken away by water.
Apart from the sadness and misfortune filling the streets of Saraf-Menom, various other feelings were present: fear, terror, despair. The war was on, that was certain. The future, regardless of what it had in store, would be written in blood.
On the third day, Saraf felt bound to hold a speech to Aorians. They needed somebody to inspire them hope, more than ever. They needed somebody to trust and tell them everything would be fine.
Thus, sitting on the tower steps in front of the crowd, Saraf delivered his speech, to his right and left stood Calis and Afaris, their heads bowed:
‘I stand in front of you broken-hearted, with a wish to tell you everything will be fine. I cannot, though, tell this lie. Things will never be the same. Nothing can erase the suffering we are all experiencing. Nothing can bring about reconciliation, or even revenge. But, regardless how difficult this is, there is no time to speak about the past. We must look forward. The war started and that means we must be strong and powerful, support each other. What happened was meant to happen. It was a test. The strongest passed it and stand today in front of me. The weakest … their body is asleep in the mild embrace of the ocean and their spirits are with us. We have been chosen, we who are here today, to fight this battle. This war. To prove that we wish to live, to regain our way of life. The diplomatic approach for preventing this war has failed not because it was not good enough, but because it was meant to be this way! Pandora has a plan, and we are prepared to see it fulfilled. So, rise, heal your wounds and be ready for anything. I shall not mourn anyone any longer!’
Saraf lowered his head and took two steps back. The crowd cheered him, but they were not very honest. They were afraid. They knew he was right. They knew they had to be strong, otherwise they would fall victims to the war, but lacked the courage. Only a few approved Saraf’s words firmly, tears in their eyes, prepared for whatever challenge the future held in store.
Saraf entered the main hall of the tower, head in chest after making sure nobody could see him but his family. Calis and Afaris were behind him.
She embraced him and saw a tear running down his cheek.
‘I have tried to stop this’ he said. ‘I have tried to avoid the war, I did my best, but it was not enough…’
‘You must not bear this burden alone. The people outside, maybe not all of them, but most are with you and will follow you in battle. They believe in you.’
‘Yes, they believe in me and are expecting me to solve this problem. To open the way to a better world as I have always. I cannot do this anymore. Not alone.’
He whipped his tears and continued:
‘Blood has just started to be shed. They are not prepared for this. They will die in numbers. As we speak, all towns are unguarded, exposed. The fortunate who were not in the Nest are slaughtered.’
‘You cannot protect everyone’ Calis tried to calm him down.
Afaris was sitting in the back, in silence. He had never seen his father that depressed. He had never seen him cry. He knew that, if the most powerful Aorian mourned, the future would be dark, indeed.
‘The Nymphs have entered a new era and we have joined them’ Saraf said looking up and encouraging himself. ‘Afaris, summon your brothers and my advisors to the library. Nobody shall enter but them. I will see you all there.’
Saraf headed to the energy pit, Afaris and Calis looking at him step into the energy wave and descend on it fast.
‘Where’s he going?’ Afaris asked.
‘I reckon the core of Aora. Leave him, he will come around, he just needs some time alone.’
Afaris sighed, looking down. He felt low. He wanted to help him somehow, but had no idea how. Anyway, he had the task to gather everyone. This council reunion would be the most important one in the history of Aorians. What they would discuss at the table, the decisions which would decide their fate.
‘I’ll look for my brothers and sisters and the advisors’ he said.
‘I’ll help you. We need to inform this is an urgent summon.’
‘If we make a public announcement, won’t we terrify them?’
Calis laughed shortly, ironically:
‘More terrified than they already are? I doubt that.’
***
Saraf exited the energy pit and entered the large library hall. At a living ivy table built of energy, all his sons, daughters and advisors were siting. Calis had saved him a place next to her. They were all siting on bushes grown in the shape of chairs and discussing. Seeing Saraf, they stood up as a sign of respect.
Afaris had his back to the direction of his father. When he turned around and saw him, he was surprised. It seemed that the trip inside the planet had done him good. His posture was straight and imposing with a power and determination-inspiring sight. His fists were clenched, as if ready for fight. He sat down on the chair next to Calis followed by the other Aorians present.
Saraf scanned them all rapidly. His peer penetrated everyone’s mind asking them one question: are you ready?
Reaching Afaris, who was sitting to the right end of the table, Saraf kept the eye contact longer than with the others. Words could do no justice to the volume of information they exchanged through the look, two things were certain: Saraf needed Afaris’s support more than anyone’s. He needed somebody to rely on. Secondly, Afaris let him know that no matter the situation he would be his load-bearing pillar.
‘I want everybody to be prepared. You must go to your towns as soon as possible and mobilize your offspring. The Nymphs are unpredictable and, therefore, can attack at any time. I will not accept you being caught off guard.’
‘We will send Aorians to patrol around the towns’ Urfius added ‘and energo-forms will hover them. Thus, they will not be able to approach without being seen. By the time they get to us, we will be in position.’
‘Wise tactics. Select from your towns the strongest in order to conduct these tasks. The rest should preserve their strength for an attack’ Saraf continued.
‘What if we attacked first?’ Tiftoriu suggested.
‘We shall not’ Saraf answered firmly and Tiftorius frowned. ‘Akdarosif will do his best to contain spirits, but I am afraid this time his word is not strong enough. We shall wait for the Nymphs to move first. If there is a possibility, no matter how small, to avoid this war, I do not want us to waste it.’
‘You know very well that peace is no longer an option, Saraf’ Tiftorius said with ease and irony. ‘You’ve seen their reaction, they killed one of us with no hesitation. I’m telling you, it’s high time we attacked!’
‘Why are so keen to attack?’ Afaris asked him with a firm look.
Everyone at the table looked at Afaris, then Tiftorius.
‘Because I’m positive that otherwise …’
‘You were positive nothing was wrong with Lint and his offspring and you were wrong.’
Tiftorius gnashed his teeth and looked away from Afaris. Then he whispered agitatedly fixing his clenched fist on the table:
‘I’m positive that if we sta
y here and wait crossed-hands, we will die. And what happened in Lint-Menon was not my fault. That event was not premeditated. If I’m not mistaken, you too did not bear to see the death of that Nymph, it could have been you who defended him, if you weren’t high.’
Afaris filled with rage. He was trying to refrain from jumping over the table to the advisor’s throat. He glanced at Saraf who was speechless. He was leaving his son wage this battle alone. He then looked back to Tiftorius who had a small satisfied smile:
‘Allow me to doubt your certainties, for we entrusted you with the task to watch over Lint, and you failed miserably. This war could have been prevented if you had been more skilled. Having said that, I do not consider you belong at this table anymore.’
Tiftorius clenched his fist even stronger and pointed it to Afaris, while leaning over the table:
‘How dare you? I have been sitting at the table since before you were even born. Who are you to decide my words matter no more?’
‘He is my son and if he wants you out, you had better leave.’
Tiftorius stood up angrily and shouted:
‘You’ll see! You’ll see how you will be swinging in the Nymphs’ claws and I’ll make sure I am the last who dies just to see your faces!’
He stormed out of the hall to the pit where he climbed the energy wave.
Saraf leaned over the table and told Afaris:
‘You did notice that, did you not?’
Afaris nodded, while the other Aorians were watching them puzzled.
‘Notice what?’ Urfius asked.
‘He has gone berserk. He has gone dark. That energy has taken over him or, at least, that is what I believe.’
‘If you think so, why aren’t you doing anything about him?’
‘Because, on his cloak, hidden between the seams, there is a small energo-form I created. Whatever he does, I will know. I think he will leave the town and head for Lint-Menom. Thus, we have a small spy infiltrated there and we will be able to see what we can expect from them.’
Afaris: Shadows on Aora Page 17