by Kyle West
“Him leaving was a good thing though, right?” I asked.
“Yes and no. For I may have unwittingly planted a seed that would, one day, transform Mateya into Mithras…the very same who went on to rule the Suns and the priesthood by force of will.”
“What happened after he left?” I asked. “Where did he go?”
“That, I do not know. He was gone for ten years before returning to the Sphere. I had been raised to High Priest by then, where before I was an Elder. Some days, I did not even think of him.”
Markas was silent for a long time. I didn’t want to press him, because it was obvious that what he was going to say was weighing on him heavily.
“Until one day…he returned, no longer a boy, but a man. He came in tears, begging forgiveness, saying that he had made a grave error. Even as the Elders were skeptical, and as others opposed his return…it was I who made the decision to allow him back in, believing that forgiveness would cure all. And I was so convinced, but often, what we want to be true, invariably, becomes the actual truth. And so it was with me.”
“What happened then?” Isaru asked.
“He guessed one of our secrets,” Markas said. “Perhaps it's something he learned while he still lived among us. Perhaps he learned in his dreams. But the Elders all use Aether. It’s necessary to connect with some of the machines that work here. Always, we have used it in secret, never allowing the initiates or priests to see us. Without it, however, the Sphere would cease to function. Since Aether is so dangerous, it’s restricted only to the Elders…and of course, the High Priest, who oversees the ritual that allows the Sphere to continue operating.”
“Because you were using Aether, Mithras could control you,” Isaru said. “But what about the other priests, who didn’t use Aether?”
“It…wasn’t hard for Mithras to convince the younger priests to ingest Aether as well, once the Elders and High Priest were his to command. Meanwhile, Mithras was also taking control of the Suns. This is the part which confuses me most, for he was able to take control of some of the Suns directly with Aether – perhaps they were men we had missed, or perhaps their Talent was so miniscule that it had passed undetected by us. Whatever the case, he was able to take control of some of the Suns, and with their complete loyalty, was able to take control of the gang itself.”
“All for…what?” I asked. “What was his goal?”
“I don’t know,” Markas said. “His mind was twisted, but I believe that he was being spurred by something outside himself. Perhaps a vestige of the darkness the Elekai battled in the Ragnarok War remains…and if so, perhaps it was enough to influence his mind. Of course, perhaps the simplest answer is the correct one: Mithras might have simply been mad. But I do not think so. Whatever darkness the Mindless stem from…wherever reversions come from…that is where I believe Mithras received his dark prophecy.”
“But it was a false prophecy,” I said. “We killed him, so it was never fulfilled.”
“Prophecies are not always predictions of what will happen, but merely what could happen. Had things been different, perhaps Mithras would have seen its fulfillment. And, perhaps there are aspects of his prophecy that are already fulfilled, or remain to be fulfilled. That, we cannot know, for the only one who could tell us now lies dead.”
“We know some,” Isaru said. “Forests burning, vessels between the stars, swarms of dragons. Sounds like what we would expect of the Second Darkness.”
“What did Mithras mean by vessels between the stars, anyway?” I asked. “I’ve heard the stories about flying ships, but can they fly as high as the stars?”
“I am only relating the things Mateya spoke to me during his time here as a priest. He is the only one who knows his own prophecies, but of course…he is dead. And it could not be any other way.”
There was a long silence, and at last, I knew that Markas had said all he had meant to. However, there was still a feeling in the air that this wasn’t it.
“Why did you bring us here, Markas?” I asked. “It wasn't just to tell us about Mithras, I’m sure.”
“It was to ask a question of you. It has been long since a Seeker has come to the Ruins. The last I knew of one arriving, I was a young man who had just taken the white. Naturally, I was curious as to why two Seekers would find their way here.”
“We had hoped to study the Sphere,” Isaru said. “However, seeing that it is a sacred space, we will respect your wishes in this matter, if you do not wish to have us.”
Markas chuckled. “I could humor you and ask specifically what part of the Sphere you are interested in, and talk to you about it for hours. Days, even. But I don’t believe you are here to learn about the Sphere. I don’t know why you have come, but I brought you here for the intent of finding out. I would know the truth of it, and not merely what you have told the Dragonlord.”
Something in his voice told me that we weren’t leaving until he did find out.
“You’re right in that we’re not here to study the Sphere,” I admitted. “That was something contrived for Lord Avon. What we’re really after is food and supplies.”
Markas’s eyes looked at us curiously. Of all the things he’d expected me to say, that wasn’t one of them. “Food and supplies? For what purpose?”
“We are bound to secrecy in regard to that question,” Isaru said. “But we are traveling to a place that is very far.”
“I would say,” Markas said, his eyes considering. “Far enough to be Hyperborea, perhaps?”
Well, I guessed that was the only interesting place for Markas to guess. Each of us said nothing, because denying it would have been pointless.
“We’re seeking the Prophecy of Annara,” Isaru said, at last. “We believe it is in Hyperborea.”
“If that is where you are headed, then what are you doing here, of all places?”
“That’s a long story,” Isaru said. “But we came from Colonia, with nothing but our packs, a small bit of food, and our weapons. We had hoped to find food here for the journey north, but got caught up in the war. In exchange for helping, Lord Avon promised to give us food for the journey.”
“He did seem to be hedging a bit by the time you interrupted us,” I said. “He said it might take a while. We don’t really have time to wait.”
“Not surprising,” Markas said. “Food is currency here. And a lot of food for two people is of more value than you might suspect, especially in times like these. Likely, the Dragonlord would like to use his share of the Sphere’s food to feed his own people before giving out extra.”
“Well, that’s the reason, anyway. We need food, so we got enlisted in the war.”
“I’d always imagined Seekers to be above such things,” Markas said, not disapprovingly. “And I never expected them to be so young.”
Markas seemed skeptical that we were even Seekers at all; Mithras himself had said that we weren’t. But I wasn’t about to try and prove myself. It seemed like a Seeker would be “above” such a thing, after all.
Markas continued. “Certainly, you are both powerful enough to be Seekers.” He then looked at me. “There is one more matter I wish to discuss with you. What you did to sever our connection with Mithras…to overpower him even as he was enhanced by Aether…”
“What about it?” I asked.
“Well, frankly, it seems like something that should be impossible to do. It would require a strength unseen since the first generation of Elekai. Surely, such strength has never been seen in generations.”
I wondered how close Markas was to guessing the truth.
“I have thus far not told you the Priesthood’s true purpose. Yes, we maintain the Sphere. But we are also the guardians of an ancient truth, revealed by the Great Prophets of Hyperborea. That, one day, Annara will return, and it is our sacred duty to await her return and aid her, in all of our power. It is for this reason we still practice the blade, even should we have to wait twenty more generations.” Mithras eyed me with uncanny perception. “If
ever Annara did return, she is the only one I would expect to have power such as yours…power enough to have broken the link Mithras had forged.”
I was so shocked that I couldn’t even speak. Isaru seemed to be having a similar reaction.
“I’m sorry, I did not mean to offend,” Markas said.
“No, it’s just a very shocking thing to hear,” I said.
“I see,” Markas said, disappointed. “Then I suppose we priests will continue to keep our watch.”
I almost told him right then and there, but something held me back. Maybe I just wasn’t ready to reveal that. Not yet. It was hard enough admitting it even to myself.
“Of course,” Markas said, “I will make sure you have everything you need for your journey…as well as an escort of priests to ensure that no one raises a finger against you. They will see you to the northern edge of the Ruins, with all the food you can carry.” Before Isaru or I could even thank him, he pressed on. “And of course, you’ll need lodging for what remains of the night.”
“Thank you, Markas,” Isaru said.
“I daresay that it is I who should be saying that to you. Consider the food and the rest as a small way of repayment. And of course, should you ever return, for whatever reason, the Sphere will be open to you.”
Markas then led us from the pool until we were back in the main part of the Sphere, walking down the plant-covered tunnel. It was only then that my exhaustion hit me in full force. Markas led us through the empty lanes, turning and taking some stairs downward. To my surprise, among the trees and plants, there were some hammocks strung up. All of them were empty, but I supposed the priests were sleeping elsewhere.
“You won’t be disturbed here,” Markas said. “When you wake, go to the top of the stairs, turn right, and keep walking. Before long, you should find me.”
He then wished us good night and took his leave.
Isaru and I were too tired to say anything further. We each found a hammock to crawl in. The area was not dark, but it was decently shaded by the trees, which cast shadows from the light cast by the pipes.
I closed my eyes and was asleep within moments.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
WHEN I AWOKE, IT WAS hard to tell just how long we had sleep because the lighting was exactly the same. I had the feeling, though, that it was a long time.
While we were sleeping, a table had been set up nearby, upon which was a pitcher, two cups and plates, along with plenty of bread, fruit, and nuts.
I nearly tripped getting out of the hammock in my haste to get to the table. After taking a drink of the cool, pure water, I didn’t even bother to fill my plate, instead stuffing my face with all the food in front of me. I ripped off a hunk of the bread and dipped it into the jam rather than using one of the provided knives to spread it. The crunch of the bread’s crust and its inner softness was beyond heavenly, and the sweet, blueberry jam tasted so good that it made me smile.
The commotion was enough to wake Isaru. As soon as he caught sight of the food, he scrambled out of his hammock to join me.
We ate until we couldn’t anymore, to the point where it felt as if I was dragging myself back to the hammock. I intended to just lie there for a while, until I didn’t feel so stuffed, but somehow, Isaru and I fell asleep again.
It was some time before we were both up. Even if all my aches and pains weren’t gone, I still felt far better than before. I noticed that our packs were lying nearby; apparently, Markas had seen to getting them back from Dragonhold while we were sleeping. We must have been out for a long time.
After eating another time, we took up our packs, which were far heavier than before, and left the hammocks behind. Once we reached the stairs, we took a right, as Markas had directed, following the path until we found ourselves at the entrance.
There, we waited.
It was some time before Markas appeared. He was flanked on his either side by three white-robed priests, for a total of six.
“I know you are probably ready to be on your way,” Markas said. “Your packs have been filled, and this is the escort of priests that will see you to the northern edge of the Ruins. With this guard, I can guarantee that no one will challenge your passage.”
“Thank you, Markas,” Isaru said.
“It is little we can offer in exchange for saving us,” he said. “As I’ve already said, the Sphere is always open to you. And if you hear news of Annara’s return, make haste to here at once.”
I tried not to shift my feet at that, but I still felt as if I’d made the right decision. Our mission was to get to Hyperborea and find the Prophecy. There was a time and place for telling the truth, but right here, right now, wasn’t it.
“Thank you again, Markas,” I said. And, I couldn’t resist adding: “There is a prophecy, in the Sanctum, by one of our Elders, that says Annara would return before the last Prince of Hyperborea passed from the Earth. That prince has been found, quite recently.” Isaru looked at me, shocked that I was even saying this. I went on all the same. “Something tells me that you will live to the fulfillment of the Priesthood’s duty.”
Markas closed his eyes then, but it wasn’t just from relief. There was a sense of acceptance as well, and curiously, even pain.
“All is as it must be, Seeker Alara,” he said. “What will come to pass, will come to pass, and the Priesthood is ready to fulfill its role…to the very end. Whenever that end comes.”
Something about the way he said that nearly gave me chills. It was as if he was talking about being willing to die.
The truth was, I wasn’t a Seeker yet. Seekers were not supposed to fear death, and usually I didn’t. But for some reason, death seemed all the more likely in that moment. Not just for these Priests, but for Annara, whom they had sworn to defend.
No…for me.
They probably knew things I didn’t. Things lost perhaps even to the Seekers. I would have to return, someday, but for now, my and Isaru’s path led north.
* * *
When we exited the Sphere, I was surprised to find that it was dawn. Not only had we slept through the day, but the night as well. It was hardly surprising, seeing how little sleep we had gotten since leaving Colonia.
The sun rose red above the shattered towers of the Ruins. It did not look like a morning sun, such was its redness, which imbued the surrounding clouds with bloody hues. We walked on the dirt of the Sphere’s inner courtyard, which was bare save for a single guardsman warming his hands by a fire. Several more guards patrolled the walls high above, but not as many as I would have thought. I guessed most of the Coalition army was off in more important areas, and Lord Avon and the other gang lords were probably far from here. Smoke still rose here and there, and likely wouldn’t fully dissipate for days.
The priests led us to a gateway and we received no challenge from the guardsmen as the thick, wooden doors swung open, revealing a beaten path that forged straight ahead to the second wall. This gate, too, opened, and we passed through it, along with the last one, to find ourselves back into the thickest part of the Ruins.
Though at times we were forced to scramble over rubble, the path was mostly clear. By midmorning, we had found a wide, cleared street that we followed directly north.
Towers were replaced by shorter, crumbling buildings, interspersed with tracts of wind-blasted sand and rocks. Streets and roads had long been buried. Soon, I could see far out to the north, which was an unbroken stretch of cracked sand and low hills sweltering in the morning heat beneath a pure blue sky. I had to squint my eyes, it was so bright.
The lead priest spoke when we came to a halt. “The easiest water is the Colorado, which you should reach by evening with fast walking east. After that, it becomes more difficult, but in spring, it’s possible to find streams near the higher hills and peaks. The river, however, will lead directly to the Red Wild, where there is water in plenty.”
I realized then that these priests knew nothing of our journey north; Markas had kept our secret to himsel
f.
“Thank you,” Isaru said.
And then, readjusting our packs, Isaru and I set off alone along the northern edge of the city. We had found our food, and while not enough to see us all the way to Hyperborea, it was enough to, with luck, see us through the Exiled Lands.
CHAPTER TWENTY
TO MY SURPRISE, THE REST of the day was quiet and uneventful. We paused to eat around midday, near the outer edge of the Ruins, and continued trekking across the hot desert until sunset. As the priest had said, we came upon the river around that time. Just a few miles north of where we had left it, the river seemed thinner, snaking its way between high canyon walls. There, we refilled our canteens, and followed the river’s edge upstream.
We set up camp in a nook in the cliff that was well-hidden behind some brush. As we ate our dinner, Isaru began to discuss our travel plans.
“It’s been over a week since Colonia,” he began. “At this rate, we’ll reach Hyperborea in two months, not one. The Ruins ate up a lot of time, and we have so much more to go through. We have the Exiled Lands, followed by the Dagger Peaks, which form the western border of the Northern Wild. They are not much traversed, and while the areas around places like Northold have been surveyed, the northwestern extremes of the Wild, right below the Northern Reversion, are a dark spot. It’s mostly thick forests and mountains, and there’s little human settlement. Some Wilder tribes, here and there, maybe. The Invi, the tribe my mother was from, are the most well-known, although even they were driven out a few years ago by reversions.”
“Wait,” I said. “What’s this Northern Reversion you’re talking about?”
“I’m surprised you haven’t heard of it yet. It’s sort of seen as common knowledge, but yes, there’s a proper end to the Red Wild, and it’s with the Northern Reversion. The land turns foul, basically, and that goes on all the way to the North Pole for as far as anyone knows. Anyone crazy enough to go that far north has only been met with an untimely death. It’s part of the reason why Hyperborea is just as dangerous; it’s literally a few miles south of the Northern Reversion, and a lot of cartographers place it as being inside the Reversion. And of course, Elder Isandru believes it’s the very source, due to it being the start of it all.”