“At my service, Suparna? No, it is I who should be bowing to you, in your beauty and wisdom,” said Yu-ning, bowing at the waist before Suparna.
“No, Yu-ning. You do not need to bow to me,” said Suparna. “I have learned of your bloodline, Yu-ning. You are a Darq Render. I am familiar with the noble history of the Darq Render clan. I am proud to serve you.”
“Suparna, I am still so confused about who I really am. But I do feel different. I don’t know if it’s because of how everything in my life seems to have been shattered, or because of the revelation of my identity as a Darq Render. All I know, Suparna, is that I am scared, I am confused, and I don’t know what the future holds.” At this, Yu-ning ran toward the magnificent bird and buried her face in the soft feathers of his chest.
Suparna looked at Yu-ning with shining eyes and enveloped the diminutive girl in his voluminous wings. “Much has happened in your life these past few fateful weeks, but I know one thing for certain: the light of love is in you, it is in me, it is in the children and teachers of this Island, and it will once again shine in the world around us. But in order for the light to shine, and for our glorious rainbow to be restored in its healing glory, we must rend—or tear—the light from the dark. Do you understand what I am saying, Yu-ning?”
“But that is not me, Suparna. I am not capable of rending light from a dragon! I am just one little girl.”
Suparna drew back from Yu-ning, releasing her from his wings, and rose up before her, thunder in his eyes. “YOU ARE NOT just a little girl, Yu-ning! Light does not know size—even the tiniest speck of light, when it touches darkness, tears it apart!” As Suparna finished addressing Yu-ning, his eyes grew soft again, and a smile creased the corners of his beak.
“I believe you, Suparna, but I am still very scared,” said Yu-ning.
“I know, my child. But we are in desperate times, and you are going to have to face those fears. News travels fast, and when I heard about the troubles on Rainbow Island, I came as quickly as I could,” added Suparna. “Unfortunately, Rainbow Island is not the only part of our realm under attack. The warlock Hobaling and the obsidigon have also attacked the Imperial City of Tunzai. Even the skilled bows of the Empress’s own royal guard were no match for the hard-scaled armor of the obsidigon.”
A light went off in Yu-ning’s mind. “Metatron told me about the rumors from Tunzai, which you have confirmed to be true. I want you to talk with Master Metatron,” urged Yu-ning. “He knows of a man who has knowledge of the obsidigon.”
“What man is this, Yu-ning?”
“His name is Balthazar, and he lives in the Tower of Light within the Grey City on Gracia Island.”
“Balthazar? I know the man! He is an old friend, and if anyone knows Darq Render lore, it is he.”
They decided to consult with Metatron, to seek his advice on what to do next. They walked together out to the edge of the path overlooking the vast expanse of the village and beach below. There she climbed atop Suparna’s back and pointed him in the direction of the hospital, where Metatron was making a slow recovery.
They swooped out over the village, and for the first time in her life, Yu-ning was able to experience something she’d only dreamt about—what it’s like to fly. They landed near the school hall entrance, and Yu-ning gingerly slipped from Suparna’s back, careful not to bump her tender left arm.
“Wait here, Suparna, I will not be long.”
Inside, the scene was markedly improved from even two weeks before: most of the children had been released from the hospital, and only four patients remained under the care of the Island’s kind doctor. One of them was Metatron, whose head still ached, and whose old bones were still recovering from their encounter with the obsidigon.
The color was returning to Metatron’s face, and he was able to take short walks with the aid of his staff. As Yu-ning entered the hospital, her master was sitting on the edge of his bed, fully dressed. “Hello, Yu-ning. What a nice surprise, and you are here just in time to accompany an old man on a short walk,” he said with a twinkle in his eye.
She gave him a gentle hug and told him about the events of the morning. He was anxious to see Suparna, and walked slowly with Yu-ning into the morning sunshine, where he greeted the stunning bird. There was an old stone bench on the path between the school and the beach, and there the three sat to talk privately about the unfolding events of the past few days. It was a quiet, tranquil spot where Metatron often came, with an arbor framing the bench, and wisteria blooming in the spring and summer.
Suparna and Metatron knew what had to be done. In his still-fragile state, it would be difficult for Metatron to make the journey to Gracia Island to visit Balthazar. Therefore, Suparna would travel with Yu-ning to the Grey City and provide protection for her. They all knew that Balthazar was probably their best chance of finding out more about how to defeat the obsidigon, recover the sacred crystals, and rescue their friend Romeo.
“Yu-ning, the Grey City is a labyrinth of narrow streets and stone buildings—too narrow for Suparna to fly through,” urged Metatron. “Therefore, he will need to fly you over the city to the Tower of Light. It is the tallest tower in the realm, and lies at the very center of the Grey City. It has been decades since I have visited Balthazar, so I do not know what you can expect once you arrive. The people of the Grey City were once allies of Rainbow Island, but we have lost contact with the city over the last several years. Be careful, and before you leave, I need you to ask Cristobel to bring me the crystal box in my cottage. I keep it next to my bed in the side table. She knows where it is. You will need to make ready this evening, and leave at first light.”
With that the friends agreed to part ways for the day, to make ready for their journey. Yu-ning found Cristobel near the archery range, giving a lesson in the art of bow making to some of the younger Rainbow Children. Yu-ning gave Cristobel the message from Metatron; she ended the class early and left to retrieve the box for her master. Yu-ning walked back to her cave, politely declining a ride from Suparna. Something inside her wanted to walk through the village and up the familiar cliff path; deep inside she wondered when she would once again see her beloved Island.
Yu-ning spent most of the day preparing for her journey, only packing those provisions that were vital. That evening Metatron and Suparna talked deep into the night, while Yu-ning retired early to get a good night’s sleep. In the morning, she double-checked her provisions and prepared to leave her cave. Once her leather backpack was ready, she called for Magic, who was hunting insects outside the entrance. The loyal frog came bouncing into the grotto as soon as he heard Yu-ning calling.
“It’s time for us to go, Magic. You can hop into the outside pocket of my pack, where I’ve put some soft grass, and even a few crickets for you.” Hearing about crickets made the frog leap for joy, bouncing like a rubber ball from floor to ceiling, and ricocheting off the walls as well.
“All right, I know you’re excited, Magic. But we need to go, so hop in!” The frog jumped off a side table and gently landed in the outer pocket of Yu-ning’s leather pack. She cinched the leather strap, and reminded the eccentric frog not to eat all the crickets at once. “Those may be the only crickets you get for many days, you slimy green Hyla cinerea!” she chided.
“Hyla-what?” Magic said.
“It’s your scientific name, silly. Don’t you ever read?” Yu-ning teased.
The frog was excited to leave Rainbow Island, as he had never before ventured from its shores. Popping his head out of the narrow opening between the strap and the side of the pocket, the frog spoke in a croaky, low voice. “I won’t let that nasty dragon hurt you. If I have to, I’ll plunk him in the eye again with the biggest rock I can find!”
Yu-ning smiled and said, “Magic, my friend, the pleasure of your company is enough to boost my courage—no need for any rock-throwing against a dragon a gazillion times your size!”
Yu-ning exited the cave, her backpack secure on her shoulders. She tested its w
eight, and adjusted the shoulder straps for maximum comfort. The straps rubbed against her left shoulder, which was tender to the touch, so she had to stop and slip a soft bandage between the large strap and her skin to relieve the pressure. As she descended the familiar hill path, she inhaled the sweet tropical air, full of the wonderful aromas of the Island—fertile earth and waterfall, of plumeria, passionflower, and orchid. Once down the hill, she made straight for the school hall, where Suparna and Metatron were awaiting her arrival.
Metatron approached and handed Yu-ning a small wooden box, which she opened. Inside was a beautiful, small round crystal orb, radiating powerful yellow light.
“This is the Light of Balthazar,” said Metatron. “It was a gift given to me by Balthazar himself a century ago, after the last obsidigons were defeated on the desolate plains of Darqendia. Bring this to Balthazar, and it will prove to him that you are my student and will help you earn his trust. Treasure this light, Yu-ning, as it will guide you in times of darkness.”
Yu-ning slipped the small box into her backpack and turned toward Suparna, signaling him that she was ready. A small group of children and teachers gathered, and Yu-ning said her goodbyes one by one. She received small tokens from many, including her favorite fruits, notes of encouragement, and other keepsakes that she hastily slipped into the side pockets of her pack. Many of her closest animal friends were there too, including Leonidas the lion, Shamza the zebra, Octavian the owl, and Prometheus the horse.
Finally ready, she hugged Metatron and whispered to him, too low for others to hear. “I am so afraid, Metatron. I believe that I am a Darq Render, but I don’t feel like one.”
The wizard closed his eyes hard, wishing that he could lift the burden from this precious little girl. “My sweet Yu-ning, there is strength in you that is yet undiscovered. But just remember that it is not violence that wins in the end, but love. That is your true strength, Yu-ning, and it is a weapon that will be completely foreign to your enemy. Therefore, love will be your strongest weapon.”
He pulled back, both hands on Yu-ning’s shoulders, looking straight into her eyes. He said no more words, but nonetheless let her know how much he loved her.
She turned, waved to the rest of the group, and mounted Suparna. For their journey, which would be long—covering two to three days over open ocean—the teachers fashioned a sort of saddle for Yu-ning, including a high leather back for comfort and a waist cinch to hold her true when she needed to sleep. The saddle even had straps with which to secure her backpack, placed close by for easy access. Magic rested comfortably in the top pocket, ready for the journey ahead.
Everything in order, Suparna began to beat his giant wings, slowly rising into the air. As he ascended, his rainbow-colored wings caught the morning light, and all those on the ground looked on in awe: for a brief moment, the color bands of his wings mimicked the bands of the sacred rainbow, now so sorely missed on Rainbow Island.
Metatron smiled and saw it as sign of good things to come—a glimpse of a future when the lights of the sacred rainbow would once again shine brightly over Rainbow Island, sending its light and rays of love into a world in desperate need.
Six
Storm
YU-NING AND SUPARNA BEGAN THEIR JOURNEY flying silently over choppy, turquoise blue waters as they left Rainbow Island. The brisk breeze was out of the north, making Suparna’s job easier as the two flew southward. By that afternoon, their spirits were high, as they had encountered nothing odd or out of the ordinary, and the seas had mellowed to a dead, glassy calm. They wondered if the darkness rumored to have arrived elsewhere had not yet afflicted realms further south.
Through that night Suparna flew, with Yu-ning finally nodding off to sleep as a gigantic waxing moon rose out of the north, bathing the ocean below in a haunting dark purple. The moonlight formed a trail heading southward across the water; it was almost as if its light was leading them to their destination.
As morning dawned, Yu-ning awoke to leaden skies. The seas were still deathly calm, but there was a strange feeling in the air. The sun was just a weak orb of pale yellow, veiled by a thin layer of high clouds. As they flew on that day, they came to a small chain of tiny islands—small rock outcroppings, really—which allowed Suparna to land and rest for a couple of hours. As the tide rose, however, the tiny islets began to disappear, the water rising up to Suparna’s claws, the rock disappearing before their eyes. It happened so quickly it seemed almost as if the ocean was forcing the pair back into the air, cutting short Suparna’s much-needed rest.
That night grew colder, with the wind picking up once again. The skies had not changed, and the cloud cover meant there would be no moon or watery moonlit trail to lead the way. Suparna, however, had an uncanny sense of direction—a gift he had been born with. And the map Metatron had given to him prior to their departure had proven to be highly accurate, even down to the exact location of the tiny islands they had rested upon earlier that day.
On the dawning of the third day, a light mist began. The mist turned to drizzle, followed by light rain, forcing Yu-ning into her slicker to keep the water from soaking her to the bone. Finally the skies completely opened up, and a heavy rain began to fall. As the rain increased, so did the wind. Then came the lightning and thunder. If it weren’t for the fact that the winds were still out of the north, it might have been impossible for Suparna to continue on. As it was, however, the two forged on, into the teeth of the storm. Just when visibility seemed to be reduced to just several feet in front of them, they spotted land ahead through a break in the low clouds. It was Gracia Island, home of the Grey City and the Tower of Light.
Soon the stormy beach gave way to low hillocks and then open, flat plains with little vegetation. Mile after mile they flew, buffeted by winds that seemed to swirl and change direction with no predictable pattern. Now it was becoming quite difficult for Suparna to fly safely, as the winds began to hit him from above, causing him to drop in altitude without warning. Soon, indeed, he was forced to land, and the two had no choice but to continue on foot. They trudged forward, the ground soaked and muddy, with no discernable paths or signs of life. They crested a low hill, and on the other side they were relieved to see a narrow road leading off to the south. As they picked up the road, the way was made easier, with the hard dirt below not yet turned to mud from the rain. As the afternoon light began to fade, and with the rain having only increased in intensity, the two finally conceded that they needed to find shelter and wait out the worst of the storm.
While searching for refuge, Yu-ning spotted granite outcroppings in the distance. As they walked closer, they realized the mass of rock was actually a city, and that the various rocks were grey buildings made of stone. They had reached the Grey City. The buildings were only two and three stories tall on the outskirts, but grew taller further inside the city. The roads between the buildings were very narrow—no more than eight feet wide, too narrow for Suparna to enter.
“Now, here’s a dilemma,” Suparna shouted over the howling wind and rain. “I can’t see far enough into the city to spot the Tower of Light, which stands at the center. And with this storm, I don’t think it will be safe for me to fly you over the city. With this reduced visibility, I am concerned that the local militia might mistake us for an obsidigon. I hate to say this, Yu-ning, but I think you need to press on alone. I will remain at this very spot until the rain clears sufficiently for me to make a safe sweep over the city. Wear your crystal-heart necklace outside your shirt, so that I can see its light from above. It seems that it will be the only visible color in this grey city.”
Suparna was right—the winds were swirling in every direction, making a flight into the heart of the city very dangerous and even an overflight potentially deadly if they were mistaken for a dragon. “All right, Suparna, I will go in alone. But please start looking for me when the visibility improves. I don’t like the look of this city. Plus, where are all the people?”
The pair stared down the empty s
treets from where they stood on the edge of the city. Not a soul in sight—not even a dog or cat crossed the desolate road. “Be careful, and remember your pink crystal heart . . . It will guide you to the center of the city, Yu-ning,” Suparna reminded her.
With Magic’s head poking out of the top of her backpack, she hefted the bag’s weight onto her back. “Goodbye, Suparna. I’d better go right away, because it’s probably already noon, and I don’t want to get stuck in the city after dark.”
With that, Yu-ning adjusted her pack, turned toward the city street, and started off down the road, leaving Suparna to huddle against the wall of a nearby house, somewhat protected from the rain under a large awning. He watched as she headed into the heart of the city, growing smaller as she seemed to blend in with the granite buildings and grey rain. At last she was swallowed up by the colorless city and the coursing rain.
Once inside the city, Yu-ning began to notice little signs of life: bits of trash on the street, a hint of light behind shuttered windows, an umbrella left on a porch. The farther she walked into the city, the harder the rain fell. Even so, as she walked on, block by block, townspeople began to emerge from houses and buildings, carrying umbrellas and wearing rain gear.
As the buildings grew taller and closer together, the smell and gritty taste of smoke from thousands of chimneys mixed with the miserable rain. She looked around and saw only dark, ominous clouds and dirty, mud-soaked streets. As she walked forward, the pollution dissipated slightly. She saw hundreds of tall stone buildings, towers, and homes before her, many jutting into the sky, all of varying heights. The colors of the city were black and dull shades of grey. Even the people who emerged into the rain wore clothes of grey and black.
People seemed to be in quite a rush—the city changed from deathly empty one minute to buzzing with activity the next. She was unable to capture the faces of the people around her, but she was anxious to make contact with someone, to feel a human connection. “Is this the Grey City? Why are you going so fast?” Yu-ning asked. Droves of people rushed back and forth on the busy streets, moving in different directions, heedless of the torrential rainstorm. No one paused, even for a moment.
Journey to Rainbow Island Page 4