by BC Powell
I realize Sash is playing them both. She seems to know exactly what to say to each one to somehow appease and manipulate them.
“I think I shall,” Glutano replies. He dashes back to the edge of the cliff, pinches more nectar with his claws, and drizzles it into his mouth.
“You can learn much from this Hunter,” Superbos says, looking at me for the first time.
“Believe me,” I reply. “That’s a fact I’m well aware of.”
“Is insolence common in the world from which you hail?” the creature scathes.
I immediately decide I should imitate Sash’s style of interaction with them, especially since I may return as a child’s escort at some point in the future. “I didn’t mean it in an insolent way,” I say, bowing to the creature. “If I was offensive, I apologize. I feel great honor being in your presence.”
The Schorachnia seems satisfied with my apology and prances in a circle until stopping sideways in front of Sash. “It will be my honor to provide you passage to the Infinite Expanse,” Superbos says.
“The honor is mine,” she replies.
Sash climbs onto the Schorachnia’s back, straddling it like a person would a horse. I notice that she’s careful to stay in the front part of the creature’s body and away from the stingers. Keeping her spear in one hand, she takes a scaly knob that protrudes from the upper part of the creature’s back in the grip of her other hand.
“If it doesn’t interfere with the activities you have planned,” Sash says, “we would be grateful if you would pause before the Gateway so that Chase may fully experience the beautiful music created by the winds you control.”
“I do not believe that will interfere with my plans,” Superbos replies.
Glutano scampers to me from the edge of the Canyon and stands sideways in front of the Stone. “It will be my honor to provide you passage to the Infinite Expanse,” he says.
I climb onto the creature’s back and grasp his knob with one hand. Both Schorachnia walk across the red dirt to the edge of the Bridge of Harmony. Superbos leads our way onto the stone walkway while Glutano and I follow close behind. Despite how narrow the Bridge is, the enormous creatures agilely crawl across it with all eight feet taking turns gripping the rock. Even with the steadiness in their stride, my heart is racing from the thought of falling over the side.
Gusts of wind whistle through the Canyon and the volume of the music rises until a thunderous symphony roars from the abyss. The flowering vines cascade down the sides of the Canyon walls like the downpour of a waterfall. As far down as I can see, the purple vines descend into the bottomless Canyon, gently swaying in the breeze. As they rub together, the sounds of violins and cellos echo off the walls.
The curtain of colored light looms closer as we make our way over the Bridge. It descends into the depths of the Canyon around us and rises all the way to the clouds above. When we reach a clear opening in the center of the Bridge just large enough for us to pass through, Superbos comes to a stop. Glutano halts directly behind him, and we remain motionless in the center of the Canyon.
Layers and layers of melodic harmonies serenade the air around us. The sound vibrates through my body and fills my mind with unbridled joy. A broad smile gradually forms on my lips in reaction to the sheer beauty of the music.
After maybe fifteen minutes pass—it’s hard to keep track in my enchanted state—Superbos crawls forward through the Gateway. As we follow them through the opening, the music fades away until it’s replaced by absolute silence. The only sound I hear is the scampering of the creatures’ feet as they cross the remainder of the stone Bridge.
A few yards past the end of the Bridge, we reach another round slab of flat-topped rock. Superbos stops beside it to let Sash climb off. When Glutano comes to a standstill on the other side of the Stone of Passage, I jump off his back.
“We will await your return,” Superbos says to Sash, bowing his head slightly.
“We’re grateful for your service,” she replies.
I bow to them. “Thank you both.”
The creatures return across the Bridge of Harmony to the other side of the barrier. After Sash and I step off the rock, we walk into the Infinite Expanse. Unlike the Expanse to the north, there’s no river, no water—just miles and miles of reddish-brown hills. Multicolored light cuts the edges of the motionless clouds over our heads, and the air around us is perfectly still.
“I’m glad they didn’t stay,” I say. “I’d hate to see what their fears look like.”
“Guardians have no fear,” she replies. “They’re impervious to the effects of the Infinite Expanse.”
“They’re fascinating creatures,” I comment, “although a little scary at first. I really appreciate your asking them to stop on the Bridge. That music is unbelievable.”
“The center of the Bridge just before the Gateway is where the music has the fullest sound. I thought you’d enjoy listening to it from there.”
“I did,” I reply. “Now what?”
“We travel farther into the Expanse,” Sash answers. “Are you ready?”
I have no idea what lies ahead. This appears to be the final step to solidifying my place in Krymzyn. But with the elevated confidence I’ve found since being in this world and Sash at my side, I’m ready to face whatever happens.
“Let’s go,” I say.
Chapter 28
As we skim over the rusty hills of the Infinite Expanse, Sash speeds ahead of me. We travel for half an hour before she eases to a stop on the plateau of a low mesa. I come out of my blend, sprint up the hill, and stop beside her.
Slowly turning in a circle, I look at the endless miles of hills laced with tiny ruby-like crystals. A vast bouquet of colors shines from overhead while sparks of red glisten all around us.
“It’s really beautiful out here,” I say to Sash. “What do we do now?”
“We wait,” she replies.
“Am I supposed to think about something specific?”
“Whatever you need to overcome will find you.”
I nod to her, accepting that there’s no forcing the issue. My eyes roam the terrain again with vague memories from my errant journey into the Infinite Expanse drifting in and out my mind. An uncomfortable apprehension grows inside me, and my pulse begins to rise.
A husky voice blares from behind me. “You’ve returned!”
When I spin, I see Balt on top of a nearby hill with four Murkovin standing at his side. Narrowing my eyes, I tighten my grip on my spear.
“He’s from your mind,” Sash says. “You need to conquer your fear by confronting him.”
“But he’s real enough to kill me, right?” I ask without taking my eyes off Balt.
“Anything you see in the Expanse can kill you,” Sash answers. “But only if you succumb to fear.”
I close my eyes for a moment and take a deep breath. Even though I know he’s from my mind, my hatred for Balt is fuming inside me.
“What do you want?” I yell, opening my eyes and glaring at him.
“I want you to know the truth!” he shouts. “You don’t belong in Krymzyn!”
I walk down the hill and halfway into the shallow valley that separates us. Sash trails behind me, but she’s well off to my side. Balt and the four Murkovin all step down the slope in my direction.
“Can’t you do anything for yourself?” I yell. “Do you need their help?”
Balt throws his thick muscular arms out to his sides, the spear in one hand reflecting the array of colors from the sky. The four Murkovin stop, but Balt continues towards me.
“You should have never come to Krymzyn,” he snarls. “Sash can’t protect you forever.”
“I can protect myself!”
“You have no place here. You never should have sought a purpose in Krymzyn. This is not your world!”
Anger that was kindled during the fight on the Bridge, flamed after the attack on our habitat, and raged into an inferno when Beck was killed finally explodes inside me. I charge straight at Balt
.
As soon as I’m in range, I thrust my spear at him with so much force that I almost fall to the ground. He snaps his weapon up, blocking my jab. With both his hands on the shaft, he slams his spear into my gut. I fall backwards to the ground, sucking for breath as he leaps at me. The tip of his spear shoots at my skull, but out of nowhere, Sash slams her body into his. He sprawls to the red dirt while Sash looks down at my eyes.
“You can’t defeat fear with hatred or anger,” she says firmly.
“You’re nothing without her!” Balt shrieks, jumping to his feet.
After carefully listening to Sash’s words again in my mind, I stand from the ground with my spear relaxed at my side. “You’re the one who doesn’t belong here,” I say in a quiet, calm voice, trying to keep my anger in check. “I’ve proven my purpose in this world. You abandoned yours.”
His blood-red eyes widen with fury at my bait. When he lunges his weapon at me, I spring to my side. The steel point sails harmlessly by my chest while Balt stumbles forward. I whirl the tip of my spear at his head, but he jerks his up to block. With a booming clang, the force of my blow knocks both our weapons out of our hands.
He surges forward, tackling me to the ground. As my head hits the dirt, he pounds a fist into my face. Blood spurts from my nose, but I hook an arm around his neck and buck my body off the ground. Throwing him to the dirt at my side, I slip behind him. I squeeze his throat until my muscles are straining through my skin.
Shaking with strength, Balt rises on his knees. Both his hands grab my shirt, and he flips me over his head. My back slams into the ground with a thud, but I immediately roll away and spring to my feet.
“You’re not strong enough to fight me!” he screams, clenching his hands into fists as he stands from the dirt.
“It doesn’t matter!” I shout. “I’m strong enough to belong in this world. No matter how many times you knock me down, I’ll stand up to fight again. I’m not afraid of you.”
He grimaces from my words before reaching down to grab his spear. I storm towards him, see a glint of light from my side, and snatch from the air the spear that Sash threw to me. Arcing around the point of his weapon, I twist, whipping the steel in my hands at his skull. When the point slams into his head, he vaporizes into a cloud of black dust. Tiny particles slowly float to the ground around me.
“Thanks for the assist,” I say, tossing Sash’s spear back to her.
“You defeated him with your mind,” she says, “not a spear.”
I smile to her, walk to where my weapon is lying in the dirt, and pick it up from the ground. As I survey the hills around me, I wipe blood away from my nose and mouth. The Murkovin that showed up with Balt have all disappeared, but on the same crest they were on, Larn now stands, looking down at me.
“What makes you think you’re worthy of her?” he calls out before marching down the hill towards me.
“Her spectrum is perfect!” Eval exclaims from close behind. I turn to the sound of her voice. “You’re nothing compared to her.”
I look at Sash again. Her face remains solemn while she waits for me to respond.
“She’s the most spectacular creature alive!” Larn yells. He stops a few feet away from me.
Eval closes in from my other side until I’m sandwiched between them. “You shouldn’t be allowed in her presence,” she sneers.
“Do you think we created this child to be with someone as simple as you?” Larn nastily asks.
Their voices echo thoughts I’ve heard in my own mind so many times in the past. But I also remember my revelation as Sash fell asleep in my arms after Larn told me that he felt peace knowing I was with her.
“I can give her something no one else can,” I say with deep conviction, looking back and forth between their faces.
“And what do you think you can possibly give her?” Eval asks.
“I can give her understanding,” I answer, focusing on Eval’s eyes. “That’s why we belong together. We understand each other and accept each other for who we are. Yes, she’s extraordinary and spectacular. But that’s not why I’m with her.”
I turn my head to Sash. “I love Sash because everything inside me is safe with her, even my darkest fears and insecurities. And anything she feels is always safe with me. I understand that sometimes she doesn’t want to be the strongest or most powerful person alive. She doesn’t want to be held in awe. She just wants to feel cared for by somebody who understands what’s inside her. I’ll always be there for her, and I know she’s always there for me.”
Sash smiles at me, the amber of her eyes shining brightly into mine.
“Do you actually think that’s enough?” Eval asks.
“It’s everything I have,” I answer, looking at Eval again. “Only Sash can say if it’s enough.”
“It’s always been more than enough,” Sash says. “And it always will be.”
“Time will tell,” Eval replies.
Eval and Larn crackle into statues of white sand. As the grains spill to the ground, light sparkles from the shower of bleached granules. I start to turn away from the two piles at my feet, but they rise again into human shapes that slowly morph into my mother and father. The anger I saw in their expressions during my first visit to the Infinite Expanse is gone, but it’s been replaced by a combination of disappointment and sorrow that weighs just as heavily on my heart.
“What about us?” my mother asks. “You were planning to throw our love away.”
“I love you, Mom.” I say in a soft, even tone. “I love you, Dad. You’re the best parents a kid ever had. But for me to live the life I was meant to, I have to be in Krymzyn.”
Before continuing, I take a few steps backwards so I can better see both their faces. “It doesn’t lessen my love for you. Everything I’m able to do here is because of the person you raised me to be and the support you gave me every step of the way. My life here is something I never could have had on Earth, even if I survived the cancer. I’m with the only person I’ll ever fall in love with. Please understand that.”
“You never took our feelings into account,” my father accuses, a hint of anger returning to his face.
“I did,” I reply, struggling to keep my voice steady. “I watched Davis’s family suffer for months. I didn’t want to put you through that. You’d already been through it twice with me. I couldn’t stand the thought of doing that to you again.”
“I can’t believe what you were planning to do,” my mother says with tears falling from her eyes. “You should have talked to us. You didn’t even tell us you had cancer.”
“I couldn’t. If I had, I wouldn’t have gone through with it. Fate may have intervened with the aneurysm, but it doesn’t change the feelings I had. If I’d talked to you, I wouldn’t have been strong enough to do what I had to do.”
“You’ve always jumped into things without thinking them through,” Mom says, shaking her head.
“I know sometimes that was true,” I reply, “but I did think this one through carefully. I was choosing life. You’re the one who told me I had to make decisions for my own happiness. That’s what I did. I chose the best life I could have with the person I love because that’s how I learned to live life from you.”
As my mother holds my gaze, I can see the effects my words are having on her. She’s still crying, but a subtle smile of compassion crosses her lips.
“Are you happy here?” she asks.
“I really am. I’m doing things I never could have done on Earth. I miss you and Dad and Ally every single day. But I’m with the person I belong with, just like you’re with Dad. You’d be proud of who I am here.”
As moments pass, neither of us moves our eyes. Finally, my mother looks at Sash.
“I hope you know all that you have in him.”
“I do,” Sash replies, taking a step towards my mother. “I have the same thing from him that he has from me, and we’ll share that for the rest of our lives.”
My mother slowly nods to Sas
h, but like mirages vanishing from a sun-soaked highway, my parents fade away.
“I love you both,” I whisper.
“I’m sorry you have to live with those thoughts,” Sash says softly to me.
I close my eyes. Although I feel gut-wrenching sadness from seeing my mom and dad, I also have a strange sense of closure from the words I was able to say to them, even if my parents weren’t real. Maybe I just needed to hear myself say the words. When I open my eyes again, I turn to Sash.
“I know you are, and your support is what gets me through.”
I step forward to put my arms around her, but I stop when I hear her voice scream out from a distance.
“Bow before me!”
I’m certain the words didn’t come from inside me.
“I don’t know what that is,” I say to Sash.
Chapter 29
Sash lowers her eyes to the ground, a sullen darkness obscuring the beauty of her face. “Throughout my life, I’ve had only one fear. It can’t be conquered and is always with me.” Her eyes return to mine. “But I’ve learned to keep that fear at a distance.”
After taking my hand in a firm grip, she leads me to the top of a hill. Standing on the crest, I look down at a crimson meadow with the Storytelling rock in the center. An image of Sash, a spear raised over her head in one hand, stands on top of the boulder. The muscles in her body are rigid as she slowly turns in a circle. With their heads bowed in reverence, every person from the Delta and the Mount is kneeling on the grass beneath her.
“No one can stand against me!” the projection from Sash’s mind roars. “All of Krymzyn will serve me!”
I turn to Sash, remembering the commanding tone she spoke in after my Ritual of Purpose. She didn’t suggest that we’d share a habitat. She told the Disciples it would be that way, and there was nothing they could do about it. She might have been justified in that instance, but the power inside her can sometimes take control. I’ve seen it several times, but she always manages to suppress it.
“You would never let that happen,” I say.