by A. A. Volts
The aerobus simply slowed to a crawl. Up close, the falls looked even more menacing, but instead of the fast drop we were expecting, the aerobus proceeded to descend down the immense waterfall slowly.
“Is that it?” Jonas asked with his eyes still closed.
“Pretty much. We’ll continue to descend at this rate,” Dr. Rainer replied as he pointed out the various wildlife species we saw on the way down.
To see an ocean of water fall fifteen hundred feet into the ground right before my eyes was a sight to behold. Never had I seen a more amazing and seemingly impossible thing, not even at the movie theater. The spray that was created when the water hit the rocks below was simply magical. The result was colorful rainbows that decorated the water mist.
“There,” said Dr. Rainer, pointing outside the window. “Those are the creatures the early explorers of Threshold first sighted when they first arrived here. They are the reason why they decided to call this place Mammoth Falls. Huge, aren’t they?”
In fact, they were immense. Some were brown with huge tusks, while others were young and white. The smallest of them was about the size of a truck. They cooled themselves by the water.
“The whole ocean just drops into that abyss?” Nyx asked, looking down into the rupture in the ground.
“Yes, it does. With the heat, some of the water evaporates while the rest flows underground, distributing its nutrients and minerals throughout Threshold. Each continent has its own well. We have the Nightwell—where we met—then there is the Daywell, and the biggest of them is the Everwell. It’s the biggest because it’s the closest to the Core,” Dr. Rainer said.
Just past the Core there was a shallow pool of water about a quarter of a mile in length. The large pool was formed from the falling mist as the water crashed violently into the Core. Even more amazing, it stretched all the way to the beach.
Incredible wildlife thrived here. Most of the animals seemed to be passive and even, dare I say, friendly. Dog-sized birds populated the skies as they flew in and out of the misty spray, while large animals roamed around bathing and playing in the large wading pool.
The sky was a peculiar mix of bright yellow, blue, and red. A few carefully placed clouds decorated the sky, while the warm yellow sun hung high in the background.
“Welcome to Dayside,” Dr. Rainer said, beaming with happiness.
I must confess that it felt good to see the sun once again—I was told that the sun never ceased to shine here. But inside I felt the darkness looming.
With the exception of a few ports and small villages, the area appeared to be mainly untouched by civilization. Its wild beaches would beat any vacation resort back on Earth. We seemed to be the only visitors.
“That’s a gorgeous beach,” said Carla as we glided gently above the crystal sands.
“That is Daybeach, and if you think that it is pretty from up here, you should see it up close. If you were standing on the beach, you would hear a mix of surreal and majestic songs filling the air. The wind is the maestro and the rocks are the instruments. On any given day, it’s possible to hear up to five distinctive melodies emanating from various hollow points on the rocks. This soothing music is constantly played as the wind passes through. Those natural songs are an awe-inspiring outlet for nature’s creativity, not to mention that they are considered one of the ten wonders of Threshold, followed closely by Daycliffs,” Dr. Rainer said.
The further we moved inland, the more agitated Spark became in the seat with Jonas.
“Come, Spark,” I said, tapping my leg after I’d noticed how worked up he was.
Spark jumped from the seat behind me, and I saw his small, outstretched wings. That was odd because I had almost forgotten he had wings. Instead of resting near me, Spark decided to hide under my seat. I called him, but he refused to come.
“Spark is acting strange,” I said, hoping Dr. Rainer would know why.
“Actually, he’s been acting strange ever since we got here,” Jonas replied.
“He’s bound to feel a little agitated around the Everwell,” Dr. Rainer explained as he started to put his books away.
I took another look outside and noticed that we were flying above a strange and rather large forest. The sun had all but disappeared, and we were back in twilight. Living Forest extended beyond twilight, with almost half of it crossing onto Nightside. But Living Forest wasn’t any normal forest, for normal forests don’t have trees that move freely about. At last I understood why it was called Living Forest.
Trees moved in all directions. Initially, I thought they moved randomly, creating congestion points that spread throughout the forest.
“What’s that down there?” Nyx asked, looking outside.
“That is the Living Forest, don’t be surprised if the place looks familiar to you,” said Dr. Rainer.
“Why is that? I feel like I know this place,” Nyx asked, puzzled.
“Because it’s your home… Phasma ordered you taken from here when you were very young, too young to remember,” explained Dr. Rainer.
Nyx looked at a loss for words.
“That’s my home, but it’s so pretty. I’d never imagined that my home could be such a pretty place,” Nyx replied.
“Nyx, I’ve been waiting for a long time for this opportunity, and finally the time has come for me to correct a wrong that has been haunting me for so many wind cycles,” Dr. Rainer said tearfully. Jonas, Carla, and I just stood there, surprised.
“What do you mean?” Nyx inquired, worried.
“I’ll tell you everything, but first I must ask you all a favor… Please keep an open mind and know that I’m ready to make reparations for my past mistakes. Also, please remember that this all happened a long time ago. I was a very different person then. I’ve changed much since the event in question,” Dr. Rainer said, visibly shaken and embarrassed.
After a quick nod of understanding from everyone, Dr. Rainer proceeded.
“Nyx, I was the one who took you from your people… Phasma ordered me to take you, I’m so very sorry. Back then; I had no choice but to serve Phasma. Please understand that I was lost.” Dr. Rainer paused as though he was thinking about how to continue.
“Believe it or not, the minute I took you from your sisters, that was when I started to change. I couldn’t bear watching you. You see, I was responsible for you when you were very young. But I finally had enough. So one day when nobody was around, I took you in my arms and fled to the only place I could think of at that time… Oh I wish you knew how much I regretted taking you to Watertown. I needed Oldroot’s help, but all I got, all we got, was deception. Needless to say, Phasma found us in no time.”
“So I’m not Phasma’s daughter?” Nyx asked.
“No, you’re not. He took you back to Cave of Sorrows and threw me in the dungeon. He wanted to see me suffer, he said. So, for many wind cycles I stayed there, chained and believing that I deserved to suffer. While I suffered, I watched everyone around suffer as well, and a seed of compassion grew inside me. One day I decided to take control of my life and did some serious introspection,” Dr. Rainer explained, crying.
Nyx started to get upset. Everyone but Dr. Rainer backed away as we thought she was going to burst into flames, but it didn’t happen. She was learning to control her emotions.
“Nyx, I tried to go back and rescue you, but I was told it would be impossible and that when the right time came, I would be given the opportunity to help you.”
“So when we bumped into you, it wasn’t an accident?”
“No, it wasn’t. I was there waiting for you to arrive. I wanted to help you however I could,” Dr. Rainer replied emotionally. “Please forgive me, Nyx. I should never have helped Phasma take you away from your people.”
“My people? Who are my people?” asked Nyx.
“Nyx, you’re a Twingler, and Living Forest is, always was, and forever will be your home. There you’ll find not only others just like you, but your family members and relatives,” Dr. Ra
iner said in a soft voice.
“But what about Phasma? Won’t he come and get me again?” asked Nyx.
“He can’t. You see, that’s why he had to use me to do it for him back then. Besides, now that you’re all grown up and you know the truth, it wouldn’t do him any good to take you away again,” said Dr. Rainer.
Nyx started to cry, but she kept her cool. She didn’t even get red.
“Dr. Rainer, I forgive you, and I’m very grateful for all your help and guidance. It’s funny. I don’t even know these people, but I’ve missed them so much. I can’t thank you guys enough for helping me out. You have shown me that there is a decent life, and for that I’m forever in your debt,” Nyx replied, still sobbing.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
THE DAWN OF A NEW DAY
Soon we spotted the station where we would be arriving. The tension had been building up for a while. The closer we were to our destination, the more stressed Nyx became. All the while, Spark continued to act strange.
My spirits weren’t exactly high. I still missed my mother, and I was starting to miss the physical world I’d left behind when our adventure started. The only person who didn’t seem bothered by the whole situation was Carla. Unlike Jonas, she was confident of a successful outcome.
Down on the ground, the scenery couldn’t have been more different. Flags waved in the wind. Dozens upon dozens of people gathered at what appeared to be the town center, cheering loudly. From inside the aerobus, they didn’t seem very tall, but they stood tall and proud. The first thing we noticed about Living Forest were its buildings, which resembled tree houses all built on top of giant moving, living, and breathing trees.
Most of the largest trees had several buildings on top of them. It was an amazing sight. Whenever they were near each other, a dynamic wood and vine bridge appeared to connect them. They stayed connected for a few minutes; until the organic bridge retracted and they moved on to connect to other trees in the vicinity.
“What’s going on down there?” Jonas asked.
“That, my dear boy, is a celebration, a welcome party of sorts,” Dr. Rainer replied with a timid smile.
“What are they celebrating?” Jonas asked.
“They’re celebrating our arrival, more specifically, Nyx’s return. Your people missed you very much,” Dr. Rainer said, looking at Nyx. She simply looked at him, displaying nothing but a tender and compassionate smile. At last, Nyx had arrived back home.
As soon as the aerobus stopped and the doors started to open, I got up. Carla, Dr. Rainer, and Nyx were already up and waiting for the doors to open.
Much to my surprise, the station itself was nearly empty.
“Nyx, I have someone I want you to meet,” said Dr. Rainer offering his hand.
“This is Twil, and this is Teil. They’re your sisters and my best friends. They have been waiting to see you for a long time,” Dr. Rainer said before Nyx’s sisters interrupted him as they ran to hug her. I must confess the scene brought tears to my eyes and placed a knot in my throat.
We hung back to give them some space, but it wasn’t long before Nyx came running toward us, thrilled.
“Come, I want to introduce you to my sisters,” Nyx said. It was the happiest I had seen her.
“Come, come,” repeated Nyx as she dragged Jonas along.
“These are my friends. They helped me escape the Cave of Sorrows,” Nyx told Twil and Teil.
“Thank you very much, our kind is forever in your debt,” Twil said. She appeared to be the older sister. She was petite with long, highlighted hair that she kept braided. Her eyes were almost like Nyx’s except for the color, which was bright blue.
“You don’t need to thank us. And besides, we helped each other out. If it wasn’t for your sister, it’s possible we would still be Phasma’s prisoners,” Carla replied.
“Are you guys staying with us?” Teil asked. Teil looked to be Nyx’s much younger sister. If I had to guess, I would have said that she looked to be about twelve years old or so.
“I’m sorry, but we can’t. We have to go back to our physical bodies,” Carla replied.
“Yeah, as soon as we figure out how,” I quickly added.
“I’m sorry to rush, but we must keep moving. Phasma shouldn’t be too far behind,” Dr. Rainer said.
“He’ll come here?” Nyx asked, worried.
“Don’t worry, he won’t. Once we’re gone, he won’t dare,” Dr. Rainer replied, looking around as though he was getting his bearings.
“Well then, I guess this is good-bye,” Jonas said, looking heartbroken.
“We’ll still see each other,” Nyx replied, nearly crying.
“It was nice meeting you, Nyx. I hope our paths cross again,” Carla said as she gave Nyx a hug.
“I’m sure they will,” Nyx replied.
“Thanks for everything,” I said when it was my turn to say good-bye.
“I hope you find what you’ve been looking for,” replied Nyx.
“I’ll see you soon, Nyx,” said Dr. Rainer as we started to walk away from Nyx and her sisters.
“Where to now?” Jonas asked.
“Now, we go to Everwell. Unfortunately, this is the closest aerobus station. We must be prepared as we move forward. He’s not too far behind,” Dr. Rainer said. I noticed he kept looking back to see if Nyx was all right.
“You know, she will be fine,” Carla said.
“I know. I’m very grateful that she forgave me, but I don’t know if I can forgive myself. After all, I’ve caused so much pain and suffering to that poor girl,” Dr. Rainer said.
“Don’t beat yourself up,” Jonas said, patting Dr. Rainer on the shoulder.
We zigzagged in and out of the crowd and tried to not lose sight of each other. We weren’t the same group as before. Without Nyx, we walked with heavy hearts and shoulders. Although there wasn’t much in my future to look forward to, I tried as best as I could to keep my spirits high.
“Wait up!” said a faint voice from behind.
Was that Nyx? I thought as my heart skipped a beat.
“Guys, wait for me.”
I turned around and realized I wasn’t the only one who had heard the calling. Our moods changed quickly.
“Is that you, Nyx?” Jonas asked.
I was happily surprised to see Nyx moving frantically through the crowd, yelling for us.
“Here!” screamed Carla, waving frantically.
“What is she doing?” Dr. Rainer wondered out loud.
“Good, I found you guys. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to find you. I’m coming with you,” said Nyx when she finally caught up to us.
“But Nyx, you’re home now, and what about your sisters?” I asked.
“Oh, they’re coming to. They’re right behind me, somewhere,” Nyx replied, still trying to catch her breath. Jonas looked especially happy.
Nyx’s sisters soon caught up with us.
“You know, you guys don’t have to do this,” Dr. Rainer said as he continued to walk.
“We know, but we want to help. Besides, we have a score to settle with Phasma,” Twil replied.
***
While we walked, my finger started to burn. At first I tried not to pay much attention to it, but I gave up after a few minutes when the pain started to really bother me. I looked down at my finger and saw that Spark’s collar ring was glowing.
“Something is going on with Spark,” I said.
“It’s the Everwell. It tends to have that effect. It should pass soon,” Dr. Rainer replied.
We seemed to be moving away from the city, even though it was hard to tell for sure because we were so high up. We crossed from one big tree to the next. The only hint that we were moving away from the city was the number of people and buildings we encountered on the way.
Soon we were crossing trees with no buildings or houses, just a rough platform and the connecting bridges that also grew increasingly precarious the further we went. To make matters worse, we were running out
of trees. They grew few and far between, and the bridges that connected them became wider and less stable. “We’re almost there. Hang on tight,” advised Dr. Rainer, leading the way.
“I don’t like this, it’s too high,” complained Jonas.
“You’re doing fine,” I said.
“I’m not crossing that! No way, no how,” Jonas yelled as we came to the longest and most unstable wooden bridge of our journey. The thin bridge had several floorboards missing and many more rotting away.
“You have to,” Carla replied, offering her hand.
“I can’t,” Jonas replied, but he grabbed his sister’s hand nonetheless.
Jonas hesitated for a few seconds. Just when I thought he was going to turn around and run, he made the sign of the cross over his body and slowly started to make his way across the long, windy bridge.
I carefully followed Jonas and Carla as they inched forward.
When Jonas was about halfway through, he stopped dead in his tracks and said, “I can’t go on. I really can’t.”
“Don’t look down, just keep walking forward,” Carla replied.
But Jonas wouldn’t move.
“Everyone looks down when they hear that. Besides, the secret to getting used to heights is to take a long detailed look down. If you do that, the fear will slowly disappear. It worked for me,” I replied as I looked down and enjoyed the sight of strange wild animals running in all directions.
“It doesn’t work. I can’t move or feel my legs,” Jonas replied, looking like he was about to have a panic attack.
Once Nyx saw that Jonas had stopped in the middle of the bridge, she came back toward us.
“Jonas, I know you can do it. We’re almost there. You have to do this. Besides, it’s not like you have anywhere else to go. We’re right in the middle of this bridge, and there are only two ways we can go, back or forward, and since they’re both the exact same distance, we might as well go forward. Here, hold my hand,” Nyx said.
Jonas started moving forward slowly, aided by Nyx. I followed right behind with Carla to make sure he wouldn’t stop again or turn around and run back. From our vantage point, we could see that a bridge didn’t connect the next gap at all.