by D Leon D.
- He lost his sister, her name was Ybrian… They were very close –Ycze explained to Onevin.
- We all went through hard moments, I guess that had to make us stronger without us knowing, don’t you think?
- I guess it’s like that, I hope it is, Onevin, we can’t continue being here as if nothing were happening at the temple, I know Sonyei is preparing something –She sat and stayed fixated looking at the flames of the bonfire they had lighted that night.
- I think we must do it too –He said after a brief pause and turned on his side to look at Ycze, who returned the look and nodded in approval of his idea.
- Go for Vicnelia, I’ll go for Ramsil.
- Right now?
- I don’t want to lose any more time –Ycze got up and was out of sight through the same place that Ramsil had followed when he got away.
Ycze didn’t take long in finding him, Ramsil had sat supporting his back on the trunk of a tree –His back towards her–, she tried to be silent, but Ramsil knew she was there.
- I want to be alone, Ycze.
- I know, Ramsil, but whatever it is that it’s going through your mind, if you’re alone, it will be harder to face it.
- I know –He said after a long sigh, Ycze got closer and kneeled in front of him.
- Let her go –She placed her hand of Ramsil’s shoulder, who let some tears fall in silence.
- Will you stay with me?
- Yes, Ramsil, you don’t have to go back to being alone.
They stayed together for a moment before walking together toward a little hill that was nearby; the sky showed a tiny ray of light, the first moon was starting to wax in its phase. Ramsil had a piece of paper; on this it was written the name: Ybrian.
- What are you going to do with it? –Ycze asked.
- I’m going to let her go.
- Will it be enough?
- Yes, I’m sure of it. I have gotten away for some moments during these days, I haven’t been able to do it, because it means to really let her go, I gave it a meaning it didn’t have before –He explained and he really felt it that way.
- Are you ready now? –Ycze took his hand.
- Yes – He looked at her for a second– I’m not alone anymore –From the little hill the view was beautiful, you could see the roofs of the village and also the clear stream, the wind was blowing strongly that night.
- I’ll be right behind you –Ycze gave him some space.
- Ybrian… –Ramsil started saying to himself– You are the whole family I had, I know that soon we will be together again –He tore the paper into two, by the half– You knew this would happen, you trusted me –Again into two, four pieces– I hope I don’t fail you –He closed his fist and stretched his arm– I promise you –That promise came from the deepest of himself, the memory came and again the words burned him – and promises have to be fulfilled –He opened his fist and just at that moment the wind change its course taking the four pieces to his face, it was like a caress, he turned to look at them go away toward the high sky, when he couldn’t see them anymore, he looked down again and Ycze was still there, standing close to him, she also had a pair of tears on her face, he hugged her strongly –I’m ready, Ycze, let’s go.
On their way back they remained in silence, they walked peacefully, Ramsil turned to look at her every few seconds, she returned the look with a smile, he had done it, he left part of his pain behind, Ybrian would no longer be a synonym of pain but of strength, courage, at that moment he decided to take that impulse that was going through his body, he took Ycze by her hand and in a quick moment he kissed her, he could feel in his chest the attempt of breaking him from her, but he had closed his eyes and that impulse transformed into the attempt of not separating, he felt a warmth in his chest and cold in his feet, what he had just done had taken his strength, the kiss softly faded leaving them holding their hands with their foreheads still joined together.
- Thank you for staying when I asked you to be alone.
- Thank you for following me when I told you they were chasing me –She let a shy laugh escape.
- I will follow you wherever you go.
- Weren’t you going to pick up Ligna? I’ll help you take it –Together they recollected a little bit of it and returned to the bonfire.
They found Vicnelia talking to Onevin, they seemed absorbed in the conversation, Onevin seemed cheerful, Vicnelia too, that was a good thing, everyone was a little broken when they arrived, each one at their one measure.
- It’s very good that you have come, Vicnelia can help us with information from the temple –Onevin answered, Ycze looked at him a little surprised– What? Hahaha you were the one who said we shouldn’t waste time.
- You amaze me, little one –Ramsil started by letting the Ligna drop to one side, there was enough light, so he decided not to light it up.
- Don’t underestimate him –Vicnelia commented hitting Onevin with her elbow to cheer him up– This boy is very smart and he’s well prepared.
- I don’t doubt it –Ycze added looking at the boy happily, she hadn’t seen him so cheerful.
- And so… what’s the plan? –Ramsil asked, he wanted to be ready too.
- We don’t have a plan –Vicnelia smiled a little– We don’t even know what you three are capable of separated… or together.
- Then that’s going to be the plan for now –Onevin ventured after thinking about it a little.
- What do you mean? –Ycze looked at him; she was sitting in front of him on the other side of the bonfire.
- We’ll see what we’re capable of separated and then together.
They all remained in silence for a moment, exchanging looks between them without knowing what to say, Ramsil looked at Onevin, whom looked at Ycze, they exchanged looks until the three of them coincided their sight with Vicnelia, with all the eyes on her, she had just been made a temporary leader, the guys trusted her and in her judgment, she had to do the best with what she had in her hands.
- I think we have a plan then; separate.
- Separate?
- How do you think you are going to discover your potential in solitary if you’re not alone? –Leadership suited Vicnelia, her formation at the temple helped her with that– Get some rest, I’ll be back with you and I want that each of you have its own bonfire built, you will choose a sector of the village for each one, without access nor vision to the other… –She stood up and walked away to a cabin in ruins, the same where they had decided to hide the scriptures.
- This will get interesting –Onevin commented, taking a handful of Ligna for his bonfire and going away until he was lost out of sight.
CHAPTER 19
- I’m missing so little that it’s almost stupid not to begin –Sonyei said staring at his creatures inside the pit.
- You mustn’t risk yourself, you’ve told me yourself, Sonyei, you’re closer every time of controlling them –Windark added, whom in the last days had become his shadow and had been his assistant, throwing bodies in the pit for him.
- I must continue with this, I need a strong soul, perhaps only one more and I’ll be able to start.
- How can you know how strong is a soul before you possess it?
- I can’t be sure, I don’t possess them, not for now, I only capture them to use them later; if I took them all at once they would lose their strength.
- What do you have in mind, Sonyei?
- I must accelerate things, old man, I think I can only do one thing for it and you must help me with it –Windark didn’t answer, he allowed Sonyei to continue, before the sudden silence the Monk spoke firmly– I’ll wait for you at midnight in the Agatha room.
After finishing the conversation they both got out of that basement, Windark knew that Sonyei had to rest if he planned to make an effort. The moons changed one by one the phases until they all aligned in new phase, it was the moment. Windark left his room and walked the silent temple until the Agatha Room, he prepared everything as Sonyei would
have done it, moments later the Monk went through the door, in silence he removed the robe, Windark was able to see the marks on his skin, they seemed to follow a pattern, but he didn’t dare to ask about that, Sonyei sat where Ycze used to sit and with a look and a brief gesture he indicated Windark that he was ready, the old man got closer and tied him up by his hands, chest and legs, he turned around and when he faced Sonyei, he had an Agatha crystal on his hands.
- No, take my robe and use the one that’s inside it –Windark checked the monk’s robe, but didn’t see any trace of a crystal, then, in the upper part (the one that seemed like a crown) he saw the glow of an Agatha crystal of a greater size, he got it out and the robe lost the flicker of light it had had, he was able to see the difference of the crystal, not only in size it was bigger, its content wasn’t completely black, it combined with a scarlet red, it seemed like blood, it was a diamond like none he had seen before.
- Why is this…? –Windark started to ask contemplating the crystal.
- I’ve been preparing it for this moment, although I didn’t expect to use it on myself.
- What’s inside, is it blood?
- Yes, I’ve transfer it continuously part of me, to increase its power.
- Sonyei, you don’t have the ability of the girl, you won’t stand it.
- I will, I have no choice; I feel like I’m running out of time.
- What you say doesn’t make sense and what you try to do either.
- You just take care of taking notes, let’s begin.
Windark took the crystal in his hands, with strength he broke it and placed it in the lap of the tied up monk, a dense black fog hid everything in sight, the silence reigned that moment, then the fog started to dye red and started to move, in circles, you could feel the stream of air surrounding them, the noises began, everything in the room was shaking, Windark stood up and blindly supported his back on the shelf where the other Agatha crystals where kept, he feared that some of them could fall and affect him too, between the black and red colors he was able to see Sonyei, he had his mouth wide open as if he were screaming in pain, he didn’t manage to hear anything, something was stunning him, he covered his ears with the palms of his hands, with strength, he closed his eyes, he felt cold, how much power did that crystal possess?, it only gave him an idea of the true reach of Sonyei and all he could achieve with his Feider, later the sensations faded little by little, the cold ceased, he opened his eyes and saw Sonyei standing up with his eyes closed, he was wearing the robe, although he didn’t give the impression of having taken it from the floor, he looked powerful, the monk opened his eyes and these appeared to be filled with the substance from the crystal he had used, they didn’t have the same aspect as before, they were fixated on Windark, black with a neon glow like veins, without a pupil, without a look.
- Se… nd… to… –Sonyei started talking and Windark rushed to lift the table –Which had fallen– and take note of whatever he said, syllable by syllable he wrote down the only phrase, after that Sonyei fell fainted and completely unconscious.
Without knowing what reaction to have by reading the phrase, Windark opened the door, everything was in silence, he got in and closed the door again and however he could he sat Sonyei, when he awoke the first thing he was going to do was read the notes, he had the temptation of changing the phrase, but because it was a different crystal he feared Sonyei might not forget. He read the phrase again.
“Send the army to Vicnelia”
By just reading it, he knew what it meant, them –The carriers– had to be hidden in the village, he had to find the way to win a little time for them, he took the book where the notes were and read a few pages back, trying to take some kind of clue from another vision to confuse him, the sweat beaded the old man’s forehead, he alternated the looks between the book and Sonyei, he felt he would awake at any moment, in his mind he tried to recreate the conversations he held during the last days, it was too much tension in the same room, anything he came up with wasn’t going to make much sense because he was trying to do several things at the same time, watching Sonyei to make sure he was still passed out, reading, remembering, winning time, no, it wouldn’t be smart to change the phrase with that haste, instead he left the room and looked for two guards, asked them to help him move the monk to his room, the guards left with Sonyei in their arms leaving Windark with the book, he was still sweating, he left the book and rushed to Sonyei’s room –He was lying down– That’s how he decided to win just a little more time: He used on the monk, the same paralyzing spell he had used on Ycze when she was in the pit.
- I hope this works –He said and left the room leaving the monk paralyzed.
CHAPTER 20
Windark knew that by being fainted, Sonyei wouldn’t have a way to know he had been paralyzed, but still he couldn’t allow too much time to pass, it would be suspicious. He walked calmly through the temple, which remained in silence, the only ones awake at that moment had to be the guards, he went out of the temple before the look of some of them and got until one of the exits that two guards watched over.
- Sonyei will soon give the strike, he’s losing his sanity and his patience –he expressed himself looking at the horizon, he didn’t want to be seen talking– Go with our loyal allies and warn them to be prepared, but do not rise any suspicion –He ordered the guard on the left with the hand so he wouldn’t face him– You, go to Sonyei’s room, guard the door and don’t let anyone go inside, it won’t be for long –He asked the other one.
Both guards retired as though their shift had ended, in silence and without asking questions –They were the guards that had helped Ycze– After this Windark entered the temple to accomplish his objective, win time for the carriers, in the main hall he crossed on his left and when he entered the next room he climbed the stairs that twisted three times before leaving him in a hallway with four normal doors, he went through the first one in silence, it was the room of the students with more time at the temple, the ones Sonyei was preparing for the army and were not in capacity to make spells, well only a few of them were and they were ready to be monks, where the highest hierarchy was Sonyei’s position, followed by the mentor (Windark) along with the council, which had to be formed by four other monks. The old man awoke two students and with signs he made them come out to the hallway.
- You have been selected for you first watch tonight, I suppose you understand that it’s this way you are notified.
- We understand, master –One of them answered, for both of them.
- Follow me.
In that same hall by the last door was a room with the uniforms, only with educational means and of motivation, that would remind them the position that all the students in that hall hoped to obtain and no more than ten would in each selection, Windark opened the door and when he went inside, it would allow them to see a wide and well lighted room, it was a strong contrast taking into account the simple door and the dark hall, up front and to the side were the uniforms in some sort of individual display cabinets, three types of uniforms, different for each type of guard, to the right they had the blue with white uniforms, these had a thin cape and were used by the guards who had to do routes in the desert during the nights, meaning, in the period with less light –When there was a waning moon left, then the five new moons until the next phase of full moon was completed– the purpose was evident, by being covered in the desert the cape would have a natural movement with the wind, the same way as the thin sand, which at night had a similar appearance to the colors of that uniform and in that way they were pretty hidden at simple sight; to its left the black with silver uniforms, they had a thick and long cape, although the body of those who wore it would be clearly less covered –more comfortable and more agile in combat–, these would be used by the guards that were destined to recruiting, the ones who invaded villages and returned with children and young people, or they were assigned special missions, which requires going beyond the desert, in a planet like Tenebris –Normall
y dark– black was the best option for camouflage and combined with the silver, the shine of the moons wouldn’t be absent in them, it was perfect for its purpose; up front were the white with gold uniforms, very flashy, with no cape, but with a helmet-mask which protected them even in the face, their purpose was totally opposite to the previous two versions, these had to be seen, even for afar, because they were used by the guards inside the temple, and in that way, anyone who had the intention of entering it, would see it was well watched by guards, some standing and others making rounds, among the soldiers, wearing the White-Gold, was the same as being part of a privileged elite.
- Wear those –pointing up front, the two of them with a triumph air got dressed quickly.
Then he guided them to the exit they would guard, they had to occupy the places the other two had had, he explained to them that they had to be very careful and they were pretty disposed because of the recent violation that was in the security of the temple and what they considered “an honor” they were not willing to fail. Windark left them and returned to the Agatha room, once inside the room alone he quickly took the book, it was a big book, the length was almost the size of his forearm and the thick was noticeable too, he flipped the first pages without paying too much attention, he was able to see that some had illustrations, he assumed they had been made by Sonyei himself under the effects of the crystal at the beginning, because little by little those illustrations combined with words became less precise, in one of the last drawings he was able to see the girl who had been at the temple, the one who was supposed to be a carrier –It seemed to had been a long time since that event– and he read in the page the name: Ybrian. He stayed looking at the drawing and passed his finger over the page as if he were caressing the face of that girl, so many deaths in that book that now where just ink, captured souls, he began to skim through the pages more quickly when the drawing stopped appearing turning into notes that seemed dropped randomly, he read some aloud to try to turn them into a phrase that completed the one he had written in the last page with notes.