Aruters

by D Leon D.

  The monk seemed to notice it, because he started to feel nervous, Ramsil focused on one of the Aruters to have control over it, when he felt he had succeeded he forced him to attack the dome which kept Sonyei safe, it threw its strong teeth against the force field, from inside, Sonyei pushed him in the opposite direction, but he felt weaker every time, the guards started to go outside of the temple to defend Sonyei. Ycze and Windark –who were the closest to the entrance– tried to stop them, while the rest of the group came closer to help them, Ramsil gained control over the second Aruter –The one that was wounded the most–, it was a little easier and it also started to attack Sonyei, the force field became weaker, but Sonyei didn’t give up, he managed to create another dome just below the one that was almost extinct, the third Aruter started to attack as well, all against Sonyei, Ramsil could feel the fear of the monk, he hadn’t wanted to break the link with the beasts and that’s why Ramsil felt it too.

  The Aruter that had come back from Vicnelia had stopped attacking Sonyei and looked at Ramsil who still had the form of an Aruter, in his eyes he could see the confusion that invaded him, Onevin didn’t hesitate and started to attack him inducing in Ramsil and in Sonyei the same effect, the both seemed to lose the capacity to breathe, Ramsil without hesitating broke the link with that beast to preserve the control on the other two, but Sonyei couldn’t do it, if he gave up that link, it would be completely, he wouldn’t have control on any of them and that he wouldn’t allow it.

  Sonyei opened his mouth looking at the sky, tried to take in some air, he needed it, he took one hand up and the other to his neck, he fell on his knees keeping the same aspect of becoming suffocated, the beasts broke the first force field and were already attacking the second, it took them less time, because Sonyei had barely any strength left not to let himself die, in a last attempt of not giving up, Sonyei looked at Onevin and noticed that it was him who was inflicting on him that damage, he pushed him and recovered his breath and the control over the beast, whom he threw over Onevin, or so Sonyei had believed, because Cornelium threw himself and try to push Onevin aside, although the beast had already fallen on top of him with the intention of devouring him, it shook Cornelium off, who turned out unharmed, when the Aruter was about the end with Onevin’s life, it stayed immobile, this was what had happened:

  The Aruters controlled by Ramsil had destroyed the other force field and Ramsil had jumped on top of Sonyei; –Still as an Aruter– Sonyei had broken at that moment the link with the beasts, Ramsil looked at him with his big reptile eyes, he left his tongue slid through those teeth, long as saber, he was letting Sonyei know that he was willing to make him pay for the damage, the deaths, for kidnapping Vicnelia when she was a child, for raising Onevin as a prisoner, only as a product he needed to own, he was willing to not let him ask for forgiveness to Ycze, because he was sure that if he gave him the chance he would do it again, but above all he would make him pay for the death of Ybrian.

  - RAMSIL! –It was Onevin’s voice. Ramsil was convinced that he was going to ask him to leave him alive, but Onevin looked at Darrell and remembered that the council had died, and there was no other culprit that wasn’t Sonyei.

  Onevin didn’t say anything else, and Ramsil had already decided for everyone, perhaps Sonyei didn’t have the control on the Aruters, but surely he would have a plan if things went wrong.

  CHAPTER 36

  - Why are you here? –Sonyei asked when someone had gone into his new office at the temple.

  - I’ve come to help the new monk, you –He answered with a bow.

  - Why would I give you the position? There are many who want it.

  - You won’t know who is loyal to you and who is loyal to Mugno, your predecessor.

  - Mugno is a coward, they all know that now, he has no one.

  - But, can you take the risk by giving your trust to one of his old followers?

  - What do you give me in exchange to trust you?

  - My past, I’ve left my whole life behind to come here for this position.

  - Interesting, but it actually doesn’t impress me.

  - But…

  - However –Sonyei interrupted him, rubbing his hand– there is something that I need to do and I can’t trust anyone at the temple to do it.

  - Anything…

  - You see… A boy is about to be born, I need…

  - To kill him!?

  - Protect him… –He continued without giving importance to the interruption– I need you to bring him to the temple, do you think you could do that?

  - Bring the boy? –Asked without showing the alarms that lighted up inside of him–Yes… I will.

  - We have a deal then, you will be welcomed at the temple, what did you say your name was?

  - I’m Windark.

  - Well, Windark, before we continue I have some things to explain to you.

  - All right.

  - I hope you can obey whatever I ask of you, no matter how… strange it might seem.

  - Don’t worry, that’s how it’s going to be.

  He saw everything in slow motion, Ycze was taking her hand to her mouth choking a scream, Darrell turned not to see that scene, Onevin stood up with difficulty, the Aruter had fallen on top of him, but had remained paralyzed before ending his life, Cornelium seemed to be the only one who wasn’t stunned by what he was seeing, but he wasn’t enjoying it either, at that moment he saw Windark helping the carriers, fighting with them for the same cause, Sonyei had never had someone on his side, he had always wished for more than he managed to have, he had Ramsil staring closely at him with his reptile eyes, he was able to see clearly how he approached him, and with his powerful teeth attacked him everywhere.

  That last thing he was conscious of was having felt an intense pain in all of his body at once, followed by a strong and dry sound, perhaps the last beat, the last breath, and then, nothingness.

  THIRD PART.

  The true Exile.

  CHAPTER 37

  Ramsil took again his own shape, he had time to look at everyone around him, there was no celebration or cries, instead, with Sonyei’s death the entire temple was left in silence, Ramsil’s skin started to take a neon blue glow, he saw that the Aruters started to run in the direction of the exile of crystals, although they didn’t seem filled with rage, he was simply able to feel them free, the silence began to fade with the murmurs of everyone present –plus the ones who were just arriving–, his own vision turned blurry, but he could distinguish Ycze coming closer to him just before he fainted.

  Windark was the one who took upon himself to escort him to the room that would surely be more preserved and safe; on the other hand it was Darrell who took the voice of leadership, it was going to be much what was going to change from that day on, everyone at the temple knew it, because they had been there under Sonyei’s regime and also his predecessor, with these ones a change of ideals had arrived, which had taken strength in the last suns.

  Trying to preserve the judgment, Darrell asked everyone to go and rest, the next day he would make an important announcement and between everyone they would rebuild the temple, «Even I myself will be among you» he’d told them.

  - It’s not just about walls, it’s about the ideals – Cornelium told him when Darrell had finished his speech.

  - I know, Cornelium, we all need to believe in something.

  - Or in someone.

  - … Or in someone –Darrell repeated in a low voice.

  - How is he?

  - I suppose you mean Ramsil, are you aware of what happened?

  - Yes, how is he? –He inquired.

  - How he is supposed to be, unconscious. Windark is with him –They both began walking toward the temple, but the conversation hadn’t ended.

  - The carriers?

  - Ycze is with Onevin, the boy ended up hurt, but they’re both Ok.

  - Where are they?

  - They must be looking for Ramsil, everything happened so quickly, I saw how Ycze helped Onevin and
then looked for Ramsil with her eyes, but he wasn’t there anymore.

  - I need to talk to them, but before that I need to know what’s going to happen with… with everyone.

  - Do you think we should talk it over with the carriers? –Darrell consulted him, at that moment they were both already climbing the stairs of the main hall.

  - I don’t know, if only they can do it, then they must know which options we have.

  - It’s dangerous, that’s why we were found in the obligation of stopping Sonyei, although I must confess I didn’t expect that this would be the result.

  - Neither did I. Let’s go find the carriers.

  Onevin was with Ycze looking over the temple while they talked, Onevin told her how he had managed to escape from the temple and had found Ramsil, he explained how they had lost the Agatha crystal and the attack in which he was unconscious at the mine.

  - And… you and Ramsil?... you know –Onevin checked with some embarrassment.

  - What do you mean? –Ycze laughed without being able to stop it.

  - No, nothing –Onevin smiled too, some things didn’t need answers with words.

  - Thank you, Onevin.

  - Why?

  - For being with me at this moment –Ycze sat down and Onevin sat next to her.

  - Ramsil is also important to me, he’s like my brother.

  - … Yes.

  - I’m also worried, but he’s going to be Ok.

  - I don’t understand why Windark won’t let me see him; I don’t even know where he has taken him.

  - Ycze, surely he is in his room, where else?

  - It was him, who helped me get out… Windark, I mean.

  - I don’t know how to distinguish my feelings toward the others anymore, I wasn’t… wasn’t raised to feel.

  - That’s not true, remember Vicnelia… she… was like you, wasn’t she?

  - … I suppose… and you? Are you like me, Ycze?

  - You know what? I think all of us now have that in common, you, Ramsil and I.

  - We don’t have anyone? –He said sadly looking down.

  - On the contrary –She caressed his head– we have each other.

  - That’s true –Onevin cheered up, although there were some tears in his eyes, he was smiling

  At that moment they both saw Cornelium accompanied by Darrell at the end of the hallway walking towards them, they stopped and Onevin stood up.

  - Are they good or bad? –Onevin asked.

  - Well… we think we know what’s happening with Ramsil –Darrell answered.

  - Then, what can we do? –Ycze also stood up.

  - We believe Ramsil’s body is not strong enough for the impact he received, and we were barely conscious of it.

  - What does that mean? –Onevin seemed impatient.

  - Ramsil is now the carrier of two Feiders, he should be able to…

  - Of three… –Windark’s voice came from the end of the hallway, everyone looked at him without understanding what he meant– Ramsil was already the carrier of the fifth Feider when Sonyei’s Feider became part of him –Ycze looked scared at Onevin, who returned the look.

  - That’s why the Aruters…

  - Obeyed him above Sonyei.

  - Windark, how is he? –Ycze walked toward the old man.

  - Weak, Cornelium is right… it’s too much power and his body seems to consume underneath that weight, Sonyei’s Feider –although is not the strongest– was fed by his preparation, so to speak, such control requires a physical effort, which Ramsil didn’t have because he was using his strength to keep the Aruter form… and I don’t think any of you have it either.

  - I’ll take that Feider –Ycze replied– I can…

  - I know, Ycze, and I have just come to ask you to do it.

  - Ycze, it can be dangerous –Onevin told her almost in a whisper.

  - Don’t worry, I won’t leave you –She answered only for Onevin.

  - Then, if you don’t have any objections–Windark said referring to Darrell and Cornelium, who exchanged looks and nodded– Let’s go.

  Windark led them all to his room, the temple was strangely quiet, there weren’t guards anywhere, except for some lights out, the dust and the debris, everything seemed imperturbable. When they reached Windark’s room and went inside, they saw it empty, Ycze had the feeling that Ramsil had left, but Windark calmed her down, «he’s safe», and he walked until one of the walls of the room and moved a mirror which led to a hallway apparently normal, when they walked inside of it they noticed that Windark had used that hallway for years to spy on Sonyei, it had access to almost any room in the temple, there were lunar calendars designed by him, and almost at the end there was a door toward a room practically identical to his own, when they went inside they saw him lying down, still unconscious and with the skin still shiny with neon blue.

  - He seems to be so weak –Ycze allowed the words to escape with some tears in her eyes.

  - It’s because of Sonyei’s Feider, his body can’t even assimilate it –Windark explained– I tried to help him, but the best is that you take it, but I warn you that it can have a similar effect on you.

  - I’ll be all right, I know it.

  - Ycze –Onevin took her hand– I’ll be here when you wake up.

  Cornelium and Darrell had stayed close to Ramsil to examine the damages, he was completely pale, and part of his skin had still the aspect of an Aruter, he hadn’t had the strength to complete the transformation, up close the skin didn’t have the neon blue glow, just the veins, but it seems to flow through all the veins, Darrell looked at Ycze in sign of approval and she came closer and took Ramsil’s hand, the glow was disappearing from one by being transferred to the other, what happened afterwards surprised Windark as much as the others: Ycze activated her Feider to regenerate and Sonyei’s Feider was assimilated into her body without any harm to the girl and then Ramsil started waking up.

  CHAPTER 38

  While Ramsil was unconscious he was trapped in some kind of illusion, which didn’t belong to him, nothing was clear enough for him, he was able to see his hand, but they weren’t his hands, they were someone else’s, he groped about a room, a little lighted, room?, as he was moving forward he felt under his feet an irregular floor, perhaps it was a cave, the mine?, he heard voices around himself, they were too many to distinguish any message clearly.

  - We don’t know if it’s dangerous.

  - The best thing is that you don’t go by yourself.

  - No, no… he must go alone.

  - But if something happens he won’t be able to let the others know.

  - I think one at least should stay –He recognized the last voice, it was Cornelium, though it sounded younger.

  - Who’s going to stay having this possibility?

  - I will –Cornelium offered himself to do something nobody else was considering.

  - What do you say, Letnay?

  - I have no objection, but you must know Cornelium that it’s possible that we won’t reunite again.

  - I’m aware of it, and I accept it.

  There was a sound at Ramsil’s back, no, it was him who had stumbled upon something and caused that noise, and the rest seemed to come closer to him, then without having decided he started running trying to hide from any sight; in fact he came out of a mine, there were several workers outside of it, transporting Agatha, he hid behind some tree with thick roots, and saw how after him came out nine monks with a different robe to the ones Ramsil had seen, they were brown and had a worn look, almost all of them carried a long staff, but they were all different.

  - I hope Safiry doesn’t find out, we are with her now –One of the monks warned the others.

  After that Ramsil couldn’t distinguish clearly what was happening, he moved, whoever he was, he was in movement, he got to a house, a body on the floor and one semi-sitting supported on the wall, lifeless surely, then, a vertical line of light, a hiding place, he saw his hand wielding a knife and making with it some marks
on his skin, he couldn’t make out what it meant, it hurt the lines he made with the knife, which was leaving on his way a flow of blood. When he seemed to have finished he heard a voice coming out of his throat: Safiry, you are going to have news from me.

  Ramsil awoke and the first pair of eyes he saw was Ycze’s, who seemed calm to see him wake up.

  - Hello Ramsil –She said with a smile, before Ramsil answered he looked around, Cornelium, Darrell, Onevin and Windark were with him.

  - What happened?

  - Don’t worry; you’ll have time to find out… do you feel Ok? –Onevin seemed worried.

  - Yes, well, a little dizzy. Why is everyone staring at me like that?

  - Not every day you see the carrier of three Feiders wake up just like nothing had happened –Cornelium commented.

  - Of three… what are you saying?

  - Not anymore, Ycze did you a favor, of taking Sonyei’s Feider, which you took from him when you devoured him when you still had the shape of an Aruter, otherwise I’m afraid, you would’ve died in little time.

  Ramsil stayed quiet, while they told him what had happened, he could see flashes of how it happened, like some sort of blackout that was starting to be removed, it was true, Sonyei had died, he himself had murdered him, he hadn’t wanted to take any risks, then, what he saw while he was unconscious had to be the remainders of Sonyei, the memories he held on to the most with his life, but if Ycze had taken it…

  - Ycze, are you Ok?

  - Yes, I’m quite well, happy that you have recovered.

  - Could you leave us alone?

  They all exchanged some looks and left with some mistrust, they wanted to make sure that Ramsil was really well; they all left the room except Onevin.

  - Onevin, could you get me some water? I’m thirsty.

  - Emmm… yes, sure, but tell me, do you want water from the river at Vicnelia? It would take me a while to return, you know what I mean? Or I can go for water and come back soon.

  - If you go to Vicnelia it wouldn’t be bad –Ramsil joked and laughed a little– it’s a joke, I expect you back soon –Onevin left leaving Ycze and Ramsil alone.