Aruters

by D Leon D.

  - Are you sure you’re fine, Ramsil?

  - I am, although I was… seeing Sonyei’s memories, Cornelium was in them, I didn’t see him, but I’m sure it was him.

  - Don’t worry, Ramsil, maybe… I don’t know, Cornelium has supported us, maybe you’re tired.

  - How long was I unconscious?

  - Enough to worry us all, Ramsil.

  - Are we at the temple?

  - Yes, they have begun with the reparations.

  - And the Aruters?

  - They ran when you fell fainted, Ramsil.

  - Are there many dead?

  - No, but many wounded, calm down now, will you? We are fine, I’m here with you –Ycze hugged him and Ramsil let himself be hugged.

  At that moment Onevin entered with a jar with water, cleared his throat to announce he had returned, he offered Ramsil a cup and drank it all in one single drink.

  - They want to talk to us –Onevin informed.

  - I think they can wait –Ycze answered still holding Ramsil’s hand.

  - That’s right… hey, little one –Ramsil said referring to Onevin– It was amazing, everything you did.

  - That you say that, it is modest, you scared everyone with that of transforming and all of that –Onevin used a thick tone of voice, like he scared others with it.

  They kept talking for a long time about what had happened, they were cheerful and proud of themselves, as a group, as friends. Ramsil explained to them that he was the carrier of the other Feider after a while, and after that came a moment of silence, Ramsil wasn’t sure of wanting to share that information, but who were with him, Ycze and Onevin, had earned his respect, gratitude and his trust.

  - Windark explained it to me, when we were separated.

  - Windark? And how was he supposed to know?

  - It’s true, Ramsil, although, you told me you knew him, well, something like that.

  - He’s my… well he says he is and… he said things that…

  - What are you saying? –Onevin asked with an impatient look.

  - … He’s my father –He answered after a resigned sigh.

  - Windark has a family?

  - Yes, that was kind of my reaction; I don’t want to talk much about the subject, because I still haven’t processed it. In part that’s why I wanted to be with you guys.

  - Why?

  - Onevin, you are my family, and if he, Windark, is my father, well, I wanted you to know.

  - I understand…

  - You know what? I want to walk a little; I feel my body a little numb.

  - Yes, of course, let’s go –Ycze answered helping him to get up.

  The three carriers left the room and walked through the temple, seeing how some volunteers cleaned the debris, Ycze, however, didn’t want to comment that she felt different, Sonyei’s Feider was really strong, «You can’t beat me» she thought and they continued with their walk.

  CHAPTER 39

  In the middle of a random hallway they crossed paths with Cornelium, who seemed to have been looking for them for a while, he had in his hand his staff and his face seemed tired, he looked at them and walked in their direction, Onevin felt again that there was something important they had been talking about behind their backs.

  - We have been looking for you –He told them when he reached them.

  - What’s going on, Cornelium? –Ycze asked.

  - Well, nothing’s going on, and whatever may happen, will be the decision of you, as carriers.

  - I don’t understand –Ramsil said, skeptical.

  - You see, we have found a storage room Sonyei had, in it there are documents, some sort of plan, but the truth is we don’t trust at all in the source –Cornelium explained to them, rubbing his hands a little nervous.

  - A plan for what? –Onevin consulted with the eyes half-shut with mistrust.

  - You best follow me.

  They walked behind Cornelium without asking any questions and got to an office that must have been Sonyei’s, no one was in the chair behind the desk, it was a little messy, without a doubt they had some interest in discovering Sonyei’s plans and it seemed like they had succeeded part of their goal, behind a shelf there was a little room through which they saw Windark come out with several small books with some loose pages, after Windark they assumed there was someone else, but no one came out, Windark left everything on the desk before speaking.

  - Sonyei did not only want the Aruters to kill the carriers –Windark said with some heaviness– In fact it’s possible that he only wanted Onevin dead, this I know because Darrell has decided to trust me with this information.

  - What else did you find, Windark? –Cornelium asked him, Windark let himself fall on the couch that was on the corner of the room, his face showed complete surprise, in spite of his useless attempt to hide it.

  - All… all of us are in the exile.

  - What are you talking about? The exile of crystal isn’t…

  - The exile of crystals is nothing, Onevin –Windark interrupted him.

  - What do you mean? –Ramsil seemed to reflect, he didn’t show the same disbelief of the others.

  - What I mean is… I don’t even have words, but… beyond the temple there is a forest demarcated by crystals, the same you would find if you continue walking in the opposite direction, beyond the village of Vicnelia.

  - How do you know that? Why… why would you know that? –Onevin asked giving voice to Ycze’s doubts as well.

  - I’ve seen it… I didn’t think it was a wall or something like that, the truth is I don’t have an idea if it is… but, but look at this, what else can it be?

  Windark stood up and with tense and nervous movements he went through what he had brought from the little room behind the shelf and after a moment, raised a worn-out parchment with some kind of map.

  - I’ve seen something like this before –Cornelium said slowly, trying to remember.

  - So have I... –Ycze came closer to look at the map better– May I? –Windark nodded and gave her the parchment.

  - But then, what does it have to do with us? –Ramsil asked.

  - I think there’s a way of… “Breaking” that… barrier –Windark answered.

  - Was that Sonyei’s intention? –Onevin seemed more attentive.

  - We’re not sure, we don’t know what’s on the other side –Windark explained to them.

  - Maybe that’s why Sonyei wanted the Aruters, to cross over with them as protection –Cornelium reflected aloud.

  - That’s the problem, we don’t know anymore, Sonyei is gone and we have no idea of his intentions –Windark answered with frustration.

  - I… was able to see some things while I was unconscious –Ramsil dared to say after doubting about it for a moment.

  - What?... what kind of things, Ramsil? –Onevin asked, Ycze saw him to measure his reaction.

  - I think they were… I’m not sure… I think they were Sonyei’s memories… but I don’t know.

  - Sonyei’s Feider… –Windark started to say and walk from one side to the other– Perhaps the Feider… Ramsil, you took Ybrian’s Feider, didn’t you?

  - Ye… yes, I did.

  - What happened that night?

  - Well… nothing, I think, although… I had a weird dream.

  - Weird how? –Windark asked to know.

  - It’s just that I don’t know, there had been events that…

  - You didn’t remember? That you had never seen before? –Windark asked again interrupting him.

  - Something like that… –He answered staring at him. Windark was in that dream, but he felt he didn’t want him to say it out loud.

  - They weren’t your own thoughts, they were Ybrian’s, but by being so close to you, some of the memories you felt were your own, but if you had a vision about Sonyei, whom you weren’t raised with and you don’t know him at all, you’d know they weren’t your own memories.

  - It makes sense –Cornelium said and then they looked at Ycze.

 
- Ycze… –Windark started to say.

  - Are you Ok, Ycze? –Ramsil wished to know.

  - Yes… well… I feel a little dizzy, but I’m fine.

  - Your Feider is strong and that helps you –Cornelium told her– but I think you can still have access to some of Sonyei’s memories.

  - No, not anymore –Windark intervened– I don’t think it works that way, but we have another option.

  - Which one? –Ramsil asked.

  - Ycze… we would have to go back to the Agatha room.

  - NO! –Ramsil screamed– She won’t do it, she doesn’t have to do it, besides, why is it so important to know what Sonyei was planning?

  - Why is it important? Really? –Windark saw him as if the answer were obvious.

  - Ramsil –Cornelium placed a hand on his shoulder– We don’t know what Sonyei was capable of.

  - But you haven’t asked her, she doesn’t want to do it, ask her.

  - Ramsil –Ycze started to say calmly– I think I should do it.

  - No, Ycze, I’ll do it.

  - You can’t, Ramsil –Onevin explained– You are no longer the carrier, even I know that.

  - Onevin…

  - It must be soon, if we hurry it might work out –Windark regretted.

  - Ycze… –Ramsil came close and took her by both hands.

  - I’ll be all right, you know it… I must do this.

  - You shouldn’t have taken the Feider…

  - But I did… And I don’t regret it –She gave Ramsil a little kiss on the lips, looked at Windark– Let’s do it.

  - You are very brave, Ycze –Windark looked her into her eyes and for a moment he wished not to have proposed that plan, but he really wanted to know what Sonyei intended to do– All right, Ycze… let’s go –He walked to the door, opened it and with a gesture of his hand asked Ycze to go ahead, when he went out he closed the door and Ramsil and the rest heard the steps walking away through the hallway.

  CHAPTER 40

  Ycze asked Windark not to tie her hands or her legs, that only made her feel worse than what she wanted to admit, she sat and without turning around the subject, with a sign of her head Windark approached her the crystal, Ycze used it sinking in a thick fog of images that didn’t belong to her.

  - I don’t want to be here anymore –Sonyei’s voice spoke in a black screen. Ycze didn’t see anything.

  - You must stick to the plan –Someone answered him.

  - This damn exile, I can’t manage to understand it.

  - Don’t try to understand it, Sonyei, you are close, just control the beasts and we’ll be able to leave this rathole.

  - I’M TRYING! You don’t understand, all this time that’s what I’ve been trying.

  - But you failed in one opportunity; the Feider would be yours if you hadn’t made any mistakes in your actions.

  Windark could see how Ycze’s eyes turned white and she complained, what she was seeing had to be something strong, Ycze had unconsciously activated Sonyei’s Feider and her own.

  - Give me a day –The unknown voice asked Sonyei.

  - I think it’s going to be soon, Ycze escaped, but I don’t need her much more.

  - Then, we’ll see each other on the other side, I can’t stay much longer, you know Safiry suspects of everyone.

  - I understand, see you on the other side.

  - Sonyei, take care.

  - I will.

  Ycze was able to see only one image before waking up completely lucid and conscious: A wall of jet black crystal.

  - Are you Ok, Ycze? –Windark looked at her amazed; he was sitting waiting to take notes.

  - I won’t forget it, don’t worry.

  - But… how is it possible?

  - I don’t know… Let’s go with the others.

  - Ycze…

  - Windark, it’s important.

  They went back to the room where Ramsil and the others were, Cornelium stood up rubbing his hands.

  - We were worried, Ycze, how do you feel?

  - I feel fine, Cornelium, it wasn’t much what I saw, but…

  - Windark… –Darrell seemed to encourage the old man to share the information, but the old man just said no shaking his head.

  - You can remember it, Ycze? –The girl answered nodding with her head looking at Ramsil.

  - It’s not possible –Cornelium let his surprise show.

  - I can’t explain it; I don’t know if it always works like this, I just listened to a conversation.

  - Sonyei’s –Darrell took notes preventing that Ycze might forget later, or fell fainted.

  - Yes, but I didn’t recognize the second voice, they talked about seeing each other outside.

  - Then that is… Sonyei planned to leave.

  - Leave? –Onevin asked turning to Cornelium.

  - Onevin, the exile is not what everyone thought it was.

  - What do you mean, Cornelium? –Ramsil saw the old man exchanging looks with Darrell and the second answered.

  - We believe the carriers are capable of destroying the exile that surrounds… all of us.

  - You three have the last word.

  The carriers exchanged looks and Ramsil nodded and it was him who took the word for the other two.

  - I think we must do it.

  - Although I’m a little worried about what we might find –Onevin acknowledge– Is there a way that a group… goes ahead?

  - If that were the case, would you stay? Little one –Ramsil joked.

  - Don’t even think about it, I wouldn’t miss it, Ramsil… but, is it possible, master? –He asked turning his eyes to Darrell.

  - I don’t think it’s that simple.

  - But surely we can try, can’t we? –It was Ycze who intervened in this opportunity.

  - Sure we can, but… we wouldn’t know where to begin –Cornelium admitted.

  - I think I know –They all became silent and stared at Windark, who after a brief pause continued– And… if what I believe is true, we’re not very far.

  - Then… tomorrow? –Onevin asked who for the first time didn’t seem eager.

  - Tomorrow… –Darrell repeated in a low voice.

  After that conversation the carriers left the temple and sat together to see the horizon, they could see the blue desert under the light of a bunch of stars in the sky, there weren’t any guards, not in the desert, or the temple, you could only hear the distant sound of the reparations that were being carried out in the temple, many of them supported by the apprentices to be monks, who had returned when they spread the word of what had happened.

  - Are you afraid? –Onevin asked without being able to stop looking at the desert, as if he wanted to get lost in it.

  - No… –Ycze answered.

  - Not anymore –Ramsil followed her.

  - Then I’m not afraid either –Onevin said with an honest smile.

  - I think we have to get as far as we can, I don’t want to waste the momentum –Ycze added.

  - I mean, it’s terrifying, but I’m going to be with you. How bad can it be? –Ramsil stood up when he said this.

  - Yes, and if something goes wrong… You eat them, Ramsil –Onevin exploded with a laugh that he transmitted to his friends, then he stood up too. Ycze was still sitting, she saw them, extended both of her hands to help her stand up.

  - Let’s go! –Onevin encouraged her and she took them by the hands and stood up.

  - To rest then, tomorrow is going to be a long day… and different, very different.

  CHAPTER 41

  Ramsil was the last to wake up and Onevin was talking with Ycze at the time, they seemed anxious, but completely nervous, Onevin saw him and made him signs to come closer, Ramsil did that while he rubbed his eyes to pull away the drowsiness he felt, sleeping well was something which you couldn’t presume at all.

  - We thought about going ahead, Ramsil –Onevin just dropped it.

  - Going ahead? –Ramsil checked in the middle of a yawn, which left his eyes with a few tears.r />
  - Yes, we believe that… actually, Ycze believes –and I agree– that they have done a lot to help us, we should repay that trust they’ve given us.

  - But leaving, wouldn’t it be the contrary to repaying their trust?

  - Ramsil –Ycze spoke calmed, but determined– They don’t know if what’s beyond the crystal wall is dangerous, someone could die and us, well, we know how to defend ourselves, I think it’s best if we go ahead, I don’t say we don’t come back, just to check that it’s safe for someone else to join and explore… or whatever –Ramsil didn’t say anything, but Onevin encouraged him with his look.

  - It’s true they have risked themselves for us –He said after a brief moment– well, what do you have in mind?

  - The truth is that… we are already leaving –Onevin took some kind of improvised bag made with sheets from under his bed.

  - One moment, you thought about leaving without me?

  - No, I knew you’d accept, Ycze is very convincing –Onevin released a brief laugh and turned to the window.

  - What are you doing? –Ycze asked a little alarmed.

  - Don’t worry, I’m not going to throw myself from here –Onevin kept a smile on his face, he opened the window and let the bag made of sheets drop– We’re not going to leave with that from here, it would be weird.

  - Well thought –Ramsil affirmed– Although all of this makes me feel like… you know, a fugitive.

  - Then, let’s go now, I don’t want you to change your mind –Ycze hurried him.

  The three of them left the room in silence; it wasn’t too difficult getting out without being seen, because there weren’t any rounds of guards at the temple anymore, they were just repairing the structure, it was almost back to normal, they heard in one of the doors that they passed by Darrell’s voice, «It shouldn’t look to what it was», Ramsil thought he meant the temple, maybe to succeed that objective they would have to eliminate the Agatha room, among other things, Onevin thought so too, the temple seemed the same that felt like at any moment Sonyei would suddenly show up blocking them at the end of a hallway without an exit, that feeling made him sweat, Ycze on the other hand was trying to remember what she had dreamed during that night, it had been a strange dream, she thought Sonyei had dissolved completely when she woke up, because she felt renewed and she already felt a new power inside of her skin, she assumed the capacity of the Feider, which had been Sonyei’s, was to created force fields, she didn’t know well the extension of the same, neither did she know if all the Feiders had an extension, Onevin had discovered that he could take the vital force from practically any organism, fire for example, it had been working out well for him, she herself had been able to transfer her ability to regenerate to common objects to be used by someone else, but she hadn’t admitted to the others that that was a little harder than regenerating herself, but Ramsil hadn’t developed an additional capacity, had he?