The Kota

by Sunshine Somerville

  I’ve come this far, she thought. It’d be pointless to turn back now.

  She felt as you do when encountering a person who knows you but whose name you can’t quite remember. Trok was treating her like an old acquaintance, and she somehow was comfortable with that.

  Picking her barefoot way along, Alex choked back fear and asked, “Are you a Magi?”

  Trok stopped, turned to face her, and shook his head before walking on.

  “Are you one of the un-factored people who’ve come back through a portal? I saw a portal out here. That’s why I came.”

  Again, he shook his head, but he didn’t bother stopping this time.

  Disappointed but keenly interested, Alex hurried to walk alongside him. “I saw writings in your mind. I heard you thinking that your mission is to watch after those who’ll destroy evil. You’re one of the Bearers. You think Ryu and I are two of the prophesied Warriors. That’s all I saw in your mind before you threw me out. How’d you close off your mind like that? I’ve never been shut out before. Not even by other telepaths.”

  “Do you know how your telepathy works? I know you’ve had no formal training.” He waited for her to shake her head. “Telepathy has nothing to do with mutate-genes. It’s been around for far longer, and it’s part of something entirely different. The gift comes from something science can’t quite explain, something to do with the space dimension. Some minds, such as yours, are capable of feeling through the dimension and connecting with other minds. So, since I have a rather strange link with the portal realm myself, I can disconnect and make myself inaccessible to the minds that use the space dimension. You’re restrained because you’re connected to this realm. I’m not. Therefore, I can stop you from seeing into my mind if I wish.”

  “What is the space dimension? Portals are the openings, right? I was taken-”

  “It has to do with the fabric of existence, Alex. It’s part of how we’re put together and how life, reality, and everything else works. It fills the gaps in existence and is a paranormal world within a world. I often wonder what it says about humanity that, in the five hundred years since the portals’ openings, no one’s investigated the space dimension’s significance adequately. Deep down, I don’t think people want to know.”

  Five hundred years, she thoughts. He does seem ancient. Is he saying he’s that old?

  Trok smiled. “When it comes to the space dimension, you know more than most people. You use it for telepathy and teleporting – you’ve been right about that. You just skip right over the little step of having to open a portal. Instead, your mind pulls your matter through the spaces between normal existence. You teleport from place to place by taking the shortcut around matter. You make your own portals by using a link with the space dimension that’s inside you – that’s why your body lights up like the portals when you teleport. You can teleport other people when you touch them because you trick your mind into thinking they’re a part of your body. I hope I’m not confusing you.”

  Alex laughed in delight.

  He sounds like an authority on this, she thought. Finally! I mean, I’ve theorized on most of this, but it’s good to know I’m on the right track. But this is all so incredible! Everything I saw in his mind… Who is this guy? How does he know so much?

  “How did this happen to me? I found out about the Magi, but…”

  “Whatever they did enhanced the gift you already had, Alex. How or why they did it is a mystery even to me.”

  She scowled. “So, you know ancient prophecies about me and my brother, but you have no idea who the Magi are?”

  “Sorry.”

  “This is crazy!” She halted their walk. Her bare feet hurt, and she’d had too many surprises for a single day.

  Trok stopped and turned to face her.

  Alex was far too stressed to hold herself together, and she spilled her thoughts. “It’s been a long time since I was returned, and I’d started to move on. Then came today. First these people start coming back through a portal like I did. Then, I learn that the Magi who un-factored them are the people who abducted me. Now, I’m talking to a strange man who just appeared out of a portal! You expect me to believe you’re not a part of all this?”

  He spoke in a soothing tone. “I myself don’t understand this business with the Magi and the factors. I can jump around in time and see many things, but I’ve found absolutely nothing about the Magi. I don’t know why that is. It’s like I’m…blocked. I don’t know what happened to you during your abduction, and I have no idea who the Magi are. I’ve tried to look, believe me. I simply don’t know any of the answers we seek. I really, truly don’t know.”

  She forced herself to calm down.

  Of course he doesn’t, she thought. He’s supposed to be a complete stranger. But, if he’s a stranger, why does this feel so natural? He’s talking to me like I’m his own daughter, or something.

  “The Magi aren’t why I’m here,” said Trok. “So, let’s focus on why I am here, shall we?”

  For the time being, Alex put aside her questions. Whatever he wanted to talk about seemed to have its own appeal. This was the most ridiculous situation she’d ever found herself in, but she was completely at ease.

  Whatever this is about, she thought, it has something to do with me and Ryu. I at least owed it to Ryu to listen.

  “Alright, why are you here? You didn’t let me see much in your mind.”

  “You saw enough to get started.” He smiled. “It’s hard to explain – all this destiny mumbo jumbo.

  ‘The Warriors

  The marked children will fulfill

  the work set out for them.

  First the Leader and the Hunter, joined.

  Second the Seer and the Fighter, compelled.’”

  Things started to come together. “Yes, I saw that writing in your mind.” Alex looked over her shoulder at her arm. “You think our birthmarks make Ryu and me two of these Warriors? That’s what the birthmarks mean?”

  The trees rustled as a breeze blew, but Trok seemed not to notice as he studied her. “You feel the truth of what I’m saying, don’t you? You and Ryu have searched for meaning for years now, even before your abduction and his wanderings.” He looked down at her with a sad smile. “It’s a shame, what happened to your parents. They could’ve helped you understand far better than I ever could.”

  Her eyes widened. “You knew my parents?”

  He nodded. “This was set in motion a long time ago, Alex. Your parents did the right thing by letting you grow up naturally. I’m sorry I couldn’t save… They were planning to tell you the truth, and your grandmother was too. She meant to protect you. I would’ve guided her in explaining things to you, but then you disappeared. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t see your abduction coming, for some reason.”

  She wondered about this.

  Trok frowned. “I’m now the only one left to teach you the truth. And I’m sorry for that too. This is never what I intended for you or Ryu. I fear I failed your parents.”

  Alex felt her throat tighten with emotion. “I don’t remember them. Not really. The car accident was so long ago…”

  “Drake and Roux would be proud of you. I’m sure of that.” He paused to let her collect herself. “Alex, you know you’re missing from something. The strength of your abilities has always set you and Ryu apart from even the MOB. You developed early, and you have that tingling sensation when you use your gifts.”

  “You know about that too?”

  “I know the other two Warriors feel it. The sensation is from your connection to the space dimension.”

  “That has to do with the space dimension too? You mean we have a paranormal power inside us?”

  “If you want to call it that. Whatever the Magi did to you strengthened your bond with the space dimension, but each of you Warriors has always had a connection with it. However, don’t think for a minute that this power is a part of you – it comes from outside you. This ‘paranormal power’ is an entity unto it
self. It’s a gift that flows in the space dimension and connects to you Warriors in a physical way. You’re enhanced by what flows inside you, but it isn’t a part of you. Everything – even other people – has the space dimension as part of their physical existence, but in you Warriors that space is filled by the miraculous. I think you’ve each been given this special gift because you’re the Warriors. It sets you apart as people who’ve been chosen to play significant roles in the workings of a grand purpose.”

  Blond hair blew across her face, and Alex brushed it away as she thought on this.

  Trok smiled. “You are different, each of you. I know that you, Alex, once thought you’d get over that feeling once you grew up a little. You’re an adult now, and the sense of being different still is with you. You, Ryu, and the other two Warriors have always sensed you were being called to something. I’ve seen that sense of purpose in each of you. I know you’ve been wondering about that Mark on your arm your entire life. I know you feel like you’re missing from something, and I know you want to find where you belong. I’m right, aren’t I?”

  Looking around the dark trees, Alex wondered again why everything felt so right. Despite the sheer oddness of this, she couldn’t force herself to be afraid or even concerned.

  “Alex?”

  She finally looked up at him. “Yes, Ryu and I have always felt like that. But our lives are such a mess. Everything about our abilities is incredible, but now you’re saying we’re meant to save the world?”

  “I came tonight to offer this prophetic explanation, yes. It’s almost time for you to join the other two Warriors. I need you to explain all this to Ryu. You both need to be ready. Please, consider what I’ve told you.” He started to walk her back the way they’d come.

  “But this doesn’t make any sense. This is crazy!”

  “Is it?” Trok laughed.

  Walking barefoot in the dark wasn’t easy. As a result, she was growing upset with him. “You can’t just tell me half of what’s going on and leave me wondering about the rest of it. We’re Warriors? What does that mean? Tell me what we’re supposed to do!”

  “Stop trying to get a handle on everything. Just take a leap of faith, Alex. I know that sounds trite, but there’s some truth to it.” Trok stopped and opened a portal in front of them.

  Alex jumped as the trees were suddenly illuminated by the swirling lights. Before he could leave her, Alex stepped forward and grabbed Trok’s arm. The lights had sparked another question. “Please, Trok. You seem to know a lot about my telepathy and teleporting. You said you have a connection to the space dimension. I have to know what happened to me. Can you help me? Does this Magi thing even have anything to do with me?”

  He sighed. “I told you, I don’t know. I can’t find the Magi. I have no idea who they are or why they’ve done this to you. Just because I use the portals doesn’t mean I can automatically find anyone else who uses them. These Magi obviously have a working knowledge of the portals, and they could be anywhere. Worlds and worlds exist on the other ends of the DuoPorts, Alex. It’s not as if I can simply peek through a portal hole and narrow in on the Magi right away.”

  Alex clutched his arm. “Please, it’s going to haunt me for the rest of my life if I don’t find out why this was done to me. If I know, at least I’ll feel like I have some control over my life again. In combination, hearing all this about a destiny to save the world is more than I can take! Can you at least promise you’ll try to help me find out what happened to me?” She let go of his arm, unsure where her boldness to ask such a thing came from.

  Trok looked at her in a loving way again. “Alex, I know how much your abduction hurt you. You have a right to know what happened to you and why. And I do promise to search for answers. Your abduction may mean something in the future. But, if it helps, I don’t think anything concerning your abduction comes up between now and when you meet the other two Warriors. I’ve seen your future meeting, and there aren’t any hints that anything new with the Magi happens to you.”

  Oh, she thought. Okay. That actually does make me feel better…

  “For now,” said Trok, “please trust me that you’re safe. You need to forget about the Magi for a while. It’s more important that you focus on finding the other Warriors. That’s your destiny. You have to believe me, Alex. It’s the most important thing in your life.”

  Alex paused. She knew he was right. She’d spent her whole life searching for something, and she’d been trying to fill that void with her quest for answers about her abduction. But now here he was, offering her a calling that could very well be what she’d searched for her whole life. This was what mattered.

  Alex didn’t know why she felt tears coming to her eyes, and she took a deep breath.

  Trok smiled, apparently seeing that he’d gotten through. “I fully believe that your life will make sense once you’ve united with the other Warrior pair, Alex. I promise. You need to find them.”

  “Okay. Thank you, Trok. Where should we go to find them?”

  He gave her a wink. “All in good time.”

  With a parting smile, Trok stepped into the open portal and disappeared in the swirling lights. A blink later, the gap in the space dimension sealed and was gone.

  Alone in the cluster of trees, Alex took a moment.

  This is more than I ever hoped, she thought. Ryu and I’ve searched for answers since I got back – and for years before that. Trok revealed our true purpose in a matter of minutes! But I believe with all my heart that he told me the truth of my life. Ryu and I are Marked, and the calling we’ve sensed our whole lives… This is it.

  Remembering her sleeping brother, Alex teleported back to the hotel.

  Ryu wasn’t as receptive as he might’ve been, considering she’d woken him in the dead of night. Sitting up in bed, he did see that his sister was excited about whatever she had to tell him, so he tried to pay attention. As she went on, Ryu realized something important really had happened. It was a little unbelievable, but amazing.

  “Sis, slow down. This Trok guy just appeared out of nowhere? You’re sure it was a portal?”

  “Yes!” Alex was pacing at the foot of his bed. “I think he’s been watching us a long time. He knew everything about us. He knew our parents and Grandma. He knew I was abducted. He knew you’d been wandering in search of me. It was like we’re old friends. He’s just…comforting. I’d say loving, even.”

  “Are you sure he’s not with the Dominion? Maybe he-”

  “No, he’s telling the truth. I saw in his mind, Ryu. I trust him. I think Trok’s seen and done more than any normal person ever will. It was amazing, but he shut me out before I could see everything. There’s something strange about him. It’s like he wasn’t really here, or something.” She chuckled in bewilderment. “But I believe him.”

  Ryu was silent for a minute. Maybe he’d become more jaded than he’d thought. The longing to accept what she was saying crept in.

  Our lives now don’t have much direction, he thought. I’m not satisfied. I mean, am I going to spend the rest of my life fighting in sparring clubs? I’ve been so worried about protecting Alex… But I’ve always wanted to use my gifts to help people. Now we’re destined to save the world? I could finally use my strength for something good! But sis, a Warrior?

  Ryu raised an eyebrow. “This prophecy stuff is more than I imagined. And weird.”

  Alex shrugged. “Yeah, but I’m a telepath. We live in a world with access to another dimension. Trok sees the future. Seems to me prophecies might not be that ridiculous. And I saw in Trok’s mind that these Kota prophecies came from people’s visions centuries ago. They thought the prophecies spelled out the salvation of our entire planet. Now we really do have these Marks, so I don’t know how to argue with that responsibility.”

  “Hmm. Yeah. Kinda gives this a scary level of seriousness, doesn’t it?”

  Alex chuckled with a nod. “What do we do now?”

  “I guess we should start looking for these
two other people with our Mark.” Ryu flopped back into bed. He needed to think, and he’d rather she not invade his mind while he did it. “Right now, we should get more sleep. It sounds like we’re going to be moving around a lot, starting tomorrow.”

  18

  “Synchronized watches”

  Loree and Zaak had reached a point where they understood each other. It’d taken Loree quite some time before she’d been willing to let Zaak teach her anything, and Zaak turned out to be equally stubborn. Trok said it ran in the family.

  Her Dominion mindset still flared every now and again. But, for the most part, Zaak and Trok were able to make her see what was right according to the Kota texts they’d re-introduced to her belief system. She was getting the hang of her new life, but it was still strange to feel as free as she did. And being a key figure in a prophecy to rid the planet of evil seemed a tad ironic. But, she’d come a long way in the months since she’d joined Zaak, and she’d developed a strong sense of belonging. This new mission was all she could’ve dreamed, but it wasn’t ambition that drove her anymore – she was now less self-centered and more aware of the troubles in the outside world.

  One day, feeling particularly sluggish after a week of study, Loree spent time alone in the gym. She was just finishing up her exercises when Zaak ran in. As he came to stand beside her weight bench, he ruffled his bleached, hanging bangs. This always amused her.

  He’s so strange, she thought. This hair-ruffling mannerism is a favorite of his. I’m not even sure he knows he’s doing it.

  Loree was on a bit of a natural high lately, but she was quite sure she would’ve found Zaak amusing even in old days. Of course, his Kota mission to save humanity from the Dominion’s evil forces would’ve been a hiccup in their relationship.

  “What’s up?”

  “I just talked to Nat.” Zaak was swaying from foot to foot, barely able to contain whatever exciting news he had. “You know, my hired hacker you’re so fond of?”