“The location of the third Chintamani stone is hidden, even to this instrument. It provides the power to transcend one’s body, allowing one to view objects many light-years distant or to leave one’s physical body and return safely at will. If you are perceptive, its presence will leave clues that will aid you in finding it.”
“So, we could spy into the Vakragha dominion?”
“Yes. Once retrieved, you must bring the powers of the three Chintamani to the core of the Vakragha Dominion itself, where that species broke off from its natural course. You must find the place where they chose their fate, their undoing. Only then will your path become clear, allowing success to become possible. Also, do not speak of this experience yet. All will be revealed in the perfect time, and your friend will recover before the night’s end. Remember that all you see are reflections of the One. Truly, you make no mistakes, for you are, at all times, safe, secure, and centered. Now this short cycle is complete. I leave you in the Unconditional Love of Unity.”
Asha’s heart filled with an indescribable peace. All at once, she felt that everything was working out for the highest good of all, and the radiant realm faded away.
A vision of a stone room flashed into her mind. The room was curved, with clear windows that stretched from floor to ceiling. Beyond them was a vast ocean, and in the center of the room was an oval table, inlaid with gems that began to glow.
With a gasp, Asha found herself back in the Temple.
All around her, everyone wore a stunned look, and some of the other healers held their mouths agape.
Asha looked down to her left hand which was still holding the Kiss of Life. It appeared the same as before, but when Asha looked over to her right hand, she was astonished. Her hand was still over Mira’s heart, but now her entire body was glowing with a faint bluish light. And to Asha’s surprise, Mira’s eyes were wide open, and she was smiling at her.
Asha handed the Kiss of Life to Zahn and backed away.
“Wow,” she whispered. “How do you feel?”
The glow faded, and Mira took a deep breath and sat up with a vibrancy that surprised Asha. She wiggled her toes and massaged her thighs.
She raised the blanket to examine her lower leg.
Everyone searched for any trace of the red marks or black gashes, but there was no sign of them at all. Mira looked up to Asha with a beaming smile.
“You found it,” she whispered.
“Yes,” Asha said. “And that’s not all I found.”
Mira started to speak, but her voice faded. As she sank back onto the narrow bed, Asha took her hand and studied her face, surprised to watch her fall asleep again in mere seconds.
Zahn walked up and studied her body. “She’s out again. Isn’t the Kiss of Life supposed to heal her?”
“It said she would recover before the night’s end. I guess even miracles can take time.”
“It said?” Zahn said in surprise. “You talked to it? I never even saw your lips move.”
Asha’s eyes grew wide as she realized where she had just been, and she turned around. “I did! Zahn, it was astounding. I was in the middle of this radiant place. Incredible fractal patterns surrounded me; they were woven into me.” Asha paused. “I was part of the pattern, too,” she said softly.
“Wow,” Zahn said. “Definitely sounds like timespace.”
One of the Temple elders walked up to Asha and asked her about Mira’s condition. Asha told them only what they needed to know: that she only needed to rest and would be well soon.
The elder nodded, and Asha noticed something unsettling.
Zahn was still holding the Kiss of Life, and Asha noticed that the meditators were studying it carefully. They appeared to regard it with reverence now. But there was more. Some of them looked upon it with eyes full of desire.
In the back of the crowd, Asha thought she saw a familiar feathery sash, and she leaned in toward Zahn.
“I think it’s best if we get out of here. Come on,” she said and led him out through the broken door and down a narrow path.
“Where are you taking me?” Zahn asked as they walked. Above, a symphony of stars filled the night sky, seeming to sing in a soft light above them.
“There was someone along this path before. Someone who pointed me in the right direction. I doubt he’s still here, but it’s worth a try. We have to wait until Mira wakes up anyway.”
Zahn looked back down to the Kiss of Life as he held it under one arm. Its polished pearl-like surface was mesmerizing, but it no longer glowed.
“Hmm.”
“Here,” Asha said, pointing to a fork in the path where a stone bench was. “This is where he was. I met him my first night here, and he’s been so welcoming and patient with me. If he hadn’t told me the way to the warm pond, I never would have gone swimming with Lakshmi and Tiika. And Lakshmi would have probably never taken me to the Rift.”
“It’s funny how you can only connect the dots looking backward, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
“So, how about we go there?” Zahn said. “The warm pond sounds like a great place to relax while Mira recovers.”
“I wasn’t saying we should go there right now, Zahn. Come on. Let’s put the artifact in the ship.”
“All right.”
They navigated the path back behind the Temple and found Navika exactly where they’d hidden him. It didn’t take long to explain to him what had happened, and when they entered his central node, they noticed that the Kiss of Life glowed brighter the closer it was to the Tulari. Zahn asked about touching them together, but Asha stopped him.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“But what if something incredible happens?” he said. “What if it heals everyone on this planet at once?”
“And what if it rips this planet apart, with us along with it?” Asha shook her head. “The Kiss of Life didn’t say anything about contact with the Tulari. I’d rather not try it.”
“Yeah, I guess it could be risky. Never mind.” Zahn looked up to the swirling nucleus above them. “Navika, I’m going to leave this in here. Do whatever you can to protect it, okay?”
“Security measures are in full effect.” Navika’s voice echoed all around them. “Just make sure Mira stays safe. Might I remind you that she remains the ranking officer on this mission?”
“We know, Navika. She’ll be fine.”
Zahn went to wedge the Kiss of Life into the adjacent braided cables, but stopped and offered the artifact back to her. “Wait a minute. Why don’t you try this on your foot? We helped Mira. Now it’s your turn.”
Asha pursed her lips. “Okay. I just. I don’t know what I’m going to do if it doesn’t work.”
“Well, try it first.”
Asha sat down on the glowing ivory floor of the central node and held the Kiss of Life in her left hand, closing her eyes. With her other hand, she cupped the bottom of her foot, massaging it.
Once again, she imagined pure light coming down into her head. As she did this, a warmth filled her left hand and travelled up her arm. This time, she could visualize that the warmth was actually a kind of light moving through her. It filled her chest, but when it reached her heart, it stopped. Asha tried again, imagining the light continuing down her other arm into her foot, but it wouldn’t move.
Within her heart, she felt resistance. Why?
Afraid of somehow damaging the Kiss of Life, she removed her hand and stood up, inhaling deeply.
She shook her head and offered it back to him. “The light just stopped. It wouldn’t flow into my other hand, like it was being blocked.” Asha looked into his eyes, now downcast. “What if it’s serious? What if it gets worse?”
Zahn took the Kiss of Life back and wedged it between the braided cables where it would be safe and secure. “Don’t worry,” he said, “we’ll get through this. We’ve been through a lot, after all. Think about it, even Mira needed to rest. You may be drained from helping her. Have you considered that?�
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“No, I just—I guess I was expecting something,” her voice became hushed. “Zahn, what if it’s permanent damage?”
Zahn held her in his steady gaze. “Don’t worry, Asha. We’ll figure this out. Maybe the Kiss of Life knows that you’re drained and is trying to protect you. Have you eaten lately? Come to think of it, I haven’t seen you eat this whole time!”
“It’s been a little while. You’re right, Zahn. I shouldn’t jump to conclusions. After all, I just channeled the power of an ancient artifact, and I have no idea of the side-effects.” Asha glanced over to the door that led into the command bay. “Why don’t we find some food in the ship? Navika usually has something.”
“True.” The image of the garden bay fruit flashed into Zahn’s mind. “Navika has a few surprises left, but last time I tried to fill up my stomach in here, it had the opposite effect. Is there anywhere around here we could get some food while Mira recovers? I’m sure this place has gatherings.”
“Actually, there was a big gathering with dancing and food down by the beach when I first got here, but I’m not sure they’re doing it tonight.”
“Well, why don’t we go find them? It’s worth a try. Then we can get some food, and you can ask them more questions. I’m sure by now you’re in pretty close with some of the locals, right?”
“Sure. Although I wouldn’t say the feeling is mutual with all of them. There was this one woman who—” She sighed. “It’s probably nothing.”
“We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.” Zahn furrowed his eyebrows.
“Don’t worry about it. We’re leaving soon, so I doubt I’ll have to deal with her ever again. Come on,” Asha waved him toward the exit. “Let’s go see what we can find.”
And Asha led him outside.
CHAPTER 34
THE SPIRIT OF THE DANCE
It occurred to Asha that unless she wanted to find the small cove and swim around the long rock wall again, she would have to find another way to the bonfire beach; so she improvised, leading Zahn down a new path that led farther west, where she guessed the beach gathering had been.
“So, have you noticed how people disappear around here?”
“Well.” Zahn paused to think. “Not really. I only just got to this part of the island, remember? I felt like I was in that labyrinth for days. Good thing Vayuna was there to guide us. I hope she’s okay.”
“I’m sure she’s fine, Zahn,” Asha said, stepping over a fallen branch. “Seems like a master at calculating risk. Intuitive, too.”
“Yeah, I’d tend to agree. From what she’s told me, it seems like she’s been all over the galaxy since we last saw her. I guess our knowledge of the gates helped. She even told me this world is one of the Cradles of Life. Apparently, Avani and Sumanas are sibling worlds, and the genetic information from both originally came from this world, from Vaari.”
“Sounds familiar,” she said, mostly to herself.
“It’s interesting to compare this sapphire forest with the one back on Avani. They’re not terribly different, but there is one noticeable difference.”
“What’s that?” she called back.
“This one’s thicker. I’ve never seen a forest so thick, almost like walls that could box you in.”
“That’s what the resonators are for. I just wish we knew why these people disappear during the day. It’s really starting to irk me.” Asha looked at her wristcomm. “We’re running out of night. We should keep moving.”
He nodded. “Lead the way.”
They followed the trail for some time until it made a sharp turn to the right, away from where they thought they wanted to go. Yet in the distance they heard a faint drumming sound.
“I didn’t want to have to harm anything else today.” Asha set her resonator to a low setting. “But sometimes…”
Asha shot an invisible beam of sound out onto the foliage ahead of her, and it crumbled in the wake of the beam. Their way was easier now, and in some spots, she turned up the power even more, melting down branches as they went along.
The drumming sound continued to grow, until they could see long streaks of flame behind the dense foliage. Zahn ran up and brushed the broad, azure leaves aside and studied the scene.
Just as before, an immense bonfire had been built on the long beach, surrounded by at least a hundred villagers of all ages, dancing and spinning in mad ecstasy. A series of drums at the far end of the fire was churning out a contagious rhythm, and some of them were vocalizing to match the beat.
“See that other fire behind the main one?” Asha said.
Zahn looked closer and saw a smaller fire he hadn’t noticed before. “Yeah.”
“That’s where Lakshmi was serving food last time. Looks like there’s still some left. I’m sure I have something. Do you have anything you could give in exchange?”
Zahn searched his pockets and found a small packet of seeds from Sumanas that he’d found in Navika. “How about this?”
“Better than nothing. To be honest, I’m not sure how they’re going to react to you. They seem to really like visitors, but we should still be cautious.”
“They seem really friendly. Come on!”
Zahn darted down the beach, toward the fire.
“Hey, wait for me!” Asha was always surprised at how fast Zahn could sprint when the spirit moved him.
When Asha caught up to him, he was already talking to a tall man wearing animal skins by the long table.
“It is!” Zahn said. “And I’ve brought something, too. It’s not much, but as a good friend once told me, every little bit helps.”
The man, who Asha somehow recognized, held up his hand. “Please, do not worry about that. If this is your first time here, we don’t expect anything from you but to share your heartfelt dance with us.”
Zahn smiled as the rhythm percolated within him. “Sure! But do you mind if I eat first? My friend and I are famished.”
“Of course!” he said. “Help yourself.”
The man turned to Asha, and she realized that he was the same man she’d met on the boat and who had later helped her find the warm pond.
“Asha!” he said. “Hello again, my dear!”
The man opened his arms to hug her, and she smiled, receiving a powerful bear-hug from him.
“Great to see you! How have you been, Gor…”
Asha struggled to remember his name.
He grinned. “Goranku. It’s quite all right. As I said, it’s a difficult name to remember, and I’m sure you’ve been through a great deal since we last talked, finding one of your friends in the meanwhile, it seems. Did you manage to find the other one? The one who wears violet?”
“Yes. She was hurt, but she’s recovering in the Temple now.”
“I am glad to hear that.” He leaned in, his voice becoming a whisper. “And what about your dilemma? Have you decided?”
Their conversation from the first night came back to her, and she was glad Goranku hadn’t been more specific in his question. With Zahn eating right beside her, she didn’t want to discuss it. At least, not yet.
“Almost,” Asha replied.
Goranku looked over Asha’s head to someone in the distance.
“Seems my presence is requested in the dance. Good talking with you, Asha.” He bowed slightly. “And you, Zahn.”
Zahn only nodded as he chewed with his mouth closed.
“Hope to see both of you join us out there. In dance there is unity!” Goranku waved as he walked off.
Asha watched him blend into the sea of dancers, until her gaze drifted back over to the long table. By now, Zahn had finished half of the fruit plate and what little that had remained of the blue chip paste.
“Hungry guy!” she said.
“Is that a problem? Adventuring takes calories.”
“Whatever you say, Sir Bottomless Pit,” she chuckled.
Zahn smirked at her.
Some golden fruit was still left, and it turned out to be j
ust what Asha’s stomach was craving. She instantly felt better.
Yet she didn’t have much time to savor the fruit. Just as she was finishing it, one of the children ran up to her and took her hand, pulling her into the dance that was still rippling around the bonfire. And without hesitation, she threw her jacket under the long table and joined them.
Zahn watched Asha embrace the dance, her thin shirt sleeves fluttering with the music, and he ran over to join her, diving headfirst into the rhythm. She was dancing slower than the others, no doubt due to her foot injury, so he danced to match her speed. And as they danced, the flow of time itself changed around them.
CHAPTER 35
THROUGH THE HEART
When Asha danced with the Vaari people, she felt completely free. Now that Zahn was here, it was even better. Yet for the entire time, they didn’t dance together in the literal sense. Asha felt tension in their relationship, and after a few songs, she felt a sharp pain in her right foot and had to exit the dance.
The drumming was already dying down, and Zahn followed her over to the same patch of logs that she had sat on the first night. This time there was no one else around, and they sat down and caught their breath, grateful for a comfortable place to sit.
“Whew,” Zahn said, “they’re really good at that.”
“At what?” she said.
“I don’t know if I have a word for it, but they’re definitely good at it!” Zahn paused. “Your foot got sore, didn’t it?”
“Yeah. I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay. I understand.”
“Thanks.” Asha took a deep breath and watched some of the remaining dancers around the fire. “You know, this is where I met Tiika. Such a strange woman.”
“Who?”
“Never mind.” Asha shook her head. “She’s not important.”
“You know,” Zahn said, “I’m not sure about my theory. These people seem too lively to be ghosts.”
“Ghosts?” Asha glared at him in surprise. “What are you talking about? Is there something you’re not telling me?”
The Island on the Edge of Forever (The Epic of Aravinda Book 2) Page 21