The Labyrinth of Destiny

by Callie Kanno

“In just a few days,” promised Adesina.

  Then, without looking back, she galloped ahead of the L’avan and Seharan forces, leaving them far behind.

  What do you intend to do? Ravi asked through their Joining.

  Adesina glanced at the graceful feline form keeping pace beside her.

  Can you not read my mind? she teased him gently.

  She could not hear him over the thundering of Torith’s hooves, but she knew that he snorted in exasperation.

  I know some of the thoughts that led you to your recent realization, but that does not mean that I automatically know what you are planning. I am well aware that you are highly unpredictable at times.

  Adesina chuckled to herself. Yes, you are.

  A single rider is able to move at a much faster pace than an army of soldiers. Adesina completed the distance to the Thieves’ Forest in a day and a half, using her vyala to keep Torith refreshed and able to maintain a brisk trot. Ravi was also able to keep pace, but he drew his energy from the world around him.

  As they travelled, she began to flesh-out her idea, allowing Ravi to be a part of the mental process. It was difficult for her to work out all of the details in her mind, because, although she had learned much about vyala over the past year, there were some answers that she simply did not know. Ravi was able to help her to refine many of her theories, but they remained theories still.

  By the time they reached the Thieves’ Forest, Adesina was ready for her task.

  The Forest loomed before the L’avan queen like an enormous wave of shadows. Night had fallen long before they had seen the first of the trees, and the moonlight made the ancient woods look ghostly.

  Adesina dismounted Torith and tended to him. He had been working hard for a long time, and she didn’t want to risk him coming to harm. When she was satisfied that Torith needed nothing other than rest, she left him to graze outside the forest and walked on with only Ravi to accompany her.

  The whispers began the moment Adesina stepped among the trees.

  “Threshold Child…”

  “…walking toward the Light…”

  “One who is of our people…”

  “…yet not of our people.”

  “Yearning of the heart…”

  “A life not yet realized.”

  “The potential of the ages…”

  Adesina called forth her vyala and let it flow through her entire being. The power warmed her and made her feel even more alive. The scents of the forest—the damp soil and the blooming flowers, the decay of old growth and the greenery of new growth—grew more potent, and the colors were vivid even in the dark of night.

  The whispering voices of the forest took shape before her, forming into the spirits of Immortals whose bodies had been destroyed.

  Adesina could feel their unrest. The Immortals had been designed to live forever, and yet that opportunity had been ripped from them by the abuse of vyala. They had been trapped in Adesina’s world, where they could no longer serve any purpose. Their lack of bodies limited them severely, and they had spent many years simply wandering and waiting.

  Adesina thought again of her father, whose body had been burned to ashes on the funeral pyre. She knew that just because the human spirits could not fully exist in her world, that did not mean they could not continue to live in another. She had seen her own mother, years after E’rian had passed away. She had spoken to her. She had embraced her. In the world of Dreams, E’rian was as alive and present as Adesina, and she knew that she would find Me’shan there, too

  What was the world of Dreams but another realm?

  The world where human spirits dwelled after their bodies had died was connected to Adesina’s world through Dreams. Which meant that, in a way, Dreams were a Threshold. She knew that there were worlds beyond the one she lived in and the one she visited when she Dreamed.

  So, why could there not be a realm for Immortal spirits?

  Kendan had suggested transporting the spirits back to the forest to the south, thereby enabling the L’avan and Seharan armies to pass through the Thieves’ Forest. However, Adesina now believed that she could do more than simply move the spirits to a more convenient location.

  She could give them back their purpose.

  Adesina anchored her mind in Ravi’s, and then she opened herself fully to every ounce of power that she could hold. Her body blazed with vyala, and the feeling was both intoxicating and frightening.

  I am here, Ma’eve.

  Ravi’s presence in her mind was comforting, and it helped her to focus on the task at hand.

  Adesina reached out from herself. She sent tendrils of her awareness out into the universe, searching for the worlds beyond those she knew. At first it felt as though she was grasping at the darkness, and she was uncertain if she would even recognize what she was looking for when she found it.

  She refocused and drew her awareness closer to herself again. She began by feeling the immense and complex life of her own world. It was so varied and so alive, so much more than just a sphere of rock. It was the plants and the water, it was the insects and the birds, it was the animals and the humans. All of these things made the world what it was, just as Adesina’s body was made of numerous and unique parts.

  Adesina pushed her awareness outward again. She felt the space that surrounded the world in the physical sense, but also in a less tangible way. It was as if there were layers of existence, and she was able to feel all of them.

  She could feel the world of Dreams like a sheer cloth that was wrapped around the world she lived in, almost as though it were the same world, filling the same space but existing in a different reality.

  There were many other worlds like that—less physical, but just as present. There were also many other worlds that were similar to her own—just as filled with life, just as complex and unique.

  Adesina was amazed by the extent of life in the universe. She had been taught the theories of what the universe held, but she had not realized that each star was a life of its own.

  The Creator did not begin and end with your world, Ma’eve. The Creator has always been giving life, and will continue to give life for all eternity.

  Ravi’s words brought Adesina back to herself. She had almost become lost floating through a universe of vyala, but now she refocused on her purpose.

  She gathered her vyala and brought it to bear, not as a weapon but as a tool in her hands.

  Adesina had never attempted anything like this before, and she only had a small amount of information to guide her. She relied mostly on instinct as she began weaving her arms back and forth in a graceful motion.

  Her mind searched through all of the worlds and realms, finding one where a spirit would not be hindered by the lack of a body. She passed over the worlds that were filled with other life. She kept searching.

  She wanted a realm that was unclaimed.

  She finally found one that was filled with plant and animal life, but did not have anything akin to humans or Immortals. Adesina paused in uncertainty, but something deep within her filled her with a sense of peace. She knew without a doubt that this realm was the one that she needed.

  Her vyala began to stream down her arms and out of the tips of her fingers. The swaying movements that Adesina was making with her arms continued, and the thick threads of vyala wove together like yarn on a loom.

  The vyala was composed of many different colors, in infinite shades. It was like looking into a prism that sparkled with sunlight. Something within her knew that she needed the shimmering pathway to extend to the heavens. She needed it to reach as high as possible. The woven result of Adesina’s movements looked like a shimmering path of light that began to stretch up to the sky.

  Adesina felt that she, too, would have been carried upward, were it not for the firm presence of Ravi’s mind in her own. In fact, as Adesina worked, she realized that the Joining between herself and her guardian was so strong that it was almost a strain for her to extend her vyala upward. />
  The connection that kept her mind safe also held her down.

  Reach out to me, my child. Take my hand.

  Adesina acted before she had the chance to think it through. She thrust her hand upward, as if reaching for someone to pull her up. She knew that the gesture was not needed in a physical sense, but her vyala followed the action.

  Her entire body stiffened as she felt an infinite source of power wrap around her gently but firmly. She was raised several inches off of the ground, and light began to swirl around her.

  Adesina had never experienced so much pure vyala before. The power was indescribable, and she knew that, if the vyala she sensed were hers to control, she would be infinitely powerful. As it was, she could merely sense the power, not use it on her own.

  Now Adesina began to feel a different kind of strain. Ravi’s mind kept her anchored to reality, and this new power lifted her up to the heavens. She could feel herself being stretched between the two worlds. It felt as if she were being forced to climb a sheer wall.

  At first the sensation was only uncomfortable, but as the woven path of vyala continued upward, Adesina felt sweat beading on her forehead. Her muscles ached with effort.

  It began to feel as though the vyala was being pulled from her, as if she had lost control and was no longer the one sending it outward. Adesina experienced a stab of fear, and wondered if she had made a mistake in trusting this unknown power.

  Time seemed to stand still, even though Adesina was painfully aware of its passing. She was exhausted, every muscle trembling. She wanted to stop weaving the threads of vyala together, but she knew she had to keep going as long as the source of power had hold of her.

  “Please, let go of me,” she gasped toward the heavens.

  Patience, my child. Just a little longer.

  “I cannot keep going. I am too weak,” Adesina pled.

  A warmth and comfort filled her heart.

  You are stronger than you think.

  Finally, Adesina felt the woven pathway connect to a distant realm beyond the stars.

  Raise your sword, Adesina. Open the way.

  With trembling arms, Adesina raised Falcon high in the air. The blade burst into a swirling radiance of tangible light, and it pained her eyes to look at it. She looked beyond to the stars, which had suddenly become visible through the treetops.

  Open the way.

  Adesina brought Falcon down in a slashing motion, carving a rectangle in the air. The lines the blade created glowed for several moments before fading from the air.

  Adesina felt the power release her. She collapsed to her knees from exhaustion. Ravi was immediately by her side, examining her with powers of his own.

  “Are you hurt, Ma’eve?”

  The anxiety in his voice roused Adesina from her fatigue more than anything else could have.

  “No,” she mumbled wearily, “I am fine.”

  Ravi sighed in relief and then turned to look ahead.

  “Look, Ma’eve.”

  Adesina complied and lifted her eyes to where Ravi had indicated.

  Before, there had been nothing but trees in front of them. Now, that was not the case. A doorway stood where none had been before. It stood completely alone, on a small, raised dais.

  The dais was made from stone that already appeared to be worn with age. The door frame was made from the same wood as the surrounding trees, but it had been intricately carved with ancient designs. Adesina recognized runes and symbols that were associated with the Immortals, but she wasn’t certain what any of them meant.

  The door itself was also made of wood, but it was stained black. In the center was carved the symbol of the Serraf, which was covered in gold leaf—a sunburst encircled by two feathered wings, and a pair of feline eyes set above as if watching over.

  Adesina had seen such a door before, but she could barely believe that one stood before her now.

  “It cannot be…” she said slowly.

  “It is,” affirmed Ravi. “You created a new Threshold.”

  “But how?” asked Adesina. “How is that possible?”

  Ravi gave a feline smile. “Anything is possible with the help of the Creator.”

  Adesina’s exhaustion made her thoughts more sluggish than usual. “The Creator?”

  “You reached out to the Creator in order to accomplish what your instincts told you must be done.”

  Adesina was stunned. The unknown power that had spoken to her was the Creator?

  Ravi’s expression was kind as he studied her bewildered face. “The Serraf are the Keepers of the Thresholds and you are the Threshold Child. It stands to reason that you have the ability to create a new one, with the help of the Creator.”

  “Will it work?” asked Adesina in a whisper. “Will it take the spirits of the Immortals to their new home?”

  Ravi smiled. “Let us find out.”

  Adesina slowly began to smile back. “Yes, of course.”

  She stood up and extended her hand to the doorway, commanding it to open with her vyala. There was an audible click and then light began to spill out of the other side of the Threshold.

  A joyful cry sounded in Adesina’s mind from the silent voices of the spirits of the Immortals. Then, one by one, they began to pass over.

  Chapter Forty-One: Fortifications

  Adesina sat on Torith at the edge of the forest, watching the approach of the L’avan and Seharan armies. Ravi stood next to the horse with his long tail waving slowly back and forth.

  “There he is,” said the young queen in a tone of anticipation.

  L’iam seemed to have spotted her, because he heeled Avab into a gallop and headed directly toward them.

  As the L’avan king drew nearer, he reined his horse sharply and flung himself out of his saddle. Adesina also dismounted hastily, and the two of them ran to each other’s arms.

  L’iam’s embrace was a crushing force, but to Adesina it didn’t seem tight enough. He buried his face in her hair and murmured, “I was so worried. We could all sense huge amounts of vyala being channeled in this direction, but we did not know what was happening.”

  Adesina nodded. “I am sorry to have worried you. I am safe.”

  He released her only enough to look at her face. “Are you hurt? What happened?”

  She hesitated, trying to decide how to explain what had happened. When she saw the concern on his face increase at her silence, she hurried to say, “I am not hurt, my love. I just do not know how to explain.”

  Relief washed over his face, but it was instantly replaced by curiosity. “Were you successful in transferring the forest spirits?”

  “Yes,” Adesina began, but then she paused.

  Ravi spoke up. “The Creator formed a connection with her, and together they made a new Threshold through which the spirits could travel to their new home.”

  L’iam’s eyes widened in shock.

  Adesina felt uncomfortable under his gaze. Ravi had made it seem so simple and so impressive. Yet, there was more to it than that. Adesina wanted to explain it to her husband fully—to share with him how she had felt and how it had changed her.

  Perhaps now wasn’t the time for that.

  There was work to be done, and little time to do it. Also, Adesina wasn’t even sure of her own feelings at the moment. They would have time to talk later, and she could share with him all of the things that were pent up inside of her.

  Adesina gave an uncertain smile. “There is more to it than that,” she said, giving Ravi a wry glance, “but we will have to talk later, I suppose.”

  L’iam studied her eyes for a moment before giving her a quick kiss and nodding. “Yes, we will talk later.”

  “The important thing right now is that the forest is safe for the army to enter,” Adesina went on. “We need to begin preparations to face our enemies here.”

  By this time, the other leaders of the army had arrived. Z’eki and Me’da rode at the front of the group, followed by Ri’sel, E’nes, Hestia, and t
he Immortals.

  All eyes were turned to Adesina, filled with questions that were unspoken.

  “We can proceed with our plans,” confirmed the L’avan queen.

  Several heads nodded in satisfaction.

  “Very well,” said Z’eki in his typically energetic voice. “We shall begin immediately.”

  L’iam began delegating responsibilities. “Ri’sel, Z’eki, and Me’da, you three will oversee the fortifications of the land where the main army will be making a stand. Adesina, you need to tend to the advance force.”

  Ruon shook his oval head. “No. We need to speak to Adesina alone.”

  L’iam was clearly surprised by the Laithur’s insistence, but he spoke with respect. “Of course. E’nes will begin preparations until Adesina is free to take over.”

  E’nes nodded willingly, but Adesina frowned at her fellow Immortals. What was so important that it couldn’t wait until war preparations were underway?

  “Hestia,” L’iam continued, “I would like you to lead the Healers and the wounded through the forest to the refugee camp. The refugees need to be warned what is going to be happening here, and they need to move back to the Rashad grasslands. The Healers can set up camp at the far edge of the forest.”

  More instructions were being issued, but Adesina didn’t have a chance to listen to them. Ruon, Sitara, and Riel began walking into the woods, and it was indicated that she and Ravi needed to follow.

  Without being told where to go, the three experienced Immortals walked directly to where the new Threshold was located. They stood at the base of the dais and gazed up at it with wonder.

  “What have you done?” asked Ruon quietly. His tone was not accusatory, but cautious.

  “I made a new Threshold,” answered Adesina as simply as possible.

  “We can see that,” responded Sitara. “How is that possible? No Serraf has ever had the power to create a Threshold. We are merely the keepers of them, not their creators.”

  “More importantly,” interrupted Ruon, “why did you do it? Thresholds are dangerous things.”

  Adesina had never felt the weight of so much disapproval before, even when she was a student among the Shimat.