by Tom Hansen
Celdia took a seat closer to the Tau’raj, but as far away as she could. The smell was still overwhelming, but she tried to keep her disdain hidden.
The human woman continued. “My name is … well, I suppose I might be getting ahead of myself. For now, you may call me Spirit, for I suppose that is a most apt name for me at the moment.
Though I look different than you may expect, and this is my dream, my creation. It is a special sanctuary that only my chosen may enter, as it is walled off from all other intrusions. Anyone that goes looking for it will never find it.”
She took a couple steps forward and gently pushed the granite orb with the tip of her slender finger, causing it to spin around on the water base. Small droplets of water flew off in each direction as the massive stone spun. She giggled with delight.
Celdia’s mind continued to race at the whole situation. She came here thinking that her God called her, but now she was here with a Tau’raj and her God was a pale beautiful woman?
What was going on?
Spirit gave her a warm smile. “I know it can be confusing, Celdia, but I want you to know that everything happening here is of my doing. I chose you two to help me accomplish something grand. Along with others similar to you, I hope you will answer the call.”
Scarhoof spoke up. “Is this about the shards?”
Spirit tilted her head, a curious look on her face as she studied the Tau’raj.
“Very intuitive, Scarhoof. I had hoped things were beginning to come clear to you. I hadn’t thought it would be so soon, but for that I am glad, for this will make things easier for you to understand.”
She pursed her lips and furrowed her brow. “There is so much I need to tell you, so much knowledge you lack, but I have to meet out information as you are prepared. Suffice it to say that yes, it has to do with the shards, but it’s so much more than that.”
After running her finger over the globe one last time, Spirit rubbed the thin line of water between her finger and thumb. She frowned at the globe for a time.
Celdia glanced sidelong at the Tau’raj. He was older than most that she had seen. She eyed his lame leg, wondering how he had received such an injury. For him to be here after surviving such damage was curious.
Another thing we share.
“I have something vital that I must show you both, and then one thing I must ask of you. Are you ready?”
They both nodded.
Celdia wondered what it could be. The Tau’raj was her faction’s enemy, though her particular race didn’t harbor near the ill will against them as the Nagos. What could possibly be so important that both Tau’raj and Dendrant needed to be involved?
Spirit gave a half-hearted smile. The type you normally give someone before giving them bad news. Celdia had seen that smile too many times in her life. Seeing it on the morphed aspect of her God made her stomach clench in agony from past memories.
She shoved those memories back down where they belonged.
“Then place a hand on the globe and I can show you the world.”
Chapter 35
Celdia’s hand touched the massive onyx orb, she felt the strum of magic inside it through her slender fingers. Despite knowing the power, she was ill-prepared for the sudden and violent dislocation. She found herself floating, her entire vision blue.
Then she realized that it was the sky. Panic swept through her mind. She shifted, realizing she could see the land, only it was far, far below her.
She looked around. Spirit and the Tau’raj floated to her side.
Celdia willed her nerves to calm. She wasn’t falling, and she didn’t seem to be in any danger.
Spirit floated closer, her hair remaining at her side despite her movement through the air. Scarhoof floated over as well. His limbs seemed to make him swim, but he soon stopped that when he realized it wasn’t working.
He must have been just as disoriented as she was.
“Are we ready?”
With that, they soared through the blue sky at speeds Celdia hadn’t known were possible, yet her long hunter green hair remained by her side.
“Let us start with somewhere that you both recognize.” Spirit pointed downward to the land, which looked so minuscule beneath their feet.
The ground rushed at them but stopped moving suddenly. They were floating high above the Dreaming Peaks.
Celdia’s innards lurched as they stopped suddenly.
To the south was the Eternal Plains, occupied by the Tau’raj. Celdia could see the smoke gently rising from the small community in the center of the Plains. The Tau’raj called it something-pass if she remembered her geography. Their only central city, but not their only settlement.
Scattered round the plains were smalls clusters of huts, transient villages for the nomadic race.
They lived like savages out there on the dusty plains. She never understood how their race had even managed to learn how to build wagons or wield magic with how wearisome and primitive they lived.
To the east a mass of ships pulled into the beach, and thousands of … were those Nagos?
She smiled at the sight. The Elders would be pleased to hear of the progress in opening the trade routes between their nations via land. It would soon be completed.
Skyweaver was also antsy to gain access to the Eternal Plains for other reasons.
The thought made her glance to the north toward her homeland.
So close, yet so apart from the Tau’raj. Separated by only a mountain range but so different in technologies and ways of life that it was almost comical.
She could see the branches of the Dendradix shooting high into the sky.
Spirit pointed nearly straight down.
“As you may know, there are five major spots of magic. Medians, if you will. Directly below us is the crag that contains the epicenter of all Spirit magic. Ley lines head off in two directions to meet up with the next two Medians.”
“Like spokes on a wheel,” the Tau’raj said.
His voice was deep and rumbling, and Celdia had to admit, quite different from the men in her race, who had high pitched, almost sing-songy voices. Still, she was amazed the bovine even knew what a wheel was.
“Yes,” Spirit replied, “and like a wheel, the whole system is interconnected. Each part is reliant on all of the others to function properly. At all times, proper balance must be maintained. Any increase in Spirit magic must be balanced out by an increase in Fire and Earth, which in turn are balanced out by Water and Air.” She pointed to the northeast and southeast, at the two other Medians.
Celdia followed Spirit’s hands and was shocked that she could almost make out the lines themselves.
The air shimmered along the two axis.
It wasn’t a line like you would paint on a map, but more of a flattening of the air, a mirage.
Beside her, Scarhoof snorted, expelling air from his massive nostrils. The ring in his nose flew up from the force.
“Something funny, Scarhoof?”
He pointed directly down. “I was just in that crag a few days ago.”
Spirit nodded. “I know. I have been watching you carefully. That trial was key to making sure you had what it took to progress. Celdia here managed a set of trials on her own, though very different from what you went through.”
Celdia frowned. Very different indeed.
“Shall we?” Spirit raised her hands and they blinked through the world again.
The teleportation wasn’t quite as jarring this time, but Celdia’s insides still roiled at the sudden change.
They floated over a mass of islands. Volcanos peppered the landscape, three of which currently erupted. It was nighttime here, and the brilliant display of the oranges and reds from the molten lava was a sight to behold.
Celdia squinted. She knew where she was, it had to be, right?
Alas, even with her superior sight in the dark she wasn’t able to make out any human civilizations. They were supposed to be nestled into the volcanoes.
Spirit looked between the two of them, her face appearing like she had asked the class a question and was waiting for an answer.
Scarhoof got it first.
“Shards. There inside the volcano.” He pointed. The wooden beads on his bracelet clacked together with the sudden motion.
Celdia suddenly realized just how cold and lonely it was up here.
And quiet.
She had a sudden urge to go back home. She didn’t like this trip anymore.
“Yes, as you can see, shards are forming all over Eloria. Each point of the star has them, and it is unknown why they are popping up. Right now, they are only forming along ley lines, but I worry that soon they will begin to spread.”
The world turned once again. They floated over an ocean, a series of islands to the north. It was daytime and in the distance, she could see a swamp.
Nagos.
Her view turned again, this time they floated over a plateaued series of peaks, a number of airships docked to their edges. It was becoming twilight here, and lights from the civilization below were beginning to come on.
Litlins.
Then it was nighttime, and hot. A massive canopy of trees silhouetted against the night sky.
Therans.
Then, they were back in the small, cozy room.
Spirit sat delicately on one of the stone benches. Scarhoof snorted and shook his head. Celdia understood the disconcerting feeling but sat down without resorting to such barbaric and uncivilized outbursts.
“Now comes the ask.”
She looked at each of them in turn, her thin pale lips drawn to a line. Her eyes were black as pitch, and her long dark brown hair framed her face making it almost seem like it was floating by itself.
“I am limited in my involvement with the world. Certain events have transpired that prevent me from investigating and solving the problem on my own. There are others like me, who have other notions in mind. I will do what I can from here, but again, I need to ask your assistance for things in which I cannot meddle.”
“I am asking you both to take up the mantle of responsibility in tracking down the source of these shards. They will continue to spread throughout the land. If they are not stopped, they will grow unchecked. You have seen firsthand how damaging these shards are when wielded with the wrong intentions. This problem will only grow as time goes on.”
She paused, seemingly mulling something over in her petite head as her long brown eyelashes fluttered.
Celdia realized she was staring and blinked her eyes to shift her focus away.
“There it is. I cannot give any more direction at this time, but must ask you both to make a vow, a pledge of fealty to me and my cause above all else. If you take this vow, you shall be granted special powers, given to few, to help you accomplish this goal. It is not for the faint of heart, I have to warn you. The path will be one of trial, tribulation, and loneliness.
“You will have to put aside your faction differences, for it matters not from which faction or race you hail. This is a global threat, and it requires a coordinated response.
“It will not be done in a day. This will consume your life, as most epic quests do. I will need utter and complete devotion from you. You will need to answer when I call, even if it means turning your back on those you most care about.”
Quest Available: Evanescence:
Spirit has identified a growing concern with the land! Pledge your fealty to her and her cause above all else and track down the source of this evil before Eloria succumbs to its power!
Celdia stared at the quest for a long time. She had to pledge her fealty to Spirit? It wasn’t unheard of, of course. Spirit was merely another manifestation of her god, The Greatfather, right?
The part that made her brain hurt was that her god was asking the same thing of a Tau’raj. What was going on? How would that even work?
Inside, a war raged.
She glanced over at the Tau’raj. Scarhoof his name was?
She would be working with him on this journey?
He glanced over at her, his eyes white and churning.
Those eyes are like mine. Despite our size and culture differences, we already share a common bond.
Internally, she sighed. This was not how this summons was expected to go. Only an hour ago she had had hopes and dreams for the future, for her future, possibly as Headmistress. Her success at the trials had already assured her a seat at the Maple Table as the youngest member, but she had her sights set on grander things.
Perhaps saving the world from an unspeakable threat would allow her to accomplish those things.
Celdia accepted the quest. A rush of power washed over her, like when she leveled up, but this one was different, like her body was overwhelmed with power. It seeped into her scalp, worked its way down her skin and pooled at her feet. She felt light and heavy at the same time. This was no simple quest. Something about her had fundamentally changed, only she didn’t know what or how.
Quest Update! Evanescence:
You have pledged fealty to Spirit and her cause above all else. Failure to heed her call when summoned could contain harsh penalties. Be prepared to reply when next you are summoned and carry out her will. (Gained 50 XP!)
“I’m so pleased that you both have decided to become one of my chosen. I cannot lie to you, as there is a long, hard road ahead. There is also a good chance that you will not live long enough to see the fruits of your labor. I only hope that you both rely on your intellect and continually strive toward your goal.”
Celdia’s mind raced with questions, and she wanted to blurt them all out but Scarhoof beat her to the first one.
“Spiritmother, while in the dream, Celdia and I seem to be able to communicate with each other, but will we be able to communicate outside of the dream with one another?”
Celdia was taken aback. That wasn’t one of her myriad questions, and it irritated her that he had come up with it.
Despite the quest, she had very little desire to involve him. Oh, sure she would use him as much as she needed, perhaps solve the issue of the invasion of the Nagos into the Plains with a simple handshake agreement.
She smiled to herself. Oh, yes. How good would she look if she managed to solve the entire issue with diplomacy? Decades of war solved with a handshake?
The council would look favorably on her. Very favorably.
“That is a very good question, Scarhoof. I was wondering when you would start down your normal inquisitive path.”
Spirit smiled at the Tau’raj that towered over her by nearly a meter. She played with a lock of hair, tucking it behind her ear.
Was … she flirting with him?
Celdia felt a white-hot shudder through her spine at the thought. Was it jealousy? Derision? She clenched her fists, digging her nails into the fleshy part of her palms. The pain brought her focus, grounded her in the realities of —.
How was she feeling pain inside a dream?
Suddenly, her entire experience since arriving here replayed in her mind. The pain, the nausea, vertigo. How was she experiencing this inside His Dream?
“Celdia?”
Spirit stood in front of her, holding out a leather necklace with an onyx stone at the bottom. The stone had been cut to a flat disk and inset with turquoise that glinted in the starlight.
She forgot entirely about the pain and focused on the necklace, taking it from Spirit. She realized Spirit had continued to speak to her and Scarhoof while she had been focused on her anger at the stupid cow.
“So, all you have to do is hold the stone between your palms and you will send a message to the other to come here. It’s the best I can do at this time, but as you continue to level up and gain better skills, I hope you choose ones that will allow you to communicate easier. Alas, my hands are somewhat tied in the assistance I can grant you.”
Scarhoof bowed at his waist. “Thank you, Spiritmother. I shall cherish it always.”
Scarhoof closed his hand and the stone in Celd
ia’s began to vibrate gently. It was so faint that she might not even noticed it if she wasn’t paying attention.
“I feel that.” Celdia told Scarhoof.
Scarhoof opened his hand and placed the necklace over his head. She had given him a different amulet, one of carved bone, with that looked like wooden beads strung together with twine.
She tried to contain an eye-roll at the sight.
Celdia pocketed the necklace, garnering a curious look from Spirit.
“Well, if that is all, I cannot stay here for much longer, there are certain … things at play here that prevent my direct involvement. I shall only have certain windows of time when I can risk meeting you both here.”
In her pocket, Celdia’s new necklace pulsed, and a furious heat followed by a biting cold emanated from it for just a second. It didn’t hurt but it was immediately noticeable and distinct from the call Scarhoof had just given her.
“I felt that as well, m’lady.”
Celdia nodded. “Me too.”
Spirit seemed satisfied, drawing her lips to a line and puffing her chest out in a long, slow breath.
“Good, then I suppose we are done here. Is there anything else you wish to know before I leave?”
Celdia knew exactly the question she wished to ask, and it was a grand risk.
“Are you real?”
The words tumbled out of her without thinking. She panicked! That was just supposed to be a thought! What was wrong with her decorum?
This was it. This was time for her God to strike her down. All the hard work, the training, the late-night studying, the subterfuge, the lies. All for nothing.
She had just deigned to ask if her God was real. Was there anything worse she could have said?
But rather than strike her down, Spirit cocked her lips to one side like she was trying to not smile.
“I’m more real that you can possibly understand, Celdia Moonrunner. There are things at work in this world that if I told you now, would cause your mind to implode. There are secrets beyond secrets, layers upon layers. Subroutines that are so well hidden you will never understand.”