The PureLights of Ohm Totem

by Brandon Ellis

  "I don't see that coming,” countered Ke. “That's impossible. Our mere character as a tribe wouldn't allow it. No one would do such a thing."

  Nova, nodding to Lootah, made sure that it was okay for her to speak. Lootah nodded back, giving her the floor.

  "You said ‘our mere character as a tribe wouldn’t allow it’, yet you would already do such a thing, Ke. You just said so yourself. You'd throw a Dim into a prison."

  "Yes, I said a Dim, not anyone from Sihu. I'd never throw a tribes-mate in there."

  "Throwing a Dim into a prison is no different than a Sihu tribes-mate. What you do to another, you do to yourself. In this case, what you do to another tribe, you do to your own tribe."

  Nova's eyes narrowed. "This lesson has repeated in history over and over again. A prison would bring about a massive change in thinking. We would veer away from the PureLight Order.”

  “The Order, the Order, the Order,” Ke intoned, flipping his head back and forth. “Where is this Order? I've never seen it! None of us but Nova claims to have seen it. It disappeared for a reason. It disappeared because The Great Spirit wanted it to.”

  “From what I remember,” said the red-tailed hawk that had stepped forward, “Crepus stole the PureLight Order. From my knowledge, it wasn't The Great Spirit.”

  "Yes, Shikoba, Crepus may have stolen it,” replied Nova. “Still, we have to look more clearly into the change that Ke wants to make. Because of this change, Ke,” she looked deeply into his eyes across the fire, “our very way of thinking and doing things would change. Laws and government would be created for the sole purpose of this prison. An energy shift would stir and spin its way to everyone in the Sihu Tribe.

  “Since prisons are also an internal border—someone goes in, but can't get out—the idea of internal borders in the Sihu Tribe enters our mindset. Some, if not all, would slowly but surely claim ownership to certain areas of this land. We'd be under the impression that we own something, and that this land we walk on is our land. We'd forget that this land was created by The Great Spirit, and is to be shared with everyone. Once ownership is established, laws are established. We'd need laws for the land we'd own, so others couldn't take it from us. One thing always leads to another.”

  Nova could see that none of this was sinking in. “We'd no longer allow everyone in Ohm Totem to govern themselves. We'd be doing the governing for them. Laws would be created, and because they'd be created, they'd be broken,” she tried again. “We'd become a Dim. This is what Crepus wants. This is his grand plan to take everything and everyone over. He wants us to create laws. He wants us to destroy ourselves from the inside. He knows this is the only way to end our very existence. What he wants is everything set up for him, so he can govern us all. To govern the entire island of Ohm Totem."

  Ke groaned, "A law is a law and merely a law. All the harm that a law would do is keep spirit animals in line."

  Nova shook her head, getting the attention of the rest of the circle. For a reason Zoey couldn't explain, she felt that Nova now knew something about Ke that no one else knew. Nova tilted her head. "You've changed, Tasunke. You aren't seeing as clearly as you once did. From my point of view, I see that a law is a great idea in a world of terrible illness, an illness of the mind. We've never lived by a set of laws. We've lived by an Order. An Order that's been ingrained in every Being from the beginning. It's never steered us into a negative direction. It's only when we choose to ignore the Order that things start to get out of hand. We stop helping others. We start becoming greedy, and do things only for ourselves. We act like others are going to take everything from us, when in truth, we have nothing to begin with. In the true sense of life, we own nothing. We don't own anyone's soul, body, or mind. Imprisoning another just to help ourselves would create a completely new mindset in our tribe. The mindset would slowly take over each and every tribes-mate, eventually taking over our tribe.

  “Those who choose to ignore the PureLight Order, choose to dim their light. Those who don't ignore it, brighten their light for all the world to see. Hear me well, Ke, it's not my plan to become a Dim. However, I must ask, is it your plan to become one? I know you're intelligent, so I see no other explanation of your need for laws, other than to secretly help Crepus."

  Ke's face twisted in anger, but he held his tongue and glared at the trees in the distance. The other elders flinched, astonished that Nova would say such a thing.

  Lootah nodded to Nova and spoke up. “I don't think that Ke wants to be a Dim. I disagree with you there. I agree, though, that when a prison is formed, then a government in some way must be created to police the prison system. When government is created, it meddles in the affairs of those that it governs. If we governed, we'd stop acting for the benefit of others. We'd have to place trust in the government, hence, we’d stop trusting each other. Once that happens, even trusting our own selves would be difficult. We'd be living a lie.” He looked at everyone around the circle, even Zoey, Chev, and Coda.

  “Ke, we have to trust that the Dims have to do what they do, and leave them alone. They have their own lessons to learn. The only way to deal with a giant boulder tumbling down a mountainside is to get out of its way. If you try to stop or change its direction, it will either kill or carry you down the hill with it. If you come to the understanding that you can't control the boulder, and never could, then you've understood the flow of life.”

  Lootah, having felt that what needed to be said was said, sat down. Nova did the same, but added one last comment.

  “Drop all desire for the well being of others, and in so doing, well being will be as plentiful as the trees, Ke.”

  Ke turned his eyes to Nova. “Is that the message you want to send to them?” His eyes were like small creases holding a burning ember held behind them. “So, we don't do anything to help them? Is that your message, Nova? Let Crepus bring continued suffering to the spirit animals living in the Dim Lands? Is that your message to our world?”

  Nova remained calm. She bowed her head to Ke, saying quietly, “My life is my message. I live my life as an example to others. As you've seen for thousands of moons, when a Dim crosses over our land for help, we help. However, I don't push my way into their life and into their affairs. There will be a point, Ke, when our task as PureLights will be to cross through the Fog and protect those who suffer the torment of Crepus Dim. The best way to do so is through patience, compassion, and love. I don't rush into a violent crowd that's not ready to hear my voice. Prisons, in a sense, will lengthen the span in which the Dims maintain control of Ohm Totem.”

  Ke responded, “And, again, my position is...” his voice trailed off as a loud bang echoed in the sky just above them. A bright, white light flashed, lighting up all of Ohm Totem, and then, as quick as it came, vanished.

  Zoey crouched low to the ground, half expecting the night sky to fall on her. She looked up a second too late, missing the bright light, but saw what looked to be a silver comet, followed by the large bang. It had a tail full of color the full spectrum of the rainbow. It shot in a slow moving arc across the sky, coming from the east, passing in front of the moon and disappearing in the west, showering sparkles of colors throughout the sky.

  In unison, Coda and Zoey looked at Chev and whispered, “What was that?”

  Nova, turning away from the comet, glanced at the elders, then peered at her feet. A rolled up scroll sat next to her paws. She gently nudged it open and stared into it.

  She read and then narrowed her eyes at Zoey. “This can't be! Everyone surround Zoey and protect her—now!”

  Chapter 27

  Suddenly a rustling sound came from every direction. Coda looked up to the cliffs surrounding the circle. Hundreds of spirit animals stood all around the edges. The Dims!

  The PureLights huddled around Zoey, and Coda took his place amongst them. He stood guard, determined that no feather on Zoey would be touched. Through the narrow canyon passage leading to the fire appeared a familiar figure. Crepus!

&n
bsp; “I've come for my prize,” he roared, his head held high and his tail lashing back and forth. Behind him were hundreds of Dims.

  This is impossible. We have no chance, despaired Coda.

  Echoing his thoughts, Chev shrieked, “This is nearly impossible! How can we get out of here?” Chev's eyes darted back and forth in wild-eyed panic. If Coda could, he'd send Chev home, but that wasn't an option. He worried that Chev could make things worse. He'd have to protect Chev, as well as Zoey.

  Nova rested her tail on Coda's back, saying, “You're Zoey's Guardian. Get her out of these Dim Lands safely. I'll make a way for your exit. Just stay close behind.” She voiced the obvious to the group. “We're greatly outnumbered here.” Nova nodded to Shikoba, the red-tail hawk, instructing, “At my signal, fly as fast as you can back to Sihu Tribe. We'll need their help.”

  Shikoba dipped her head in acknowledgement.

  Coda asked anxiously, “Can't you just lift up the Dims and move them away from us? The way you did with me?”

  Nova shook her head. There was sympathy in her eyes. “I wish. It doesn't work that way. If we were all VioletLights, then we could all do just that. We'd have the ability to lift most of them. I'm not yet that evolved to lift an entire tribe.” She bowed slightly, stepping out of the circle to slowly approach Crepus. Crepus continued to come toward them, undaunted by Nova's presence. They stopped two body lengths away from each other, glaring into each other's eyes.

  Coda didn't know if he was to follow her or stay right where he was. Was she making the way for him and Zoey right now? He looked at Chev. Chev shook his head, indicating for Coda to stay put.

  Nova bowed. “Greetings, Crepus.”

  Coda narrowed his eyes. Why doesn't she just tear him apart right here, right now?

  Crepus tipped his head in greeting. “Welcome to the Dim Lands, Nova. Every full moon you trespass on my lands for this silly Circle of Elders and I hope you're grateful that I have allowed it. But tonight, I just can't allow it anymore.”

  Nova looked up at the moon. “As you can see, Crepus, there isn't a full moon tonight. How did you know that I'd travel to The Circle five moons after the full moon?”

  Crepus's tail swiped against the ground, flinging soft dirt to his left. Grinning wickedly, he chortled, “You don't know?” Crepus glanced over his shoulder. Skint walked forward. He, too, had a cunning grin.

  Nova turned toward Ke, and saw by the look of shock on his face that he had no idea that Skint was a spy. Nova blinked with satisfaction. “Ke, please be more careful whom you share our news with…and I apologize for my mistake. I accused you of wanting to be a Dim. I'm grateful that I was wrong.”

  Ke blinked back, then turned his eyes on Skint. Skint glared back at Ke. A new rivalry seemed to form right then and there.

  Nova turned her attention back to Crepus. “What do you want?” she inquired flatly.

  Coda couldn't tell if she was angry or calm. Seeing the hundreds of Dims surrounding them, his body ached with fear. They could attack us at any moment. We have no chance.

  “I want the skylark. You can have Orion.”

  Orion? Coda wanted to scream that he wasn't Orion. He wanted to tell Crepus that Zoey wasn't the skylark he was looking for. He shook his head. He knew it wouldn't matter to the dragon.

  “Zoey? Would you like to go with Crepus Dim?”

  Zoey lurched back. She composed herself, stating an emphatic “no.” She almost felt sick that Nova would even ask that question. She didn't know what was going on and Coda sensed her bewilderment. Coda knew she just wanted to get out of here and go home. And now, here by The Circle of Elders in the Dim Lands, she was facing one of her worst fears—being put on the spot.

  “She said ‘no,’ Crepus, and her will reflects mine.”

  Crepus snarled. “Then so be it.” He spit on the ground in front of Nova. It singed the brown sandy dirt. A small cloud of smoke rose in front of her.

  Nova's tail slowly raised, then flicked back and forth three times. A loud screech erupted behind Coda. Twisting around, he saw that it was Shikoba. She jumped high, spreading her wings out wide. Like a lightning bolt, she shot forward, flying at a high speed over the Dims, toward the Sihu Tribe.

  “Attack!” came Crepus's voice, taking everyone’s focus away from the hawk, and to the moment at hand. Instantly, hundreds of Dims gave a war cry and ran forward.

  Nova ran quickly to the edge of the circle and stood in front of Coda. “I'll make a way for you to get Zoey across the Fog. If you lose me, defend her the best you can. She isn't as trained as you are. She'll rely on you for your skill.” She glanced at Zoey. “Do you understand?”

  Zoey, seeming determined and ready, nodded her head yes.

  Just then, a large Dim looking like a rhinoceros, barreled into Nova. Nova fell back, then recovered with incredible skill. The rhinoceros came at her again, but was suddenly flipped on its back, with alarming speed. Nova jumped on its chest, pressed on its gray crystal and twisted her paw, stunning it unconscious.

  Coda glanced behind him. There were his friends, even Ke, defending with all of their hearts. He saw the amazing speed and accuracy of their moves. They far outmatched the Dims, except for Chev. If it weren't for his brute strength and large bulk, Coda knew that he'd be the first PureLight down. Regardless, the Dims outnumbered them. He didn't know how long the PureLights could last.

  Then Coda's stomach lurched. Where's Zoey?

  Spinning in circles, he searched everywhere. Where is she? “Zoey!”

  She was nowhere to be seen. Did she enter the battle? He panicked, yelling again, “Zoey!”

  Realizing that no one could hear him over the sounds of the ensuing fight, he decided to run through the battle to search for her, but with his first few steps he was suddenly tripped and fell face-first into the sandy ground. He shook the dirt off and saw Sigun, the tiger who tried to stop him from following Skint the other night. Sigun bared his teeth, sending a clear message with his low growl. Two coyotes appeared beside him. The two from the other day!

  Coda didn't have a moment to spare. He had to look for his sister, but was trapped. Two more Dims stood next to the coyotes, and then three more. He looked around. More and more Dims were racing in his direction.

  He looked for Nova, and saw that she had created a split in the crowd. How she did it amazed Coda. With one flick of a tail here and another there, Dims tumbled backward or fell sideways, unhurt from her invisible magic. She was a master at this. And, at the same moment, she was using the Art of Defense. He saw her flip a large cat and stun it, then flick her tail, using her magic to throw another Dim that was about to attack her.

  Coda felt the fur on the back of his neck stand on end. Uh oh!

  Several Dims landed on him, pinning him to the ground. A coyote snarled, dripping sticky saliva on his forehead. Then three more animals held him down.

  “End him!” growled Sigun.

  Coda spun on the ground, dislodging the many paws and hooves that were on him. He stood up to face them, but was pummeled from behind. The thought that this fight was impossible entered his mind again, but quickly faded when he hit hard against the dirt. Stars filled his vision. Just as quickly, he shook his head clear, diving sideways, barely escaping a large hoof that landed on the spot he had just occupied a moment ago.

  Jumping forward, Coda dodged another attack, landing expertly on all fours, crouching in a defensive stance. His training was becoming evident.

  Two more Dims, a bear and a wolverine, sprang at him. He sidestepped the bear, then undercut the wolverine, sending it spinning into the air. The wolverine landed on its back and Coda quickly jumped on it, planting his paw on its gray crystal, stunning him.

  Coda was amazed at his own agility. He was even faster in battle than in training. How am I doing this so well?

  The momentary loss of focus betrayed him as the two coyotes swiped at him, striking a severe bite against his left flank. He buckled in sudden pain, falling to the dirt. The
ground seeped red with his blood. His eyes widened when he saw the two coyotes rise on their hind legs. They were about to deliver him a deadly bite.

  As they lunged, Coda flipped on his back and rolled backwards. They missed, getting tangled up with each other on the ground. Coda jumped forward, landing a paw against each one of their crystals. Out they went.

  He glanced at his injury. It dripped with blood and though his adrenaline seemed to mask the pain, he knew that if he survived this he'd be in a lot pain afterwards.

  Zoey! Where is she?

  In between dodging the numerous swipes and blows coming from the onslaught of Dims, he desperately looked for her. Where could she have gone?

  Pained by the thought that the Dims might have somehow taken her, he searched that much harder. Frantically, he moved through the canyon, scouring the cliffs, hoping she'd be flying high, but knew that was unlikely, since winged Dims darted everywhere above him. Was she hiding in the brush? He hoped so.

  Regaining his wits, he found himself completely alone. He was in the corner of the circular, southern end of the canyon. Where's Sigun? He crouched low, waiting for him to pounce, but after a few moments nothing happened. He surveyed the battle and realized that the Dims weren't paying attention to him anymore. They were focused on the north, attacking furiously at something. Was it Nova?

  He narrowed his eyes, searching the northern sky. What he saw nearly caused his heart to sing with joy. The reinforcements were here! PureLight Wings were diving into the crowd of Dims, scattering the Dims’ focus in too many directions. Relief flooded through Coda.