Amen looked about and scanned the vastness of books as Henk spoke. “Well, I imagine it would be bound in a fashion similar to this one. So, that should make it easier for us to find it. But I don’t see it in any of these stacks. Let’s both run down each shelf and take a look, okay?”
Amen nodded his head in agreement as soon both searchers took one end of the vast chamber of shelves upon themselves and began searching them high and low for the book of their search, the book of Omegeira.
-Chapter 19-
Present
The Forest of Urkelai stood vast and swept by a rushing wind of great force, all trees giving sway as leaves left their limbs to fly upon the wind in grand multitude. The sound of battle had carried on for hours as all three companions stood fighting with great will, as the Khaggeys kept their assault up, but were dropping to the might of the three.
Samana stood slashing in mighty repetition, glancing blades from her skin as she dealt death in return to whichever beast dared to bring their blade upon her. But as she fought madly, she was well-marked by battle, as cuts ran up and down her arms, blood careening down and flecked upon her face as she had taken many a scathing blow in battle.
Sen and Kurlank had fought mightily at her side and dealt Khaggeys deadly blows, left and right, but still the horde had them surrounded and continued their attack without end.
Samana swung her blade in skilled fashion, the blade producing a blurring glare from the rising sun as she dealt defense and offense as she put her back to those of her companions and spoke over the battle. “Well, what do you think? You think we can keep this up?”
The two kept their defense up, Kurlank speaking in booming fashion as he looked to the hill that which he had taken watch on during the night. “I have an idea. We can make it for the hill and then take them from there, and pick them off, until they get tired.”
Samana spoke as she found agreement with the metal warrior. “Anything is better than being down here. Just say the word and I’ll go for it!”
Kurlank swung a tree limb and sent several Khaggeys skyward and then spun it and sent it flying into the horde, sending them sprawling over one another as he called out in echoing manner. “GO!”
All three ran over the fallen Khaggeys, dealing killing blows to any that gave rise as they made their way up to the hill, the rest of the Khaggey mass following them up the hill in pursuit as the three looked back, Samana speaking as she wiped blood from her cheek. “That seemed to have worked rather well. Maybe we could keep running for it?”
Kurlank was ahead and stopped, atop the hill, as he pointed downward and spoke.
“That’s not going to be possible. Look down there!”
Samana and Sen took the side of Kurlank and looked down from atop the hill and were met by the image of many more Khaggeys that were rushing their way, Samana speaking as she leaned over tiredly. “That just figures, doesn’t it? Well, what do we do now, any ideas?”
Kurlank stood surveying the situation and spoke as he took sight upon Sen. “I have one. Sen, how tight do you think that curse is on you?”
Sen looked upon his cursed form and felt his jaw, feeling that it was near completely sealed, and spoke. “A fair deal, I don’t think I have that far to go. Why?”
Kurlank spoke his plan as the sound of approaching Khaggeys grew closer. “I can’t die, until my purpose is fulfilled or taken away. I can run through the horde of Khaggeys easily, but my plan will only work if you can do your part. I need you to see if you can fly. If you can, take Samana away from here and I’ll meet you outside of the forest, understand?”
Sen stood in nodding motion and focused his energy and thoughts as he spoke.
“I’ll try. No promises.”
As the Khaggeys grew ever closer, Kurlank and Samana held their blades at the ready to take them on, the sound of scraping feet and wild screeching renting the air as the beasts made way for the hilltop.
Samana looked out from the top of the hill and viewed the incoming horde as it seemed only but moments until they were to collide with them, once more, and meet in battle, her voice speaking assuringly as she held her blade forth; she was ready to fight all who came upon her. “Yeah, we can do this. Right, Kur-”
As Samana had spoken, she found herself lifted into the air swiftly, watching as below the Khaggeys took the hilltop and met Kurlank in charge, his armored form crashing through their numbers as he went down the hilltop in an unstoppable rush, and kept going.
Samana looked about her and found Sen holding her, with his arms wrapped about her shoulders, and spoke. “That was a close one. You seem to have a thing for showing up at just the right time, first at Murta Sota, and now here!”
The cursed one flew over the forest canopies in speedy manner and spoke as the sun was rising to bathe the trees tops, green and flourishing, in its beautiful light. “Well, you know I have to make use of this curse at some point and there’s no time like the present to try.”
As the two flew over the tree tops, the cries of Khaggeys dying out into the distance behind them, they found themselves coming upon a wondrous sight, a bright glowing object upon a hilltop, circular in fashion, with what appeared to be statues garnering its presence.
Samana looked upon the sight of beauty and pointed for it as she spoke. “It looks so beautiful from up here! I’ve only seen the moonlight hit it that way. It’s beautiful.”
Sen looked to the sight of gleaming silver and spoke in question as he flew over it.
“What is it?”
Samana looked about the structure and spoke as she surveyed its wonder and beauty.
“It’s where I first met Kurlank, unknowing at first. He seemed as just a statue, but came to life and defended me from the Khaggeys. They would have slain me if he hadn’t arrived. He returned to our plain of existence to help me on my journey, in return for redemption. He can only fall in combat if I do.”
Sen nodded his head as he was beginning to understand things a little more now, having been clueless about many things since he had met the young girl at Murta Sota, his words bringing question as he spoke to the girl of his hold. “I’m beginning to understand things, now. But I’m curious about you? Why were you chosen for this?”
Samana looked about the passing canopies below and spoke as she closed her eyes, feeling the wind press against her face in cool motion, her braids dangling about and hair drifting softly as she sat in the hold of the cursed boy. “I guess it was just meant to be. I never really fit in where I was. I was one of the outcasts. So, I guess it makes sense for me to be the one to go out and do this.”
Sen held her words in thought and then spoke. “I understand what you mean, being an outcast.”
Samana caught a weary tone in the cursed one and spoke in question as they continued their way across the forest. “Where do you come from?”
Sen looked out to the distance ahead and saw that the forest was beginning to grow thin, and spoke. “It looks like the forest is ending. Do you think Kurlank made it out?”
Samana spoke upon the one that held her and felt that she had touched on a sensitive subject. Not bothering to question him again of his origin, she instead continued the conversation onward by answering the question that was proposed. “I know he did.”
As Sen flew ahead with Samana in hold, he took place in a small clearing at the outer rim to wait for Kurlank, the sun casting bright shafts through the mass of trees as it had risen past the horizon.
Samana and Sen stood awaiting the arrival of their friend, in silence, amongst the grassy clearing, Samana looking at Sen curiously as she wondered of where it was he came from. Her thoughts were soon interrupted as the silence was broken by the image of Kurlank breaking through the foliage in tread and taking presence amongst his two companions.
Samana tapped Kurlank’s armor. She was glad to see him again, her voice cheery as she spoke. “It’s good to see you. Are they still following you?”
Kurlank shook his head and spoke as he
stood gloriously before his two friends, the bright shafts of light that broke the boundary of trees bouncing off his metal armor of etchings gloriously. “They gave up. Khaggeys will only follow one so far. They never leave the forest. The sun is upon us, we should move swiftly. We could reach the Order by nightfall if we hurry.”
Samana nodded in agreement and spoke as she took sight upon Sen. “As you say. I’m ready to charge onward. You ready to move out, Sen?”
Sen nodded and held a sharp claw up as he spoke, his head craning sideways as he spoke. “I’m ready. Let’s go!”
Sen took to flight and flew out from the trees ahead of the others, leaving Kurlank and Samana at one another’s side, the two looking at each other as the young heroine spoke.
“Well, at least someone is finally benefitting from the whole curse thing, right?”
Kurlank nodded his head and spoke in echoing fashion as he placed a sturdy hand upon the shoulder of Samana. “Indeed. Now that Gelga has left us, she is most likely ahead and heading onward to meet with Sinfus. We should hurry without rest!”
Samana nodded her head as she knew what he spoke was true. Gelga had abandoned them and, without doubt, to meet with Sinfus and his council. The young heroine put her hand upon the grip of the armored one and spoke. “I’m all for it. Time is of great importance, and we must stop them from reaching the Order. Let’s go!”
The two friends charged from the Forest of Urkelai and out across the open plains of patchy grass and ash, Sen taking the lead, but keeping his speed at a pace at which his two speedy friends could follow, all three heading ever closer to the Order, as time was low and the day was upon them, a day that would bring the destiny of all one step closer to their purpose.
As noon had come, the Order of the Aura had become close with silence. All the housings were bolted shut, barricaded from within, and all were well-stocked with food and water for the coming threat. Below in the library, the two of Amen and Henk were still about their search as the danger grew closer.
Henk shuffled through book upon book, and then pushed the books back into the confinement of the stone case as she leaned her weight on the shelf with both hands, as she was tired and frustrated, which was very apparent as she spoke. “It’s not here! Where could it possibly be?! Amen?!”
Henk took view upon the shelves, hearing ruffling noises echo about the chamber, and then with her eyes saw Amen produce his figure about the corner, his head shaking as he too had found nothing.
Henk left the shelf and made presence before Amen and crossed her arms as she spoke, her head lowering to droop as she did. “I’m sorry, Amen. I couldn’t find anything, either. I just don’t know where it could possibly be. We checked every last shelf and every last book!”
The silent one stood watchful of the young girl and placed a caring hand on her arm as he pressured his grip gently and nodded his head upon her, Henk taking view upon his blue eyes as she surveyed the surroundings of the chamber, peering beyond the silent boy before her and finding her sight gazing upon a cavernous hole in the wall, with a well-fashioned arch about its bounds.
Henk stood still in thought for a moment as the silent one tilted his head, curiously in wonder, Henk removing his hand from grip of her arm as she spoke in her own wonder.
“Amen. I think I have an idea. Look at that hole, over there.”
The silent one followed the point of the outstretched arm of Henk, taking her side as she gestured to the chamber and continued her words of discovery. “Where do you think it leads, Amen? Maybe the book could be down there?”
The silent one shook his head in agreement to the possibility and took the arm of Henk in hold as she kept gaze upon the entrance and spoke. “Well, let’s take a look then. Maybe this is what we’ve been waiting for. Looking in here all this time was just meant to teach us a little more about patience.”
As Henk gave out a slight laugh, the silent one stood close to her side as both progressed towards the chamber entrance and peeked in. It was lit with blue crystals inside the dark hole, beaming shafts running in eerie fashion about the entire chamber, from floor to ceiling and wall to wall as glowing bugs drifted serenely and eerily through the passage.
Henk looked in and nodded her head as she spoke. “Well, looks like its lit well enough. We won’t have to worry about hurting ourselves, at the least.”
As the two made their way into the tunnel, Henk was the first in, Amen holding onto her with care as she slipped into the narrow opening, as rocks had fallen, covering the bottom half of the entrance.
As both had made it into the chamber, safely, they began their tread forward, the light passing over their green-clothed forms as Henk pulled her hood over her head to block the beaming shafts of light from meeting her eyes to a blurry result, the silent one watching the chamber walls in curious manner as they proceeded ahead, and soon found themselves finding entrance to a vast chamber. Henk looked ahead as the tunnel came to end, her voice ringing out in echo through the tunnel as she spoke. “Look. It seems we’ve already made it to the end.”
The two left the tunnel, and were soon frozen stiff in wonder as they looked about the royal chamber that which they stood in. The room was circular, the ceiling casting beaming shafts of light down through holes which bore blue crystal installations, blue, glowing dust drifting down serenely from the holes to fall to the floor and upon the two surveying the room. Rocks scattered about the floor in crumbled heaps as the cave in had affected this chamber as well.
Henk spoke as she looked about the chamber, her eyes viewing steps that grew in the center of the chamber to meet and form a platform. “This is incredible!”
As the spectacle-faring girl had spoken, the silent one nodded his head in response as she removed her hood and made her way up the steps, the silent boy following her as they found themselves coming upon a great silver-fashioned craft; the image of a Mother, accurate size to real form and solid silver, the figure laying out upon a great chest, with etchings marked upon the side, markings which were soon read by Henk as she leaned over and investigated them. “Here lies the Mother Shirindul; mother, friend, and defender.”
Henk stood up from the side of the coffin and looked through her spectacles upon the image of Shirindul, made of silver, and spoke. “She sacrificed herself for our Order. If only she were here today to see the very ones she cast out returning to wreak death, once more.”
The silent one nodded as Henk ran her fingers about the still grip of the Mother and spoke. “I can’t imagine there’s much time until the Keraij get here.”
As the two stood before the impressive form of silver, Henk found herself glancing about the chamber and finding view upon another silver-fashioned figure, one holding a book in grip as it stood planted into the wall and stretching outward with the bound object in hold.
Henk’s eyes shot open with surprise as she left the coffin of Shirindul and went over to the other figure, dragging the silent one with her as she went, her voice speaking in echo about the chamber of glowing dust as she spoke. “Amen! I think we’ve found it!”
Henk stood before the figure. It was the Mother Omegeira, but this was no crafted object, it was the very body of Omegeira, coated in silver and fashioned to the wall to bear the very book of her life in hold for safe keeping, as in her life she had learned very much and held a great talent that none other did; the power to heal upon the very touch of her hand to another.
Henk looked upon the silver figure and delicately took hold of the book and slid it from the hold of the past Mother, the spectacle-faring girl taking bow upon the statue to speak.
“Thank you, Mother Omegeira!”
As Henk backed away with the book in hold, she took seat upon the steps that led to the resting place of Shirindul and spoke as she opened the silver-bound book. “Amen. This is it. Come and sit, let’s take a look and see what we find. I have a feeling we should come upon something, soon!”
As the silent one took a seat next to the curious-minded He
nk, he sat and listened as she read the book aloud, feeling that each word would bring her closer to finding a conclusion and fix for her silent friend.
But as they sat in the underground library, something roved about the surface of the chamber, claws scraping against stone quietly as something sat still about the ceiling, watching the two figures through eyes, dark and eerie as it sat in silence. Something soon was to come upon the young Henk. That was for sure.
As the day moved ever forward, the three companions charged ahead, pushing themselves ahead without rest as they kept their journey in mind, as with every tread of their progression, they drew closer to the Order.
Southeast of the companions, the Council were making good time and were finding themselves drawing ever closer to their quest as Sinfus held the lead, the wind ripping away at his cursed form as he kept his mind on two things, the Order and Gelga.
The love of his thoughts was journeying herself, at intense speed, across the land and heading for the Order herself as she knew that was the very place where her husband would be, as she shared the will to fulfill the same purpose as her husband.
All charged ahead, each with their purposes ahead of them, but all heading for one destination; the Order of the Aura.
The Mother Dhahn stood upon her balcony, looking out to the great distance as she heard the muffled sounds of Hoosun and Mensh taking conversation in her chamber. Her thoughts cast out across the distance before her, as she felt the mass of cursed Keraij coming ever closer to her place of duty and responsibility.
The Mother held her hand to her head as she felt the dark horde coming. The sun was beginning to become clouded by masses of grey clouds, glowing light protruding their forms to offer an eerie glow across their mass as the Mother felt the threat ever near.
Hoosun was speaking with Mensh, and then stopped as he caught sight of the Mother holding her head. He knew her thoughts and left the side of Mensh, and went to the Mother, Mensh taking to following the feathery form of the owl as both were soon standing by the Mother, the owl speaking upon her as she looked out to the distance through her veiled headdress. “I am at your side, my friend, no matter how many of them come.”
The Order of Events: The Council of Eight Page 22