by Lucia Ashta
Despite the flurry of wind, everything else around her stopped. Animals paused their scurrying, chirping, and flying. Thom descended from the tree, and Kaanra stood.
The two men joined Anak to watch Asara. Her yellow hair flew around her head, at times hovering, at others whipping wildly in response to the wind. It was an unusual effect. Alternately, she appeared to have an angelic halo and striking serpents attached to her head.
Anak couldn’t tell if she was aware of the effect she was causing. Either way, it was escalating. The wind was building strength, its effects becoming more acute. The forest floor beneath her hovering figure was in constant motion, the wind upturning everything.
It formed a funnel around her and began rising further up. It paused momentarily when it encountered the overarching tree canopy, but in moments it broke through the resistance and blew upward, free, into the open sky.
Alarmed that she would again reveal their position to the dark raven, Anak called out to her. The urgent tone of his voice was sufficient to break the spell. From where she was, connected to what she was, Asara understood what was behind his warning. She reined in the wind, which responded instantly. It sunk beneath the treetop veil, and the frenzied air that had whipped around her began to calm.
Within moments, what had been a sea of swirling motion fully quieted. An eerie silence remained after the roaring wind, until the birds resumed their chirping. Her feet lowered to touch the earth, her hair fell into its habitual waves. She turned toward the place where her companions stood.
The men gasped at a glow emanating from her chest.
The red glow of the ruby pulsed with every beat of her heart.
The landscape had encroached upon the ancient stones. Spindly desert plants clung to the pyramid edges, until they couldn’t hold on any longer. Toward its cusp, it was mostly barren. Alone, it climbed mightily into the sky.
Lena led the way. Paolo thought she’d stop at the base of the pyramid as they had last time, but she kept on walking. In her visions, whenever she saw Asara and Anak work with the pyramids as light amplification tools, they usually went within the structures. Lena had never seen Asara or Anak climb one. Regardless, more than anything, she wanted to climb the pyramid that loomed before her.
When Lena reached the base, she didn’t slow. She began her ascent without looking back. She needed to do this, even if all she did was touch the top and come right back down.
She walked with purpose until the walls grew steep, then she used her hands to scurry upward.
For the first time since she stepped out of the car, she stopped to rest and look for her companions. Paolo caught up with her first. His past fears that he’d be unable to fulfill his divine mission were gone. They no longer held any power over him. He’d steadily climbed behind Lena.
Sitting Bear wasn’t far behind Paolo. Although Sitting Bear was almost as old as both Lena and Paolo combined, he’d learned to walk in this desert, and he’d been walking it ever since. His gait was measured and steady. His feet gripped the rock expertly, propelling him forward. When he reached the twins, he was no more out of breath than they were.
Paolo squatted next to Lena, squeezing her hand. He wasn’t entirely sure what was going on. He showed his support silently, without interrupting the connection she obviously still held.
Neither Paolo nor Sitting Bear asked what exactly they were doing. They both assumed Lena was headed to the very top of the pyramid. The climb looked treacherous, especially toward the pinnacle, but they’d be able to make it, and they didn’t question the path she was choosing for them.
When they stood to resume their climb, Lena didn’t move to the front to lead them. They would finish the climb as a team.
The pyramid called them forth. It urged them upward, spurring their burning muscles to take just one more step, and then another, for soon they would reach the capstone that hadn’t moved since Thunder Gods reached out to make that connection between divinity and humanity.
Chapter 32
Asara untied the cord that secured the ruby around her neck. As they’d done when they studied the doman, the light warriors sat on the ground and formed a circle. They leaned forward over the ruby she held out for them to see. It all but filled the palm of her hand.
The ruby no longer glowed from within as it had when she wore it, but it sparkled every which way. Over many lifetimes, the ocean’s currents shaped natural facets in the ruby, and these caught the light and then sent it out again in an array of prisms. The sunlight hit the ruby just right, dispersing red-tinged light to color the undersides of the forest trees in an array of twinkling patterns.
Hidden from sight, fairies secretly watched and, when the ruby produced its light show, they couldn’t resist it. They abandoned their hiding places to dance in celebration of the unexpected beauty that colored their forest. They held hands and danced animatedly in a circle.
Captivated, the light warriors stared at this performance. It was rare for the fey to allow humans to see a display like this.
One fairy left the circle and walked straight up to Thom. She climbed onto his leg, held onto the sleeve of his shirt, and leaned forward to examine the source of their delight. She squealed, and the light warriors strained their ears to hear the high-pitched sound. The other fairies paused their dancing, curious.
Fairies are cautious with people. They only approach those human beings that understand the sanctity of the forest realm. It was Thom’s presence that initially convinced the most brazen of the fairies it was safe to come over to quell her curiosity. Now the other fairies eyed the wildest among them as she jumped up and down on Thom’s leg, clapping her hands. She waved the rest of them over.
The dance circle forgotten, the other sprites approached guardedly, eying Thom’s companions suspiciously. They were instantly comfortable with Thom, and after a few moments of deliberation, they concluded it was safe for them to interact with Kaanra and the twins too. Once they made their decision, a gaggle of giggling fairies ran toward the light warriors, climbing them for a better vantage point to see what all the fuss was about.
The ruby continued its show for the fairies’ sake. The celebration was a lively one. Small creatures when compared to humans, the fairies jumped, danced, and clapped on the light warriors’ laps, all the while looking down at the ruby Asara still held, arms extended. Meanwhile, the humans temporarily ignored the ruby to watch the spirited spectacle.
Then something caused the fairies to engage in animated discussion. They spoke among each other in high-pitched tones that were unintelligible to Kaanra and the twins. They seemed to be debating, each of the little ones piping up with an opinion on the matter.
Finally they reached a decision. The first fairy to come over to them climbed further up Thom’s body. When she stood on his shoulder, she leaned into his ear and whispered.
She says the ruby calls us to the water. It’s from the water. We need to take it back there, Thom said. The fey had been deliberating whether it was their place to tell the light warriors what they knew!
The twins’ eyes lit up in understanding. Asara had shared the story of the ruby with Anak, but not with Kaanra or Thom.
The waters of Arnaka gave me this ruby. It was on the ocean floor by an underwater pyramid, Asara said.
Kaanra’s eyebrows rose. He didn’t know of any underwater pyramids in or around Arnaka.
The water floated the ruby in front of me until I realized it wanted me to take it. When I extended my hand, the water placed the ruby in it. I’ve worn it over my heart ever since. But I’ve never seen it glow.
The fairy whispered in Thom’s ear again.
She says we should follow the ruby to the water, Thom interpreted.
Kaanra spoke up next. Show the fairies the doman. They may be familiar with it. It’s an object of the forest.
Thom nodded his assent. It was a good idea. He said something to the fairies that caused them to turn abruptly solemn and serious. They understood the
stakes in this ongoing war of light and dark as well as the light warriors did.
Thom removed the doman from within his cloak, and he held it out for the fairies to see. They let out a few muted oohs and aahs and congregated on Thom’s lap to get a better look, but they soon grew still and reverent, staring wide-eyed at the doman. Then the fairies did something curious. They closed in on the doman, one respectful step at a time, until they formed a circle around it. They positioned themselves on Thom’s lap so they could all reach the doman, and then they each placed one small hand upon it. When they touched the doman, they pulled their wings back, out of the way, and they bowed their heads in honor. Clearly, the doman was a precious object of power to them as well.
Petite hands covered the circumference of the doman, caressing its smooth and shiny brown. The fey remained like that for a long time, showing the light warriors they could be still when they chose to, though they infrequently were.
The humans didn’t interrupt. But when the fairies began to stir, the light warriors were anxious to learn what the fairies knew about the doman. Thom and the same fairy conversed again. They went back and forth a bit, until Thom looked up at the twins and Kaanra.
She says they don’t know how to use it, but they know it will show itself to us when it’s time. It was the same conclusion the light warriors had reached. She also says we should take it where the ruby leads us. Once we take the doman to the right place, it will do what it’s meant to do. They call the doman Namana. None of them had seen Namana before, but they’d all heard of it. It’s part of their people’s lore. Their grandparents told their parents about Namana, and their parents told them. It’s one of the forest’s legendary treasures.
Although everyone gathered there understood the urgency of the mission, they decided to delay their journey until morning’s first light. They’d travel more easily with rest and sunlight. Now they indulged in revelry, for this moment in time only came once.
They celebrated the coming together of human being, fairy, and object of power. Fairies, perched upon humans, danced into the evening under the tree-filtered light of a brilliant moon. The whole of the forest delighted.
They didn’t build a fire as a concession to the roving threat the dark raven posed. Other than that precaution, their hearts were open, unknowingly preparing for what they would need to do next.
The final climb toward the top was precarious, but they managed. They reached out to touch the capstone.
In unison, three hands came down on the pyramid’s crown. Then everything around them changed in a spiral of disoriented confusion. They tumbled down, down, down, in the darkest black of a moonless night.
Chapter 33
Morning announced its arrival with habitual colored splendor. The twins, Thom, and Kaanra began their day with intention and vital presence, drawn to connect with the elements—the air, water, earth, and fire—that both surrounded and were within them.
As Asara felt the earth pulse through her, her heartbeat thumped rapidly. She knew this day held the potential for great change. The ruby at her chest was warm. It too was eager. It urged the light warriors on and, soon enough, each of them answered the call to individual readiness.
Thom, Kaanra, and the twins stood and gathered their few possessions. Then they looked to Asara to show them what to do next.
But it wasn’t really her guidance they sought. Rather, it was the ruby that glowed softly at her chest, vibrating with an inaudible hum, and glowing with power and a connection to other worlds and times, where present and future were indistinguishable.
Anak, Kaanra, and Thom gathered around Asara with the same silent question voiced in their eyes: Where do we go? But she couldn’t interpret what the ruby was showing her.
The ruby pushed down on her chest. It felt heavy, like a boulder, seemingly pressing her heart center in on itself. Instead of indicating an external direction—north, east, south, or west—the ruby marked an internal one: Within. Why would the ruby ask her to go within herself when her twin and other companions couldn’t follow her there, and where there were no pyramids contained within the space of her heart?
With sudden awareness, Asara understood: The ruby wanted to return to its birthplace. When she suggested they begin their return to Arnaka’s waters, the ruby pointedly confirmed she’d read its indications correctly.
Memories of their previous return home flooded Asara and Anak. Last time, as they came into Arnaka and the first pyramid popped up on the horizon, an unexpected bend in space propelled them from where they were to the pyramid in mere moments, shattering the ordinary limitations of both their human bodies and the world they lived in.
The twins looked at each other. Even though they hadn’t experimented with this kind of space warping since then, they would certainly explore it now if it were just the two of them. But this wasn’t an option. Thom and Kaanra had to come with them, and the doman needed to accompany them on this journey to Arnaka as well. How would something like space-warping affect the doman? They didn’t know.
No, they’d have to walk back. It was the only way right now that Thom, Kaanra, and the doman could safely make the journey with them.
Asara and Anak resigned themselves to the long journey that would return them to their island home.
There is another way, piped a small, squeaky voice in the space of their minds.
Asara looked at the fairies’ emissary that sat on Thom’s shoulder. But Ninca looked just as bewildered as Asara at hearing the telepathic voice.
The tiniest of the fairies stepped forward. He was shy, slight in stature and personality. But he had an important idea, and he found the courage to speak. He trained his eyes on the ground and repeated, There is another way.
Anak smiled in encouragement. It was moving to see the emotion and courage coursing through this little sprite. He reached his hand out to him, and the fairy startled. He hadn’t seen Anak’s smile or his hand until it was right in front of him.
The fairy looked into Anak’s eyes, and Anak was alarmed to discover fear in the little one’s gaze. However, it quickly subsided, the fairy gathered his courage, and walked onto Anak’s hand. Anak repositioned his hand so the fairy would have a clear speaking platform. Encouraged, the sprite’s voice rang out in everyone’s minds, solid and strong. We fairies can move through space in a way that doesn’t use time. You could arrive at the ruby’s destination immediately, and Brazzon might lose your trail.
It was Kaanra and Thom’s turn to exchange looks. The light warriors hadn’t mentioned the dark raven’s identity. It was becoming abundantly clear that the fairies had their own source of accurate information.
There are four of you, but there are many of us. I think we’ll be able to do it. We could send you through space.
The fairy looked around him to see what the others thought of his idea. As he gauged their reactions, his chest puffed out in satisfaction. The fairies were already speaking excitedly among themselves. They were little, but strong, and they may able to pull this off.
And Namana? Will it be safe? Thom asked.
Now the speaker looked to his peers for a response. He hadn’t considered this, and he didn’t know. The other fairies didn’t either, and they turned to Ninca, their natural leader.
She considered the issue while she dangled her legs from her seat on Thom’s shoulder. She swung her feet back and forth in thought, and then she had it. She knew the answer. Yes! Namana will be okay! It can make the trip! It’s a matter of what essence is within Namana. Like us, Namana is made of the forest. It carries the essence of the forest at its core. If we, who also carry the essence of the forest at our core, can make the journey safely, then so can Namana.
The fairies celebrated Ninca’s logic and the solution the littlest among them had found to the problem. The fairies cheered. Anak lowered his hand so the smallest fairy could join in the celebration, and the others swarmed Anak’s hand, raising the fairy onto their shoulders. They hoisted him high, honoring
him and his idea. The celebrated fairy blushed at the attention he clearly enjoyed.
The light warriors looked on, amused. The fairies’ lives seemed to be a continuous discovery of reasons for jubilation. It was a beautiful way to live the present moment to its fullest. Finding reason to celebrate everywhere, life was replete with happiness.
When the fairies finished, they gathered to discuss among themselves. Their energy shifted, and they focused on the importance of what they were to do. Although they didn’t mention it to the light warriors, they knew what they were about to set in motion would displace a considerable amount of energy. When the fairies traveled through space this way, disappearing in one spot and appearing in another within moments, they didn’t disturb the folds of space or time greatly. They were little and their density was slight.
Relocating four human beings, however, would be quite a different thing. The fairies realized it would likely create a substantial ripple in the fabric of space, a ripple large enough for Brazzon to see if he was looking. But there was nothing the fairies could do about it but hope for the best and put their energy toward creating a positive outcome. Like the light warriors, they knew the energy of their thoughts and emotions contributed to the creation of the future.
Ninca organized the fairies according to how they could best use their combined skills. Their preference was to hold hands, forming a complete circuit of energy around the human beings, but that wasn’t possible. The humans were too large.
She asked the light warriors to huddle as close together as they could. They sat cross-legged, with their bags, swords, and anything else they had strapped to their bodies in hopes that the items would transfer with them. Asara sat next to Anak and Kaanra, and she reached out and held both of their hands. Anak and Kaanra repeated the gesture with Thom.
They held onto each other tightly. It was important to move together through space as one block of energy to reappear in the same place at the same time. They understood there were risks to traveling like this, but they were risks worth taking. Time was vital, and they had to accomplish their mission, whatever exactly it was.