The First Lesson

by Lana Axe

  The woman hesitated at first but obeyed.

  Pia moved backward, putting distance between herself and the wraiths. Summoning a burst of energy, she formed a wide shield, placing it between herself and the creatures. They pressed toward her, their skeletal hands reaching.

  Allowing them to advance, Pia dug into the symbol’s magic. Her veins pulsated with magic, her eyes flashing violet. Shifting her focus to the stars hidden above her, she pulled at their energy, allowing it to flow through her. She felt like she might burst, but she held the magic inside her, giving it time to gather strength.

  In the blink of an eye, she let the magic go, blasting the wraiths on a mighty wave of energy. The horde was thrown back, their bones crashing against the stone floor. Another flash of violet in her eyes summoned the dragon above. Swooping through the open roof, the onyx dragon stopped directly in front of the girl, shoving her and Embyr backward with his tail. Opening his mouth, he unleashed deep-red fire on the wraiths, who shrieked in agony as they evaporated.

  The flames proved too much for the dilapidated tower, and it began to crumble. Clouds of dust rose around them, leaving the women choking and gasping for air. The dragon’s amber eyes faded to yellow. He gazed at Pia, projecting his thoughts to her mind.

  Pia summoned her magic, her hands glowing white. “Hold onto me,” she told Embyr. The woman wrapped her arms around the girl’s waist. Pia grasped the dragon’s talon, her magic protecting her from the heat. He lifted off, bearing them skyward as the tower collapsed beneath them.

  Nearly panicked, Pia found the sensation of flight nauseating. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could hold the spell, and she pleaded for the ride to be over. When they made it to land, she held her breath and spread her hands on the dirt beneath her. It was solid. She allowed herself to breathe again.

  The sky above turned black once more, leaving the trio in darkness. Taren’s scales lit with a pale-orange glow.

  “We have to go back up,” he said.

  “Let us rest first,” Embyr said. “Especially Pia.”

  Doubled over, her hands still on the ground, Pia felt like she’d been beneath the tower when it crumbled. Taren nodded and shifted back to his human form.

  “I’ve seen the rift, Pia,” he said. “It awaits above the centermost tower.”

  So that’s where he’d gone. Pia wondered how many wraiths he’d incinerated before making his way back to her. She was grateful to him. If the full force had been on her, she would never have been able to hold them off.

  “Once you’re ready, I’ll take you to the top of the tower,” he said.

  “I’m not staying down here,” Embyr said.

  “There is nothing there for you,” Taren argued. “Only Pia need go, and I must fly her.”

  “My magic can protect us both,” Pia said. “Embyr can come if she wants to.” She admired the woman’s determination not to be left behind. Whatever was at the top of that tower, she was willing to face it, despite her lack of magic. That took great courage.

  Taren shook his head but dropped the argument. “Rest,” he said. Laying his hands on the side of her head, he spread white magic over her body. She closed her eyes and drifted into a dreamless sleep.

  Chapter 21

  Pia felt hands on her shoulders as they tried to draw her away from her sleep. She groaned and rolled over on her side.

  “It’s time,” Taren’s voice said.

  Groggy, Pia opened her eyes. “Is it morning?” she asked.

  “It is,” Taren said. “We should go now.” Offering a hand, he pulled her to her feet.

  Embyr sat near the fire, a cup in her hands. “Good morning,” she said as Pia approached. She handed her a cup as well.

  Sniffing the liquid inside, Pia was reminded of home. It smelled of honey, its sweetness warming her soul. Taking a sip, she savored it a few moments on her tongue before swallowing.

  “You hungry?” Embyr asked. She offered the young woman a wafer filled with nuts and dried berries.

  Pia shook her head. The tea was enough for her.

  “You should eat and keep up your strength,” Taren said.

  Sighing, Pia took the wafer and nibbled at the corner. Her stomach rumbled, letting her know she was hungrier than she thought.

  “Are you ready for this?” Embyr asked. “I’ll make him wait a day or two if you need time.”

  Pia shook her head. “I want to go today,” she said. “Waiting will only make me more nervous.” It would also allow self-doubt to take hold of her. She couldn’t let that happen.

  Taren took a seat next to Embyr. “Since you insist on coming along,” he began, “I must insist on some rules.”

  “And those would be?” she asked.

  “You mustn’t go near the void,” he said. “Approach it, but keep your distance no matter what you see.”

  “What happens if she touches it?” Pia asked.

  “She would be pulled inside it, her essence destroyed,” he replied. “She might even return as a wraith.”

  “You said you couldn’t touch it either,” Pia said.

  “That’s true,” he replied. “If I were to enter, the void would destroy me in an effort to possess the symbol I carry. The artifact’s power would then belong to the creatures of the void.”

  “We definitely don’t want that to happen,” Embyr said.

  “I have to go in alone,” Pia said. She’d known that all along, but now that it was almost time, the thought frightened her more. “How many wraiths will I encounter?”

  “I can’t say what you’ll see once you enter the void,” he said. “You must trust in the symbol you carry. It will protect you as it would itself.”

  “Her symbol is safe in there, but yours isn’t?” Embyr shook her head. “A dragon would be ripped apart, but a fourteen-year-old girl will be just fine. That doesn’t sound right.”

  “Our symbols have different abilities and different purposes,” he replied. “Hers was designed for the void.” His eyes locked on Pia’s. “You can do this,” he said.

  Finishing her tea, Pia tried to keep her mind empty. Thinking about what was to come would only make her nervous, and she would begin to have doubts. Taren believed in her, the symbol believed in her, so she had to believe in herself.

  That didn’t stop her hands from shaking or her stomach from twisting itself into a knot. She fidgeted her feet as she sat, fighting the urge to pace. Tapping into the symbol, she found it strangely quiet. She wasn’t far from the void, but it had ceased its repetitive phrase. She was grateful for the silence and wondered how long it might last. She hoped it would speak again when she neared the void, guiding her to perform the tasks needed to heal the rift.

  “You’ll need to use your magic to protect Embyr while we fly,” Taren said.

  Curious, Pia asked, “Isn’t there a spell you can cast to allow a rider?”

  “I know of no such spell,” he said. “Ordinary dragons may be ridden, but my scales are far too hot. Yours is the only magic I’ve seen capable of withstanding it.”

  “It must be my symbol,” she said. Even without being at full strength, the symbol offered her spectacular powers. “You’d better fly fast. I’m not sure how long the spell will last.”

  Nodding, Taren began his transformation, the outline of his scales glimmering in the darkness. Pia readied herself to cast the shield barrier, reaching into the magic of the symbol. Finding it receptive to her mind, she pulled at its energy, forming a shield around her hands. Passing it to Embyr, she watched in awe as the woman’s hands glowed with white magic.

  “We’re ready,” she said.

  The onyx dragon hovered above them, allowing them to grab hold of his talons. With a flap of his wings, he ascended as gently as possible. Pia was grateful. The flight was smooth, unlike the last time. It was more a feeling of exhilaration than fright. The wind caressed her hair as she flew toward the centermost tower, the symbol glowing to life inside her. She felt a twinge of excitement insid
e the artifact. It was going home.

  Near the top of the tower, Pia spotted the swirling vortex. Deep-purple lights outlined its edges, fading to white as they reached the center. Streaks of lightning flickered on its surface. It called out to Pia, softly at first and then shouting.

  A ring of shadows appeared, spilling from the void. Seven figures, clad in violet-black robes, stood at the edge of the vortex. These were not wraiths, at least not the ones Pia had encountered before. These appeared solid, and their feet clearly touched the ground. As they began to move, she could hear their steps. She swallowed, trying to force away her anxiety.

  “What are they?” she asked.

  “Those are the specters of shadow,” he replied. “Once they were great sorcerers.”

  “They’re the ones who tore the rift,” she said, realizing what she was up against. If she closed the rift, their power would end. They weren’t going to let her inside without a fight.

  “I will deal with them,” Taren said. “Your job is to get through the portal.” The dragon alighted at the far side of the tower, away from the glowing vortex. “Expand the protection spell around Embyr,” he said. “Then stay back and save as much of your strength as you can. I will clear a way for you.”

  Her hands trembling, Pia reached for her magic, spreading white light over Embyr’s body. A shield of energy formed around her, distorting Pia’s view. “Can you see all right?” she asked.

  “It’s like there’s nothing there,” Embyr answered.

  Pia stood beside her and waited. The dragon lifted up, bearing down on the specters. The shadows did not move, not a trace of fear showing on their ghostlike faces. Flames shot toward the shadows, a blast of orange capable of melting stone. But the specters stood their ground, a ripple of energy sliding between them and the dragon fire. It glanced off the shield and fired back toward the dragon.

  Taren was ready for it. Beating his wings, he lifted above the flames. Pia felt his symbol awaken, its power triggering a change in her own. It pulsated inside her, producing magic in synergy with its twin.

  Four specters advanced on Taren, and the other three remained at the portal’s entrance. Flames of deep red burst forth, scattering the four attacking shadows. The dragon dipped low, snatching a specter in his talons. Purple magic spread over the blackened form, rising up the dragon’s leg. Taren could not keep his grasp and dropped the specter, sending it hurtling toward the stone rooftop.

  Embyr didn’t waste time. Knocking an arrow to her bowstring, she landed a blow at the downed specter. The arrow struck true, piercing the shadow through its heart. A smile spread over her face, then disappeared. The specter grasped the arrow and tossed it aside before rising to its feet.

  Pia’s ears buzzed, pain radiating through her head. Without thinking, she dropped to her knees, her hands lifted above her head. On pure instinct, she projected a blast of magic toward the dragon, his scales flashing deep purple in response.

  Her mind cleared, and she wondered what spell she had cast. Her body had not been under her own control, but the symbol’s. It knew what needed to be done, and it had acted without asking her consent. She turned her gaze to Taren, hoping whatever she had given him was enough.

  Lines of black swirled across the dragon’s scales, mingling with Pia’s magic. A flame of indigo erupted from the dragon’s mouth, scattering the specters. One was caught in the flames, his ghostly form swelling to twice its size before bursting in a hail of black. Focusing the fire on the center of the vortex, the onyx dragon dispatched the three sentinels in similar fashion. The flames reached inside the portal, its edges expanding wide enough for the dragon to enter.

  But Taren turned away, not daring to touch the void. Pia saw her opening and dashed toward the vortex. From the corner of her eye, she spotted two shadows closing in. She ignored them, pulling energy from her symbol to boost her speed. Sucking in a breath of air, she leapt for the void, disappearing within the swirling purple mass.

  * * * * *

  A wail of despair echoed among the three remaining specters. Racing toward the void, they attempted to follow the silver-haired girl. But Taren got to them first. Bombarding them with the last of his indigo flame, he incinerated the shadows, leaving nothing but black residue where they had once stood.

  “Taren!” Embyr shouted, pointing toward the portal. She fell to her knees, terror rising in her voice. “Pia!”

  The vortex swirled out of control, fragments of white light bursting from its center. Taren swung wide, putting distance between himself and the void. Scooping Embyr in his talons, he dragged her skyward, away from the collapsing portal.

  The vortex flickered, its lights fading as it imploded, leaving behind no trace of its existence. Both the portal, and Pia, had vanished.

  * * * * *

  At the disappearance of the portal, the black veil across the sky disintegrated, and the full light of the midday sun shone above them. Not one cloud appeared in the sapphire-blue sky.

  Taren delivered Embyr safely to the ground before shifting into his human form. He stared toward the top of the tower, holding his breath. Where was Pia?

  “You knew this would happen!” Embyr shouted. Redness rose in her cheeks, matching her fiery hair. “You sacrificed Pia!”

  The blood drained from Taren’s face. “I didn’t know,” he whispered.

  “Liar!” Embyr shouted. “You had to know! You did this to her!”

  Closing his eyes, Taren bowed his head. “I swear I didn’t know the outcome.”

  “I don’t believe you,” she spat. “First Leko and now Pia. What do you have in store for me?”

  The sorcerer felt his fire returning. “There were a million possibilities!” he shouted. “I did what the symbol directed me to do!”

  “That thing took your mortality,” she said. “Did it also take your heart?”

  Taren sat on the ground, his mind reeling. “I didn’t mean for this to happen.” Tears spilled down his cheeks.

  In all the years she’d known him, Embyr had never seen the sorcerer cry. Not even after Leko’s death did she witness any act of regret or mourning. His sudden show of emotion softened her heart toward him, and she sat next to him, placing her hand on his arm. “What can we do to fix this?” she asked. “There has to be a way. Please tell me there’s a way to save her.”

  Images flashed in Taren’s mind, the faces of those he had lost over the years. Had I known the outcome, would I have sent her to her death? The question left a hollow feeling in the pit of his stomach. How could he have done otherwise? The world depended on Pia. It would be safe now, thanks to her sacrifice. There was nothing more he could do.

  Chapter 22

  Weightless, Pia floated in the soft white mist, every pore in her body tingling. It was a curious sensation, her body invigorated, her mind suddenly open to her surroundings. The symbol awakened, its full power coursing through her veins. Worlds came in and out of view, faces of people she had met and some she would meet in the future. All of Nōl’Deron waited at her fingertips, the winds and seas at her command. This is what pure magic feels like.

  She wanted to bask in its glow forever, forgetting every care, ignoring the weight of the world. But a voice cried out to her, pleading.

  Heal me.

  Tuning her mind to the void, she searched its endless depths. The rift came into view, dark shapes moving through the fracture. The lines across her arm and chest began to change, shifting and twisting on the surface of her skin. They expanded, covering her entire body, imbuing their power throughout her form. With the symbol’s vitality augmenting her life force, she projected her magic toward the rift, envisioning every particle as it sealed itself shut. Not a single molecule remained displaced. The void was now whole.

  With all her heart, Pia wanted to stay inside the vast emptiness. The possibilities here were boundless. All the universe awaited; distant worlds called out to her. The stars themselves had voices, and she longed to hear each one.

  But
the vision of Taren and Embyr, seated on the red clay ground beneath the towers beckoned to her as well. Though the light of the sun had returned, neither took joy in its presence. They held each other and wept. A dagger pierced Pia’s heart as she looked upon them. She couldn’t leave them that way.

  Reaching out with her hand, she opened a doorway to their world. Stepping through, she reentered the wastelands and stood before her companions.

  “Pia!” Embyr shouted, dashing toward the girl.

  Sealing the portal behind her, Pia reached out for Embyr and hugged her. “I’m all right,” she said.

  Taren rose more slowly. “I don’t believe it,” he said.

  “It’s all right, Taren,” Pia said. “I understand now. Everything you tried to teach me.” She reached out to the sorcerer and allowed him to lift her off her feet. Tears filled her eyes.

  “We thought we’d lost you,” he said, his voice shaking.

  “You nearly did,” she replied. “The void is an amazing place. Above all, there is silence. But you taught me to listen, and I heard the voices of all the world. The void contains everything and nothing at the same time. True emptiness, yet entirely full.” She paused to catch her breath. “I admit it’s overwhelming. The feeling is indescribable.”

  “You will learn things I could only imagine,” Taren said.

  “I will need your help,” Pia said. “And yours too,” she added, turning to Embyr.

  “What can I teach you?” Embyr asked.

  “You can help me keep my feet on the ground,” Pia replied. “And Taren, you can lead me through this process of melding with my symbol. I can’t do it without you.”

  “The symbol is your guide now,” he replied. “You no longer need me.”

  “That’s not so,” Pia said. “The symbol would take me to the void and have me remain there. I want to see everything this world has to offer first. I want to learn every type of magic there is. I want to fly on dragon’s wings. Help me, Taren.”