by Selva, SK
Roshna nodded slightly at this mention.
“Samara was every man’s dream. It was crazy when she agreed to go out for dinner with me, but I was a gentleman, as you could probably tell. It did not take long before I asked for her hand. However, she hesitated. She told me she wanted to say yes, but I needed to know something about her first.
“Well, I imagine my face looked like yours when we saw this one with her horn, because that’s exactly what she showed me. That very horn you hold in your hands. I thought it was witchcraft of some sort. It was quick, and she changed back to the way I knew her. But let me tell you this, boy, nothing would have stopped me from marrying her.
“I do have some sense, though, so I asked her to explain.”
Roshna politely waited and listened.
“What sort of mythical animals do you know of, son?” asked Pandian.
Veeran was taken aback. It was not the type of question he was expecting. “I don’t know. You mean like unicorns?”
“That’s an easy one. We mentioned that earlier. Any others?”
“I mean. Fairies, elves, and goblins?”
“And if I told you they were all real?”
Veeran looked at Roshna, who seemed to be enjoying his look of disbelief.
“What do you mean?”
“Son,” said Pandian, “let me tell you what she told me. The ancient and most powerful creatures were the dragons. They were not just animals with simple lives. They had language and social structure. They started a government. Legend has it that had not humans appeared, they would have been the dominant race.
“That was not to be the case. The dragons slowly began to dwindle away due to a lack of resources. Heaven knows how much they ate and the space they needed. Their race was about to become extinct.
“A few brave dragons decided to venture out into the world and explore, hoping to find a new way to sustain their race. They flew for days without stopping, but it was worth it. They found what they were looking for.”
“And what did they find?” asked Veeran.
“A land that was lusciously filled with all the resources they would need. Food, shelter, space, but also something new.”
Veeran sat at the edge of his seat, waiting. “What was it?”
“Magic.”
With everything he had heard so far, he was still amazed. Mythical creatures, a new land, and now, magic?
“The land was not like any other land. She was alive, allowing the dragons to borrow her magic and do extraordinary things, as long as they took care of her. The first three settlers there spent years learning the way of magic and in return helped harvest and cultivate the land.
“Eventually, the dragons built a portal that led them back to their home. And it was just in time, too, since there was not much of their kin left. Through this portal, all the dragons arrived, and they lived well for many years.
“However, with all the new inhabitants came a great amount of strain on the land, and it needed time to heal. The dragons knew this and decided to leave to allow time for the land to replenish its energy. This time was different. They had learned magic. They were able to communicate with the land but also take the form of the most dominant creature on the planet now: humans.”
“Wait, like people?” said Veeran.
“That might have been the least surprising part of my story, son. Why did that part confuse you the most?”
Roshna let out a laugh, which seemed to put Pandian in a better mood. Veeran smiled too.
“Yes, like us. With humans having taken over the world, the dragons realized that they had abandoned the other creatures while they were flourishing on the land. They set out to find them, for all creatures considered each other as kin. The first they found were the unicorns.”
Veeran held on to the horn even tighter.
“After them came the centaurs, trolls, fairies, and so on. Maybe I’m missing some.” Pandian turned his head to Roshna, as though asking for her help. She graciously accepted this invitation.
“Pixies, orcs, ogres, leprechauns, merpeople, dwarves, and so many others,” she added. “All of them came to the land and learned how to become human.”
“Yes,” said Pandian, who clearly did not want to be quiet for too long. “But now, with so many creatures, they needed to make sure they took care of the land. The better they did, the longer they were able to stay. So the dragons decided to create a council, with leaders from the six most powerful clans of creatures. But how were they to figure out which clans got these spots, and how were new clans able to win them?”
“Good question,” said Veeran. “Elections?”
Roshna laughed. “I wish, Veeran.” He did not ask how she knew his name.
“They created something like the creature games. A set of challenges, battles, and sporting events. Creatures from every clan could participate, and the six clans with the most points from all the events would make up the council.”
“That’s incredible,” responded Veeran. “Like the Olympics?”
“Exactly,” said Roshna, “but we call it the Vlatta Potti.”
“I can barely pronounce that. It’s why I didn’t say it,” Pandian interjected. “Anyways, some of the games were magic-based and others athletic. It was a great honor to win one for your clan. The most storied warriors and mages in Ilemurian history were those that won council seats for their clan leaders.”
Veeran sat back, incredulous. No words could describe how this story made him feel, but something still bothered him.
“Even if this was all true,” he started carefully, “what does it have to do with me?”
Was it his imagination, or did Roshna suddenly look apprehensive?
“I’m getting to that. As the years went by, more and more creatures would stop coming to Ilemuria as their clan leaders became more, how do I say, selective. Some clans disappeared entirely. The land needed a few years to mend itself because some creatures did not take care of her as well as others. They were only allowed to stay for a few months before Ilemuria needed to heal. Some creatures just stayed in the human world.
“But their creature genes were passed down. The centaurs were the ones that came up with a way to track down young ones who were never told about the land. They felt that all those with a creature gene had the right to at least know of this world, and it was up to them if they wanted to attend it.
“You have a creature gene. It is why the horn glowed and why this one here has come to talk to you. I’m guessing it ran out of magic before I showed it to you and lost its glow. Her presence must have brought it back. I will let you listen to her side of the story, but trust me, it’s better that you do not go.”
“Why would you tell me all that and then say don’t go? Makes no sense,” said Veeran in frustration.
“Because my wife went every few years, and I could tell how much she wanted to stay there. Being in the human world with me was not enough for her. She yearned for her freedom to practice magic. It was a strain on me to try to show her life with her husband here could be just as good, but I never convinced her. You would do well not to go; focus on this life.”
“I disagree,” said Roshna, firmly but with respect.
“Of course you would.”
“I’m confused,” said Veeran. “So you think I have a creature gene, and Roshna is here to try to take me to this world? I’ll need a lot more convincing to believe this.”
He was starting to wonder if he made a mistake inviting two complete strangers into his home to listen to a ridiculous story. He could not remember anything that made him feel special or different in his entire life. The horn in his hands stayed warm.
“To be honest with you, Veeran,” said Roshna, now shifting a little nervously. “Yours is a particularly special case. I was unaware of you until the horn glowed. I’m not too sure why it did either. I feel like Samara left a message for us, and I need to decipher it.”
“You shouldn’t be allowed to speak her nam
e,” muttered Pandian, suddenly venomous. “She died protecting your world.”
“And the lives of all those who were there,” argued Roshna coldly. She turned to Veeran. “Is it my turn yet?”
Veeran looked to Pandian, who nodded that he was finished. The old man slumped backward with a scowl.
“Good,” replied Roshna. “Mr. Pandian’s history is correct. The land was founded by dragons, and they established a government, culture, and the games, the Vlatta Potti. The leader of the dragon clan is the king of Ilemuria. I am the leader of the unicorn clan and a member of the Council of Elders. The portals to the land will be open to all creatures in a few days, and we can stay there as long as the land allows us. We do not use too much magic, and we conserve the energy from the land because that will allow us even just a few extra days.”
“That’s great and all,” interrupted Veeran, “but what Pandian mentioned is bothering me. How did his wife die, and why did she need to protect everyone?”
This was not starting to sound very safe at all to Veeran, even if by some miracle it was all true.
“That’s the thing,” said Roshna. “Like here, not all creatures end up getting along. The land has a deep history and many wars. None were as bad as the Great Tragedy over forty years ago. One of the clans nearly released Ilemuria’s energy and magic into the human world. We stopped them just in time, and Samara fought bravely. Unfortunately, the king banned them all, the whole clan.”
“Which creature was this?” Veeran asked.
“Demons,” responded Pandian.
CHAPTER 4
***
T he deepest winter storm would not have been able to compete with the sudden chill in the room.
“Yep,” Pandian went on. “There was a great battle between the demons and every other clan. When my wife returned from this, she was badly hurt. Her injuries affected her here, and she never recovered. I lost my wife because of this useless war.”
“It was not useless!” argued Roshna.
“All wars are, love. You’ll understand that soon.”
Unsure of what to do, Veeran took a sip of his water.
“It’s my turn now, and I’ll appreciate you not interrupting me, since I graciously allowed you to talk,” started Roshna. Pandian sat back again. “You would do well to know that your late wife, Samara, was the greatest leader the unicorns or any clan in Ilemuria has ever had.”
“And she entrusted you to lead it afterwards?” scoffed Pandian, sitting back up. Veeran knew he was not going to be able to hold his tongue. “Trust me, boy, you do not want to join the unicorn clan or any clan or see this stupid world. Better to stay here and forget any of this ever happened. Let every clan die out.”
“Excuse me?” asked a voice suddenly.
Veeran turned around in horror and watched as his grandmother walked into the room.
“It’s nothing, Ammama,” said Veeran quickly. He had been so engrossed in his thoughts that he had not heard the door open. “I was just talking to some new friends.”
“Apologies, madam,” said Pandian, adopting an unfamiliar gentlemanly air, rather swiftly. “Veeran here had some questions, and we were just hoping to answer. I’ll be on my way now.”
Pandian bowed and left the apartment. All eyes turned to the remaining guest.
Veeran knew Roshna felt helpless. She had not had her turn to speak. All for the better, it seemed, since his grandmother’s face was furious. The old man had left a clear bad taste in his mouth about Ilemuria.
“I’m sorry to be here unannounced,” Roshna began. “I’ll make my leave. Veeran, you can reach me at this number if you need anything.” She left a note with her phone number and wandered to the door.
Grandma Jeya eyed Roshna warily. The unicorn leader stopped for a quick second and stared back with as little rudeness as she could.
“Good day to you both,” she said, following Pandian.
The door closed behind her. Grandma Jeya locked it carefully.
“Who were they? What were you talking about?” she shouted, her fear eclipsing Veeran’s own.
“Some people I met on my bike ride. We just wanted to cool off. Was interested in hearing about their lives,” responded Veeran. It wasn’t entirely a lie.
“I will not have strangers in our home. You should know better than this!”
Veeran waited until she was done yelling and muttered a silent apology. He got up, dragging his heavy legs to his room, as his grandmother watched sadly, her only family member walking away. She looked down and saw the note left behind by the strange woman. Taking a deep breath, she silently reached for her phone.
*
Pandian had given honest information, and he had every right to be angry, but Roshna knew that there was something strange about the whole situation she could not put her finger on. The enchanted map had only shown her three unicorns. How did Veeran appear as the fourth? And why did Samara’s horn glow for him only? He had clearly just entered adulthood. If he was a unicorn, the map would have found him years ago. Did Samara leave an ancient magic that was only working right now for some reason?
The old man had long left. Stepping into a dusty elevator, Roshna could see her reflection in the mirrors that adorned it. Tired green eyes stared back at her.
“Every creature has a right to Ilemuria. You always told me that, Samara,” she said. “Did you forget to tell me about him, though?”
A short vibration in her pocket distracted her thoughts as she pulled out her phone. A text had popped up from an unknown number.
Meet me in the parking garage tonight at 9:00 p.m., it read.
“This will be our last chance,” Roshna said, hoping for a miracle.
*
The bed springs creaked and groaned as Veeran tossed and turned. Staring out the window, everything suddenly looked different to him.
Just a few hours ago, his only thoughts were of enjoying summer before finishing off his final year of university. With no stresses or commitments, Veeran truly felt joy. He was going to get his degree and get him and his grandmother to a better place.
There was no way any of it could be true. The dragons, the unicorns, the Vlatta Potti, Ilemuria, creature clans? How could something like that have been kept a secret from all of humankind for so long? A dragon could not have flown through the sky with no one seeing it. Ogres and centaurs would be impossible to miss. He smiled as he realized some of the people in his neighborhood could have been mistaken for trolls, though.
But then how did the rock or unicorn horn glow? How did the old man come up with such an incredible story on the spot? Why go through all the trouble and just tell him not to go? Was it really that important to make peace with his wife?
Despite all the doubt, there was one nagging thought that rolled through Veeran’s mind: What if it’s true?
Would Roshna really be able to take him to Ilemuria? Could he watch the games? Would he be able to go every few years and learn magic and do whatever else the world offered? Were there other people in his life that were creatures, and he just never knew?
It was all too much. Even if there was the slightest chance it was true, Veeran couldn’t go. He had to take care of his grandmother. And the old man was right. He would not want to be lost in this world. How terrible it would feel to be thinking about Ilemuria all the time, yearning for it while staying human. He was perfectly happy with his life here.
Veeran checked his watch and noticed that he had been lying in bed for hours. How long were those guys here? It had grown dark outside, and he could not hear a sound from his living room. Guessing his grandmother had gone to bed, he quickly made himself a sandwich and went back to his room. The clock glowed a quarter past nine as he put on his headphones and immersed himself in a movie.
He made sure it wasn't a fantasy.
*
Roshna paced back and forth in the garage, trembling. The message on her phone was her last chance at the boy.
All creatures deserve
to go to Ilemuria.
She turned her head quickly as she suddenly saw someone in the distance. Raising her guard, she waited patiently.
Nothing could prepare her for the shock of who had come to meet her.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” asked Jeya, getting straight to the point.
“You sent the text? You were the one that wanted to meet?” Roshna responded, amazed.
There’s something about this woman. I can’t just place it.
“Yes, and I repeat. Are you sure you want to do this?”
Roshna took a deep breath and eyed the older woman up and down. She clearly heard more than she was letting on, but Roshna had to tread carefully.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I did not catch your name earlier.”
“Jeya.”
“Pleasure to meet you.” The tension in the air had not decreased at all.
Roshna knew she had to give a little information to get some back. “I’m not sure how much you heard, but I have an opportunity for an international program for Veeran.”
“Cut it,” said Jeya. “You want to take him to Ilemuria.”
Astounded, Roshna still held her ground. “How do you know this?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m not saying this to be against whichever clan you are a part of, but the world in general. I thought he would be safe. Never in a million years did I think anyone would come looking for him.”
“Why wouldn’t we? With all due respect, Miss Jeya, he has a birthright to it.”
“He doesn’t have your gene. He has another, and I’m not sure you want to know.”
“And how would you know that?” It was incredible to Roshna that someone knew so much.
“Because you banned us all from coming back after the war,” said Jeya defiantly.
Roshna staggered back. No, she thought. Impossible. No wonder she looks so familiar. I remember now.
“Demon tragedy is what you’re all calling it now, huh?” Jeya asked, barely above a whisper.