by Selva, SK
“I do not want to hear such nonsense!”
He lies again. He knows where they are. He is hiding them. Find out!
Balaraj could feel the earth beneath his hooves, spreading an energy he had not felt up his legs, reaching his heaving chest. He stepped forward, nose to nose with the centaur leader.
Karnan did not back down, and Hemadri could see that he was not intimidated, but a slight look of surprise crossed his face.
“You have been training hard, it seems,” said Karnan.
“Tell me where he is,” said Balaraj.
Karnan knew those words came from Balaraj, but they did not sound like him. There was something strange about his old war mate.
Balaraj pushed forward, but Karnan did not move. Suddenly, the horde of centaurs lifted their bows as the unicorns responded in kind.
“You see, Balaraj,” said Karnan. “My tribe does not back me because I am their leader. They back me because I am one of them. All my tribe sees each other as equals. You cannot intimidate one of us, because there are more. And there always will be more.”
Balaraj was suddenly aware of the fact that he was outnumbered as more centaurs trotted in, bows at the ready.
“You have support out of fear and out of what you do not understand. I have it out of loyalty. Though we may sometimes have different views, my clan will always protect one another. We are never divided. This is what a clan united looks like.”
This is not what we came here for. We need to retreat. We need to get him while he is alone.
“Lower your weapons,” Hemadri whispered.
Not a single creature moved.
“You command your own tribe, Hemadri,” said Karnan. “These are my centaurs. I am as much at their service as they are at mine.”
Balaraj gave Karnan a look of utmost loathing. “Stand down,” he said softly.
Reluctantly, Jagan, Vadish, and Puli lowered their bows. The orc and ogre dropped their clubs as the trolls followed suit. The centaurs still stood strong.
“You will leave my area,” said Karnan. “If I find Veeran, I will take him to the king.”
“We are all trying to accomplish the same goal,” said Hemadri.
“I’m trying to save Ilemuria.”
“As are we,” said Balaraj.
“That is where we disagree.”
This centaur lies. He is not safe.
Balaraj turned away, aware of the fact the centaurs had still not lowered their bows. The rest of the group followed behind.
“Absolutely unacceptable,” ranted Hemadri as they rested on the library steps. “All the creatures across Ilemuria are looking for the demon boy, and we’re losing valuable training time.”
Balaraj was not listening. His eyes did not leave the now empty courtyard, the scene of his most recent failure. His job was not done.
“We’ll need to guard the games more than ever, in case he comes there. All the magic in one place; it would be a feast. Everyone is going to be in attendance. No one will want to stay home with the demon on the loose. I’ll rally the guards. Drok, Grugg, your men will be ready? Excellent! Ubhay will easily agree.”
“Leave me for now,” said Balaraj.
“I beg your pardon?”
“Jagan, wait for me at the entrance with the others. I will be there soon.”
“For god’s sake, what are you planning man? Where are you going?”
Hemadri feared that he was going to go back to Karnan’s chambers, but instead he disappeared into the forest, leaving not a hoofprint behind. It was almost as though he was walking on air.
*
It was a different feeling than the forest near Marutam. Balaraj knew every tree and creek that flourished and fed his village. Kurunji’s forest was bigger, and he was not even sure where it ended.
The demon was here not long ago. We are close.
“How do we find him?” asked Balaraj.
This time was different. The energy did not stop at Balaraj’s chest, but instead rose into his very mind. He was not scared, though — he welcomed it again.
Let me show you what we can do. Together.
Balaraj fell to his knees, clutching the earth beneath him. He felt pain and euphoria as he laughed and screamed.
This is your strength. This is your power.
“Give me more!”
Balaraj’s mouth opened as he began gagging. Something was forcing its way out. He clutched at his chest as the dark matter began to leave his body, taking his pain with it.
Sweat dripping profusely from his forehead, Balaraj looked up to see the darkest of shadows pulsing viciously before him.
“My child,” said Balaraj in a voice that was not his. “Do you sense what I am sensing? Do you feel the demon’s presence?”
It nodded.
“Find the demon boy and the unicorn traitor. Bring them to us.”
Balaraj watched as the shadow disappeared into the forest, searching for its prey.
“You’re mine.”
CHAPTER 2 7
***
T he setting sun did nothing to stop Aaryav’s pace. Veeran gripped his friend’s neck tighter to keep from falling. The wind blew through his hair as he made sure Karnan’s map was still in his cloak pocket. They had long left the forest and were racing through an open meadow. Rain had started to fall, but Veeran focused only on hanging on. He had no right to complain. If Aaryav could go full speed for hours, then he could hold on without a word.
The sunlight was ebbing away as Aaryav was finally slowing down. Veeran could feel him panting.
“If you need a break, I can run alongside you!” shouted Veeran.
Whether he had heard Veeran or simply chosen to ignore him, it did not matter. Aaryav continued to glide onward, keeping as close to the ground as possible.
A perilous mountain in the distance made Veeran gulp. They had not seen another creature since they had left Kurunji. Just how big was Ilemuria anyway?
“It’s there,” shouted Aaryav. “The map pointed here.”
Veeran gratefully held on tighter as Aaryav lowered his legs, his wings exhausted. On and on his legs rushed him, barely touching the ground as he sprang forward.
Aaryav suddenly slowed to a complete stop. At the base of the mountain was an old forest. Trees taller than the eyes could see were upon them.
“Let me see that map again,” said Aaryav.
Veeran could see the sweat dripping from his friend’s long nose as he peered at the map, perplexed.
“We need to go inside, but let’s be careful.”
Aaryav closed his eyes and slowly transformed back into his unicorn ackal, his legs buckling as he started walking. It must take some getting used too, especially after the long journey.
The tall trees blocked all sunlight under the canopy, making it impossible to see far ahead of them. The deeper and deeper they went, the more and more perplexed Aaryav looked.
“Show me that map one more time,” said Aaryav.
They had been wandering for hours, and Veeran could see the frustration on his friend’s face.
“This should be it,” he said, frantically touching every tree and inspecting each bush.
Veeran was exhausted, but he knew they could not stop. He thought of Roshna and everything she had done for him. He bent down, touching the very earth he had stood upon, letting the soil wash through his fingers.
“Ilemuria, give me the strength to find my village.”
You are here.
“Wait, did you hear that?” Veeran suddenly cried.
It was the voice from the fire, but Veeran was now able to understand. His ring grew warm, soothing his fingers.
“I didn’t hear anything,” said Aaryav.
Walk toward the great stone.
Veeran saw a giant boulder nearby. Had it always been there? He slowly laid a hand on its smooth surface.
It went through.
Aaryav’s jaw dropped as a dense mist shrouded them. He laid his hand on the bo
ulder too, his disappointment evident when he felt hard stone.
“Figures,” he said.
“Do you think this is it?” asked Veeran.
“It has to be. You go in. I’ll stand guard. Those were Karnan’s orders.”
Veeran pulled his hand out, hesitating.
“What’s wrong?” asked Aaryav.
This was it. This was what his grandmother wanted. This was the reason he came to Ilemuria.
“I’m scared,” he admitted. “What if I don’t find anything?”
“Listen, I would be scared too,” said Aaryav, “but to be brave doesn’t mean you’re not afraid. Courage is the ability to go forward despite fear. We need to remember what Roshna and Karnan told us. Something was not right about the demon tragedy. Ilemuria has been living a lie. We need to find the truth. For the land.”
Veeran knew Aaryav was right. Too many people were depending on him. He stared down the giant stone, the entrance to his village.
“I’ll be right back,” he said.
“Take your time. I’m hungry, and those black berries are edible.”
Veeran took a deep breath and stepped through the entrance.
A few seconds passed before Veeran realized he had his eyes closed. Slowly, he opened them, thinking he could never look away again.
There was certain grandeur to Poombuhar, but it was long gone. The stone huts that had been home to his ancestors were broken, walls barely standing. Weeds had settled in the cracks in the road. Broken fountains and statues, debris not having been touched in years, showed signs of a battle that was never cleaned up. Veeran peeked inside one of the huts, seeing nothing but neglect. His heart racing, he continued deeper into the village, his hooves nearly tripping on the uneven, broken roads. A massive building in the distance caught his eye, barely standing. It had to be the demon embassy.
Each step Veeran took gave him warmth. It was as though the village, long abandoned, had waited for this very moment. The return of one of their own. Ilemuria might not have trusted Veeran, but Poombuhar did.
Come to me.
Veeran’s ring shimmered as he listened to the voice coming from within. He did not need a fire to hear it now. Breaking into an excited run, he raced to the embassy.
Inside.
The broken doors to the embassy did not slow Veeran as he jumped through. A smaller library was to his side, but his eyes travelled to the stone steps in front of him.
Come up.
Taking the steps two at a time, Veeran followed the voice. A sense of comfort he hadn’t felt in Ilemuria overcame him. This was his home.
Through the door.
An old wooden door was at the top of the steps, intricate in its carvings. There were pictures of demons, and Veeran knew that this was his clan’s history. Poombuhar had protected itself from the king’s blast. Veeran reached for the doorknob.
We have returned. Thank you, Ravanan.
Veeran walked into a small room. An ancient cabinet and a small table were its only occupants. An old rag covered the only window while a single flame lit by the smallest of candles sat upon the table.
“Welcome home,” said the voice.
Veeran looked at the candle incredulously, slowly walking toward it.
“You’re the one that has been talking to me?”
“Were you hoping for more?”
“No, it’s just that. I was sort of hoping for someone that could help me.”
“But it is us who need your help.”
The light from the flame could barely fill the room, but Veeran felt himself grow strong the more it spoke.
“Are you alive?” asked Veeran.
“Not how you would think,” said the flame. “I was left here by Ravanan. The truth needed to be safe somewhere until such time as to release it.”
Veeran gulped as his face was barely inches from the candle, its flame dancing in the reflection of his eyes.
“What is the truth?”
“Let me show you.”
The flame began to grow, the candle barely moving, but that did not frighten Veeran. He welcomed the warmth. It had been waiting years for this very moment. Veeran looked deep into the flames as images began to appear, blurry at first, but quickly coming into focus.
A rather small and studious-looking demon was walking toward the very same gate Veeran came through. It was a quiet morning, and no other demons were out. Veeran’s soul yearned when he saw how healthy his village had once been.
“Ravanan!” shouted a voice suddenly.
“Jeya,” said the demon leader as Veeran’s heart skipped a beat. A young demon had come running up to her leader. Veeran could not mistake his grandmother. How he missed her.
“What is it you wanted to speak to me about?” she asked her leader.
“I have a favor to ask of you while I’m away,” said Ravanan.
“I do not think this is a time to be leaving, Ravanan,” Veeran’s grandmother argued. “We need you now more than ever.”
“My dear,” said Ravanan. “Ilemuria might be in more danger than we think. I need to make sure.”
“What if the elements attack us next?”
“Listen to me, Jeya. At the first sign of any danger, I want you to escape to the forest. Take as many as you can with you. No matter where the danger is coming from.”
“We cannot abandon our home. This is where we belong.”
“Jeya, I implore you to follow my orders. This is not up for discussion.”
“We’ll lose Poombuhar.”
“But we’ll keep our lives.”
The scene began to swirl in the fire as Veeran shouted. He did not want his grandmother to be taken away again.
They were now in what seemed like a courtroom. A younger King Nahusha looked over several demons that were in cages. A pair of massive doors opened, and several dragons dragged a battered and bruised Ravanan inside. The creatures in the audience booed and hissed as he was tossed to the floor in front of the king.
“Your clan is awaiting my ruling, Ravanan,” spat the king. “I brought a select few here to witness this, so they may know of your cowardice.”
Ravanan struggled to sit up, his body failing him. His eyes filled with terror as the dragon king towered over him.
“Tell me why, Ravanan. Why did you try to unleash the magic back into the human world?”
The demon leader stayed silent.
“Fine, then,” said the king. “If you will not speak, then I will pass my judgment.”
“NO!”
A dragon guard slammed his hand against a cage, silencing the protesting demons, who could only watch as their leader stayed silent.
“I hereby banish you and your clan from Ilemuria forever. Your history will be erased, and you will never be allowed back!”
His declaration was met with thunderous applause as hundreds of different creatures stood and cheered. The demons shrieked and screamed as their cages were wheeled away. Ravanan could only watch, dejected.
The scene changed again.
An unfamiliar unicorn was walking down a stone stairwell, careful to hold on to the rickety railing to steady her balance. Her torch shone light through the dungeons, illuminating her wrinkled face filled with worry. As she limped down the path, hands reached out of the cells, begging for help. The tears did not stop flowing down her cheeks as she reached the final cell, where a broken Ravanan lay almost motionless.
“Is my clan gone, Samara?” His broken voice was barely above a whisper.
“You’re the only one left.”
A cry of anguish escaped the tortured demon.
“Why didn’t you say anything at the trial?” asked Samara desperately. “If you knew that the magic was unbalanced and close to finding out what caused it…”
“You don’t understand,” said Ravanan, and he sat up. Every movement was a struggle. Every word was painful.
“Understand what, exactly? You cannot tell me what you’re doing now is worth your clan being exil
ed. We know the magic is unbalanced. We need to make the king see sense.”
“Because this is not about only the demons, Samara. I discussed my research with you. My findings have led to only one conclusion. The ancient clan is real.”
“You don’t mean…”
“Yes, crawlers.”
Veeran gasped as he saw Samara’s hands fly to her mouth, shaking in fear.
“You think they were in the courtroom?”
“I felt something,” said Ravanan. “And I have my suspicions.”
“Who? Let me bring them to justice. We have to tell everyone.”
“No.” Veeran could feel the desperation in Ravanan’s voice. “I cannot put you in danger.”
“But what about the land?”
“Ilemuria is not just the land, my dear. Ilemuria is the creatures.”
Samara reached a desperate hand through the cell bars, struggling to reach out to her fallen friend. He lifted his own, barely grabbing on to Samara’s. The once warm creature had a touch of ice, numbing Samara’s arm.
“It’s going to take more than one village to bring them to justice,” said Ravanan. “It will take all the creatures of Ilemuria. I am not long for this world.”
“But how can we do this without you?”
“Do you have those you can trust? From different clans?”
Samara nodded, and Veeran knew she was thinking about Roshna and Karnan.
“My books are in Poombuhar. Make sure the history is not erased everywhere. Get the one with our map and leave it with someone you trust. We cannot let them erase our story.”
“How will I even get into the village?”
Ravanan pointed to Samara’s torch, his breathing growing slower.
“Bring it to me,” he said.
The fire seemed to dance as it got closer to the demon leader. He reached his hand into the flame and slowly chanted. The flame danced faster and faster until Ravanan could not give any more.
“Take this fire with you. It will get you through the king’s spell. Light a candle for the next demon,” instructed Ravanan.
“And how will we find one if you are all banished? Even if we by some miracle do, how would we bring them to Ilemuria?”
“I have never seen magic as powerful as your own, Samara,” said Ravanan. “Or a heart as pure. The land trusts you more than anyone.”