Culmination

by Selena IR Drake

  “Can it be unlocked?”

  “Of course.” I smiled as I moved towards the door. “It just takes a Priestess and some patience.”

  I knelt before the door and clasped my hands before me in prayer. I forced every thought and worry from my mind, focusing only on invoking the attention of the Five Souls. “Daughters and Sons, Creators of All, Appear now, Your Priestess calls.” I quietly repeated the chant over and over.

  Time slipped away. I let it. There was no rush. I knew the Gods would hear me and come. I repeated the chant again. As the last word fell from my lips, a horse snorted. I heard my teammates gasp in surprise and shuffle around for a better view. A smile spread across my lips and I slowly opened my eyes.

  Before me was the ebony ixys I had seen vanishing into the depths of the white woods. Her form was transparent as She stood half in front of me, half behind the door. She shimmered as if a great heat rolled off Her and Her body morphed. Seconds later, the ixys was replaced with a nude woman. She had long, flowing brown hair and dazzling emerald eyes. A golden horn protruded from the middle of Her forehead, the only sign She had ever been an ixys. In a flash of emerald light, Nahstipulí was clad in a flowing, black dress adorned with flowers and vines.

  I thanked Her for coming in Kinös Elda.

  “I know why you have called, Child.” She replied back as She stepped further beyond the door. Her transparent form solidified until I felt like I was face-to-face with a normal person.

  “Then you know the importance of our passage into Havel.”

  Nahstipulí’s gaze swept across the faces of each of my teammates before settling on me again. “They cannot come.”

  “May I ask why?”

  “We cannot protect their souls in the Realm of the Dead. Should they attempt to pass into Havel as they are, they will die. You alone are protected as you follow a holy path.”

  “But…” I looked at Kitfox over my shoulder. His brow furrowed in concern. His ears drooped as Thera quietly translated the conversation for him. He thanked Thera and strode forward. Nahstipulí watched him in interest as he drew closer. He finally stopped less than a meter away from me and slowly bowed to the Goddess.

  “Please forgive my interruption,” he said in Standard, “but I would like to say something to Xy.”

  Nahstipulí nodded and stepped away.

  Kitfox turned to me and took my hand in his. “Xy, I know you’re scared to do this alone; I can read it in your face. But you have to remember: you are strong and I have all the confidence that you are going to succeed.”

  “But…” I caught him in a tight hug and fought the urge to cry. “I don’t know what I would do if I run into him.”

  “Him?”

  “Ríhan.” Kitfox flinched slightly at the name and I knew he hadn’t thought of that. “What if he’s still in Havel? What will I do if I run into him?”

  Kitfox sighed, kissed my cheek, and held me tighter. “Xy, I love you. Just remember that and,” his voice grew to a whisper, “remember our daughter,” he smiled lovingly. “Everything will be fine.”

  “Thank you.” I said before claiming his lips in a tender kiss.

  “Oh, and I’ll tell the dragons where you went when they show up.”

  I nodded.

  After a moment more of lingering in each other’s embrace, we broke apart.

  Nahstipulí looked at me over Her shoulder as I stepped towards Her.

  “I am ready.”

  The Goddess said nothing as She walked up to the door blocking the Path of the Gods. She tapped each golden plate and the radiating lights vanished with a puff. The sound of stone scraping stone echoed in the Temple as the heavy door slowly crept aside. I took my place at Nahstipulí’s side and peered over the threshold.

  The Path of the Gods was a golden staircase that seemed to stretch onwards, to eternity. It was surrounded with cosmic colors that swirled like smoke in the wake of a passer-by.

  “Take my hand.”

  I did as She told me.

  Together we passed over the threshold. I glanced back at my teammates as the door began to slide back into place behind us, lingering longest on Kitfox. I caught his reassuring smile just before the door finally shut with a resounding thud. I breathed slowly to calm my nerves and turned my attention to the path ahead.

  Hand-in-hand, I walked with Nahstipulí.

  ◆◆◆

  I had no idea how long Nahstipulí and I climbed the golden stairs. It could have been minutes or days. Either way, my legs did not burn from the trek. And an end to the climb was nowhere in sight. I began to worry that the Path would not end before a lifetime passed in the world outside.

  The Goddess did not seem to notice my growing fears. She just kept Her emerald gaze fixed on the winding stairs ahead, almost as if looking for something.

  More time passed and we climbed on. I sighed to expel my frustration and developed a way to keep myself distracted on the trek. I began to imagine things in the colors that swirled and warped around us like one would look for shapes in the clouds. I managed to find several animal shapes before a soft chuckle caught my attention.

  I looked at Nahstipulí. Only then did I realize we had stopped walking.

  “You certainly have quite an imagination, Child.”

  I blushed as I murmured a thank you.

  I was about to ask why we stopped when Nahstipulí waved her hand in a wide arc. The cosmic colors danced away, revealing an archway of gold lattice. Within the archway, a strange, turquoise liquid swirled and spun into a funnel. Standing guard, on either side of the portal, were two almost identical ice nymphs. Each bared a trident and shield formed of ice and silver armor. They stared coldly at me.

  “It is Atlidmé’s time.” Nahstipulí said. “Because of this, you must go on alone.”

  “You can’t enter Havel during another Soul’s time?”

  Nahstipulí shook her head. “Only the Angel of Chaos may interrupt our individual reigns.”

  “I did not know that.”

  “Go now, Child.” Nahstipulí pulled me forward slightly and released my hand. “Do not fear becoming lost, for help awaits you on the other end of the bridge.”

  Before I could ask Her what She meant, She vanished in a flash of emerald light. I stood there a moment, staring at the swirling liquid in contemplation. I took a deep breath and, slowly, moved towards the golden archway. The nymphs’ chilling gazes followed my every move. I paused a step away from the portal and looked at the nymph on my right.

  “I don’t suppose you can give me a head’s up on what lies beyond?”

  The nymph merely stared back.

  I sighed and let my eyes close. Finally, I moved past the golden archway. The turquoise liquid made a slurping sound as I pushed my way through it. Suddenly a great rush of wind ripped past me and stole my breath away. I threw my hands up in front of me to spare me from the onslaught. I had to fight to remain upright as the violent gale threatened to bowl me over. The windstorm ended almost as quickly as it began, leaving a light breeze brushing against me.

  I hesitated for a moment, then, slowly, lowered my arms to my sides. My eyes flittered open. My vision cleared. I gasped.

  Built upon an island was a city of crystal and gold. It was so vast that I could not even begin to fathom how many souls resided there. Hundreds of towering spires pierced the clear blue sky and refracted the light into countless rainbows. Smaller buildings and even plants of likes I had never seen spread across the island.

  The island itself was suspended in a void, surrounded by thundering waterfalls that threw great plumes of mist airborne. The mist gave the impression that the island was floating in the clouds. Jutting out from the island, at five separate points, were long, crystalline bridges adorned with gold filigree. They floated just above the surface of the rushing turquoise water. At the end of each bridge was a circular platform large enough to hold a dragon comfortably.

  I stood on one of those five platforms, gawking at the specta
cle that was Havel. After several minutes of observing, I shook my head and forced myself under control. I did not come here for sightseeing. I told myself. I need to find Abaddon.

  With that, I strode forward.

  I had only just reached the half-way point over the bridge when disembodied warble caused me to pause. Seconds later, a large shadow flew by overhead. I looked up in time to catch sight of Atlidmé as He slithered through the sky towards the city. Several orbs of sparkling light swirled around Him as he flew. As I watched Him, I realize it was He who was the source of the song, and the lights were souls of the departed. He was using the song to comfort and guide the souls to Havel.

  A soft smile found its way to my lips as I watched Him. When at last He and the souls vanished from sight, I strode forward once again.

  At the end of the bridge, I stopped to look around for the help Nahstipulí told me would be waiting. When I didn’t see anyone, I decided on taking a short rest. As I sat cross-legged on the crystalline walkway, I cast my gaze skyward. Atlidmé slithered passed overhead, heading away from Havel. This time, He was alone in His journey and silent.

  “Magnificent, isn’t He?”

  My heart was in my throat the instant the voice spoke. I knew immediately who it was. I did not want to face him. Not now. Not after the scars left after his murder had finally healed. I wasn’t sure I could handle reopening those old wounds.

  “How have you been, Xy?” He said, drawing nearer.

  I clenched my fist and fought back tears. I silently begged for his presence to just be a nightmare; that I would wake up any second now.

  “Xy?”

  I flinched as he touched my shoulder. The first tears finally slipped from my eyes. They traced a cool trail down my cheeks before the breeze kissed them away.

  He retreated slightly. “It’s alright, Xy,” he whispered softly, “you don’t need to mourn for me anymore.”

  “Ríhan,” I said quietly, surprised at how even my voice was despite what I was feeling, “I thought I had stopped mourning your death months ago.”

  “Then why do you cry upon hearing my voice and fear looking at me?”

  “Because…” I swallowed a sob, “Because I don’t want to betray Kitfox.”

  I could hear Ríhan smile. “You won’t betray him.”

  “How do you know?” I forced myself to finally face my old friend. He looked the same as he did the day he died; almost as if his murder never happened. His blue eyes sparkled beneath his blonde bangs as his smile widened.

  “I know because you love him.”

  My brow creased as I looked at him in confusion.

  He sat down facing me. “Ever since you woke up in the Healer’s in Sindai, I’ve been watching out for you. I know how much pain you’ve gone through since I died as well as all the joys you’ve experienced. I know all about your quest for the dragons, your friends and how important they are to you, and your relationship with Kitfox.”

  “You—” I gaped. “How?”

  Ríhan chuckled. “The Souls let me remain in Havel for a specific reason; the same reason for which you have come.”

  “Abaddon?”

  He nodded. “I was charged with the task of guiding you to your dragon once you arrived. Until that time, I was allowed to keep watch over you through what They called the Oracle Mirror.”

  “So… Once I have Abaddon, you have to leave?”

  “That, I am not sure on.” Ríhan shrugged. “I’ve proven myself to be quite reliable and helpful in…” he coughed, “situations. I think the Gods may keep me on a little longer.”

  “I see.” I looked down to pick invisible lint off my armor. “So, you know all about me and Kitfox?”

  “Well, not everything.” Ríhan smiled. “I do know he’s a nice guy and would do anything for you, even die.”

  I jerked my head up to meet his eyes. “You know about that?”

  “Of course I do. I’m the one who sent the ice nymph to try to warn you in advance.”

  “That was you?”

  He burst out laughing. “Yeah. I’m sorry it didn’t work the way I planned. Though, it did have some very interesting consequences for both of you.”

  “I— I don’t know what to say.” I looked down at my armor again.

  “You don’t have to say anything.” He said softly.

  We lapsed into a comfortable silence after that. I knew Ríhan wanted to tell me all about his time here. He was the sort to blurt about his adventures to anyone who would lend an ear. In the past I had always that ear, but for reasons unknown, he said nothing. I, on the other hand, simply basked in his presence, realizing just how much I had missed him after so long.

  Finally he stirred, getting to his feet and stretching. Then he looked down at me. With a smile, he extended his hand.

  “Come. Someone wants to meet you.”

  “Who?”

  “You’ll see.”

  I slowly reached out to take his hand and he helped me to my feet. He took the lead through the city, winding our way from street to crystalline street and over bridges of solid gold that crossed over pristine streams of turquoise water. I was impressed that he did not get lost in the vast labyrinth that was Havel.

  Occasionally I would linger behind Ríhan to observe things. Things like orbs of dancing lights loitering around a gold fountain or more lights chasing each other down one of the many streets. Ríhan would let me watch for a minute before calling me away. As we walked on, he explained that the dancing lights were the souls of the dead. Most of the dead were not allowed to retain the shapes of their bodies because they weren’t in Havel for very long. A select few, like himself, were allowed to keep their bodies in order to perform important tasks on the Gods’ behalves.

  Ríhan hasn’t changed one bit. I mused. He is still a plethora of information.

  After what felt like hours of walking, Ríhan stopped beside a solid, golden door. It was set upon the opaque walls of a round building. Though the building wasn’t nearly as tall as those around it, it still towered over the two of us. And it could easily fit two dragons abreast within.

  Ríhan turned to me and smiled. “You ready?”

  “Boy, I hope so.”

  His smile widened as he pulled the door open.

  I preceded Ríhan into the building. The room just over the threshold was as small as my quarters at the Temple. There were no decorations; just opaque walls of crystal and a door I would have almost overlooked if not for the golden handle. Figuring our destination was on the other side of this bland vestibule, I moved to open the door. Ríhan stopped me.

  “Trust me,” he chuckled nervously and slipped passed me, “it’s safer if I do it.” He rested his hand on the handle of the door. There, he hesitated. “You might want to back up a bit.”

  I quirked an eyebrow and took a couple steps back.

  Ríhan took a deep breath. In a single movement, he jerked the door open and ducked for cover. A split second later the tail blade of a dragon smashed into both door and wall, sending large chunks of crystal hurling everywhere.

  “Calm down you blundering lizard!” Ríhan roared from the floor.

  The dragon yanked his tail blade from the wall with a ferocious snarl and I got my first clear look at him. Abaddon was unlike any of the other dragons. His scales were as black as darkest night; a sharp contrast to his ivory horns and talons. As diamond hard as I knew they were, several scales had been ripped away on his right ribcage. The scar left behind glimmered the same shade of violet as his eyes when he moved. But the most amazing feature was the dragon's near-transparency. I felt as though if I were to reach out to touch him, my hand would pass right through.

  “You are fortunate to be dead already, Boy, else I would eat you alive piece by piece!” His voice was deep and seemed to echo, almost as if there were two of him.

  Ríhan stood to his full height while dusting crystal shards off his shoulders. He looked sidelong at me and, with a sigh, said, “I swear he gets crankier
every time I visit.”

  I couldn’t help but chuckle as I followed him into the room.

  “And who is that tasty-looking morsel?”

  “She…” a melodic baritone stated loudly from behind the black dragon. A chair squeaked as it slid across the floor and a tall man strode out from where he had been hidden. His hair was black with graying streaks along his temples and tied back in a low tail. He was clad in a regal blue tunic adorned with gold embroidery and gray trousers. A jewel pummeled sword hung from his thick, leather belt. He smiled warmly as his sepia gaze settled on me. “… is your Dragon Keeper.”

  “That puny little thing?” Abaddon snorted. “Don’t make me laugh.”

  Keeping my eyes locked on the unknown – yet somehow familiar – man, I raised my left hand towards the dragon. With a simple flick of my wrist, Abaddon skittered across the floor several meters. His talons left several long gouges in the floor as he screeched to a stop.

  I finally looked away from the man to stare the ghostly dragon down. “If you are still laughing, I can show you more.”

  Abaddon snorted again and moved towards me. For a long moment, the only sound in the room was his claws clicking against the floor with each step. A mere meter away, he finally stopped. He stared at me in silence. I stared back. At long last, he sat on his haunches and relaxed. His tail wagged behind him like that of a happy feline. “You have not lost your fierce spirit, small one. I am glad to learn this, given the extent of your memory loss.”

  With the dragon finally calmed, I turned my attention to the man in blue. “Who are you?”

  The question seemed to catch him off guard.

  “Xy,” Ríhan placed a hand on my shoulder, “that is Djurdak, your…”

  “Father.” The dragon interrupted. The moment the word was spoken, a thousand memories rushed back to me. Several special ones replayed as if I were there to watch them all over again.

  I was six. He was teaching me how to ride a wyvern for the first time. He panicked when the creature bolted and I nearly fell off. Later, he treated me to some sweats at our favorite stand in a long-forgotten town.

  I was fifteen. He and I were on a hill top close to our home, nestled comfortably in the long grass. We watched the stars on a rare moonless night. He had carried me to my bed that night.