"The Golden Sun was first used here on Amaranth Island," Eituzen continued. "After my death, Hettakus Kollos took it. He did not want anyone else to use it, but a desert dynasty in the east managed to find it."
"So that is how Ganicus' family had kept the Valiarmos for so long," Auron said.
"Yes, and after Hettakus's death, there was another event similar to what is happening now that almost destroyed the world," Eituzen replied. "Now that you have seen the origins of the Golden Sun, are you ready to awaken it?"
"I have a question, if I may?" Auron said. "The prince who wore this Valiarmos before me, he woke it in a pinch as he watched his city near destruction. How was he able to simply call upon the Golden Sun so easily, and why doesn't it listen to me?"
"Excellent question," Eituzen responded. "It sounds to me like this prince entered the Omnith state."
"The Omnut what?" Auron struggled to pronounce.
"The Omnith state is when someone goes into a trance where they have direct contact with their inner eternity," Eituzen explained. "When someone enters the Omnith state they melt all barriers within them and all limitations and doubts vanish in their mind. They are able to tap into a power beyond any mage, and what they are able to do is indescribable. Very few men have mastered that state, and Prodigus Kollos was one of them."
Auron was intrigued about the Omnith state and contemplated about it. "So anyone can enter this Omnith state?" he asked.
"Yes, anyone can, but, when it does happen, it is by accident and they can barely control it," Eituzen answered. "In fact, many times it controls them. However, don't rely on this Omnith state, especially with what is happening now. You don't want to steer your attention away from your mission. Now let's begin."
The world around them turned to black again and flames crackled between him and Eituzen. As he stared at the flames he could not stop thinking about the Omnith state.
"Now focus and go deeper," Eituzen guided. "If you are to use the Golden Sun, you must be able to withstand its fire nature. You must conquer your fear of fire. Now go back to when your fear first began. When did you begin to fear the element?"
Auron thought for a moment. Now at the age of thirty-three it was hard to imagine when it all started, since he had avoided it all his life. He thought back to the days when he first woke up on a bed and saw Akielas's face for the first time. His young days when he trained with Akielas learning terramancy, hydromancy and aeromancy.
"My adopted father, Akielas, he tried to teach my pyromancy at the age of eighteen, after I learned earth, air and water," Auron remembered. "He told me I had great potential but, when he taught me fire magic, I got sick. I became feverish and weak. My maju had reacted negatively whenever I used fire. I never wanted to use it again."
"Casting magic first comes from the mind, then the soul," Eituzen explained. "Your maju is reacting to the relationship you have with fire. What is it that you truly believe about the element?"
"It is a cursed element," Auron snarled. He felt anger when he spoke. "Air is smooth, water is calm and earth is steady, but fire burns everything in its path. I lost my village to fire and was cast away because I could not cast flames like the rest of the Amaranth tribe. That is why they called me the black blood. The cursed one. Fire is a curse. It is the element of destruction. Water and air can do many things for people. Earth gives in return for whatever we plant in it but fire aids no men. Fire burns and, the closer you get, the more likely you are to get hurt. Fire's only good use is for lighting the darkness."
Auron felt sad after he confessed. A tear ran down his cheek and he balled his hands into fists out of anger.
"I know that fire has caused you much pain," Eituzen said, "But, if you are to conquer it, you must accept it. As you said, fire lights the darkness. Although it has burned you in the past, allow it to illuminate your path so that you may walk towards your future, a better future. Like a knife that can take a life or cut crops to feed your loved ones, do not only see the negatives of fire, but also open up to what it can do for you, or it will always be your enemy."
Auron continued to meditate, focusing on his core. "I am no longer running away from you," he prayed, "I will conquer you and master your nature. You will become my ally and my weapon."
"Now feel it," Eituzen said with his arms stretched forward and palms wide open. "Feel its nature. Feel it burn. Absorb its maju into your body and allow it to circulate through your being."
The flames that crackled between them began to float towards Auron. He opened his eyes and flinched when he first saw it move his way. He breathed deeply and reached for the flames, feeling it burn. For the first time in his life he felt the real maju of fire. Not the energy he would use from a gemstone, but the true nature of fire. Its temperature and its consuming nature. Its fast moving energy and the light it gives in the darkness. He absorbed the flames with his hands without getting burned and felt it circulating throughout his body. He remained steady without moving, and then it happened.
"I now command the element of fire," he whispered and the medallion in his hand began to shine and vibrate.
"Go and reclaim the Crimson Cosmo Jewel," Eituzen said as he vanished. "Do not let our tribe die."
Amaranth Island slowly began to reappear. Mountains rose on the horizon, clouds swam in the blue sky and the orange meadows stretched for miles into the distance. Auron opened his eyes and he found himself in front of the statues again, holding the medallion aloft as if he had not moved. The medallion still shone and vibrated and, when Auron scanned his surroundings, he saw the sages and his mother stepping away from him.
"What is happening?" His mother asked in fear.
"It's working, it's working! It's finally working!" Auron shouted with great excitement.
He raised the medallion skyward and his body shone so bright he blinded himself. He felt the armor adding weight to his body. When he opened his eyes, and the light vanished, he saw the golden cloth, its spiked pauldrons and sun emblem embossed on the chest plate. He now held a spear and shield. The armor was round with spikes at its hem. Auron looked at himself in awe and felt his enhanced maju. The sages gazed at him as if he had fallen from the realm of light.
"Specters, I will shatter your masks and send you to oblivion," he swore.
Akielas
Akielas and Eckxio teleported to Kazenolumos. They appeared near Caim's hut. Trees surrounded the hut on a piece of land that was a mile long. Eckxio's eyes swelled with awe and he stepped into the small glade. The Elf had never seen the floating city before.
"Don't go too far, you might walk off the edge," Akielas warned.
Eckxio spun and looked at Akielas with eyes still wide like a cat. "By the gods, how come you never told us about this place?" He asked and returned his eyes to the view.
"Because it wasn’t until now that we really needed the help of a demigod," Akielas answered. The wind blew his long hair, black and grey streaks streaming like a flag.
"About time you showed up," Caim's voice floated from behind Akielas.
Akielas looked over his left shoulder and saw the demigod sitting by a wooden table with a board game.
"Let me guess, you were finally beaten at Mountain Bird," Akielas teased and smirked.
"No, not yet," Caim replied and stood up slowly from the table, nonchalantly knocking the game pieces over. He looked at Akielas solemnly as if the man had done something wrong. "You lied," the demigod said.
"Lied?" Akielas was dumbfounded. "About what? I have been nothing but honest with you and the council of seven."
"You said there were four of them," Caim said as he strolled over to them.
"The Specters, yes, there are four of them, "Akielas responded feeling uneasy. "Unless you are counting their fiends, then I did lie."
"Who is the white haired fellow?" Eckxio asked gesturing at Caim.
"Eckxio, meet Caim. He is the demigod I spoke of," Akielas introduced.
Caim looked at Eckxio with a smile and bow
ed with hands behind his back. "It is a pleasure meeting an Elf of the east," Caim greeted politely. "You are a rare one. Black hair on Elves is not very common."
Akielas looked at Eckxio's hair and wondered. "Is that true?" He asked.
"Commonly Elven hair is blonde, white, red or even blue," Eckxio answered. "You already know I am the black sheep of my Elven village."
"Sorry if I offended you," Caim apologized and bowed again.
"Oh, no worries, I have grown out of my insecurities," the Elf replied. He returned his gaze to Kazenolumos.
"So, back to our conversation," Akielas said. "You think they have an addition to their team. I would not be surprised."
"I am not sure, but there is another human who is using cosmo to open portals, much like I do," Caim explained. The wind filled his wide-sleeved green tunic. His clothes ruffled and his hair danced with the wind. He paced to the edge of the island between two maple trees and gazed down at the clouds. "I sensed the maju of one of the Specters in the Yama country, as well as this human using cosmo magic. I wanted to take a look and see who it was but I decided to wait until you arrived. I was able to trace the cosmo of this human. Whoever he is, he is not using his powers wisely."
"If this cosmo user you speak of has not been causing havoc, then he is not with the Specters," Akielas concluded.
"I did sense the dark maju of fiends down there," Caim said, "but I don't want to come to any conclusions yet. I will wait and see what this person does."
"Why wait? Let's get him now," Akielas recommended.
"You act now and think later, don't you?" Caim asked, questioning Akielas's logic.
"Not really. Sometimes it's better to act than to wait," he answered.
"Are we going inside the city or are we going to stay here and chat?" Eckxio asked, eager to enter Kazenolumos and see the Effeelions. "I want to meet the Effeelions. I never thought this place existed. I thought it was just a fairy tale. Oh verdant song, wait until I tell the Elves back home."
Akielas heard Caim grunt, a gust of wind buffeted him and the demigod appeared inches from Eckxio's face. It was the quickest Akielas had seen anyone move. He had never witnessed Caim using his power, only his flight. Eckxio flinched and bounced back, raising his fist.
"What is your problem?" Eckxio snarled, standing a foot shorter than the demigod. He had no weapon and unable to cast offensive magic and yet he dared raise his fist at Caim.
"No one will speak of Kazenolumos," Caim rasped. "If you give away the location of our fortress then I will personally end your life." The demigod then stared at Akielas and his eyes glowed white. "Did you not educate him before bringing him here?"
"Easy now," Akielas said confidently as he stared at Caim. "Please forgive him, I should have told him before I brought him here. We have been moving with such haste and some things just slipped my mind. Do not worry, he is an Elf and he will abide by the rules of Kazenolumos."
"Good," Caim said. The wind eased and his eyes ceased to glow.
"I am sorry, I won't tell anyone, I swear," Eckxio promised in fear of the demigod.
"I am gentle and kind, until I get angry," Caim threatened.
Eckxio did not respond but now he knew why Caim was the guardian of Kazenolumos and he had witnessed a small dose of anger from a demigod. Akielas sighed thinking that things were going to get out of hand. He never liked seeing his friends fight and tried to keep the peace between them.
"Caim, if this unknown cosmo user is near the Specters, then we should find him and speak to him," Akielas suggested.
"Definitely," Caim agreed. "In fact I can sense his cosmo right now." Caim pondered for a moment then stared at Akielas. He seemed hesitant to speak his mind.
"Something you would like to say?" Akielas asked.
"I have become interested in using all four of the cosmo jewels," Caim confessed. "I had done an experiment with the Aero Cosmo Jewel and the results were more than incredible. I began to wonder what would happen if I had all four. I can help you reclaim the cosmo jewels from the Specters before they accomplish their mission."
Akielas had been having second thoughts over working with the demigod but was now curious over his sudden interest in the cosmo jewels.
"So now that you see the jewels as beneficial to your mission, you want to join us," Akielas summed.
"Yes, after I was able to see into the realm of the air dragon god, I came to the conclusion that collecting all four cosmo jewels will help the Effeelions and I find the realm of Cosmus," Caim explained. "Now I understand why the Specters want the jewels. The remnants of the gods have incredible abilities and we can use them to see into the celestial realm of the dragon gods. Akielas, let me help you reclaim the cosmo jewels and stop the Specters. I will use the cosmo jewels and then return them to their rightful owners. I do not wish to keep them."
"Absolutely not," Eckxio barked. "The Emerald Cosmo Jewel will return to its home with the Greamos. They are dying and cannot survive without the magic of the jewel. Once we defeat the Specters each jewel has to be returned to its proper place. You have no idea what could happen and how many lives are at risk."
Caim frowned. The wind whistled, filling the silence and making the trees rustle. Caim looked at Kazenolumos and Akielas knew how he felt, yet he could not risk it. Allowing Caim to keep the jewels for any longer could endanger other species and Odealeous itself.
"You once told me that you didn't care about the people of this world," Akielas reminded. "However, you could at least have respect for those who live in this world like the Effeelions. Are you willing to risk the lives of other species for your mission here in Kazenolumos?"
"Here in Kazenolumos we respect all life," Caim said. "In fact, the Effeelions did not like my idea of using the cosmo jewels for that very reason. However, I am willing to try it. I will figure out a way to use the power of the jewels without risking anyone else but myself."
"And just how are you going to do that?" Eckxio asked with a cocky tone.
"That is why I want to join you," Caim replied and smiled. "I will figure it out along the way as we make new discoveries. It will be...fun."
Akielas could not believe that Caim used the word "fun." He knew that Caim spoke from the heart, genuinely. A demigod so serious and focused now sought adventure. It gave Akielas a warm feeling and trusted the demigod much more. He chuckled then answered, "Welcome to the alliance." He embraced Caim, holding him tight.
"Thank you Akielas, I am eternally grateful," Caim said with grace. "It feels good. The thrill of a new adventure. To find something new, this time with new friends."
"Well I am glad you are on our side, really." Eckxio said. "But I too came here for a reason. I was hoping the Effeelions would know about the Angel Valiarmos."
"The Angel Valiarmos," Caim repeated. "Now why in the world would you want that?"
"So that I can see how shiny it is," Eckxio said sarcastically. "To fight against the Specters, of course. I'm not sure why but my gut is telling me that the Effeelions might be able to point me in the right direction. The fairy king said that it belonged to a being of light, and something about the Lumnos, which I have never heard of."
"The fairy king!" Caim said with amazement. "You met the fairy king?"
"We both did," Akielas remarked.
"Why are you surprised?" Eckxio asked.
"The fairy king is a celestial being," Caim explained. "He does not reveal himself to just anyone. You two must be special indeed."
"I assumed that anyone with a shard of zeustoss can call the fairy king," Eckxio said.
"Oh, I don't think so," Caim replied and crossed his arms. "I have seen humans and Elves laden with zeustoss and the fairy king would deny them long before his light shone from above. So, if the fairy king was willing to reveal himself to you, then I am now more excited to be a part of your adventure."
"Just to let you know, we do not consider chasing the Specters fun," Eckxio said. "But I guess it will be easier for you. You can
sense maju and cosmo from miles away."
"Enough talk," Caim said, looking up at the sky city and beckoned. "Come, Eckxio, I will take you to the council of seven and they will tell you all about the Angel Valiarmos. And Akielas, we will fly down to the Yama country and hunt down this cosmo user."
Caim grabbed both of their arms and flew off the ground, ascending to Kazenolumos. Wind lashed at their bodies and they soared to the third level of the city.
"This is amazing!" Eckxio shouted.
"If you like how it looks on the outside, then you will love the inside," Caim said.
Effeelions whooshed by them. Some Effeelions shifted into birds, disguising themselves before they soared over towns and cities around the world.
"They can shape shift?" Eckxio asked, astonished.
"They are called the feathered ghosts," Caim answered as they ascended passed the second level of the city. "They shape shift into birds to avoid attracting any attention. They hunt for knowledge worldwide without anyone ever knowing. That is how we have been able to remain uncharted and unknown."
"You will have time to explore the city once we defeat the Specters," Akielas added.
When they reached the dome they entered through the oculus and landed gently as the wind spun around them, easing their fall. Eckxio's eyes seemed as though they would pop from their sockets as he gazed at the dome with awe and gaped embarrassingly. The Elf felt the glossy marble tiles and smooth granite walls. Akielas had been in this dome many times, nothing truly surprised him. Caim strolled towards the council of seven nonchalantly and Akielas noticed their disturbed faces.
The seven Effeelions inside the dome were alarmed. Nehushine dropped his books and quill and glided over the crescent moon platform. "What is this?" he barked. "You bring another outsider..." Nehushine quickly ended his sentence when he noticed that Eckxio was an Elf. The old Effeelion seemed as though he had not seen his previous evolutionary state in centuries. He stroked his beard as he wondered and gazed at Eckxio.
Spirit of Mages (Rift of Chaos Book 2) Page 14
