“I just had a run-in with the priest again, that’s all. But I won’t let him ruin my night.”
“Our night,” Kiara corrected, the excitement returning to her face. “Now, come on!”
Kiara grabbed his hand and led him off into the festival. As they drew closer, whatever remained of Raiden’s bitter mood was quickly lost in the madness and the thrill of the atmosphere. The villagers danced wildly upon the white, moonlit grass of the temple courtyard as drummers shook the night with a spirited, trembling beat. The combined effect of the PDs and the pounding, goat-skin drums was intoxicating, freeing the people of all fears, doubts, and limitations. Women swung and twisted vibrantly across the grassy dancefloor in traditional fur and leather skirts and deer-skin moccasins, piercing the air with shrilling cries of vibrato. Men stomped vigorously to the beat, wearing nothing but loincloths. The Burners among them breathed out plumes of fire as they danced, lighting up the night sky with beautiful trails of flame. Coders galloped, crawled, and slithered through the crowd in various animal forms, hurling handfuls of a fine, white powder at the masses.
“You forgot your change of clothes!” Kiara yelled above the noise as they drew closer.
“I didn’t forget them!” Raiden hollered back. “I just chose to honor my dignity over tradition!”
As they reached the edge of the crowd, Kiara pulled Raiden closer and started to dance. Raiden smiled and laughed as she moved him around in line with the beat, making it look as though he actually knew what he was doing. She danced wildly, yet gracefully, each step carefully planned and charged with spirit. Kiara glowed with excitement as they tossed and turned, jumped and whirled, growing more and more in sync. Although he’d danced with her before in the local pubs, the beat was faster and even more challenging. Nevertheless, as she twirled below his arm and gazed joyfully into his eyes, Raiden couldn’t have been any happier.
As they danced, a pointy-eared, scaly-skinned Coder approached them and held out his hand, offering some powder.
“No, thank you!” Raiden shouted, shaking his head.
“Come on, try some!” Kiara urged, taking the powder. “It will help you loosen up a bit!”
“I don’t know,” Raiden hesitated. “I think I’ll-”
Before he could finish speaking, Raiden felt a gentle, tickling sensation move across the back of his neck. A woman swayed drunkenly beside him. Her eyes were wide and bright, her eyelashes long and dark. Two large, triangular ears bulged vertically from beneath her short, black hair, giving her a feline look. Her clothes were similar to Kiara’s, only shorter and tighter, and a black, furry tail swung casually below her waist. She threw him a tipsy, provocative smile as her long, black-painted nails trailed slowly across his shoulders and chest.
“Don’t you think it’s time you shared this one, Kiara?” she asked playfully.
Raiden gulped nervously as her tail brushed gently against his body, moving up to his face.
“Like I told you a thousand times, Sable, we’re not together. He’s my cousin, visiting from South Vardok,” Kiara answered awkwardly.
“Well, then you wouldn’t mind if I borrowed him, would you?”
Raiden looked desperately at Kiara, shaking his head. Kiara returned his gaze with a small, apologetic shrug. She turned hesitantly back to Sable.
“He’s all yours.”
The woman let out a deep and mischievous growl.
“Wait, Kiara-” Raiden tried to protest as the woman pulled him away.
“Be gentle, Sable,” Kiara called out.
“Aren’t I always?” the woman winked. And then, before Raiden could protest, she wrapped her tail around his waist and whisked him away into the madness. Raiden cried out as he spun into the crowd and lost his balance. Just as he began to fall, Sable caught him again with her tail and spun him towards her. She grabbed him swiftly with her clawed hands and moved her lips inches from his face. And then, before he could even think, she blew a puff of white powder straight into his mouth. Raiden coughed and stumbled backward in surprise. As he regained his balance, he noticed his vision began to blur.
“What’s happening?” Raiden asked anxiously, his heart racing.
“Relax,” Sable whispered into his ear as she danced licentiously around him. “Free the wild beast within.”
Raiden felt his anxiety wash away as his senses grew numb. All his troubles and fears slowly vanished, leaving him with a blind sense of happiness. As he followed Sable’s body with his eyes, he began to lose control, his tension replaced with primal hunger and desire. Without thinking, he moved senselessly closer and placed his hands over her curved hips. Sable growled with pleasure and pressed his hands down tight against her skin. Raiden felt his legs begin to move with the beat of the drums, and his body swayed in rhythm with hers. As they danced, Raiden gazed mindlessly around him. He felt as though his mind had lost command of his body, overtaken by base instinct. Without even realizing, Raiden was pulled away from Sable by another woman, and then another, pushing him deeper and deeper into the crowd. He felt the heated touch of one sweaty body after the next as the villagers danced and howled under the moon.
Raiden felt the rush pulse through his veins. He felt the freedom, the ecstasy, free of shame and thought, conscious only of the joy and pleasures of the moment. And then, deep down, he began to feel something else, a sensation of disconnect and deceit. He began to see past the mindless bliss into something empty, a world devoid of meaning. And he began to feel sorrow. Deep, irrepressible, irrational sorrow.
And then, a warm, familiar touch pulled him back to reality.
“Raiden.”
Kiara placed her hands gently against Raiden’s cheeks and focused him on her face. When he saw her, the sadness began to dim, and his feelings seemed real again.
“This one’s for you,” she whispered. She leaned forward and kissed Raiden on the cheek, then moved backward into the crowd. She lifted her hands into the air and released a stream of flames, grabbing the attention of those around her. When they saw her, the crowd parted, leaving room for her in the middle. The villagers screamed and cheered with enthusiasm as Kiara blew the hair from her face, preparing for her performance. And then, when she was ready, she lowered her hands, releasing the fire. And all at once, the drums stopped. The entire village grew silent, watching Kiara with great anticipation. Kiara stood still, her feet spread apart, her head facing the ground, waiting to begin.
The drums began on a soft, slow beat. Kiara took a moment to feel the rhythm. Her hips began to roll, shaking on every first and third beat as her arms flowed up and down in wave-like motions. Her hips moved with sharp pronunciation and precision, showing off the muscles in her stomach and thighs. Her body and movements gave off an exotic, yet natural sense of beauty as they synchronized with the soft and soothing beat. The effect was mesmerizing. Raiden’s gaze was fixed; he couldn’t look away if he tried.
Suddenly, the drums changed their pace, quickening. Kiara freed her legs, her entire body now involved in the dance. Each limb seemed to have a mind and role of its own, yet they fit together in perfect harmony. Her hair swung wildly as she dipped and rolled, flipped and twirled. The villagers cheered as she hurled her weight backward and flipped, landing back on her feet. Her movements were impulsive and filled with energy, and each step struck the ground in time with the beat.
And then, all at once, she froze in place along with the beat. Without a moment to lose, they picked up again, growing faster and faster along with the rhythm of their hearts. The crowd went wild as Kiara moved faster than Raiden had ever seen. She crept and pounced with the speed of a cheetah, and her hair tore through the air like a whip. Her arms and legs swung so fast, Raiden could hardly keep track. Yet she maintained her patterned rhythm. As the beat reached its climax, she flipped through the air and landed on her hands, switching her hands with her feet. She switched back onto her feet and launched herself high into the air with a roar, enveloped in a cloud of fire. Then she plummeted d
ownwards and, just as the drums struck their final, deafening boom, she smacked the ground with her fist and the flames shot outwards from around her, dissipating like fireworks in the night. She held her position for a few moments, surrounded by a circle of burning grass as the audience broke into cheers. Then she stood up with a bow and walked back towards Raiden. The drums started up again, and the villagers returned to their dancing.
Raiden laughed and shook his head in disbelief as she approached. Kiara bit her lip with a shy smile, and her eyes shone with energy. Her hair was a mess, and her body was drenched in sweat, but Raiden didn’t even notice. All he could see was beauty.
“Did you see that!?” She panted with excitement. “I’ve never gone so fast in my li-whoaaa!”
Kiara lost her balance and tripped in exhaustion. Raiden stepped forward and caught her mid-fall.
“I’m so tired!” she exclaimed with a laugh. She stood back up and grasped Raiden’s shoulders for support. Raiden wrapped his arms around her and drew her in closer.
“You were incredible, Kiara,” Raiden said sincerely. “I don’t know how you do it.”
His heart soared as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He wanted nothing more than to be close to her, to feel the heat of her touch, to smell the scent of her sweat, to hear the gasp of her breath and the pounding of her heart as it beat against his chest.
Kiara bit her lip coyly, then gazed up at Raiden with an affectionate smile.
“I do,” she said, searching his eyes. “When I see you there, watching me like this, it just all becomes so easy.”
Raiden leaned in closer. He closed his eyes and kissed her gently on the lips. Kiara gazed up at him for a moment, breathing heavily, her eyes filled with emotion. Then she pulled him closer and kissed him again, and then again, her heart racing with passion. Raiden tightened his grip around her, pressing their bodies together as they kissed. He’d never felt anything so soft, tasted anything so sweet. He wished it could last forever. But after one last, long kiss, Raiden lingered at the tip of her lips, savoring the chill of her breath against his skin.
“I pushed this off for far too long,” he whispered, his eyes still closed.
“Which made it so much more special,” she whispered back, panting.
“There’s something else I need to do,” Raiden said. “Something I should’ve told you a long time ago.”
Kiara opened her eyes and gazed at him with love and anticipation.
“Kiara, I-”
Before he could finish, Kiara placed her finger against his lips.
“Not yet,” she said, overcome with excitement and joy. “Go grab a bottle of drink from the stands, and we’ll head back home. Mama will be fast asleep.”
“But didn’t you want to meet the prince?” Raiden asked.
“My prince is standing right here,” Kiara answered.
Raiden smiled lovingly, then nodded.
“I’ll be right back.”
Raiden turned around and walked quickly towards the drink stands at the edge of the courtyard. His heart soared with happiness, and his head hovered in the clouds. He could think of nothing but Kiara, of his feelings for her. It was all so clear to him now. The decision was so simple. He would find Mara and give her the amulet. And then he would stay here with Kiara, the woman he loved.
As Raiden stood in the line for the stand, lost in his dreams, he felt an alarm go off in the back of his head. He looked around and noticed two white knights standing at the other end of the courtyard. They were talking to Priest Jaaro.
I’m sure everything’s fine, Raiden thought, attempting to calm himself. Jaaro’s probably just greeting the Prince’s escort.
And then, to Raiden’s dismay, Jaaro pointed straight at him.
No, not now! Raiden thought nervously. The guards began to head in his direction. They marched with a sense of duty and assertion. Suddenly, Raiden’s heart filled with dread as he realized what the Priest had told them. He cursed under his breath.
How could I have been such an idiot! he thought anxiously. When I was arguing with the Priest, I admitted my PDs are fake! If they find them on me, I’m screwed!”
Raiden ran quickly through his options.
I can’t go home now, they’d follow me. I’ll explain to Kiara later, she’ll understand. I need to lose them in the alleys.
Raiden slipped out of line and speed-walked through the crowd towards the alley behind the temple. When he looked back, he saw the knights had begun to run.
Screw it!
Raiden broke into a sprint, pushing his way violently through the crowd and into the alley.
◆◆◆
“Come on, what’s taking so long?” Kiara muttered anxiously, unable to contain her excitement.
On the night of angels, Gavriel has answered my prayers. Raiden has decided to stay, I’m sure of it! He’s in love with me, and I’m in love with him. Perhaps soon we could even marry, and there would be a man in the house again.
Suddenly, Kiara was pulled from her dreamworld by the sound of trumpets.
“All hail your prince, Suri-El, first son of the White King!”
Kiara watched as the crowds parted, and a great, silvery-white chariot hovered into the courtyard, supported in the air by two lavish hovercars. The drums rolled as a long, red platform dropped down to the courtyard. The crowd roared as four guards stepped out from the chariot, followed by the Prince himself. The man was strong and tall, adorned in expensive, silvery, white robes. A jeweled crown sat upon his long, golden hair. Priest Jaaro hurried to the edge of the platform to greet him. Kaiyu stumbled after him, his arms filled with hefty gifts.
“What do you say we get a closer look, see if the rumors are true.”
Kiara turned, finding Sable standing beside her.
“Actually, I’m feeling a bit dizzy. I was just about to leave,” Kiara said.
“Had a little too much fun with your ‘cousin’?” Sable asked sarcastically.
Kiara’s cheeks flushed red.
“He’s not actually my cousin,” she admitted.
“I kind of figured when I saw you two smooching on the lawn.”
Sable paused for a moment as she gazed out towards the Prince.
“You should’ve told me,” she said.
“I know, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. We’ve been friends for twenty years. Just next time, trust me.”
“I will, Sable.”
“Good. Now…” Sable said, her furry tail swaying back and forth as she eyed her prey. “I’ve got myself a prince to catch.”
She ran her tail smoothly through her hair and headed out towards the crowd.
“Hey, Sable,” Kiara called out as she left. Sable turned around, lifting her eyebrow. Kiara smiled and shot her a wink.
“Be gentle with him.”
Sable chuckled. She let out a mischievous growl, then continued towards her prey.
As Kiara watched her go, her gaze fell back onto the prince. Part of her did want to get a closer look. After all, it would probably be her only chance ever to see him. But the man she was waiting for was far more important, at least to her.
As she watched, the Prince turned in her direction. As she grabbed her first glimpse of his face, she noticed something hanging over his chest. She studied it curiously for a moment, and then her heart froze.
“It can’t be,” she muttered in disbelief.
Hung around the Prince’s neck, with its sapphire core dangling over his heart, was the other half of Raiden’s amulet.
◆◆◆
Raiden turned right into another alley and glanced behind him. He hadn’t seen or heard any sign of his pursuers for the past ten minutes.
I think I lost them.
He stopped for a moment to catch his breath. Just then, he was hit by a strong, unfamiliar stench. He scrunched his eyebrows and covered his mouth with his arm.
What is that? he thought as he coughed.
A cloud of smoke poured down from
the other end of the alley. He was about to turn back, when he heard voices echo from behind.
“I think he went this way!”
I guess I’ll have to lose them in the smoke, Raiden thought uncomfortably. He ripped a strand of cloth from his shirt and tied it like a mask around his nose and mouth.
Here we go.
Raiden continued forward, then turned left into a dim, smoke-filled alley.
What’s causing all that smoke?
He proceeded cautiously. He walked into the smoke, so thick Raiden could hardly see his own hands. And then, coming from up ahead, he heard a sickly cough. There was an old man, wrinkled and crippled. His white hair was long, dirty, and disheveled. He sat against the wall, dressed in a long, black robe. Before him sat a pile of black and white coals, out from which blew an excessive amount of smoke. Upon the coals sat two large, perfectly smooth orbs. One white, one black. The man seemed to be in a state of trance, chanting strange, unsettling words, unrecognizable to Raiden.
“Excuse me, sir,” Raiden asked. “Do you need help?”
The man continued to chant, unable to hear him.
“Sir!” Raiden shouted. Finally, the man stopped. He looked up at Raiden. Raiden stepped back in fright as he looked into the man’s eyes. His pupils were half black, half white.
“Which path do you follow?” the man asked fatefully, as if testing Raiden. Raiden grew nervous.
“What do you mean?” Raiden asked cautiously. “Do you need help finding your way out of here?”
“No!” The man shouted, his voice low and raspy, “Which path do you follow!? White or black!? Day or night!? Light, or darkness!?”
“Alright, now I’m genuinely freaked out.”
The man looked down at his coals. He stuck his hands straight inside.
“No, don’t do that! Are you insane!?” Raiden shouted. The man lifted the two orbs from the coals. He paid no attention as the flesh on his hands sizzled red and black. He held the orbs out towards Raiden. They began to glow. Raiden wanted to run away, but he knew the guards were still searching for him back in the alley.
“You have not yet chosen. Your soul hangs in the balance. But the time approaches. Soon enough, you shall have to decide.”
The Chamber of Genesis Page 4
