"What blessing have you given to the girl, Kemira?" Goraga spoke to her younger sister. "She is now brighter even than the glorious moon!"
The other goddess giggled, causing my cheeks to burn hotly.
"I did nothing but to protect her delicate skin from reducing to dust and her body from crumbling to bones," Kemira replied.
"Some blessing, I must try some day, perhaps," Mondea said. "What kind of a goddess who wouldn't want to mark a warrior's heart for life?"
Kemira smiled but didn't say anything. They turned to me.
"I believe it's time you must return to your world. It is my year as the goddess of the zodiac to go to your realm, but I can only be around until the brink of war. Before you leave Amaravati, I would like you to have what you deserve for such a courageous warrior."
"What I deserve?" I frowned.
The goddess pointed to a far distance. I didn't see anything at first, but then I saw several enormous birds soaring through the vast field of the celestial gardens. Their feathers flickered like a rainbow.
They landed a few feet away, and one of the birds looked at me with intelligent eyes. I soon recognized it as the one I had saved from Issarak. The Mayura craned its flexible neck back under its wing. It nipped off a long sparkling tail with its beak.
Then the Phoenix stretched its neck forward, holding the tail to me.
I looked at the goddess in confusion.
"Go on, Nikita," she said. "The Mayura is offering you his gift."
"But...I didn't do anything," I said.
"My dear, winning over the heart is the greatest victory of all," Kemira said.
I bit my lower lip. After a moment, I decided to accept the gift. With my hands held out, the bird placed its beautiful sparkling tail on my open palms. It was light and stiff, resembling a peacock tail with the eye pattern, but it had so many different flicks of colors on each strand that it seemed to glitter like tiny diamonds.
"Thank you...er...good bird," I said. The Mayura then spread its large wings again and with a sharp squeak, it took off and joined its flock in the sky.
Clutching the tail in my hand, I felt the pride engulfing me for the first time. I had won it, my first prize.
"You must hurry now, or you might be late to present the tail," Kemira said then she took me away from the others. She gazed at me with her gold-flecked eyes. "The thing that happened between us shall remain in heaven; therefore, let no worries weaken you, young one."
"Yes, my lady," I said and felt the blush on my cheeks.
I was already nervous to go back home, to face Amarisa, the sweet source of happiness in my undeserving heart. The goddess just smiled as if she understood. She brushed my hair back before giving me a kiss on my forehead.
"You can take my celestial mount," she said. "Whenever you need a ride, you can summon it with an offering."
After she said that, I heard another piercing cry from the horizon. Then I saw a ball of light coming fast. I thought it was a meteor or a shooting star. The light flickered in red and purple flames. It turned out to be another gigantic bird. It landed behind the goddess. The bird's red flaming wings hissed and sizzled, flicking endlessly. I gaped in total awe.
"This is Mayuri, a female phoenix of fire," Kemira told me. "She will take you back to your realm in safety. Now, go and complete your quests."
"Thank you, my lady," I said bowed to her and everyone else.
Then I approached the dazzling ride. The blazing fiery bird hissed, and I recoiled. The bird was neighing out flames like one of Atith's sun horses, but the fire was a pleasant warmth.
"It is alright, she won't harm you," the goddess said in encouragement.
Glancing back at Kemira, I waved the tail at her. The beautiful Devi smiled back. I could almost hear the whisper of her musical voice speaking softly in my mind.
Take care, my sweet earthling.
It felt like a goodbye, and I didn't know why it made me sad.
I mounted the fire bird then flew off through the Gate of Heaven and down into the emptiness of the sky below us.
I didn't know how I could travel from one realm to the next in just a few blinks of an eye. A moment later, the sky felt familiar again. It was the same afternoon I had left. Below me, I could see the body of the stretching river. Further ahead was the green forest and land.
The firebird was faster than my Ashva. It seemed to have the ability to bend the distance. One moment, we were above the forest, the next we found ourselves at the edge of the Walled City.
Although everything was the same as the time I left, I felt like I had just woken up from a long deep sleep.
The last bit of the sun flared brightly behind the mountains. I passed over the encampment, but I saw no one waiting there at the Main Pavilions.
"They must be back at the palace," I said.
The phoenix already knew.
Once we flew passed the boundary stones that marked the palace grounds, I prepared for our landing. After we descended on the stone causeway of the main square, I heard the rushing sounds of royal guards. They came out from all sides.
"Senas! Take arms!" they cried to each other. "Prepare for the attack!"
"Wait! It's me!" I yelled out, putting my hands in the air.
When they saw me, their action halted. Their eyes never left the heavenly bird and me. I got off the phoenix. Everyone was so mesmerized by the giant flaming bird that they stood, frozen. Others quickly dropped to their knees and bowed.
"Bless the gods of Meru!" they said.
Kemira's mount burst into tiny bright sparks as it flew away before it disappeared.
"Show me the way to your King and Queens," I said to the men. The royal guards did as they were told.
The trumpets were sounded.
The moment I stepped through the threshold of the throne room, I heard a chorus of surprised gasps.
Then it was silent. The only sound in the room was the snapping and cracking of scented wood in the burning brazier.
I found my avatar friends sitting grimly at their places. The King and Queens were on their high thrones, looking back at me.
The Guru stopped half-way from shoving a big slice of a water lemon to his mouth.
Also in the hall were Issarak and his avatars. They looked at me in surprise. They seemed to be in the middle of presenting something. Then I saw the daughter of Vayu holding another tail of the sacred bird. The end seemed to be cut clean by a knife or an airblade. It appeared that she was the only one who could retrieve the required item.
As every pair of eyes turned towards me, the only face I wished to see was Amarisa's. She was sitting beside her birth mother, Queen Indradevi.
Her gaze found mine. The grim look on her face earlier quickly disappeared, replaced by a delightful smile.
I wanted so badly to run into her arms, I couldn't shake the guilty feeling that gnawing at my inside. The hall was in a tomb-like state before my friends called out to me in amazement.
"Nikita?" Tusita's voice said.
"I...er...I have the tail," I said.
My friends came to me, and they looked relieved to see me again. They walked me into the hall.
The King and Queens rose from their thrones with a look of shock. My mother was obviously relieved. Her eyes seemed to well up with tears.
"Where have you been?" Tepi said. "We looked and looked, but we could not find you anywhere. Then we found your Ashva coming to us in a state of panic and riderless. We were so worried and thought that some misfortune had befallen you."
"Yes, I was badly injured," I told them.
The murmurs erupted around the throne room. Issarak's face flushed. He seemed to avoid my eyes and stood like a stiff log.
"Are you alright now?" Atith asked. "What happened?"
"Just a little accident, don't worry, I'm fine," I said. "But I have the tail of the Mayura with me."
I pulled it out from my satchel for all to see.
My avatar friends burst into scream
ing joy and hugged each other.
"Nikita, you did it!" Atith yelled.
Issarak and his friends looked on in disdain.
The King and Queens seemed pleased to see that the one they had placed their hope upon hadn't failed them yet.
Sambo talked with the Hora, whispering and nodding something to each other.
"You look different," Vorac noticed, eyeing me up and down.
"And smell different, too, something nice and unearthly," Tusita agreed. "What did you do to your person, Nikita?"
"Now, now, stop asking and let her rest," Tepi said.
Then my eyes drifted over to Amarisa again, and our gazes entwined. She seemed equally proud and happy, and I wished everything was the way it used to be.
CHAPTER 40
I was congratulated not only by the avatars but also by the King himself. He held a feast for everyone since both sides of the children did well in the quest.
Of course, there were still two more tasks to go before we know who would get to lead the war. I didn't want to get my hope up yet.
"You almost look like me when I'm radiant," Vorac whispered to me again, not out of self-centeredness but out of fact. "It's like something inside you has been unleashed and is now seeping into your bones and flowing through your veins."
"Well," Atith chimed in. "Who is she, if not miraculous and radiant? Who is she, if not destined for greatness and fame?"
I flinched as the feeling of regret stirred around me like windblown ash, because I knew it wasn't that.
After the feast, I was summoned secretly to my mother in the quietest chamber of the palace. She showered me with hugs and kisses and told me how proud she was. She also told me how terribly sorry she felt for what I had gone through. I reassured her that I was fine, and she must not fear for me. I would make her proud and save her empire from all harms.
Then I told her everything I kept hidden from my friends. I narrated all that happened in fine details. She listened to my encounter with the Lord of Heaven, and how I had a glimpse with fresh eyes of the Age of Destruction.
"All horrible things will happen, mother, if I don't follow the path that has been chosen for me," I said.
"Oh, sweet child of mine, for once, I feel so ill-hearted," she said and held me tighter to her chest. Although I wasn't her daughter in this lifetime, I still could see how it had pained her deeply.
But there was nothing she could do. My mother was bound by her oath to the gods. Nothing could untangle this thread anymore. We sat in each other's arm and wept.
I went back to my chamber again. Indra's power had delayed the course of the sun and the moon, spinning a single night into the length of many. I was up in Amaravati for many days and nights, but here, everything was just as I left it.
When I entered my bedroom, Kesar was standing by my bed holding one of my shirts to her nose. She was in her bird form. Her golden wings lay unfolded over the floor. It seemed as if she did not wish to stay for long. I heard her sniff as her hand moved swiftly to her face to wipe away tears.
My heart ached in my chest.
I cleared my throat, and Kesar snapped her head to me. The winged-maiden grew pale with fear.
"My...my lady?" she stuttered. Her familiar voice was coated with tears. Kesar put down my clothe on the bed and spread her wings again. She was about to fly out of the room when I stopped her.
"No, Kesar, wait!" I said.
She stopped at my words, and I was glad she still listened even after all I had done to her. I knew I deserved nothing from the maiden, but I had hoped that she would forgive me. Kesar turned to me before she lifted her eyes to mine.
"Please don't go." I walked towards her.
"My lady...I'm sorry...I promise to never let you see me ever again," Kesar said and bowed in a genuine apology. "I was so terribly worried that I forgot my banishment. I heard so many rumors from the wild birds. They would not stop troubling my heart. My worries drove me shamelessly here. Please, forgive me."
It forced burning tears to my eyes. Remorse took over as I stared at my faithful friend.
"Kesar, look at me," I said.
She slowly raised her face. Her eyes flickered with surprise and also traces of forbidden longing. She was glad to see me, needless to say.
Then I pulled her into my arms. I held her so tightly I could feel the pounding in her chest.
"I'm so sorry for what I have done to you," I whispered as tears streamed down my cheeks. "I was foolish to treat you so unkindly. Please forgive me, Kesar."
"I never blame you, my lady,” Kesar whispered. “There is nothing to forgive.”
Relief washed over me again.
“Thank you, Kesar,” I said and pulled away.
“Are you and the princess alright?” she asked in concern as she stared at me. “Why do you look so sad?”
At the mention of Amarisa, my legs gave way. It was as if the weight of my guilt had caught up to me, and I soon found myself crumbling down. A great tightness gripped my chest. I dropped to my knees and cried.
"My lady!" Kesar put her arms around my shoulders. My maiden was shocked by my unexpected wave of emotions. She kept stroking my face with worried eyes.
"I have deceived her," I choked with tears. Kesar didn't understand, but she held me to her chest and wiped away my tears.
Until after I could compose myself again that I began to explain what happened. Kesar listened quietly and did not release me from her gentle embrace.
"I met Lady Kemira, a goddess and a daughter of the King of Gods," I said in a hollow tone. "She favored me, and I...I have lain with her in heaven."
This part, I did not tell anyone, not even my mother. Kesar didn't say anything. I could hear her breaths in my ears. She was thinking. I was trembling at the thought of her being disgusted by what I had done.
Then I heard her long drawn out sigh and looked up. The Kennari gazed back at me with steady eyes. I was waiting for her to leave me to my shame, but she remained there, unmoving.
"Please, don't hate me, Kesar. I don't know who else I could talk to," I said, laying my head against her chest.
"My lady," she spoke softly. "Despite what happened, I do not blame you for what you did, and neither do I have the right to pardon you. This must be the intention of the gods and you are not at fault."
"I knew you would understand me,” I said. “I know you're the only one who would accept me no matter what."
I went to hold her again. Kesar didn't want to see my grief and despair and would not stay away from me.
"Kesar, will you be my friend again?" I asked. The Kennari's loving face soon lit up with a smile.
"Each moment that I was not able to come near you was like a drop of my bleeding heart that wasted away. To be your friend is my greatest honor, my lady, as long as I could see your face every day."
I hugged her tighter in my arms.
We stayed like that for a long moment before we heard the groaning of my chamber doors.
"I think that must be the princess," Kesar told me. We quickly rose from the floor.
"Nikita?" Amarisa's voice called out. Kesar bowed at me as if to encourage me to go. I was hesitant, but she led me towards the door.
It wasn't because I didn't want to see Amarisa. It was because I was nervous to face her again. I hadn't had the time to compose myself when Amarisa came into the room.
I realized Kesar was gone. She must have left through the window.
"I had been praying in my heart all day for your safe return," Amarisa said then she threw her arms around me. "How are you, my love? I heard you were wounded."
"I am well. Don't worry yourself," I said, and she pulled away to look at me as if to look for any trace of injuries on my body.
"Oh, bless you!" she sighed in relief and hugged me again. "I could not rest if I didn't come to see that you are alright."
"I love you," I said and smoothed her hair. "Everything is fine."
~*~
The following
days were reserved for the preparation of the next quest. I wanted to spend my time with Amarisa as much as I could, but we hardly found our moments alone. The King and Queens were in the city. Amarisa was always chaperoned and brought along with them wherever they went.
My avatar friends also needed me to be briefed before the upcoming game. The only time I could be with my princess was during my art class at the Dance Hall and our private meeting at the Asoak Garden.
One morning in the garden, when the golden sun rose high above the palm trees, Amarisa and I laid on the soft grass together by the water. We watched wild birds hurling worms into their nests. All around us were sweet-scented flowerbeds. Amarisa rested beside me as I got my arms around her. I could feel her soft breath against the base of my neck. Then she rose and moved over to look right into my eyes.
"You seem different," she said, running her fingertips over my temple and down my jawline.
"Different how?" I said. Amarisa stroked my shoulders as though she was smoothing over fine silk.
"Your eyelids are colored like dawn sky." I closed my eyes as she leaned over and planted a kiss on each of them. Then she traced a finger over my nose and down to my mouth. "Your lips, soft as clouds, and I can't tell you how tempting they are to me."
"Then just kiss them," I said.
Amarisa giggled. Her stomach quivered. She leaned in and I felt her lips on mine, but she pulled away again, leaving me cold and yearning. I opened my eyes to see to marvel at her face.
"You always looked lovely then and radiant still, but now it is like bright sunlight broke and poured over your skin," she said. "I've always noticed how your hair would catch the wind and fly like buoyant wheat. I don't think I have ever told you how that had startled me and captivated me the first time I saw you."
I smiled at Amarisa.
"So you already fell in love with me back then?" I asked. “How fast!”
She slapped me arm with a look.
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