“Prudence and I left the group. We didn’t really know what to do at that point. We felt helpless. We wanted change but had no idea how to achieve it. We were not going to begin a violent revolt, it’s not who we are. We are simple people who just wanted a new beginning. Something that felt real. That’s when we met Steven.
“He was disguised as a beggar on the street, trying to start conversations with people as they passed by, but he was mostly ignored. Even we ignored him, assuming he was daft, until he made a simple statement. It was like a hammer hitting a bell. I could have dismissed it as the incoherent ramblings of a vagrant; as I had before, as so many that day already had. I guess, in retrospect, I was looking for Steven as much as he was looking for me.
“You’re not a slave to this. That’s all he said. I stopped and began to speak with him and well… I guess it doesn’t sound that amazing when you hear it aloud, but… it felt important.”
“You didn’t think that his story of living on a mountain with bears was crazy?” asked Evercloud surprised.
Prudence giggled. “Steven didn’t tell us about the bears. That was a bit of a shock.”
“The thing that really made me want to follow Steven,” continued Dean, “was that he was able to answer a question that had been gnawing at my insides for some time. Why were there so many people in Nefas, like Prudence and myself, who were trying to recapture something from a past age? What was our obsession with the past? As I said before, an obsession is an obsession. Ours was just different. Steven answered the question simply: You don’t want to go back. You want to get away; you want to escape. Immersing yourself in the ways of the past is just a means to that escape. What you ought to do, instead of fading away, is to rise. Isn’t it far bolder, far more intelligent, far more beautiful?
“That was it… And now we find ourselves here, a part of a beginning. Not fading away, but rising above.” Dean laughed at himself as he looked down at his plate. “I’ve rambled so long I haven’t touched my food.”
“I’m glad to hear what you had to say,” said Evercloud, clapping Dean on the back.
Dean nodded. “Well, I’d better take this food with me. Prudence and I wanted to see Steven before he leaves. You will visit him, won’t you?”
“I promise,” said Evercloud.
Dean and Prudence smiled sincerely at both Evercloud and Iolana, and then, took leave from the table and the dining hall.
“They seem nice,” observed Iolana. “How many do you think there are?”
“How many what?”
“How many people, like the two of them, in Ephanlarea. People looking for something more; people looking for a new beginning.”
“One hundred, one hundred-thousand. I really have no idea.”
Moments of silence passed between Evercloud and Iolana as they pondered Dean and Prudence. It had been a long time since they had finished eating, but there seemed to be something they had yet to share with each other.
“So,” they both said simultaneously. They each smiled, embarrassed at their coincidence.
“Go ahead,” said Evercloud.
“I was going to ask if you’ve had any recurrence of the dream you had that morning in the forest?”
“Actually, I have,” said Evercloud. “It’s still very vague, but I can tell that I’m tied to a tree and the person who has left me there is running away from me. I think the dream is just a memory from my childhood. I’m not too concerned with it.”
“Evercloud,” said Iolana in a more serious tone, “this is no trivial dream.”
“What do you mean?”
“It may be very important to figure out who left you in the forest when you were a small child.”
“Why, so I can go spit upon their shoes? It doesn’t matter. I’ve had the best family anyone could ask for. So some random person did a terrible thing years ago. I’m far past it, Iolana. In fact, I’d rather never find out who left me in the forest.”
“But I don’t think that it was a random act. I think you were left in the forest by someone who knew, full well, you would be found by the bears. I can’t explain why I feel that way, but I do, and have, ever since the first time I heard your story.”
“Iolana, there’s no way. Even the Floyds didn’t know of talking bears. Who would have done it? I mean, how could anyone have known?”
“I don’t know, Evercloud, I just have a feeling. Just promise me, if the dream continues, you’ll try to remember as much of it as you can.”
“All right,” said Evercloud. “I’ll try. I think you may be disappointed though.”
“Your life, to this point, has been extraordinary, Evercloud. Your beginning may have more purpose than you think.” Evercloud shrugged and Iolana stood from the table. “I’m going to see Autumnbreeze,” said Iolana. “I want to find out all she knows about these dreams she has had. Maybe I can find something useful to us.”
“Oh, okay. So, I’ll see you later?” asked Evercloud awkwardly.
“Of course,” said Iolana, confused at the question. She looked at Evercloud inquisitively and he seemed unsettled under her gaze.
“Uh, okay then.” Evercloud jumped from his seat at the table and made his way out of the dining hall as Iolana stared at him, wondering why he seemed so awkward.
Hmm, Iolana thought to herself. There was something Evercloud was not saying to her, but she could not figure out what it was. Maybe he knows more about his dream than he is letting on.
•••
High in the castle, Evercloud approached the door to the room where Steven Everheart was staying. It swung wide, before Evercloud reached it, and Dean and Prudence exited, looking solemn, though Dean managed a grateful smile as he passed Evercloud. Evercloud knocked on the already open wooden door and Steven turned from the table he had been standing by, packing things for his trip to Chreos. He said nothing of Evercloud’s presence, but seemed slightly stunned by it.
“I’m sorry,” said Evercloud after an awkward silence. “I have not been fair to you since my arrival.”
“That’s not necessary, Evercloud,” said Steven dismissively. “We were both abrasive, and I’ve moved past it. I’m glad to see that you have too. We have much we can aide each other with, if we can move past our differences.”
Evercloud nodded. “I heard that you are leaving. I wanted to see you before you had gone, to talk to you…to thank you.”
“Thank me?”
“For helping my father with his escape.”
Steven looked down at the knife he held in his hand and slowly packed it away into a backpack that sat on the table. “Your father woke me up, Evercloud. I owe everything that I am to that bear. He gave me something I needed greatly.”
“Freedom?”
“No. Hope… Please, sit down.” Steven extended his arm toward a chair next to the table where he continued to pack away his things. Evercloud took the seat as Steven continued to talk. “I used to look at the animals in their cages and think to myself, what side of those bars am I really on? Your father reminded me that I was still in control of my destiny; that I didn’t have to be a slave. I had freedom of choice, and though my actions had consequences, they were still my actions. It was I that controlled my fate, no one else. I felt that was a message that needed to be brought to the rest of the world. I had seen a lot of people while with the zoo, and there are many people in Ephanlarea living as slaves, even if the slavery is only self-imposed. Bears have left this kingdom to travel to other animal kingdoms and spread word of what is happening. I need to bring the message to the kingdoms of man.”
“So now you head to Chreos?”
“Yes. There is real slavery happening in that kingdom. The sooner I can get there, the better. It could be very important to get to those people before their king breaks their spirit.”
“I wish there were more I could do to help. Something I could give you, something…”
“You’ve already given me something, Evercloud: the simple idea that you and
your group are fighting for a better world. I can use that as a real example of hope. Sometimes, people just need to know that they’re not alone. All I can do is prove to someone that there is hope. The rest is up to them.”
“How much do you know about my story?”
“Everything… but don’t worry. I’m well aware of which parts need to be kept secret. Don’t forget that I’ve lived most of my life as a slave. I understand the value of discretion. Here, look at this.”
Steven Everheart reached his hand to his collar and pulled back his shirt, where it was loosely laced, to reveal a grouping of black shapes, high upon his chest.
“What is that?”
“A tattoo.”
“What does it mean?”
“It is my interpretation of the Everflame. I’ve had it tattooed on my chest because of its importance to me. Its symbolism; its meaning; it’s a mark I’ve made upon myself to remind me that I live by the philosophy of that flame, and I will die by it as well.”
Evercloud nodded. “We are all lucky to have met you, Steven Everheart.”
“I am ready to leave. Walk with me to the bottom of the mountain.”
Evercloud nodded and the two men exited the room.
Chapter 10: Blackout
“How long, Densa?”
“Your questions get you nowhere, Tenturo. You’d do better to leave me alone.”
The two ancient beings sat with each other, locked in a battle of wills in which neither would concede any ground. The Farsiders had retreated into the depths of the palace, tired of the lack of excitement being provided by their master and his uninvited guest. Densa stared out his palace window doing everything he could to ignore Tenturo’s incessant prodding.
“How long do I have to play this game with you before you realize that I am right?”
“I am not a child, Tenturo. You act as if I must simply be shown the way and everything will again be right with the world. You act as though I have never tried.”
“Try again.”
“No.”
Tenturo stood and stalked across the room, stretching his legs, his talons clicking against the polished floor. He shook his body as if evading a chill. “I never realized that you allowed her to scar you so deeply.”
“DON’T!” barked Densa. Tenturo opened his beak to continue talking but Densa didn’t give him the chance, shooting up from his dusty perch. “Don’t, Tenturo. Speak her name and I will unleash these dark creatures upon you with a lack of conscience you will find most shocking.”
Tenturo furrowed his brow, measuring his next words. Densa’s eyes were red and his fists were clenched. Tenturo could see how close he was to pushing Densa too far.
“There were consequences to becoming human, Densa. You never considered that.”
“I am not fully human, Tenturo. I never allowed that… Yes, I admit it. It was a mistake. I’ve polluted myself with human weakness, I am well aware.”
“It is not a weakness just because you have not reconciled yourself with your humanity.”
“What would you suggest I call it, Tenturo? I have never seen you jump at the chance to become human. We went too far with our creations… too far.”
“So what is it then? I tire of this, Densa. Will you sulk for the remainder of time? Will you find ways to justify your apathy forever?”
“You mistake my purpose.”
“Well, then… speak it.”
“I will have my vengeance, Tenturo. I promise you.”
“How?”
“I do not know yet.”
“You have no plan, yet you continue to reject mine?”
Densa scoffed and waived his arm dismissively at Tenturo. “You have a fool’s plan. Give that boy all of our powers? Haven’t we created enough monsters?”
“If we guide him–”
“Then what, Tenturo? We destroy the Tyrant? Restore harmony to the Earth? Erase all of our mistakes? For what? What do you want? What do you hope to achieve?”
“This isn’t about me, Densa.”
“Don’t lie to me. Even the great Tenturo is not selfless.”
“Enough of this bickering!” Tenturo raised himself up and roared at Densa. He whipped his tail around and knocked his ancient brother to the floor. “We do not have time for this! Your selfish darkness risks the lives of everyone you know… even those you love.”
Tenturo’s display of anger brought the Farsiders back out of their depths. Before either of the Ancients had known it, they found themselves surrounded by the snarling and gurgling of primal things.
“You would do well to control your anger, Tenturo.”
As Tenturo looked around, a deep, red hue bled into the texture of the palace walls, rendering the grotesque silhouettes of the Farsiders around him.
“Did you turn on the mechanism?” asked Tenturo.
“No,” said Densa flatly.
Burning, electric light crackled through the palace chamber and struck Tenturo on his side, sending him crashing into the wall. The Farsiders howled and ran for the stairs to escape the hot electricity swirling through the room. Densa pulled himself to his feet and drew his sword, just as the giant form of the Great Tyrant appeared in the main chamber. The malicious creature cackled at Densa.
“You thought you could hide?”
“I’ll kill you,” said Densa through gritted teeth.
“That sword may have stopped one of my old tricks, but I have gained much power since the old days. It is time you learn to respect it.”
The Tyrant shot a beam of blue light at Densa and it threw him back against his throne, knocking his sword to the ground. Densa’s head swam and the Tyrant’s laughter echoed throughout the chamber. Densa rolled off of his throne, onto the floor, and the Tyrant plucked him up, holding him high.
“You think your precious Earth is the only power-giving force there is?” questioned the Tyrant as his electric fingers held Densa suspended above the floor by his throat. Densa struggled, writhing and kicking, but could not break himself loose. The Tyrant sneered, “there are others, Father; others who give great power. Before all is done, I will have taken from them all.”
The Tyrant suddenly jolted, and dropped Densa to the floor. Densa rolled behind his throne, grabbed his sword, and spun out into the open to see Tenturo, back on his feet, ready again to pounce on the Great Tyrant. The Tyrant rose from the ground, humming and droning.
“They sang to me as they and their planet died,” uttered the Tyrant. “You shall watch that happen to the Earth and its creatures, Densa. You however, Tenturo, you must DIE!”
The Tyrant’s limbs swelled with energy, both pink and orange. It made the room so hot it was almost unbearable to Densa. Tenturo rose upon his hind legs and roared, shooting a beam of green light at the Tyrant as he continued to swell with energy. Densa pointed his sword at the Tyrant and unleashed his own beam of green light, but it was of no use. The Tyrant grew and brought his limbs close to his body until he seemed to be one massive orb of energy, and then with a flash, all of the energy burst forth and struck Tenturo in his chest. The impact sent the griffin crashing through the palace wall, onto the dark surface of the moon. The Tyrant leapt through the hole after Tenturo and Densa followed quickly behind.
As Densa made his way through the broken wall, he saw the Tyrant swelling with energy again, but this time, he was a deep red, like the color of molten steel.
“Densa!” called Tenturo. “Run! Get to earth! Leave me!”
Densa did not know what to do. The Tyrant was again poised to strike Tenturo, and this time, it seemed that the blow could be fatal. Densa could see the panic in Tenturo’s eyes. Densa roared and sent beam after beam of light from his sword, raining onto the Tyrant, but again, his attempt was futile. Tenturo looked at Densa one last time and mouthed in terror, I’m sorry.
The Tyrant exploded with fire, like a terrible volcano. His fire hit Tenturo, engulfing him in flame and sending him careening off the surface of the moon and into the recesses of
space. Densa dropped to his knees, shocked and defeated.
My…brother…
Where Tenturo had stood, laid five large feathers, charred and lifeless. Densa watched, with his jaw agape, as Tenturo’s form became smaller and smaller as it drifted away into the void, resembling nothing more than a burning coal.
The Tyrant’s form was now black, having expelled all of his energy. It would have been impossible for Densa to know his location, were it not for the humming, clicking, cackle resonating low in the Tyrant’s chest. A light glow began to emanate from the Tyrant and then, slowly, he turned to face Densa. The Tyrant’s laugh heightened and his electric glow intensified. He would soon have his strength back and Densa knew he had but one chance to end him. Densa leapt to his feet, with a burning in his gut. He bellowed with anguish, his ivory sword shaking in his hands.
“You can’t win,” said the Tyrant plainly.
Densa’s eyes burned red and he hurled his sword with all of his might, across the surface of the moon, at the Tyrant. The Tyrant threw his head back with laughter, giving little notice to Densa’s attack. With one small thud, the Tyrant stopped laughing and looked down at the sword that had embedded itself in his torso. A brief moment of shock glimmered across his face, before being replaced by an evil smirk. Densa watched with a hollow feeling as the Tyrant slowly removed the sword from his chest, and holding it in both hands, snapped the weapon like the dead branch of a tree. The sword shattered and slowly fell to the dusty surface of the moon.
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