by Dreagen
Rex himself had been surprised to realize just how much he had learned in KaNar without the use of any formal type of schooling. He recalled his discussion with DiNiya, where he had explained the purpose and methods of such a system and her stark and aversive reaction to it. The memory brought a smile to his face, for he found the whole concept just as strange now as she. Strange how quickly I’ve seemed to adapt to life here, he thought. Earth had become something of a distant memory now, a dream he once had, but now it was fading into the recesses of his mind, surprising himself but also liberating him in the process. As best he could remember, he had never truly fit it, whether it was his appearance or simply the way he perceived things around him. He was always at odds with others and never found a common denominator where he could be on equal footing with anyone.
Here, however, in EeNara, he strolled through the streets where everyone waved hello to him, and he back. His red eyes still made him something of an oddity, but in time people began to overlook it. Indeed, he was now beginning to feel at home. Not just in this tribe, but this world. Me, a SaVarian of the planet EeNara, he thought happily to himself. Who would have guessed all that time on Earth that I was actually an alien? he laughed to himself before a voice cut into his thoughts, prompting him to look to his right.
“Rex, are you paying attention?” EeNox asked.
“Oh, yeah, sorry,” Rex replied, refocusing his attention back on what he was doing.
The six teenagers were all in the shop helping BaRone fix up some last-minute decorations. The entire village had been preparing for the harvest festival for the past cycle, decorating the streets of KaNar with festive symbols that represented the tribe. Rex had learned that all unified tribes across the world celebrated the harvest festival like a global holiday. It had been explained that it would be three days and nights of fun and merriment, also marking the halfway point until the next breeding season.
Tying two long colorful strings made of plant fiber together that would be hung from posts in the streets, he asked, “So, I’m still not really understanding this whole breeding season thing. Why is it so important, exactly?”
“Why, it’s the mark of the next breeding cycle, of course,” EeNox said.
“Oh, of course, how silly of me for asking.”
“Apologies, Rex,” BaRone said, coming downstairs. “In light of all that’s happened, we sometimes forget that your time here amongst us has been so brief.”
“That just means you’ve quickly made yourself at home here,” said DiNiya happily. “To be honest, I can’t picture life here without you anymore.”
Rex smiled at the thought that he was considered just as much a part of KaNar as any of them.
“Basically, it marks the start of when all females of EeNara become fertile,” BaRone explained.
“You mean they can’t get pregnant at any other time?” Rex asked with a look of shock.
“That’s correct. They can only become so every twenty years.”
“Why?”
“Population control. You see, we know from historical records that the ancestors of all creatures in this world had significantly shorter life spans before they evolved to harness the power of flame.”
“Exactly how long can a SaVarian live?”
“About five hundred and fifty years, give or take.”
“Wow, that long?” Rex asked in disbelief. “So I would have outlived everyone I knew back on Earth?”
“Yes, but by probably half,” BaRone said. “Because you are a SaVarian, you would have lived longer than the average human, but because your flame was also subdued, your life would have been shortened compared to what it will be now that you’ve managed to reignite it.”
“You see, a person’s flame aids in the body’s repair of general wear and tear, thus allowing for it to age at a slower pace and ultimately last longer,” ShinGaru added.
“That’s right,” agreed BaRone. “Because of that, though, the rate in which all such species reproduced needed to slow so as to not become overpopulated. Too much of any one species puts a serious strain on the environment and usually results in their extinction.”
“I see,” said Rex. “And so to keep the populations in check, the majority of the animal species evolved so the females could only get pregnant every twenty years to limit the amount of offspring being born.”
“Exactly. Well done, my boy, you have a mind for science. A good thing to have if you wish to travel far and wide.”
Rex regarded DiNiya as he began to understand the true depth of tragedy her situation brought. Without her flame, she would at best live to be maybe three hundred years old, which would have once seemed like an eternity, but after having learned that their kind could live nearly twice as long, she now seemed further away from them than ever before.
“It’s no wonder KyGahl has taken such a liking to you,” DiNiya said. “You should really see about possibly entering into an apprenticeship with him.”
“Do you really think he would agree to that?” Rex asked with a hopeful look, trying not to show the pity he now felt for her.
“I can’t say for certain, but you stand as good a chance as any. Probably even more so.”
“Me, a paleontologist,” he said to himself as he began to imagine joining KyGahl on grand adventures of discovery across the world. “I think I would really like that.”
“I’ll tell you what,” said BaRone. “I’ll discuss it with him later this evening. I’m helping him set up an exhibit in the tavern for the festival. One of his latest finds, he tells me. It should be a real treat based on what I’ve seen of it so far.”
“Would you really do that for me?” Rex asked.
“But of course! You’re family, after all.”
His words brought with them a feeling Rex was not expecting. Warm was the sensation that filled his chest, and it made him feel happy that he was loved and accepted; however, he was surprised to also be stricken with a strange sense of guilt, the source of which was still very much a mystery. He decided to pay little to no mind to it, but when the sharp pain that used to rise from the back of his head after almost two cycles of never flaring up struck without warning, he began to worry. Was this his subconscious mind’s way of telling him something? Indeed, he was still no closer to getting answers about how he came to this world than he was on his first day. Even the visions of EliCia and the monstrous beast had not come about for some time, prompting him to begin to wonder if they had only been the reaction to severe psychological trauma. He could already begin to feel the start of what he knew was his anxiety, when, mercifully, he was distracted by something he had not expected to hear.
“When the breeding season starts, it’ll mean Release Houses will be in full swing as well,” EeNox said with a mischievous grin.
“What’s a Release House?” Rex asked curiously, his anxiety already slipping away.
“Nothing you need to be concerned with,” LyCora declared definitively, speaking up for the first time in a while.
“Is that right?” he replied, eyeing her skeptically.
“I’ll explain it to you later,” EeNox said with a wink.
Rex gave him an awkward look before turning to DiNiya in the hopes of clarification, only to see her purposely avoiding any and all eye contact with him. Strange, Rex thought. She usually never passes up an opportunity to teach me something about this world. Deciding it would be a better strategy to wait and allow for EeNox to explain it to him in private, he dropped the issue altogether and refocused all his attention on finishing the decorations.
The next day brought with it the official first day of the Harvest Festival. The dock in front of the tavern, which was normally a place of commerce, was now teaming with booths and huts playing host to games and musical performances. Rex, DiNiya, EeNox, AnaSaya, LyCora, and ShinGaru walked through the thick crowd, taking in all the excitement. Not far behind them, BaRone, VyKia, TarFor, and VoRenna followed, talking amongst themselves.
Ta
rFor, while still moving with a slight limp, had otherwise made a full recovery. AnaSaya had to beg him on multiple occasions to remain in bed when he insisted he was feeling back to normal, only to have VyKia mercifully render him unconscious by putting him in what Rex had called a “sleeper hold” the one time he had been passing by the room and witnessed her bedside manner. At last, though, the young healer gave him the all clear but warned that he was not to overexert himself, or he would find himself right back in bed. With a watchful eye from everyone, TarFor had managed to avoid any further injury and was back to his usual jovial self.
“Just wait until I see VayRonx tonight,” he said in a booming voice. “I’ll wrestle that TarBoranx to the ground for letting me rot in that bed for so long!”
“By all means, dear brother,” his sister said. “Getting eaten would most definitely lessen the horror of what happened to you in the forest.”
The others laughed while TarFor just scoffed. Up ahead, the six teens were quarrelling over what they should do first.
“I think we should start off with some games,” declared EeNox.
“Ooh, that sounds like fun,” AnaSaya exclaimed excitedly. “What kinds are there?”
“Lots. Let’s see, there is—”
“If memory serves, we said we would go and look at KyGahl’s exhibit in the tavern first,” ShinGaru interjected. “I believe you were especially looking forward to that, Rex?”
“I was. I mean, I still am, but I didn’t expect there to be…”
“So much to see,” DiNiya said with a smile as she stepped beside him.
“Yes,” he replied with a nod as he scanned the scene around him. Everywhere he looked, people were laughing and dancing. One would hardly think that this was a community still recovering from a terrible tragedy. Then again, he had observed on more than one occasion that celebrations were a people’s way of healing and reminding themselves that with the bad in life came the good as well. Wow! When did I become an optimist?
They made their way towards the tavern when Rex heard a familiar voice call out to him. “You there, with the dazzling red eyes! Care to try your hand in a game of skill?”
Turning, he saw it was coming from an old StyNovora standing behind a wooden stand in front of an even larger booth, with what looked like a series of candles behind him. Rex cocked his head as he studied the sight, unsure of what to make of any of it, before realizing he in fact recognized the elderly DyVorian.
“TolNy!” DiNiya exclaimed happily.
“Come now, don’t be shy,” the StyNovora pressed, giving her a wink in response while focusing on Rex. “Light all seven candles and win a beautiful moon orchid for your lovely companion here.”
Rex looked over at DiNiya, who gave him a bashful smile in return. “You don’t have to, you know,” she said. “I know you’re still not completely comfortable with your sense of control.”
“I agree,” offered LyCora from behind them.
Rex looked back and gave her a disapproving look before turning back to the booth. “I can handle it.” He strode over to the counter and eyed the setup more closely. “So what do I need to do exactly?”
“It’s simple. Light these seven candles atop this unique-looking contraption,” he explained, motioning to the device forged in iron and powered by what looked like a strange fig tree with long spindly limbs. “By linking with its roots below, I will make the candles rotate in random orbits. All you have to do is manage to light each in under a minute and you win one of these beautiful orchids, which are only in bloom this time of year.”
Rex eyed the contraption carefully, scanning every centimeter in meticulous detail. It was then he noticed something or rather someone sitting beneath it, at the base of the tree. He leaned forward, peering down, and was surprised to see a small head no larger than his rise up from between two of the larger roots to look him in the eye.
“Can I help you?” said a very young StyNovora.
Rearing back slightly and cocking his head, Rex replied, “Just curious as to how it works, is all. I’m not breaking any rules by taking a closer look, am I?”
“Not at all!” said the little DyVorian with excitement.
“Allow me to introduce to you my grandson, NiroTy,” TolNy said, swiveling his head over to them.
“A pleasure,” NiroTy said, bowing his head. “So you must be Rex.”
“Oh, I must be, huh?” Rex responded, sounding both amused and slightly cautious that his reputation was already preceding him.
“Yes. My grandfather told me there were now two SaVarians with a red flame here in KaNar.”
“Did he now?”
“You’re becoming something of a local celebrity, Rex,” EeNox said.
“Great,” Rex replied sarcastically.
“NiroTy, where are you from?” DiNiya suddenly asked.
NiroTy whipped his head around and said, “The Northern Capital. I’m up here visiting for the harvest season. My parents are originally from here but moved south because of their work.”
“My daughter is a paleontologist who specializes in marine life,” explained TolNy. “The science guild transferred her to the capital twelve years ago when she applied for a position. Since then she and her mate, plus this little one,” he said, eyeing his grandson affectionately, who in turn seemed to beam with pride, “have been kind enough to come keep me company from time to time throughout the year.”
“So you’re here with your parents?” DiNiya asked, turning back to NiroTy.
“Not this time,” NiroTy replied, shaking his head. “My parents had to stay behind because of work, so they sent me up with a group of KaNar merchants.”
“They sent you alone?” Rex asked, sounding more than a little surprised.
“Not alone, with merchants,” the little one replied as if Rex had not heard him properly.
“People are really trusting here it would seem.”
“Everyone looks out for each other,” explained TolNy. “Unity brings strength and a degree of security not found when one is alone.”
“Did you really not know that?” his grandson asked inquiringly as he reared up, putting his shorter front limbs on the counter to bring his face closer to Rex. “Where are you from exactly? My grandfather never said.”
“California,” Rex replied dryly.
“Hmm. Is that on the Western Continent?”
“It is somewhere,” Rex replied with a bemused look.
“Come now, NiroTy,” the older StyNovora said. “Rex hasn’t the time for an inquisition. Not when the praise of a young beauty is at stake.” DiNiya began to turn as red as her eyes while Rex just rolled his. “So what do you say, boy? Care to put your skill to the test?”
“Sure,” replied Rex. “Why not?”
“Excellent! NiroTy, take your position.”
“On it,” his grandson replied, dropping back down below the counter and taking his place beneath the elaborate contraption, down with the roots where he immediately linked up with the tree. “Okay, I’m ready down here!”
“All right then, Rex. Just give the word.” Rex gave a quick nod as he focused his flame into his hands. “Hit it!”
The candles began to rotate in random circles over a seven-meter spread, slowly picking up speed as they went. Taking a deep breath, Rex allowed his flame to flow up and down through his arms like a stream before jabbing a fist forward, launching a small fireball that instantly struck one of the candles nearest him, successfully lighting it.
“Well done,” TolNy said. “Six more to go.”
“Nice shot, Rex,” EeNox echoed. “Keep it up!”
“Try minimizing the amount of power you’re using, though,” LyCora instructed before giving him a more pressing look as if to say, Remember what we talked about?
With a quick nod, Rex returned his attention in front of him, and this time fired off a blast only half the size, scoring a second hit. Everyone cheered and Rex felt his confidence spike. Tracking the candles’ movements w
ith his eyes, he began to feel as if he was moving with them. Taking aim, a third time, he fired directly at two candles as they lined up with each other, lighting them both, before taking another shot which lit the one in front of him but missed the one behind. Feeling a ping of frustration, he noticed the candles were now moving faster.
“I wouldn’t hesitate too long,” TolNy said. “Time is running out, and the longer you wait, the faster the candles move.”
“Go on, Rex, you can do it,” EeNox encouraged.
“Yes! Yes!” AnaSaya said, holding up two clenched fists with a look of excitement.
“It’s okay, Rex,” DiNiya said. “It’s really not a big deal. I don’t care if you light them all or not. Just try to have fun.”
Rex looked crestfallen at the sound of her words; the red glow of his flame around his hands faded.
“A little encouragement would go a long way, dear sister,” EeNox whispered through clenched teeth as he leaned in close to her.
“I just don’t want him stressing himself out over me,” she replied in the same hushed tone.
“So you cut his legs out from underneath him?”
“Something tells me it’s not his legs he feels she’s cutting off,” LyCora added, leaning over to ShinGaru, who suppressed a laugh by covering his mouth.
“I can hear every word you’re saying,” Rex called over.
“They just started moving quicker,” AnaSaya exclaimed, pointing to the candles.
Rex gave DiNiya an inquiring look, who in turn gave a nod of her head and said, “Light them up.”
Rex gave a silent nod before turning back to the moving targets. With an outstretched hand, he began firing off small blasts in rapid succession, when suddenly one missed its target and struck the tarp behind, catching it on fire. Everyone jumped back as the intense heat could be felt almost as if singing the very top layer of skin. Within seconds, the entire booth caught fire.
