by B L Barkey
They resurfaced near the bank. The fish carried him onto the pebbles, pushing him further on. Thought returned as he gasped for air.
He flailed towards the shore as his body convulsed. Soon his hands were brushing rocks. He attempted to stand, but balance had seeped from his legs. His teeth chattered, biting deep into his blue lips. He could taste iron as blood filled his mouth, and he cursed. He found his thighs, then placed them beneath his hips while moving forward one awkward step at a time. He could feel nothing through his feet, so instead he lowered his feet until he heard a distance impact. It was a disturbing notion to lack feeling in his own body, as if it was never his own to begin with. More like a vessel borrowed, he thought with a shiver.
Upon climbing Cloud Mountain, he had hoped for two things to happen. The first was to have another interaction with the fish. He had more than succeeded in this endeavor, learning also that they have an intelligent, protective nature.
Second, he had hoped to see a great light. He found a book a month ago that spoke of this light. It was a subtle passage, and quite improbable. Too magical. Given this, he had received a feeling after reading it that had proved impossible to ignore. He had known right away that, if he could at least catch a glimpse of this light, perhaps the power he had seen eight years ago, the power of the Guardians which moved mountains, was real after all. Yet in the end, he had not seen a light in the depths of Mirror Lake.
The fish had saved him. But why flatter myself? Maybe they were protecting something else... He laughed then and shook his head. Overall, the dive had still been worth it. He felt elated. Lifted. Bright.
He laid out in the grass, allowing the last remnants of Sun to warm his limbs. He stared up at the sky, then closed his eyes, focusing on his other senses. He smelled the woodland scents, along with mixed fragrances of mud and clean air. He could hear where the water left the lake, trickling into a stream alongside the pass, which then traversed to the mountain base and created a spring.
He crossed his legs and placed his hands behind his head, enjoying the moment. As he thought of Cephas, his wonderful and secluded island, his thoughts began to drift back in time to when he had first found his dream. It was a scene that he would often revisit, one that had imprinted unforgettable images into his mind. The detail was fine as silt, as if it had happened yesterday.
That’s when he fell asleep. And that’s when he had another dream, all too similar to the ones he’d been having for months now.
II
Ammon floated in his dreams. At first he saw only random scenes of his past. Memories and stories. And then it shifted, becoming something different. Something darker. This had happened to him before. And just like last time, he seemed to slip into the body of another, viewing all things from a different perspective.
Suddenly, he knew the dragon had awoken. The serpent, the devil. He had many names. As His twelve chosen ones surrounded Him, they thought with one mind, Our master looks more like a black hole than a star.
Jinn Morningstar, they sang to him, praising his former glory though their voices were raspy and worn. They had no power here. Not in the Outer Darkness. Jinn, the Grand Wielder of Darkness, was the sole being to hold power in this vast kingdom. Countless titans lingered in this infinite region just outside the light, feeding off chaos.
Yet in the mortal world, they had strength. While possessing physical bodies, at least. And they had recently acquired many such bodies, along with one of the Creation Stones. The Second of the Seven. The Stone of Voids.
Who is ‘we’? Ammon thought. Who am I?
“It is complete,” Jinn spoke. “They are born into my power.”
“Perhaps we can convert them?” Ammon said, though it wasn’t his voice he heard. It came from the body he was in. It was the body of a woman.
“Oh yes, surely we will. Perhaps all of them,” said Jinn. “But I would not count on it. Though Torin is often naive, it is foolish to underestimate him. His folly often comes to fruition. Though I can never fathom how. Torin…” he hissed.
Just then, Ammon stepped forward into the circle. He was possessing a lady with supple breasts and elegant form. He saw the dark figure who was Jinn, though something much more massive and terrifying seemed to be looming behind his silhouette.
The woman Ammon possessed was special. She was the one who had located and destroyed the first Litiguh in a long, long time. He knew this, as he could see her recent memories as his own.
“Welcome, beautiful one,” Jinn called to her.
She stepped forward and bowed in her new form. The form of one who now held the Creation Stone of Voids. She had found it suspended in a place far too quiet, and far away from where they had chased the Litiguh. Even now, the Stone fought back with a certain tenacity that would require erosion.
The Stone had bonded with its previous wielder, solidifying its own core with the side of light. This will have to be mended, she thought. At that same moment, she felt her mind connect to the other eleven. We will mend this.
No thought was safe within the kingdom of Morning it seemed, for Ammon heard them all. Except the ones from Morning himself. But does that mean they can hear my thoughts too? He tried to look around, but couldn’t gain control of the body he was in. He was along for the ride. This in itself seemed to confirm that his thoughts were concealed. He hoped it was true.
Before taking the Stone, she had sat back from the distant chaos, keeping her superior understanding of voids to herself. Ammon could see it all as if it were his own memory. The Stone will be mine, she had thought. Then she had watched as her pitiful brothers and sisters were decimated in the vortex created by the former Litiguh known as Gwendolyn.
Her entire being had been shaken at the Litiguh’s power, though not so much as to miss the gleam of the Creation Stone as it was launched far from the bubble of voids. She then followed its trajectory, wanting both to flee from the powerful light creature, and worship it as a worthy wielder.
She had wondered what the Litiguh would be like as a lover, if they both maintained their loyalties to opposing sides. Yet she deserves her gruesome death, as do those other foolish dark ones. Be they related to me or not… Related to usss… The unified thoughts hissed as one.
Though her thoughts were barely her own, she did not give her body away. She would give it to all of them, of course, should Morning command it, lest he rip it to shreds. But for now it was hers. As it should be, for I stole it myself.
Her body was plated in sheets of colored stone, like the scales of a winged serpent, though only Jinn could see it. His eyes alone could see in absolute darkness. To his greatest dark angels, the Dulkrye, shapes in Morning’s kingdom would have infinite hues of gray, creating some perception through contrast.
The others without Stones could see only outlines, and lesser beings still saw nothing at all. Or at least, they saw nothing until their imaginations took over, recreating the prisons in their minds. Lingering titans in Outer Darkness could also see, though solely through the borrowed glisten from the Morningstar.
The armor of voids around her looked to weigh her down, though the opposite was true. It was a blessing of power given to her for survival. For without it, her unaccustomed form would have been shredded from the new power she clutched within. It held her together, suppressing the Stone.
The Stone had served the light for so long that it was rebelling against its new dark master. Yet it would be overcome as an innocent child taken from its mother, never to return, living out an eternity with sadness and suppression its companions.
The thought gave the new wielder chills of pleasure. Even Ammon could feel them coursing through her body. She would be its master. As Jinn is my master. However, if given time to conquer this Stone, I will become my own master. I will surpass the Morningstar.
As she thought this, she realized she had somehow kept it from the others. She looked at Morningstar. From his expressions, she guess she had kept it from him as well. It must be the Stone, hi
ding it inside us. She felt a pang of gratitude in her heart towards the Stone, before suffocating it with predetermined malice. I will not trust this power. It is mine to use as I please.
“Have you found them all?” Jinn asked, though he still watched the new wielder of winds. He formed his thoughts as palpable shadow, then pushed it onto them. Ammon could see it through the woman’s thoughts. Jinn was thinking of how to reshape her body from the inside-out.
“We have located three,” said the largest dark angel.
“Have you found… them all,” Jinn repeated, turning with slow malice towards the speaker. He knew his question was impossible, and so he knew the answer.
“We have not, my Lord. But we have heard of something on the horizon. We’ve a heading, though the ocean is vast.” The speaker was the Dulkrye called Drowning. He possessed the only other Creation Stone currently in darkness. The Stone of Water.
“Mmm. My mortal kingdom. The womb of my dark bride. She is vast and unforgiving,” Jinn mused. The dark angels knew this was a lie. Jinn admired no one but himself. But he would play the part, assuming them all oblivious and obedient. She would play along, awaiting for the day when she could strike, to become the new Grand Wielder.
This was her great aspiration, far surpassing that of wielding just one of the Stones, though the Stones were steps to her aspirations. So she would let him have her tonight. Her eventual victory would be that much sweeter for it. And if not, she knew he would take her anyway.
“The island is to the east of the landmass, my Lord. We are searching for any trace of darkness within them. They have resisted well. Yet we have sensed new seeds in their hearts. It shouldn’t be long before they sprout. We will find them, Lord Morning.”
Jinn paced amidst the twelve. He was their center. “You have done well, though you could be doing better.” He turned again towards the wind-angel.
“You, my darling, have done exquisite work. It is delicious to me.”
Despite her hatred for the Morningstar, she felt pride in her heart. Yet she recognized the look in his gray eyes. It was the look of a dog drooling over meat-slabs.
“However,” Jinn continued. “I do have one question. When did I say you would be my next wielder of Creation Stone?”
Her hardened heart stopped beating.
Jinn looked upon her with thought and desire. “Hmm. Perhaps you saw something I was blind to.” His tone was empty. She was frozen in place.
She steadied her breath with voids, as it was allowed by the complete control of Jinn. “All for you, Morningstar.” She bowed her rigid head.
“Hmm. Good. I am well-pleased. I shall give you a name, wielder of voids. Your new name, befitting a halter of winds. Eater of atmosphere. You will be Void-Bringer. Venetia. The same name as the second planet in our system. My own morningstar.”
He stroked her chin. She sighed, though not from relief.
“In keeping this Stone, remember one thing. Though it requires understanding to behold it, you do not have to connect with it. While the light ones may wield it freely, they also fear its true form. Shackle it to yourself. Imprison it with the promise of reprieve, if only it will obey. Then you shall see its true ability.”
Though she kept her guard up, she felt relieved by his comment. Would he give this advice to any other? I don’t think he would. And with this, she let him hold her. He breathed her in, sensing her surrender.
“Tell me, Venetia. What was it like striking her down?”
“She cried,” Venetia whispered. “It was invigorating. Delicious, my Lord.”
“Indeed,” he said, caressing her form. “So. We have reclaimed another Stone for the first time in over a millennium. We have located two more, and should obtain them soon. That leaves three. Three more Stones to be found and devoured. However, there is one in particular I need sought after. The Creation Stone of Matter, of stone itself. There is no presence on this one yet, and I foresee them becoming my greatest thorn. Seek after the others, while keeping this one in mind. If you can.”
His last three words were a reminder. You are replaceable.
Venetia held her thoughts silent, giving herself hope. Jinn tugged on her hand and she stood. Ammon trembled, wanted nothing more than to wake up.
“We will have them all,” Jinn declared.
He led her and Ammon away, leaving his final words to drift amidst his dark twelve. His puppets. His fallen, including the two Dulkrye.
“Such fools, the creators. Logic shows there can never be balance with seven.” Jinn was speaking, though Venetia felt unwelcome to listen, as did Ammon.
“Not unless they are all destroyed. With seven, there will only be a constant flux of power. Lightness or darkness. One will always rule greater, creating havoc. However, if one side were to rule all Seven, they could then surpass the power of Creation itself, to consume and destroy it. And then, only then, could all become equal. This is the way to balance.”
He held his right arm up with this final word, as if grasping something fragile. This was their dismissal. They were to return to Proelum now, to begin the search for the last hidden islands. And if they could, they would find that one island first. The island of stone. The island of matter. The island upon which Ammon now slept.
Suddenly, Ammon felt a shove from behind. He flew forward, feeling terrified the others would see him. Yet as he fell, he continued to stumble into oblivion. He was gaining speed. As words flew past his ears in blurs, he picked out only a few.
You must leave this place and never return.
Then all went silent.
Chapter V
Cephas Island
Ammon awoke, gasping for air and reality. He felt terrified, as if the creatures would see him. Yet with each breath that calmed him, so too did the clarity of his dream fade away. After several moments, he remembered only one thing. Something dark is approaching my island.
He ran into the lake, embracing the bitter cold. After splashing his face and letting the ripples settle, he looked down at the water. He saw his own reflection staring back at him. He was himself again. It felt so real, he thought. Yet as he tried to recall the dream, even the feeling of urgency seemed forgotten.
He was no stranger to vivid dreams. While most remained hidden in mysticism, some revealed pieces of truth. But what was the point of so strange a dream?
His upper body was dry, keeping him warm. The Sun had disappeared behind the mountain peak. He relaxed his body, enjoying the rest. A chill reverberated up his spine as a slight wind danced across the lake.
It was reminiscent of that day. The day the brothers had seen true power. The day he had felt similar chills encompassing his entire body, whilst watching the floating mountain that casted shadows over its enemies. Graceful destruction had followed, washing away the evil of the assailants into oblivion. The only feeling that had remained on the Isle had been that which the pirates had come to destroy. Radiant, purifying peace.
He thought of where he was, and where he hoped to be. He thought of mountains and temples, wondering if there was a difference. He felt peace in the wilderness as if it were a holy place, surrounded by nature and the pure things of life. Peace lived here. Even so, someday soon, he would enter the Temple of Guardian Isle to seek out peace in its truest form. To seek fullness at the center.
Ammon remembered that day with reverence and imagination. Still, he remained cautious. He had learned over the years that all memories become veiled with a certain degree of mysticism. And he wondered often if Mikael and him had truly witnessed the wielding of unseen powers.
As he grew older, reason seemed to change the Guardian's retaliation from the levitating mountain instead into a hailstorm of bullets, which in turn sank the ships. This seemed more probable by far.
Time brought subtle shifts to his memory, diminishing the childhood wonder of things. And yet, something remained inside him. A belief in the unseen powers of the world. He wanted to believe that there was something greater out there. And
so he held onto his memories.
A splash interrupted his thoughts. After taking a breath, his shock turned to understanding. The splash had come from a thrown pebble. And he knew who had thrown it.
“Don’t pout because I beat you here,” Ammon called out. He turned, grinning and walking to his shirt and shoes. Sitting on the rock next to them was Mikael.
Ammon looked at his brother who was heaving and covered in sweat. The two boys looked a lot alike. Slightly taller than average. Disheveled hair. The crystal blue eyes of their mother. Mikael was thicker in stature, yet Ammon was quicker for it.
“Took you long enough,” Ammon said, lacing up his shoes.
Mikael placed a foot on Ammon’s back and leaned on him. “Yeah well, you had a head start. I had some things to take care of,” he said, sounding amused.
“And how did the date go?” asked Ammon.
“As well as one would expect. It was a first date after all. And we’ve known each other for all our lives.”
“So, you gonna marry her?” Ammon asked, still looking down.
“Hey now,” Mikael laughed, pushing off Ammon’s back. “It’s far too early for that kind of talk.”
“Yeah yeah,” Ammon said as he stood and headed for the trail. From there, the rocky path continued for another half mile to the highest point of Cephas. The true peak of Cloud Mountain. It typically took Ammon another fifteen minutes to reach the very top.
They both started to jog, springing up the slope. Ammon’s feet were still numb from the water, yet he bounded through the rubble with muscle memory. He sprinted ahead, knocking several boulders loose and shooting debris at his brother’s legs. Mikael leapt over them with ease.
“Hey guy! Ya tryin’ ta kill me here?” he cried, sounding offended.
“That’s what you get for throwing rocks at me earlier. Justice,” Ammon called.
