by B L Barkey
Again, great comfort washed over Ammon. What an intriguing sensation… A renewed energy surged within his chest.
“One of these pieces will be a key to entering the true temple doors. There are two pieces you will need. It is within the true temple that your final phase will take place, should you make it that far.”
Ammon stood tall, his arms pinned to his side, his gaze to the back of the room and just above the horizon.
“Are you ready for your questioning?” the Leader asked.
Ammon nodded. “Yessir.”
“Guardians. What would you like to know?” the Leader called out, her words a casual invitation.
Suddenly, a storm of words rained down upon him. It was more unsettling and sudden than even the phantom storm itself.
“What year were you…how did Cephas come…why the animals…what happened on Cloud…are all of our names…who are you really…no great grandparents on the island…want to be a Guardian?”
The variance of voices seemed endless, seeming to come from even the walls and shadows themselves.
And then, all at once, they ceased. Ammon was paralyzed. He had no idea what to do next.
“Well?” Another aggressive voice called.
“I did not here all of the questions, sir.”
A sigh of impatience. “Well, let us repeat them for you.”
Another barrage of words flooded his ears and soul. He was able to pick out two of the questions, while the rest were lost.
“I was born in the year…”
“In order! Answer the questions in the order given to you!” demanded the Leader.
Is she serious? They all came at once. Again, he had no idea what to say. The only other question he heard was to name each of the Guardians present. This may have been the first question. Then again, it might’ve been the last one. Without any other options, he finally spoke his answer.
“I do not know the names of the Guardians present.”
“Then how should you acquire this information?! Iceland, do we really have time for this? He is clearly unaware of his surroundings.”
“Ma’am, one of the Guardians is Guardian Iceland,” Ammon cried out, hating the sound of his voice.
“He’s not even seated at the altars! Neither is he the first one alphabetically! Name them starting with the first row, left to right!”
What an impossible task, he thought. He wanted to groan just as bad as he wanted answers. Had they been expected to study their names before the Trials? He breathed in. Regardless, I still only know a few. So here it goes.
“Sir, may I ask who…,” he started.
“Which sir are you speaking to, you fool! There are several Guardians in here!”
He did not know anyone’s name. Only Iceland.
“Guardian Veniche, will you tell me the names of the Guardians before me?” Ammon had heard her name mentioned before, and wanted to call on someone other than Iceland. He prayed she was there.
“I do,” answered a feminine voice, “but I won’t tell you. We don’t have any more time for this. We are moving on,” Veniche finished.
“My name is Guardian Cinder,” said the Leader. “You will address me and only me from here on out.”
“Yes, Guardian Cinder.”
The voice seemed to be coming from the second seat in the middle row. Her seat also seemed the highest. He shifted his eyes to look at her. Veils covered all of their faces.
“Don’t look at me!” Cinder wailed. Ammon obeyed.
His blood was pounding in his veins. He was failing this phase. He was failing the Trials. He was watching his childhood dream slip away, second by second. The more he recognized this, the more desperate he became.
“Answer this question as truthfully as you can. What is the name of the largest landmass on Proelum?” Cinder asked.
“Monoruin,” said Ammon.
“How did it come to be?”
“It was gathered from the different lands of the world during the Great Fire that burned the world.”
“And how was this fire started?” Cinder asked.
“Natural phenomena, such as volcanoes and lightning.”
“Hmph. He thinks those natural?” came a man’s voice. Cinder continued.
“And how long did the Fire last?”
He didn’t know the answer.
“About ten years…”
“Do not guess! Do you know or not?”
“No ma’am, I do not.”
“The Fire engulfed the entire world. It burned all to ashes, making way for new life. It lasted for approximately one year. The exact length is unknown. Next question. What came after the Great Fire?”
Ammon swallowed.
“The millennium of Great Peace.”
“And how long did this last?” she asked.
“One thousand years.”
“And what was the greatest work during this time?”
The greatest work… He pondered. He was at a loss. The question seemed impossibly subjective.
“Sir, I do not know.”
“Of course you don’t. Ok, we will give you a hint with another question. How was this island of Cephas created?”
“It was taken from Monoruin and built up as a protected island in the east. The Leviticum was constructed, the Sector Guard temple was established, and abundant plant and animal life was used to populate its lands.”
Silence followed. He felt heat rising in his face.
“That is correct. So, back to the original question. What was the greatest work during the millennium of Great Peace?”
“The creation of Cephas.”
“Wow, that’s rather presumptuous, don’t you think? What about the other protected islands?”
The other protected islands? What other islands?
“Hmm. Next question. How was the world created?”
Ammon felt dizzy. Wow, he thought. From one island, to the entire planet. Rather heavy stuff. Of course, he had his own theories to answer this question. Some stemmed from his textbooks, while others came from fictional stories. Others still came from Mother and her book. She believed the world was created by someone called Alphas. Mother believed him to be our father and creator, as well as the Center Point of the universe. ‘The Sun of All’ she called him. ‘Alphas the first’. In many stories, he was also referred to as Torin.
“I do not know,” he finally answered.
“All that waiting for another ‘I don’t know’,” came another male voice. “Boy, you are really trying my patience”
Ammon stood up straighter, embarrassed yet again.
“How do you believe it was created?” Cinder continued.
“I have heard different theories, some with science and others with stories. Studies prior to the Great Peace speculated it all occurred at an instant. An explosion of life that resulted in all that is. From there, life evolved into what we are today.
“Another theory comes from… my Mother. She reads this book that testifies of a creator named Alphas. The book says Alphas existed from the beginning, and will always exist. He created all matter before organizing it into worlds. The book also mentions that he will one day return, to claim us as his own and rise us up to his kingdom. To his degree of knowledge and power.” He paused, sudden realization striking him. “I believe in progression. Consistent growth, steady over time.”
Silence followed. None laughed this time. He knew then that he had finally impressed them. Perhaps all of them.
“Next question.”
Is it just me, or is her voice softer?
“Do you believe in life on other worlds?”
Ammon thought about it. Before, the silence had bothered him. Now, he felt as if the Guardians were truly engaged in his answers. He felt the slightest sliver of comfort creep into the room. This was quite a contrast to the previous tension.
“I believe that it is possible. Whether I believe in spontaneous organization of life, or in a creator, both would leave room for another pl
anet containing life. It is a large universe.”
He heard a slight snicker at the back. He held back his own smile, lest he be destroyed by these wolves.
“Hmm. Next question. What is the purpose of life?”
He did not know. He told them so.
“Would you like to know?” she asked.
“Yes, Guardian Cinder.”
“The purpose of life is choice.”
Holy crap, he thought. They actually told me. Is it true? He was astonished, moreso at the suddenness of the answer than the answer itself. And yet, the answer was reasonable. Even probable.
Choice, he thought, letting the idea soak in. There’s something there. Though the skeptic in me needs to analyze it, something inside tells me it’s true…
“Do you believe us?” Cinder asked.
He paused, then answered. “…yes.”
“Why?” Her tone was sincere.
“Because I do not know for myself. And for now, your answer seems to make sense.”
“But what if we are wrong?”
“Then I will re-evaluate and consider a different truth,” he said.
A booming voice of a man came from the back left corner. “Do you think Guardian Cinder would lie to you?”
Ammon stiffened, then answered honestly.
“I do not know. Even so, perhaps she is telling me what she truly believes, even if it is false.”
“So now you are calling her a fool! Unbelievable.”
Ammon choked, though his heart did not sink. He had caught onto their game. They were trying to get him to doubt himself.
“Next question,” Cinder called. It was like a commandment, silencing even the wind.
“What is your purpose in this life?”
Ammon did not hesitate.
“Become a Guardian, defend my family, and continue to grow.”
“How do you know?” she asked.
“I love this island, Guardian Cinder. It means everything to me. I want to protect it, even if that means giving my life. It’s what I want.”
“But what if it isn’t about what you want? What if you have a greater purpose to serve within the entire world? What if you have a greater purpose to serve to all the worlds in the universe, which may or may not exist? Would you then confine yourself to this one island?”
Ammon did not know how to answer. But he knew he wanted to be a Guardian.
Another man’s voice spoke, harsh and stern. “He does not appear to be considering your words, Cinder. Perhaps he thinks he knows better than you.”
“Hmm,” she mused. “Perhaps. Last question.”
She was looking right at him.
“How will you find your true purpose in this life?”
Ammon pondered this. He thought of his experiences thus far in the Trials. He thought of his experience in the false temple. And despite all efforts to block it out, he thought of the phantom storm. Of the dark eagle and the glowing lights. Of the Arcanums, the Emerald Whirlpool. Of Bozolf and Maison. Of Stardust, the wind, and floating mountains.
He thought of his entire life, trying to summarize it all into one sentence. Finally, he spoke his answer. It was not perfect, but it was all he had. He spoke it slow and careful, as if calling to the wind once more.
“I will listen to, watch for, and seek the truth. I will search for peace.”
Something miraculous happened then. A palpable warmth seemed to emanate from the Council before him, accepting his answer without speaking a word. He wasn’t sure if he was imagining it or not, yet he felt like he had received their approval.
A great peace fell on his heart. This is true, he thought. This moment right now, the way it is happening. It is true. And I will it to be remembered. He felt elated. Energized. He would remember.
After several more moments of silence, Cinder finally spoke. She spoke as if having counseled with the other Guardians, though Ammon had not heard them utter a single word.
“There is one phase remaining before you can complete the Trials. In order to begin, there is a verse you must recite in your heart and mind, with your right hand placed on the door of the temple. This verse is the first key to the temple’s center. The second key, yet to be acquired, must be in your left hand at the same time.”
Cinder stood and approached Ammon.
“Never utter these words aloud,” she commanded.
She looked into his eyes. She was beautiful. He could smell her subtle fragrance, reminding him of flowers growing in the Gardens. She whispered in his ear. A pleasant chill ran across his arms.
Let the light of the world shine within me,
Enlighten my mind that I may see.
Sun, moon, stars, and spheres,
Teach me the way that I must be.
She repeated it twice more, then stepped away from him, leaving him wanting.
“I will never repeat those words again. If you forget them, you will fail the Trials. Even one syllable forgotten will lock you outside of the temple forever.”
She paused, looking right at him. Looking through him. She seemed to see his center, when even he couldn’t see his true inner self. It both terrified and thrilled him. She then nodded, seeming to find what she had been looking for. She backed up to the front of the three altars, folding her hands behind her back.
“Now, tell the Council what I have just whispered to you.”
His lips started to move. There were no words to be said. His heart was thumping in his ears.
“Guardian Cinder, I cannot repeat those words aloud.”
He could see the slightest smile play on her lips. Heat coursed through his veins.
“Good. One final question. And this is more a curiosity than it is a test.” She walked casually back to her seat as she spoke.
“What did you see in the false temple? The one you entered before this Council.”
Ammon didn’t want to say, let alone think about it. The image of the old lady was clear in his mind. She was still staring at him with black, oozing eyes deflated like popped grapes. She seemed so very real, even in his memory.
“I saw… Light. Coming from the walls. I saw figures created from the sunlight shining through the stained glass windows. I saw an elderly woman dressed in white, with white hair and blue eyes. As I was leaving, she transformed into a… into an ashen, decrepit creature. She was oozing, burning.”
A chill crept down his spine. Whispers drifted about the altars. Concern hung heavy in the air.
“Even in the false temple… that’s not normal…”
“…and what if he becomes...are we sure it’s him…”
The whispers hushed.
“Phase Three, the trial of character, will begin shortly. But first, you must find the second key of the temple. This is to say, Phase Two is not yet complete.”
She stood and began pacing.
“Head north and look amongst the brush. Keep in mind that all objects are movable. Remember your lessons thus far, including the first key.”
She stopped, then turned towards him.
“Now. Leave…”
Ammon threw his hand up. He had almost left without asking the question burning brightest in his mind. This might be my last chance to get answers. He could feel the eyes of the Council glaring at him, annoyed by his persistent presence.
“Are you not finished wasting our time yet?” Guardian Cinder replied with great disdain.
“No sir. I mean, yessir, but I have one more question.”
“The sooner you spit it out, the sooner we can be rid of you.”
This was it. Asking his question could cause them to worry about his sanity. It may cost him his childhood dream. Yet a burning within his heart had been growing since he stood before the Council. And then it became something that was no longer his choice. It was something that needed to happen. Although warnings went off inside him, begging him to stay quiet, he could not heed them. He lowered his hand and braced himself.
“Council of Guardians. During the s
torm from two nights ago, I saw something. I had climbed the mountain just before the bonfire at the Bay. Soon after summiting, I saw a creature of light plunge into Mirror Lake atop Cloud Mountain. Just as the lightning began.
