The second the words have left my mouth, a relentless wind attacks me from behind and below, throwing me upside down into the air. I right myself as Genesis flies into the air beside me and pushes the two of us toward the parvoinaizè. We land on a wide branch halfway up the tree, where Melandria and Klaryk sit waiting.
“Sorry for the wait,” Genesis says. “But look who I found. Hit his head on a tree during a bad spiral, but he’s fine now.” Lying to my comrades seems to come easy to him.
“Well, well…” comes a delicate lilting voice from the branch above us. I look up and the vision before me is stunning. Her pale skin is accentuated by dark hair cascading daintily in waves around her high cheekbones, which are flecked with freckles that continue across her nose and over her forehead. Her eyes are a deep, unwavering brown. She is effortlessly beautiful. She wears the same bracelets as her brother, though hers are decked with a vibrant dark green plumage from her wood wings. However, she has foregone the anklets and instead wears a crown of feathers around her head, all of them pointing tall toward the sky.
She falls forward off the branch above me and lands gracefully in front of me. Extending her hand toward mine, with a bit of a limp wrist, she curtsies. I am not sure if she wants me to kiss her hand, so I shake it. “Gyllien Hazeldine,” she says in greeting. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Selvyn Falkov.”
CHAPTER XIV
THE SAIS OF ZULENA
Ibow low toward the ground before Gyllien, as a sign of respect. When my head is out of view, I cringe and chastise myself for doing this in front of Genesis. I should have shown him the same courtesy.
“The pleasure is mine,” I say gratuitously — clearly, she is aware.
She smiles, then walks past me along the wide parvoinaizè branch. Once she reaches the end, she sits daintily, dangling her legs over the edge. She beckons us to follow in her stead with a wave.
I saunter over, and she pats the branch to her left, instructing me to sit by her side. Genesis sits on my other side, and I’m overwhelmed at the prospect of not only being in the presence of the twins but in sitting between them and being the subject of their attention for our conversation. Melandria and Klaryk sit off a bit further to the side, but still within an appropriate distance to be included in the conversation.
With another quick wave of her hand, the leaves and blossoms in my range of view part to the sides, revealing the western half of the lake the parvoinaizè resides within.
“So,” she says briskly, “I see that you are in possession of the Sais of Zulena. I have not seen those since my brother and I assisted Lux in hiding them. We thought we had hidden them quite well. Evidently, it would appear that is in fact not the case.”
“Yes, I suppose,” I answer. I am acutely aware of the twins gazing at the blades in my lap as if some unexpected incident may occur. “I found them underneath the Waterfall of Makoro.”
“Pray tell,” she says, raising an eyebrow in my direction. “Exactly what do you mean when you use the word ‘found?’”
“Well…” I grimace, looking over my shoulder at Melandria and Klaryk. I don’t want to recount the entire story in front of the two of them, considering they are instructed to report anything we say back to the Council. I instead relay Alexyo and Celestra’s version of events to the twins, about how we were horsing around and I ended up in the cavern with the blades.
“So, are you saying that you stumbled upon the Sais and that, without any effort on your part, you were able to retrieve them from —” she lowers her voice, “Lux’s element-repellant barrier?”
“No!” I sputter, realizing I may have offended her at my being able to retrieve them from their supposed well-thought out protection. “It’s just… well… I am not sure how to explain it. I didn’t even know there was a cavern beneath the waterfall. Honestly. I had one of those ‘how did I get here?’ moments. And then out of nowhere, I think I was sort of pulled toward them by some strange force. It’s like I could sense their presence — you know?”
I glance up into her eyes and notice her staring past me — at her brother. I look to my left and see he’s doing the same. Maybe they are able to relay their ideas or feelings to each other without verbal communication.
She looks back over the lake and sighs. “Continue,” she says without emotion.
“Well at that point I still did not know what I was sensing, so I had a look around until I spotted them. As I got closer, I could feel my heart beating rapidly, and my pulse quickened. I just reached up to touch them, and I was able to grab them through the watery film they were housed in, and then they just fell right into my hands.” Her dark eyes glisten under the overcast sun as it streaks its way through the branches above us.
“I think at this point,” she says, glancing at the weapons resting comfortably on my lap, “It’s safe to say that the weapons chose you as their wielder for some reason. Before you ask,” she continues, looking into my eyes, “I don’t know why, nor does my brother. That’s not a question anyone but Zulena would be able to answer for you. And, of course, she’s been dead for centuries. However, we are aware that non-Metal Tunes are unable to wield them, as at least three of us have tried to; four if your sister was unsuccessful as well. Furthermore, seeing at how disheartened your two companions seem to be,” she tilts her head toward Melandria and Klaryk, “It seems as if dual metal wielders are unable to utilize the blades either.” They grunt solemnly in compliance. “So, one could then surmise that the blades may have picked up on your innate and unique dual primary affinities, or it could deal with some aspect of your inimitable personality. Either or, we won’t know until we see the next individual that can wield them.”
“Alright. That makes sense, sort of. But — I was told I could mend my affinities to them, and I have no idea how to do so.”
“Of course you don’t,” she says smugly as her eyes follow the path of a family of trenga soaring overhead. She smirks as if implying that I’m an idiot. “I didn’t mean for that to sound abrasive, Selvyn. It’s just that… well, you’re still young, and from what I hear, still learning to fully wield your affinities.” I must give her a lot of credit. I don’t think I’ve ever heard an apology that was more insulting than the initial comment that warranted the apology in the first place.
“Then would you care to explain it?” I ask.
“Well, we’re not able to physically pick them up, but Genesis and I are able to interact with them using our affinities. However, wood is the least amiable element to interact with the Sais, so utilizing my abilities won’t help teach you much in that regard. Therefore, Genesis will explain the process.” She shrugs glumly.
Genesis stands to my left and brushes some leaves off his pants before addressing me. “It’s a simple explanation, actually. Though it is quite difficult to execute. You need to picture the weapons as part of your own being; as if they are an extension of your affinities. Put them on the floor in front of you.” I stand and do as instructed, facing the points of the blades toward the lake. “Here, watch what I do.”
On cue, a strong gust of wind streams through the surrounding trees. As it gets closer to us, Genesis increases the velocity of the wind by spiraling it clockwise around the parvoinaizè branch we’re on. He moves his hands slightly and bends his knees as the wind makes contact with the Sais.
The gust continues streaming toward them, and the resulting force causes the weapons to vibrate on the branch in front of us. After a few more moments, they fly straight off the branch into the air ahead of us. Gyllien chuckles at my shock and awe, my jaw slackened so much that I could fit my entire fist in my mouth.
Genesis continues the show of power, waving the blades around in the air as his arms move in the same direction. The Sais look as if they’re connected to him telepathically, but I know that’s not the case. He keeps it up for another two minutes before he appears to struggle.
“Gyllien,” he says quietly.
With an uninterested flourish of her hand
, a striking number of branches jut out from the base of the parvoinaizè. Winding their way upward, they create a massive tangled net just beneath the hovering Sais.
Genesis slackens his grip at the sight and allows the Sais to fall onto the wooden platform before us. “Ah, apologies,” he exhales as he sits down beside me. “Controlling them is quite exhausting — at least for me. Give me a few moments for me to recover some stamina.”
“Want to learn quicker?” Gyllien laughs darkly from my side. I see two vines climb skywards from the center of the platform in front of us. One of the vines slithers back toward the Sais and wraps around the hilt twice. I watch silently as it’s lifted into the air, and is swung around as if she’s getting accustomed to its weight. “Okay, I’m ready. Catch this!” she yells.
The vine pulls backward and then snaps forward much too quickly for comfort. The blade soars in the air, spiraling handle over tip repeatedly. I put the heel of my right foot into the wood beneath me and use my wings to propel me back several meters.
I watch as the weapon rushes toward me, passing the point where I just was. It flips over once more just as it reaches the space in front of me, and I reach up to grab it by the hilt.
“That’s fine,” Gyllien drawls, “But try catching the other one using your wind affinity.”
Her second vine flings the other blade toward me, and I focus my attention on the wind whipping around it. It’s moving too quickly to think — so I just react naturally. I raise my right arm and attempt to slow the wind that’s propelling the blade toward me.
I realize this won’t help me stop it in time, so I alter course. Instead, I muster up a gust of wind and send it toward the Sai. I use my left arm and repeat the process, repeatedly attacking the blade with wind. It works and the blade slows but begins to lose altitude.
I run toward the end of the platform and dive headfirst toward the water below. The blade passes right where I expected it to, and I grasp it firmly in my hand. Somersaulting just before I hit the water, I use my wings as momentum to push me back toward the parvoinaizè.
“Not what I expected, but you caught it nonetheless.” Gyllien yawns and stretches her arms overhead. “Genesis, why don’t you show him the next part?”
“Sure, sister. Okay, Selvyn, for this part, there’s going to literally be handholding. Since I’m not able to wield the blades as you are, it will be simplest if you hold them, and then I cover your hands with mine to show you what to do.” He walks behind me and with our wings, there’s awkward positioning — his body is pressed up against mine. His hands hover over mine as he confirms that it’s okay to proceed. “Are you alright?”
“Yes. Sure,” I say. “What do I do now?”
“Well,” he says, placing his hands on mine, “Let me explain it first. So, the first thing you want to do is channel your wind affinity into the Sais. This may feel awkward.”
“It already is,” I chuckle.
I feel gusts of wind around the area pick up speed and encircle our hands. A prickling sensation startles me as he weaves his fingers in between mine. Tendrils of his wind affinity creep their way over my fingers and toward the Sais, emitting a quiet whirring sound. Genesis’ power is incredible — he has the same affinity as I do, yet the feeling of the two is so different. Whereas my affinity feels soothing to me, his represents power and commands authority.
The second his wind makes contact with the Sais, the connecting point begins to glow a faded green. The color radiates along the length of the weapons, and within moments the neutral silver coloring is gone.
Melandria and Klaryk, who have both been observing silently until this point, shout out in shock.
“Fascinating,” I murmur. My hands are vibrating from excitement — unless it’s actually the weapons causing them to do so. “I can feel your power resonating throughout the Sais.”
“Me too,” Genesis responds from behind me. His voice is loud in my ear. “As you can see, the weapons are able to be imbued with the affinity interacting with them. Therefore, they take on the properties of the elemental affinity as well. Additionally, with precision,” I feel his hands tighten their grip around mine as he focuses more, “You can control this and isolate the wind to a certain point.”
I marvel in awe as I feel the power, and watch the color transverse the Sais toward the tip of the middle prong. The power of the Wind Tune, condensed in two single points. He stands still behind me, unmoving for a minute.
“Now,” he continues, “We release the accumulated energy.” He lifts the second and third finger of both hands into the air and as he does so, a forceful blast of wind emanates from each Sai, detonating the open space in front of us. The force is so powerful that it creates a sonic boom that is borderline deafening, and the resulting energy creates a miniature tidal wave along the surface of the lake, which crashes against the far shore opposite the parvoinaizè.
“Incredible!” Klaryk and Melandria yell in unison, louder than necessary. The blast must have temporarily damaged their hearing.
“Holy shit,” I exclaim. “Er… apologies for the language. I mean, wow! That was indeed unbelievable.”
“You’re telling me!” Gyllien remarks, clapping her hands. “And you call yourself a pacifist, brother. Look at what you are hiding.”
“Just because one is capable of something, sister, does not mean that one should use their power for destruction.” He releases his hands from mine and I place the Sais on the tree branch. My hands feel numb from the activity. I rub them absentmindedly as I look back and forth between the siblings.
“Don’t chastise me,” Gyllien rolls her eyes passive-aggressively. “I was just providing you with a compliment. You never like to put on displays of power in front of me.”
“I’m not chastising you. I’m just —”
“Okay,” she interrupts him. “No need to get into a disagreement in front of our company.”
He sighs but doesn’t say any more on the matter. He cracks his neck on either side and rapidly opens and closes his fists. “Strange sensation, isn’t it, Selvyn?”
“I’ll say. But it was amazing. Thanks for teaching me!” I say excitedly. “For the first time in my life, I can’t wait to practice training!”
Gyllien looks me up and down. Her face scrunches in thought, and one solitary wrinkle in her forehead is observable as a consequence. She turns once again toward the lake and puts a hand up to her forehead as if she’s searching in the distance for something. After a moment, she turns her attention back toward her brother and then over to Melandria and Klaryk.
“Genesis, why don’t you go take Melandria and Klaryk to gather some food for us. I’m starved.” She nods toward her brother. “You know where my garden is, don’t you?”
“Of course, sister,” he responds. He turns toward my companions with a twinkle in his eye. “Do either of you mind coming with me to bring back nourishment for the five of us?”
Klaryk looks at me apprehensively. “Would it be better if Selvyn went with you and I, and Melandria stayed here with Gyllien?” For some reason, I don’t think he wants me to be left alone with Gyllien, unchecked.
“No,” Genesis replies dismissively. “After that ordeal, Selvyn should take a few minutes to rest up. And I’ll need more than one pair of hands, so you two shall assist me.” Gyllien wants to talk to me alone, I’m sure of it now. Genesis doesn’t seem like the type of personality to exhibit dominance without cause.
Melandria puts her hand on Klaryk’s arm in a pacifying manner. “We will be happy to accompany you, Genesis,” she says in a reassuring voice. “Selvyn will be just fine keeping Gyllien company. Let’s go, Klaryk.”
Klaryk grunts in acceptance and follows Genesis and Melandria southeast, further into the forest.
I turn to face Gyllien and focus on her crown of feathers. I can picture each feather covered in gold, adorning her head like royalty. It’s befitting of a queen, though I don’t say that to her.
“Thank you again for
taking the time, along with your brother, to meet with me today.” I look back into her eyes to find she has been watching me look at her crown.
“You’re welcome,” she grins exuberantly. “We are more than happy to chat with you any time. We wanted to meet you quite a few years ago, but the timing never worked out well. Neither one of us enjoys staying in Belarin longer than a few hours per week.”
I blush at her words. The twins wanted to meet me? What an honor. That’s something I definitely have to relay to Alexyo and Celestra.
“May I ask why you dislike spending time in the city?”
She looks around once to make sure Melandria and Klaryk are out of earshot before continuing.
“As you are aware, I used to have a spot on the Council of Belarin. I was never particularly fond of having such political power, but when I was younger I used to think I had a responsibility toward our people. To be fair, I still do, but I am now able to separate myself from others’ ideals. Anyway, I often had qualms with the other four members. More specifically, Bayleigh’s predecessor and I clashed heads on almost every issue that came up. Though honestly, I have an issue with Bayleigh as well, and I think it would go the same way if I were still in the Council.
“I don’t think she is a bad person, per se, but she is unnecessarily power hungry, and believes her ideas are always correct. There were times when she would just implement decisions without consulting the other Council members. I think she is headed down a dangerous path from which there will be no recovery. I just hope that she doesn’t drag the city down with her.
“Furthermore, they had this list. Excuse me — have, not had. They are monitoring the Tunes in our generation. It’s unnerving. They keep track of the Tunes’ birth city, parents, and a lot of other information. They are attempting to discern a pattern. The Council’s goal is to be in ‘control’ of all nine Tunes in the near future and to monopolize all of Cinderfal with their power.
“I was disgusted by the thought even before I became the Wood Tune. I had discussed their principles with Genesis on multiple occasions, and he felt the same way. As soon as we developed our tertiary sets of wings, we knew it was time to leave the city. Genesis could not be a part of a society that wants to rule the world, but I tried to pull it together for a few more years, in the hopes that my presence would benefit our people.
Underestimated Affinities Page 16
