Strength

by Angela B. Macala-Guajardo

  After being used to so much light, she went temporarily blind after entering the cave. Glow worms dimly lit the route, but they didn’t help too much. The rocky ground was coated in dirt and something slimy. It reminded her of walking barefoot on slippery ocean rocks that became exposed during low tide.

  Unlike the people of Sconda, her feet weren’t specially equipped for gripping. She didn’t manage to pass anyone in the cavern, yet no one passed her as she wound along tight curves and brief straightaways. She veered left again and her foot struck a chunk of slippery rock. It shattered under the force of her stride, but the impact knocked Roxie off balance. She tried to catch herself, but she tumbled into a somersault, scraping herself up, and leapt back to her feet, scarcely breaking stride. There was a growing throb in her right foot, but she ignored it as she rounded the last turn and was dazzled by sunlight.

  Roxie was breathing hard. She’d been holding at an all-out sprint for what felt like forever, and her muscles were beginning to burn. Half her mind was yelling at her to stop—or at least slow down—while the other determined half of her brain urged her to not let up. She couldn’t slow down, not now. Not when Aerigo and Yayu were counting on her. Not when people had been so kind to her. Not when Aerigo was counting on her to help him give people hope. Roxie ran on the balls of her feet and started passing runners again.

  As the track arced left, Roxie fought against the mental demons urging her to quit, sucking wind with every thought and stride. She ran as fast as her limbs could carry her. Her pace had slowed considerably, yet she wasn’t alone in her pain. Other racers were breathing just as hard, struggling to make it to the finish line, wherever that was. Soon, I hope.

  Other racers started passing her again. She didn’t know how much longer she could go on… The finish line was too far for her to make it… Another passed her. She’d have to walk… end up in last place… And another. Maybe just give up, and—that last person that just passed was sucking wind just as hard as her. What am I thinking? Roxie summoned all her remaining strength, sprinted into another straightaway and looked ahead, through her own sweat and the shocks of flying hair before her.

  High in the air flapped a huge banner of bright colors and runic markings. Her pounding heart leapt at the sight, and the part of her mind that wanted her to keep going knocked out the part of her that wanted her to quit with a solid punch between the eyes. The elation of finishing gave Roxie one last burst of energy. She passed a few more people and crossed under the banner.

  A four-note bell chime rang in her head in an arpeggio. ‘Congratulations. You have earned your Clan four points.’

  Roxie slowed to a stop, feeling amused, pleased, and exhausted. She walked around to cool down and, along with stiffening limbs, was reminded of her fall in the cave. The top of her right foot was black and blue all over, and her big toe was bleeding through a crack in the nail, and the sight of all that bruising made it too painful to put any weight on it. She plopped onto her rear on the cool grass. The stinging in her arms, knee and palms flared, and she discovered a scrape on her left thigh. Her salty sweat made the open wounds sting even more.

  A familiar deep voice laced with fatigue said, “Are you alright?”

  Aerigo stood before her, breathing heavily and his amazing physique glistening with sweat. “You seem to ask me that question an awful lot.”

  “You seem prone to situations that wor—require my asking.”

  Roxie looked at him curiously and he looked away.

  “I have something back at Yayu’s place that can take care of that, but I’m afraid I don’t have enough energy to go there and back just now.”

  Roxie patted the ground next to her.

  Heaving a sigh, Aerigo sat cross-legged before her. “Let me see your arms.”

  Roxie sat up straighter and showed him the underside of her forearms.

  He took them gingerly and examined the scratches with a serious face. None of the cuts were deep, the bleeding had stopped, and her arms were beginning to bruise. “Let’s get you to someone who can clean these.” Aerigo got back to his feet, took another deep breath, and that seemed to be all he needed to rejuvenate himself. He held out a hand for her. “C’mon.”

  Roxie remembered when she’d accidentally pulled Yayu face-first into the grass, and accepted his aid. A decent-sized throng crowded the finish line area as the last of the runners headed down the final stretch. She spotted someone walking up behind Aerigo, wearing a broad grin. “Hello, Yayu.”

  “Hello, my dear Aigis. How’d you do?”

  Roxie studied his exhausted face while balancing on one foot, using Aerigo’s arm for support. He and his people seemed to have boundless energy during waking hours, but this race made everyone look ready for a nap. “A voice inside my head told me I earned four points for your Clan.” This has got to be one of the few times I can say such a thing without anyone thinking I’m crazy.

  “Very good! I’d barely caught my breath when Aerigo told me you’d crossed the finish line.”

  “Who beat who?”

  “I did,” Yayu said. “Just like before. Though I thought he had me at one point. We traded places quite a few times.” He tossed one of his half-smiles to Aerigo. “In the final stretch Aerigo was barely ahead of me. I couldn’t believe how much he’d improved since last time, but his stamina fell just short of mine and I managed to pull ahead—goodness, Roxie! What happened? I just noticed all your cuts and bruises.”

  “I’m fine,” she said with an airy wave of her hand, although she still couldn’t stand on her bruised foot. “I just tripped over something in the cave.”

  “You poor thing. You still managed to perform very well. You beat both my sons.”

  Roxie’s jaw dropped.

  ***

  The Elf, Kabiroas, led his two men, Sodo and Dahl, to the base of the steps leading to Nexus’s throne. Their gait was urgent and their beating hearts equally rapid, and they each dropped to one knee and bowed their heads.

  “You may rise.”

  Kabiroas looked up at his master, who appeared calm enough. Nexus was a temperamental god, and the Elf’s fear of him was justified. “Nexus,” he began humbly, “we bring news, both good and bad.”

  “You’re here much sooner than anticipated,” Nexus said.

  Kabiroas’s spine crawled. The man on his left said, “Aerigo detected our presence.”

  “Where are Frawst and Chionas?” The young god said with an edge to his voice, leaning against the back of his throne, his feet flat on the ground. He didn’t look at all pleased to see them.

  “A most unfortunate accident, Nexus,” Kabiroas said without a hint of sadness. “Monsters from the water ambushed them days ago.”

  “Carelessness! I needed every last one of you.”

  Kabiroas flinched again. “I apologize. I will not let it happen again.”

  “You better not.” Nexus took a deep breath through his nose. “So why have you left Sconda so soon? Din’s world is closed to me. I cannot read it.”

  The lack of an “or else” threat put Kabiroas deeper on guard. Only those ready to kill gave no warning. He chose his next words with care. “Aerigo found us. We had to flee, lest he try to kill or interrogate us. Dahl and I world-hopped back minutes later, only realize the god Din had arrived. My mortal concealment powers are no use against a god. We—”

  “Should have stayed. You said you didn’t know that for certain—”

  “The risk was too great!” Kabiroas sent Dahl a warning look. The man cowered into silence. The Elf turned back to his master and bowed his head. “I apologize for Dahl’s insolence.” A fizzing bang erupted behind him. Dahl was lying on the ground clutching at his chest, fountains of blood gushed between the man’s fingers. A gurgling groan escaped from his throat, and then his body arched up as he let out one blood-drenched scream. He sighed his last, blood dribbling from his mouth as he fell lifeless to the floor.

  “Anyone else care to demonstrate how stupid they ar
e?” Nexus whispered menacingly.

  Kabiroas and Sodo stared in horror at the gory mess, filled with an urge to flee. Before they could, Nexus’s voice made them jump.

  “So... Din came?”

  Kabiroas thought he would vomit if he opened his mouth, not because he was sickened by the sight of blood, but because he feared for his life. Not speaking at all, however, would likely earn him the same reward. When he tried, his voice refused not to shake. “Y-yes, Nexus.” He swallowed hard. “We saw Din arrive, s-so we fled for fear of being discovered. I deemed leaving the best thing to do.”

  “I see.” Nexus got up and walked down the steps, the slap of his bare feet on the marble echoing against the high walls, arms folded behind his back, contemplating the ground between them, and stopped on the lowest step.

  Kabiroas first fought the urge to flee, and then the urge to draw his weapons. Even if he could chop off his Nexus’s head, the god would live.

  And then the Elf would die...

  “You’re going right back to Sconda,” Nexus said. “With some protection this time. Hold still.” Nexus held out his hands before each of their faces, fingers spread. Kabiroas stared wide-eyed, expecting this “protection” to be a ruse, but then it felt like someone was pulling his hood over his head. He reached up and felt only his hair.

  “There. I’ve given you the same protection as I did Daio.”

  The Elf slowly relaxed his hands away from the hilts of his swords and let out his breath.

  “What happened to him?” Sodo asked.

  “He died, unfortunately, but his efforts weren’t in vain.”

  Kabiroas felt the blood leave his already pale face. Daio had been an Aigis, no trivial foe. What did this bode for him and the other Elves and humans?

  “I must warn you,” Nexus said, “I haven’t perfected my guarding mark yet. It’s most effective at concealing you from other gods. Now go!” His servants bowed. “Oh, and Sodo, dispose of your brother for me.”

  Sodo bowed again and headed to the dead man on the floor.

  Chapter 17

  The mid-afternoon sun started working its way west, the intense rays strong enough for Roxie to feel her skin tanning. Fluffy cotton balls of cumulus clouds brought fleeting relief and a gentle breeze with a hint of the sea in it, making the sun bearable.

  Due to her injury, Roxie ended up being personally transported from the finish line up the hundred yard long slope to the celebration arena. Where Aerigo found the extra energy she had no idea, but she didn’t complain when he turned her into a human backpack. It had been a tough race after all.

  Roxie wrapped her arms about his shoulders and rested her head next to his as his muscles corded and softened with every stride. He felt warm and sticky with sweat, and smelled of deodorant. In the past, Roxie hadn’t even liked holding hands if either her or her former boyfriend’s hand was sweaty, but for some reason Aerigo didn’t faze her. There was something about his nearness that put her at ease, too, but that didn’t stop her wondering about his scars. Giddy from the run, she chanced the question she’d wanted to ask ever since she’d first seen them. “Hey, Aerigo?”

  “Yes?”

  Roxie’s eyes darted to the ground and her throat tightened. She couldn’t bring herself to ask. It felt like she’d be breaking some unspoken taboo. On the other hand, his voice had sounded like he wouldn’t mind being asked a personal question. “I have a question—but you don’t have to answer it if you don’t want to. But... I was just… I was just wondering how you got the scars on your back.”

  Aerigo bowed his head, leaving Roxie wondering if she’d crossed the invisible line she’d feared existed. Yayu and his two sons were walking ahead of them, far enough away to not be able to hear. Roxie listened to the padding of many pairs of feet through the thick grass before Aerigo finally spoke in his deep voice. “All my scars came from assignments where I had to play the role of a warrior, except for the first one.”

  “Which one’s that?” She leaned back and Aerigo’s grip tightened around her thighs.

  “The one running vertically along my right shoulder blade.”

  “This one?” Roxie ran a gentle finger along the raised line of pale scar tissue.

  “Yes—don’t do that again!”

  “Why, does it tickle?” Roxie gave him a dorky grin when Aerigo sighed at her. “So, how’d you get it?”

  Aerigo took a second to answer. “There were these people trying to kill me,” he said in a detached tone.

  “Why?” She placed her cheek near his for comfort, and pressed her chest to Aerigo’s back, wanting, for some reason, to keep her heart as close to his as possible.

  “I was different from them.”

  Aerigo’s deep voice made his chest cavity vibrate under her hands and against her chest. “Was it your glowing eyes?”

  Aerigo arched his eyebrows. “Good guess.”

  “Wasn’t hard.”

  “True. And it was also because I could do other things that a human can’t, like catch a falling tree without getting crushed.” Aerigo’s strides remained steady and strong as he made his way to the top of the hill. Yayu and his sons crested the top and waited for the two Aigis to catch up.

  The tops of more trees came into view first, then their trunks, and once they reached the top, they were treated to a wondrous view of the site of Eisisumet. In the very heart of the valley sat a giant circular stage, covered with percussion instruments waiting to be played. People puttered around onstage checking instruments and making final adjustments. Ten long tables stretched out like spokes on a wheel, lined with benches, and many smaller tables squared off the outer edge. At the inside end of each table flew a banner atop a tall pole, each marked with Clan colors and symbols. A breeze blew them towards the top of the hills, bringing the smell of cooking food with it. Yayu’s eyes filled excitement to match a child seeing a mountain of Christmas presents under a tree.

  “Before everyone gets too excited, we need to find a Wangama for Rox,” Aerigo said.

  They made their way down the hill to the heart of the arena.

  All the tables were covered with trays and bowls of food. A few fires burned on the verge of a forest on the arena’s far right side. A hundred people that looked the size of dolls from Roxie’s perch moved between tables and the fires, preparing a feast for thousands. Her stomach pulled her towards this feast, but Aerigo’s footsteps led elsewhere.

  “There’s Shaku!” Yayu said, pointing out a man near the stage. He jogged up to the man and bowed. The man stopped speaking with a woman and acknowledged Yayu’s presence with a slight bow of his head and a few unheard words. Aerigo carried Roxie between two long tables and caught up with Yayu in time to hear him say, “Ah, arda man se aerigosos, ae jena ma fanta.”

  Aerigo’s grip slackened on Roxie’s legs and she slid off, balancing on her left foot. Yayu’s sons bow, putting their thumbs to their forehead, and the two Aigis did the same.

  Shaku turned to Yayu and gave him a puzzled look. “Kih du man se aerigosos?”

  “Haz,” Yayu replied, giving a quick nod.

  Shaku looked like a witch doctor or shaman with long, flaming red hair streaked with silver, strung in thick locks and tied down with beads as thick as fingers. He was taller than anyone else—almost a head taller than Aerigo—and he had eyes of metallic gold. They gave Roxie strong impressions of wisdom and cunning. It was like looking into the eyes of a tiger. He had curved tattoos all over his forearms, and his fingers had long, claw-like nails. A wide strip of cloth draped around his neck like a necklace with the stringy ends hanging down his back.

  Shaku shrugged, then turned back to the rest of his audience. “Brama. You, have a seat,” he said to Roxie, pointing to the nearest bench. “I will tend to you in a second.”

  She obeyed, and Yayu and his sons spoke with the healer briefly in Scondish, then headed towards the river that lay beyond the tables.

  Shaku breathed in deeply and his shoulders relaxed. “You
take a seat, too,” he said to Aerigo and gave him a little push to make him comply, then glanced at his hand and shook it out. “You’re the legendary Aerigo,” he said admiringly. “You proudly bear all the scars of your past.” His eyes focused on the big man’s sternum. “Except one… Such scars I cannot heal. You must handle that one yourself.”

  Aerigo hadn’t even shown the Wangama his back. Which scar was he talking about?

  “You’re shorter than I expected,” Shaku said.

  Roxie cringed inwardly, but when she saw Aerigo shrug... wow, he looks even stronger from—darn it! I’m doing it again!

  “Nonetheless I can feel great energy inside you, and that you know how to wield such power.” Shaku opened his golden eyes and stood before Roxie. “But enough of that. I have work to do.” He sat cross-legged, delicately taking her injured foot into his claw-nailed hands. “Hmm. I doubt whatever you kicked is standing anymore.” He looked up at her with a knowing smile. “Your kind is resilient. You’re tough and quick to heal. With my touch you’ll be fine in a couple of minutes.”

  “Just a couple of minutes?”

  “I didn’t earn the title of ‘Wangama’ for nothing, Aigis.”

  “I didn’t mean to offend you,” Roxie said quickly. “It’s just—I—”

  “None taken,” he reassured her. “Hold still.”

  She clenched the bench’s edge with both hands while Shaku sat with both hands poised above her foot as if he were holding an invisible ball. He started whispering. A wispy cloud materialized between his palms and his whispering chant became louder. The wisp grew and thickened until its shape filled the gap between his hands. Shaku stopped chanting and moved one hand over the cloud and poked it with a finger. The top flattened out and the healer drew a complex rune on it with a pointed nail. “By the way, this is going to hurt a bit,” he said with a straight face.