“So it is, so it is.” Merula chuckled.
My eyes parted slowly and I looked into the odsci. Within the glass enclosure were bright wisps of pure white light. It was like lighting was trapped within the glass, moving a million times slower than if it were in the sky. An unexpected breath left my throat and the light display ended abruptly.
I gawked at my hand in equal parts wonder and worry.
“Whoa, that was… I don’t know.”
“White is the color of everything, the culmination of the three principles,” Merula said. “The light is the purest manifestation of the One; it reveals how powerful the semblance is within you. Our very existence is in a constant state of equilibrium, the scales constantly teetering to and fro. All lives reside on different points on that scale, some on the absolute extremes on either end of the spectrum. Some, like you, reside right in the middle. Just like the One, for the One is the fulcrum on which the scales are balanced upon.”
Merula had me drawn in with her sophisticated reasoning, sheer disbelief written across my face as I had not expected it from her.
She steepled her dark fingers and studied me thoughtfully. My gaze went back to the glass tetrahedron, only then realizing that Julika still held my hand. Her face had a deep blush as she stared back at me, a look of strong longingly apparent in her eyes. The expression she bore left me at a complete loss.
I gently tugged on my arm. “Um…”
Realizing belatedly what she was doing, Julika hastily withdrew her arm. “Y-you’re a natural.”
“The remnant seeks out faint traces of power within inanimate objects,” Merula went on. "The light reminded me of our handy tool for determining our students’ paths. Even though you may have never touched upon your own power before, it courses through your body passively.
“It’s not something that just comes from nowhere. It is you. If you had no power at all, then you’d be as alive as this table,” Merula said, slapping her hand against the wood. “The power gifted to us to fight darkness is the very same power that drives life, all life! That power is purer than the blood pumping through your veins. Be confident and accept who you are. Women love confidence!” Merula declared with a raisin smile.
“You had me until the last part,” I muttered.
“Bah, still doubting me?” she scoffed like old man Scrooge.
“I didn’t––”
Merula snapped her fingers and several sheets of paper danced through the air again.
One folded itself into a perfect square, the second formed into a cylindrical pillar, and the third defied reason by twisting and extruding until it looked like a violin bow. The square floated on top of the cylinder, where it then fixed itself onto the table, making a sort of pedestal.
“Master?” Julika asked, seemingly aware of what her ancient teacher was up to.
Merula’s wrinkly hands reached into the sugar bowl, snatching up a couple cubes. The cubes were crushed in her hand and sprinkled on top of the plate. She ran the bow along the edge of the square plate, producing a low hum, making the granules of sugar dance. The small particles settled themselves in an unusual and symerical array of concentric circles and lines.
Merula hummed at her own demonstration. She handed off the bow to Julika. “Go ahead, my dear disciple.”
Julika obeyed and ran the bow along the plate, producing an audibly different tone and unique series of patterns. Julika produced bulbous squares that were intersected with an X; the pattern symmetric if split. Julika’s lips parted in awe, amazed of how the shapes formed.
The old woman hummed again, and then snatched up the bow from Julika’s hands, offering it to me. I took it, caught off guard by how it felt in my hands. Solid and light, unreasonably so given the material. I stared at it for a good long while before glancing to Merula.
She watched me. And, with a small nod, encouraged me to do as she and Julika.
A sudden anxiety filled me as I held the bow near the edge of the plate. What is this supposed to mean? And what will happen? Was I scared of what it’ll mean?
Pushing down the sudden bout of anxiety, I ran the bow along the edge is one swift motion. The bow slid along the edge smoothly, as if it were actual horse hair treated with rosin. Another unique tone, my tone, and the small bits of sugar danced and settled into a perfect circle.
“Hmmm, yes, yes, just as I thought,” the Grand Mage said as she squinted her eyes at the shape. Those weathered eyes of hers locked on mine, and for the first time, they bore a sudden depth. “What is a circle?”
“A round plane consisting of several points in a boundary that is all equal distance from the fixed center,” I replied robotically, letting a lifetime of schooling speak.
She gave a low, gravely chuckle and shook her head. Reaching over, she patted my cheek apologetically. “No, no. Deeper. Think deeper. What does a circle represent?”
“Infinity?”
“Good. And?”
“Totality?”
“Hmm, what else?”
My gaze went to the table and my eyes shifted left and right as my mind struggled to come up with something. I drew a blank and shook my head. “I-I don’t know what to think.”
“Infinity, totality, wholeness, eternity, timelessness, the sun, the great rhythm of the universe,” the Grand Mage listed off as she rose from her chair.
She walked up to the wall behind me, stopping before a painting of familiar imagery. It was identical to the stained-glass art at Sigemond’s garrison and of the various pieces of art that bore its likeness in the paintings on the walls scattered through my brief time in the academy.
Merula reached up and lightly brushed her finger along the white circle within the golden triangle.
“To us,” she started, “the circle stands for the ultimate state of Oneness. The circle signifies the necessity of the cycle of birth, growth, decline, and death. It is harmony; it is potential; it never begins or ends. This order of life is the greatest defense against disorder and formlessness.”
She turned and approached me in a slow gait, stopping just behind my shoulder. I followed her gaze to the plate once more, and together, we stared at my circle.
“Once the One discovered polarity, only then did the One become whole, only then did its heart truly beat. The One grew wise to the fact that life cannot flourish if it is stagnant. So, with the vibrations of its heart, the One gave all existence rhythm; the ebb and flow all things follow. Everything, everything, vibrates to the One’s heartbeat.” She rested her hand on my shoulder and I look up at her. “For you to vibrate the plate in such a way to yield a circle shows that you are a Resonant. Your vibrations synchronize with the One, hence the title.” Her hand slid lower until it was resting over my heart. “Resonants were the first incarnation of heroes that inspired similar characters across many civilizations. A pure heart is the sign of a hero, but it goes deeper, much deeper, Al. The heart, the soul, must beat the universal rhythm. Your heart is in harmony with the One. You are in harmony with everything.”
Merula smiled down at me warmly, like a grandmother would her grandchild at a Christmas dinner. And I, like a child, stared back at her, far too naïve to even begin to understand the substance of her words.
How does one respond to that?
“I’m going to take a nap,” Merula announced suddenly. “Julika, have my post tea and cake ready when I awake.”
Julika blinked a couple times before she jerked to her feet. “Yes, Master.”
“I’ll see you in the morning, Al. Goodnight.” The Grand Mage shuffled out of the room and disappeared from sight.
I gave my cheek a quick feel. “Did I just have a stroke?”
“I’m sorry?” Julika asked.
The paper construct Merula made fell apart, spilling sugar on my lap. I let out a long breath and sagged in my chair.
“Nothing.” I rose and dusted the granules off my pants. “That was more than I expected. Just going to call it a day.”
Julik
a clasped her hands in front of her and she studied my face. Then, her lips curled into a courteous smile. “I understand. Let me show you out.”
The room was big, but not that big. My usual predisposition was to politely deny the gesture, but that old woman just completely derailed me from my usual state of mind. Just when I was thinking she was bat-shit crazy, she blows my mind to Matrix level proportions.
God, I wish Neepa was here. She’d have something to drink.
Julika and I stopped just before the massive doors.
“Thank you for making time for me,” I said sincerely.
“No, thank you for reaching out to us.” Her shoulders dropped and her mouth curled into tiny frown. “I was worried we lost your trust. It was a rather boorish decision, but the Grand Mage is so very wise.”
When she’s not senile, sure.
“Yes… she’s quite the philosopher. That’s normal for our elders. How old is she? Eighty?”
“The Grand Mage is two hundred and forty-four.”
I stared at Julika. “Are you serious?”
“Well, yes. Most mages have learned to slow their aging process, but Grand Mages are far more skilled, you see. Her life will fade eventually, but none are quite sure when that’ll be. The oldest Grand Mage recorded was Ivo Scot. He died at seven hundred.”
Wow. She looks pretty damn good for being that old.
“I know a man shouldn’t ask this but…”
“It’s fine.” Julika chuckled. “I’m thirty-two.” She brought a hand to her cheek. “I do hope my looks aren’t fading already, are they?”
“N-no, I wasn’t implying anything, just curious. I think you’re a charming woman.”
Julika blushed and looked away. “Thank you.”
The air had suddenly grown a tad awkward so it was best to take my leave. “I’ll be going, then.”
“Al,” Julika said suddenly, taking my hand in hers. She closed her eyes and brought my hand into her chest, holding it dearly. “I’ve… seen horrible things in my time. Things that haunt me in my dreams, even now. I’m scared. As willing as I am to stand against the Null, I can’t hide my worries about the fate of everything. But you.” Julika squeezed my fingers. “You give me hope. Not because of what my master says, but because of what I feel in my heart. What you make me feel in my heart. When you guided your energy… the warmth you made me feel, it was so comforting, so strong, so safe, so full of hope. We will never force your decision, Al, but please, for me, look within your heart and feel what I felt.”
Julika opened her eyes and gazed deeply into my mine, showing the passion in her voice. She lowered my hand from her chest, but still held it, brushing her fingers along my skin. It felt like she didn’t want to let go.
“I’ll try.”
Once she heard my confirmation, Julika finally released my hand. “Thank you.” One of the massive doors parted slightly, giving me enough space to slip out. “I hope to see you soon.”
Unsure of how to respond, I simply smiled and nodded. The door slid closed with a faint groan as soon as I stepped into the hallway. As enlightening that meeting was, it only made me feel more confused. But what Julika said left me feeling… anxious.
I wished she didn’t share her feelings.
Rubbing my eyes tirelessly, I leaned back against the door, suddenly feeling drained.
Hope? When I fail, that hope will be despair. That warmth in your heart is just hatred yet to be realized.
I let my hand fall and opened my eyes, quick to let my mind find something to look at before it slips too far into a dark place.
“Have you concluded your meeting?” a voice to my side asked.
The sporadic motion of my body made it seem like I was just electrocuted. My head whipped to the side to see Koko standing just paces away, standing in her usual composed, rigid manner.
After I swallowed my heart that damn near leaped out of my throat, I scowled at the dragon-woman. “Christ, don’t scare me like that! What did you do? Teleport?”
“I’ve yet to master that skill.”
I stared at her with a deadpan expression, and then ran a hand over my face. “Forget it.”
Koko took a step closer and gave me a deep inspection. “You don’t look well. Shall I take you to the infirmary?”
“I’m fine, just been feeling tired late––” I stopped as soon as a faint aroma entered my nostrils.
Like an animal sniffing out blood, I gave the air several deep whiffs, making sure of my suspicion, then zeroed on the origin.
Koko stared at me. But then I got another faint whiff, this one stronger. I leaned in close to Koko and inhaled deeply. She took a step back and pressed herself into the wall; her tail slipped between her legs and her wings fell limply to her sides.
“A-Al?”
As if possessed, I placed my hands on either side of her head on the wall and got very close to Koko’s face, staring closely at her lips.
She swallowed heavily. “A-Al, this is too sud––”
“Coffee.”
Koko blinked rapidly. “Pardon?”
I took another deep whiff and sure enough, I smelled the pleasant aroma of java on her tongue.
“Coffee,” I said again, louder. “Where did you get it? The kitchen? Or do you guys have a special café in a lounge or something?”
“I––There is no such drink here.”
“I can smell it on your breath,” I accused a little too strongly. My nose knew what it smelled, and God damnit I need a cup. “Hot beverage, black, strong aroma, made from roasted seeds, and it’s fucking awesome.”
Recognition flashed across her face. “Y-yes. I’m familiar with a beverage of that nature.”
I got down on a knee and clasped my hands together.
“Please,” I begged like a man would for his life. “Please get me some!”
Chapter 14
Koko’s room was at the other end of the hall, so that explained how she was able to walk up to me so easily without being noticed. Surprisingly, her room was a lot smaller than the one the girls and I were staying in. Koko’s was a single bedroom with a single private bathroom. Despite being smaller in comparison, it was spacious. And surprisingly cozy.
Her room had a very charming lived-in quality; subtle touches here and there left traces of her character in the otherwise modest room.
Tucked away in the corner was a small bed that had several shelves over the headboard, filled to capacity of books with colorful bindings and pages edged with gold gilt. A dresser sat in front of the wall between her bed and bathroom door that had several small knick knacks that ranged from jewelry, precious stones, and what looked like children’s toys on top of it. And alone in the corner by the window was a small circular table made from iron twisted about with legs like roots and coming up to form around the glass tabletop. I sat on one of the two chairs around the fanciful table.
Actually, they were more like stools because they lacked a back, but did feature armrests. I was a little curious as to why, but as I watched Koko from behind as she prepared things on a tray, I was reminded that her tail must’ve made sitting in conventional chairs uncomfortable.
Koko worked silently at the sideboard across the room. Her body obstructed what she was doing, but I could hear the familiar clinking of silverware on china and the sound of pouring. Earlier, however, I did hear some unusual sounds and saw a faint red glow, but didn’t bother asking. Magic, I’m sure.
After another few moments, the thick aroma of coffee offset the womanly scents hanging in the dragon-beastkin’s room.
Carefully cradling a silver tray, Koko slowly made her way over to the table, her gaze fixed to the floor as she walked. The tray met the table, the porcelain clanking faintly. Koko’s gaze would occasionally flicker to me as she set out a pair of teacups and saucers. Once she had her hands around the pot, Koko paused.
“Al, if you wish for something the academy doesn’t offer, then I can put forth a special request. It would be wrong
of me to serve you something foul.” She held the pot tightly, looking very against the idea of serving me.
“It’s confusing that you would call something you drink foul, but I would really like to try it. I’m hoping it is what I think it is.”
Koko’s face tightened with objection for only a second before her neutrality returned. With the utmost care, Koko poured the contents of the tea pot into my cup. The sight was comforting, like being reunited with a long-lost lover. Koko filled hers next and only then did she finally sit.
She had her hands clasped in her lap while her ruby eyes focused keenly on me as I raised my cup. The delicate, pretty contours of her face were easy, relaxed, yet her unblinking eyes gave away her nervous tension. That and her tail coiled tightly around her feet.
The aroma of the coffee was so strong that I already felt like I was drinking it. I brought the cup right up to my nose and took a long whiff, savoring the strong aroma as nutty cedar tones tickled my nostrils. I gave the brew a cooling blow before taking a sip.
As soon as it met my tongue, every neuron associated with pleasure in my brain exploded and bathed me in sheer euphoria. I closed my eyes and savored the brew along every square inch of my tongue before swallowing. A pleasant, content sigh rose from my being, the brew settling comfortably in my stomach, the missing puzzle piece of my being falling into place and making me whole.
“A-Al?” Koko said hesitantly.
My lips were locked into smile, so it took a moment to unwind them to speak. “Yes?”
“You’re––why are you crying?”
I ran a finger under my eye and felt a single tear. “Sorry.” I set my cup on the saucer and whipped my eyes. “You really made my day.”
“You… like it?” she asked, bemused.
I took another sip from my cup. Fuck. “I love it.”
Hey eyes softened and I could see her tail uncurling itself a little. “That is… surprising. I didn’t expect you to enjoy it.”
“Kokoliniasta,” I said, using every single brain cell in my being to pronounce her name correctly. She gave me her full attention, caught off by my use of her full name. “Thank you. You have no idea how grateful I am for you to share this with me. I really needed this.”
Heart of the Resonant: Book 1: Pulse (Resonant Series) Page 22
