“You mean … Fenton,” I say.
“No, Daughter of Five. There is another. Bound by blood and destiny. You must be mindful at all times, be aware. Videus will plot against you until you are finished. You must not let this happen.”
Adrian’s eyes are full of sorrow.
“Who? Who do you mean?” I ask. My serenity in this place evaporates like the burst of a bubble and I’m left floundering.
Considering, she finally says, “I am bound by the prophecy to let unfold what must. Only time can answer this question for you. Fate may not as of yet decide the form this treachery will come in.”
Frustration seeps into my demeanor and I struggle to remain unfazed.
“Why was I brought here? For this? To accuse people close to me? Why not just tell me this before? Why lure me here?”
“The answer to your questions are simple. There are three reasons you were required to enter this realm,” Adrian says, turning to face me.
Her piercing blue eyes feel like they see right through me and I squirm in my spot.
“The first, to inform you to the best of my ability. Outside of this realm, nothing is sacred. Nothing is untouchable. No corner of your mind nor body is beyond Videus’ limits. Remember that.”
She pauses, letting me rest within this notion and it doesn’t sit well.
“For many years Videus has sought the one who carries the gift to see what he cannot see. What you can see,” she says, holding my gaze, “He wishes to exterminate the light you will bring to this dying world. Pendomus was once a planet teaming with life. When humans colonized, the original inhabitants tried to be accommodating, to share the world. Humanity had other plans. Runa, you have been called here because of your importance. We need your help to rectify what has been done.”
“But … how? What can I do?” I ask, “I’m only one person.”
“You are the only one that matters,” she says, matter-of-factly, “This will make more sense as time goes on. Another reason you were brought here is so I can guide you onward. There are many tasks ahead of you, but you must focus on one at a time. Your brother is in the midst of all that is desecrate. His link to you may end us all if we are not careful. His capture was most unfortunate. In order to fulfill your destiny, you must recover him and I’ll do my best to show you the way.”
She places a hand on my forehead and images flash through my mind. Terrain of Pendomus—starting with the entrance to the cavernous system I know now as the Lateral. It continues on in rapid succession, through trees and snow drifts until it moves beyond the snow’s edge, exiting the habitable area of Pendomus to enter the desolate desert side—the one permanently facing our sun.
She pulls her hand from my head and places it back in her lap.
“Your destination lies beyond what you’ve known. Beyond what you’re comfortable with. You must go to the place where the sun touches the land in order to find your brother. This task is very dangerous because the trek cannot be made with Tethys. You will be traveling to where any water would instantly vaporize. Because of this, you must go one your own, but you will not be without guidance.”
With the memories gifted to me, Tethys has become an important entity in my life. As important as my brother, my friends, even Traeton. The idea of going without her feels daunting.
“I have friends—people I care about. Perhaps they could help?” I offer.
“Your friends cannot go with you and I cannot tell you why. They have their own roles to play in all of this. You must trust me.”
Adrian’s expression is veiled, and I nod. Something inside me tells me I can trust her implicitly—just as I know the same of Tethys. After everything that’s happened, a part of me knows that by involving Traeton or the others, I would be further risking their lives. Which is something I won’t do.
I cast my gaze out over the pond and wait for more. A small blue and purple butterfly flutters beside me until it lands gently upon my hand. Bringing my hand closer, the butterfly’s wings open and close slowly, but it remains facing me as if studying me as much as I study it.
I glance up and find Adrian smiling thoughtfully.
“A symbol of your transformation,” she says, nodding her head at the butterfly, “You are also here so I can prepare you of the tasks ahead. Your gift of sight alone will not be enough. When the time comes, you will have the resources you require to acquire your brother. New gifts lie dormant within you and could only be awakened by your presence here. They will not be awakened all at once, instead emerging over time.”
“I don’t understand. What gifts?” I ask, shaking my head.
“That will be up to you. You will know as the time comes.”
I snort, pulling my legs up close to my body. “How is any of this preparing me? You’re being too cryptic.”
“I’m sorry, it is as much as I am allowed. Is it not more than you previously knew?” she asks, tilting her head knowingly.
“I suppose,” I mutter.
“However, you’re right. There is more.”
Adrian pulls her legs out of the water, choosing instead to sit in a cross-legged position. Placing her hands face up on her knees, she closes her eyes. I watch her curiously, wondering what she’s doing.
Right before my eyes an enormous book materializes in her open hands. The cover is bound with a dark fabric, with impressions scrolled across the top. Etched in the center is a perfect replica of the Tree of Burden.
Adrian holds the book out to me.
“This Caudex will be your only source to the histories of Pendomus and eventually to the prophecy. When you leave this place, the software hardwired in your brain will be destroyed to deter Videus from gaining access to your mind. Unfortunately, it will likely disrupt our communication as well. The Caudex has its own ability to sense when new information is required. When you’re ready, details will arise within the pages,” she says, tapping the center of the tree.
I accept the monolith and place it on my lap. Peering down, I run my hand along the Caudex’s edge and attempt to open it. Though there is no clasp, the book is somehow locked.
“Because this book’s essence is tied to the Tree of Burden, you must use the same key you used to enter this realm,” Adrian says calmly.
I shake my head, confused.
“But I don’t have it. The crystal was placed inside the door—”
A sleek smile creeps across Adrian’s lips and she points to me.
I glance down to find the crystal bound into a necklace and hanging from my neck. The silver surrounding the crystal is shaped in the form of small spirals and reminds me instantly of water.
“Where—? How?” I ask, touching the crystal.
“The Tree of Burden could no longer exist in its previous form,” Adrian says, “It has been reborn—for you, in exactly the way it was always meant to.”
She again taps the cover of the book.
“You are talking in circles. You say you’re here to help me, inform me … but I feel more lost than I was before I entered the Tree,” I admit, “What if I don’t want this burden. What if you have the wrong person?”
“Rest assured, there has only ever been one with the ability to enter this space,” Adrian says knowingly, “Runa, the Tree of Burden holds its name for a reason. Once chosen, you can not unchoose.”
I close my eyes trying to make sense of everything, “You talk about a prophecy. What does it say?”
“When you are ready to know, the Caudex will enlighten you.”
The wind picks up, carrying the songs I heard upon my arrival. A male and female voice intertwine—beckoning me to stand.
“It’s time for you to go now,” Adrian says, untangling her feet as she stands.
“This can’t be everything. I need to know more … Why me? What else do I need to know? How is my brother involved in all of this? How can I even save him?” I ask, frantic to learn as much as I can before I’m pulled from this place.
“Remember, the Caude
x will be your guide now—” Adrian’s voice grows quieter, nearly a whisper at the edge of my mind.
The swans in the pond take flight, heading into the bands of sunlight until they vanish from view. Enormous wings sprout from Adrian’s back, surrounding her in an unearthly glow. Shielding my eyes, the light grows brighter and with my free hand, I clutch the Caudex, not wanting to lose touch with my connection to the Tree of Burden, or this realm.
Encompassed by the light, I lose touch with my body. Hands and feet, body and self—for the longest time I do not exist beyond my essence blended with the light. Suddenly, I’m thrust from the realm inside the Tree.
There is no snow on the ground, instead, I’m surrounded by sand and sun. No longer in the middle of a field of flowers, I find myself sitting cross legged on the edge of a large crater. Beside me, the remnants of the once living willow trees.
This is the same place—the location of the pond. Only, it’s no longer a pond.
I blink away my uneasiness and look down. The Caudex remains with me. Reaching up to my neck, I find the crystal still dangling in place.
With a deep breath, I unclasp the necklace holding the crystal. I turn the small stone over and it glows brightly in my palm. Though there is no space for a keyhole, a sudden knowing washes over me and I wave the crystal in front of the Caudex. The book creaks open and I flip through the ancient pages. The majority remain empty—place holders for information just as Adrian had said. I flip open to the only section with writing.
In the age of the elders, the acropolis served as the source of foundation for all of Pendomus—far before the invasion of dying Earth’s humanity. The structure was the most beautiful in all the world, truly a spectacular sight to behold. All inhabitants of Pendomus kept the site sacred above all others. When humanity released its scourge upon the land, all of nature conspired to protect the acropolis, burying it deep within itself. Creation itself split apart into five equal fragments. Each held its own special gift, none more important than the other. They hid themselves away, awaiting the day their gifts could be resurrected to once again bring balance to Pendomus.
Beneath the passage, a five-petaled flower is drawn in glowing metallic ink.
The Everblossom—now the image to invoke the five is key to the one who can reclaim its purpose. Once known to grow even amidst the most frigid of storms, the Everblossom was finally destroyed when humanity laid waste with their misguided attempt to terraform the planet. All cycles of Pendomus were ground to a halt, as the planet was locked in place with the closest star in an attempt to exterminate the original inhabitants.
Moving images of trees shriveling back and dying without the sun’s natural cycle follow the paragraph. I let out a sigh, my shoulders slumping as I take in the barren sights around me. This used to be a lush garden…
Somehow, I always knew the trees had been here long before humanity. It had always been so clear to me. Shaking my head, I read and reread these two passages over and over, trying to decipher their hidden meanings and what they have to do with finding my brother.
When I have burned the words into my memory, I close the Caudex.
Not everything is clear—in fact, much of my life has become ridiculously ambiguous. However, one thing is certain … by circumstances much larger than myself, I have been put on a path I must follow to the next destination. Lives hang in the balance. People I care about need me to be strong—to do what’s right, no matter how difficult.
I close my eyes, my thoughts drifting from Baxten, to Traeton.
Though our time together has been brief—a part of him lingers with me. I would give anything to have him here for whatever comes next.
Wherever he is now—I hope Tethys is keeping him safe—keeping all of them safe.
One day, I promise I will find them again.
This is not the end.
Afterword
Did you love Pendomus?
If so, please kindly leave a review. It helps others like you find this crazy, beautiful series.
Many thanks!
Carissa
Leave a review here: Amazon Reviews
Pendomus is also available in audiobook!
Next up—
Polarities
Book 2 of the Pendomus Chronicles
Polarities: Book 2
Contents
Pendomus: Book 1
1. Runa
2. Runa
3. Traeton
4. Traeton
5. Runa
6. Runa
7. Runa
8. Traeton
9. Runa
10. Runa
11. Runa
12. Runa
13. Runa
14. Traeton
15. Runa
16. Runa
17. Traeton
18. Runa
19. Traeton
20. Runa
21. Runa
22. Runa
23. Traeton
24. Runa
Afterword
Polarities: Book 2
1. Runa
2. Traeton
3. Runa
4. Runa
5. Traeton
6. Runa
7. Runa
8. Runa
9. Traeton
10. Runa
11. Runa
12. Traeton
13. Runa
14. Traeton
15. Runa
16. Runa
17. Runa
18. Runa
19. Runa
20. Traeton
21. Traeton
22. Runa
23. Traeton
Afterword
Revolutions: Book 3
1. Runa
2. Traeton
3. Runa
4. Runa
5. Traeton
6. Runa
7. Traeton
8. Runa
9. Traeton
10. Runa
11. Traeton
12. Runa
13. Runa
14. Runa
15. Traeton
16. Runa
17. Runa
18. Runa
19. Runa
20. Traeton
21. Runa
22. Runa
23. Runa
24. Traeton
Afterword
About the Author
Also by Carissa Andrews
Nonfiction by Carissa Andrews
Do not be fooled into believing the polarities of light and dark . . .
They are but of the same coin.
1
Runa
I DIDN’T THINK it would be this hard. I really didn’t give much thought to how things would be at all, come to think of it. I kind of just hoped taking a leap of faith would be enough to guide me through the rest of what was to come. Boy was I wrong.
My focus softens as I stare out over the undulating mounds of sand, heat radiating in rolling waves. With my NanoTech jacket bundled up in my lap, the absence of the protective fabric allows the small granules to pelt the soft skin of my arms. Each strike is like being burned with hot pokers and reminds me just how far out of my element I really am. I’ve never felt the unfettered sun on my skin before now. It isn’t as pleasant as you might think.
I take a deep breath and close my eyes.
For some reason, I assumed if I did what was expected of me—going into the Tree of Burden, seeking more answers as I was told— I’d have more support than this. More information, or details…not a mostly blank book which refuses to hand over any more of its secrets.
My eyes fall to the worn leather and paper of the Caudex beside me. Reaching out, I stroke the cover with my palm. I’ve stared at the same passages over and over, hoping to glean something new. They’re burned into my memory now; for whatever good it does me. There hasn’t been anything to help me determine my next steps, beyond what Adrian had given me.
What’s worse is this crushing pain of being all alone. I miss my friends, I
miss Traeton…
Wow, do I miss him.
Once you’ve gotten used to someone’s presence, their absence is an enormous void; almost crushing. With everything that’s been thrown at me, I thought I’d be stronger…more capable to handle this somehow. What good is being this so-called Daughter of Five if it doesn’t mean anything? Just words.
How can I be the savior of the planet and bring about any kind of change here? I’m just as lost as everyone else—maybe more so.
I pull my knees closer to my body as my mind drifts back to my happiest moment. The place I go to when I need to escape the harshness of the present. It’s becoming a feeble attempt at finding equilibrium to this internal darkness I’m sinking into.
Pressing my fingertips to my lips, I try to recall the brief moments in his embrace. The feel of his breath and the way his hands touched my body; like I was his, and his hands knew it. Those moments between Trae and I weren’t all that long ago, and yet it feels like an eternity since I last saw him. Last spoke to him…Last touched him. I’d do anything to be with him right now.
The Complete Pendomus Chronicles Trilogy: Books 1-3 of the Pendomus Chronicles Dystopian Scifi Boxed Set Series Page 23
