by Oumar Dieng
“The crystal helps you channel your power, but you must be of a clear mind to use it; otherwise it can cause some discomfort,” Magaal said.
“All this time I was getting headaches because I was ‘out of clear mind?’” I asked.
“Yes, the mind and, of course, you need some guidance. I believe you need the help of the Council. You could defeat Battu before he gets the remaining element.”
“Sali,” Yakhar said. “I know that this is a burden, but it seems fate has chosen you. When this is all said and done, I will help you find your mother and get back home.”
“OK. What do I need to do?” I asked.
“Alas,” Magaal sighed. “By Centaura law, no traveler can be the Protector. Therefore, you must journey to the City of Elders and get their help and approval to become the Protector.”
The City of Elders was not much of a city; it was a simple building, granted a large one at that. But it looked like a simple monastery. It was located midpoint between the five kingdoms. This was where the Council of Elders resided. They purposely lived away from the rest of their respective kingdoms to keep away from the influence of their people and the politics of the five kingdoms so that they may remain impartial when making decisions on matters of life and death for all Centaurans. The Garabon chief had sent word to the Council of Elders that I would be visiting them with the prince of Centaura, Yakhar.
A scribe walked into the waiting room. “They are ready for you now,” he said. The scribe led us into the Council chambers. The elders were seated in a semicircle, waiting for us to arrive.
“I am Yakhar of the Seyamon, new prince of Centaura. This is Sali, the one they call tukikat, the traveler,” Yakhar said.
“You understand that your title has no influence on matters of the Council,” the lead elder said.
“I do,” Yakhar said. “As you know, Battu is seeking to lead Centaura. He is attempting to take the kingdoms by force. If he succeeds, he will destabilize the long-lasting peace in Centaura. We cannot allow that,” Yakhar said.
“This is an uprising,” one of the councilmen said. “Surely, the four armies of Centaura can stop Battu’s troops.”
“Battu has grown too powerful. He has been collecting the elements and already has four of them. He recently attacked the peaceful Garabon and nearly killed the chief elder. If he gets ahold of the Book of Wisdom, he would possess the knowledge to create the mystical weapon of our ancestors.”
“We are aware. But why are you here with the traveler?” an elder said.
“The traveler is no ordinary traveler; she possesses the traits of the Protector.”
“Impossible,” one of the councilmen interrupted. “Only those of Centauran blood can be the Protector. Besides, it is against Centauran law for a traveler to be the Protector.”
The councilmen were incredulous; somehow they couldn’t believe that a foreigner and outsider, let alone a young woman, could wield the power that they thought could only be managed by the strongest of Centauran warriors. Several of the councilmen walked in circles around me, looking at me and scrutinizing my eyes. Then they went back to their seats.
“She has one of the signs of the Protector,” the lead councilman said. “But that doesn’t mean she is the Protector."
“She held her own against Battu not once, but twice. And she harnessed the power of the Crystal Forest to stop Battu,” Yakhar said.
“That is not possible,” one of the elders said.
“So you keep saying,” I said. “Listen, I did not ask for this; I did not want this. I just came here to find my mother, but then I got looped into this whole doomsday scenario battle of yours. If you don’t want me to help, that’s your call. If this was just you, I wouldn’t want to have anything to do with it. But if you don’t stop Battu, he’s gonna come for my planet next. So no one is safe; not even my planet. Now, I don’t know about you, but I like my home, and I am willing to fight for it.”
15
The Protector Awakens
The thundering explosion that traveled through the walls of the temple vibrated down to my core. Almost simultaneously a scribe ran in and whispered in the ears of the lead councilman, who immediately walked outside. The other councilmen followed.
Yakhar and I followed the five men. We looked up at the sky, where a floating city was clearly visible. Plumes of smoke rose from the surface of the island. Some of the buildings, very advanced and sophisticated in their architecture, were on fire.
“Is that the floating city?”
“Yes, I’m afraid so,” said Yakhar. “The Akamon use technology to cloak their cities so that their locations remain unknown. They do not trust easily.”
“It’s Battu, isn’t it?” I asked the lead councilman. He didn’t respond. “You don’t have to say anything,” I said. “If we don’t stop him, he’ll destroy Centaura and with it any chances I have to return to my world.”
The lead councilman walked up to me, looked at my crystal necklace, and asked, “Is it true that you channeled the power of the crystals?”
“Yes, I guess so.”
“You guess?” he asked. “You can’t control your gift?”
“Not really. I did not know I had this gift until I came to Centaura. I’ve always felt that something was different about me, but I didn’t know what it was and what I could do until I first faced Battu.”
“Very well,” the lead councilman said. “The Council will reconvene. I will allow the Council to discuss the matter of naming you Protector. But my voice is only one of five. The Council must unanimously agree to this decision.”
The Council returned to the chamber. Yakhar and I waited outside for the decision. It wasn’t long before the scribe called us back inside the chambers.
The Council leader spoke. “We have made a decision. We will not change the law. However, we would make an exception, and train and guide you as the Protector, provided that you pass a test to prove that you are truly the Protector.”
“OK. I will do it.”
The lead councilman walked away momentarily and came back with a box. He opened the box and meticulously arranged four pieces of broken glass. “This dagger used to belong to my grandfather. It was forged from the Crystal Forest. Put the pieces back together, and you will be named the Protector.”
“But I do not know how to control my powers,” I said.
“This is not about control. If you are truly meant to be the Protector, putting together four pieces of glass should be child’s play.”
“Sali,” Yakhar said, “I have observed that whenever you manage to use your abilities, you are under heavy duress, under dire circumstances. Perhaps the secret to using your abilities is tied to your emotions.”
“That’s right! Every time I’ve used my powers, it was because I or someone around me was in danger. It’s worth a shot!”
I closed my eyes and slowly breathed in and breathed out, trying to clear my mind. Grandmaster Kramer’s words suddenly filled my mind. I focused my thoughts, opened my eyes, and extended my hand toward the crystal. I waited a moment, but nothing happened. I tried again; still nothing happened, same results.
“I can’t do it!” I said. “It’s not working.”
“If that’s how you feel, I am afraid you are not the Protector you think you are,” the lead councilman said.
I was frustrated by what I felt were condescending comments from the councilman. “A psychopath is trying to destroy the world, and you are obsessing over me passing a silly test. Why can’t you just guide me and tell me what I need to know to defeat him? This doesn’t make any sense!”
“I see that you are disappointed, but the Council’s decision is final. There is great power in being the Protector, and we want to make sure that you are truly worthy before we name you Protector.”
“You know what, I’m going to go back to Garabon, find my father, and find my way home.”
“Sali, you must try again,” Yakhar said.
“No. We came a
ll the way out here for nothing. The only thing that’s happening is that I have obstacle after obstacle, yet again, placed on my path. Things keep going from bad to worse. Since I landed on this rock!” As I was venting my frustration to Yakhar, his attention was elsewhere, and I became aware of that. “Are you listening to me?” I asked.
“Sali,” he said repeatedly.
“What!”
“Your necklace …”
I looked down; my necklace glowed. I turned around and saw the crystal dagger, in one piece, floating midair. “But how?” I asked.
“It seems your abilities are tied to your emotions. Congratulations, Protector!” The lead councilman continued. “But to defeat Battu, you must learn how to summon your abilities at will. That will keep you and those around you safe.”
Yakhar and I stayed at the temple, and under the guidance of the lead councilman, I learned more about my abilities and how to better manage them. The lead councilman was convinced that I must have had Centauran genes to be able to harness my gift. Over the course of several days, he taught me several techniques to tap into my emotions, even when I didn’t feel threatened or upset. He taught me to channel and stimulate specific emotions by merely thinking about them and focusing all my thoughts and attention on one single feeling, one single word.
While we were training, word came in that there were sightings of dark shadows influencing people’s behaviors and causing Centaurans to turn against each other for no apparent reason. The atmospheric phenomena also multiplied; the brightest of the two suns was getting dimmer for some reason. Earthquake activity increased, and so did meteor strikes. The people of the Vacamon, whose physiology allowed them to resist intense heat, had to evacuate their city due to the excessive volcanic activity that threatened it. All this, according to the Council of Elders, pointed to signs that Battu was getting closer to melding and activating the five elements and breaking the veil between dimensions.
We also found out from the elders that there was only one place where Battu could be: the ancient ruins near Lake Akhmore, in the kingdom of Teramon. They believed that the place had historical significance and that it may be the weakest point from which to breach the veil. But for that to happen, sunlight over Centaura had to be dimmed to near-dusk conditions.
The lead councilman handed me a charm. “This came in from Magaal,” he said. “They are purified Centauran crystals. It should strengthen your focus and enhance your abilities threefold.”
I took the charm and attached it to my necklace.
“I believe you are ready,” he said. “You must hurry and get to Battu; conditions are nearly right.”
“Thank you for your guidance,” I said.
“And while you are there, Sali, do not trust anything you see. The Naaju are deceitful creatures; they can manipulate reality.”
16
The Rise of the Naaju
Yakhar and I headed for the Vacamon kingdom. There was an ominous feeling in the air when we arrived. As we got closer to Lake Akhmore, an ominous cloud that looked like a tornado swirled in place. The wind picked up more and more as we got closer to the epicenter of the phenomenon. Yakhar and I took care not to let ourselves be seen. The wind was biting and cold; the temperature dropped.
“There he is,” I said to Yakhar.
Battu was performing a ritual; he had three of the elements on a makeshift altar and held a voluminous book open with one hand. He read the book in a language we did not recognize. Yakhar and I agreed that the best approach was to synchronize our attack. Battu held the book and continued reading, vocalizing in an ever-increasing crescendo. His voice increased in volume and tone until it morphed into two voices speaking in near synchronicity. It was the same voice that we had heard at the Vacamon compound. Battu slowly let go of the book, which stayed afloat in midair. He opened a small vial and slowly tilted it over the elements, one drop at a time.
“The Elixir of Akhmore,” Yakhar said. “It seems he’s almost completed the ritual. If that happens, he will have the ability to breach the veil, and we won’t be able to stop him.”
Battu continued his sordid incantations. It was time to move in.
“Are you ready?” Yakhar asked.
I looked down at my necklace and nodded.
Yakhar went around to the opposite side to flank Battu. I waited for the signal; Yakhar’s attack. Yakhar activated his shield and his weapon, and fired. One of the shadows got in the way and absorbed the hit.
It’s now or never, I thought. I jumped forward, extended my hands, palms facing forward toward the target. I let out a bright flash of light that hit directly the shadowy characters that surrounded Battu. Alerted, they multiplied in number and floated around Battu. I fired again. Both Yakhar and I fired several shots, none of which hit Battu; they were hitting the Naaju who astutely created a barrier to protect Battu so that he may finish the ritual.
The ground shook, and a wormhole opened, then another. Another opened a few feet above the ground, some above our heads. Soon several wormholes materialized at the same time.
“We are too late,” Yakhar said. “He’s breached the veil.” Yakhar came back and stood next to me.
Battu stepped away from the altar and walked past the cluster of Naaju who kept appearing out of thin air and multiplying in numbers. “They can now take any form they wish, now that I have breached the veil,” Battu said. “Join me, and you will have a place beside me in the new world.”
“I’ll pass,” I said, blasting the Naaju.
“If you don’t join us, then I will destroy you,” he threatened. Battu was holding the Staff of Knowledge, which was shimmering and fizzing with dark energy. He somehow managed to combine all the essences of the elements into one supercharged item. It looked more powerful than ever. “Very well,” he said. “It is high time that I be rid of you.” Battu waved, and the Naaju attacked in a mass.
They were extremely fast. They looked different. Some of them now had wings sprouting out of their backs. They were faceless. When I stared at them longer than a split second, I felt terror, hatred, desperation, and a sense of loss; a powerfully debilitating and destabilizing cocktail of darkness that I had never felt before. I caught a glimpse of the horrible things that Battu had planned. Thankfully, the light emanating from my crystal enveloped me with a protective and warm barrier against their influence.
I had had enough.
I attacked, pushing back the Naaju as best as I could. Yakhar was fighting as well, and he was holding his own. I blasted the creatures with a ray of light and waved my arms around to repel them as they tried to tighten the circle. Yakhar took a few hits from the creatures but managed to deflect most of them.
We saw an opening to Battu. Yakhar pulled his weapon, twisting both ends of the cylindrical weapon, and elongated it, turning it into a spear. He tossed it at me. I held the spear and transferred as much energy as I could, turning it into a smoldering spear of pure energy.
I threw it at Battu. The spear went through a Naaju, pierced Battu’s skin, and lodged into his shoulder. He took a couple of steps back, stumbled, and laboriously pulled the spear out and threw it by the side. Then he summoned even more creatures. They were now pouring out of the wormhole in droves.
He immediately counterattacked. He hit the ground with the bottom of his staff; a black jolt of lightning traveled through the ground toward me. At the last second, Yakhar jumped in front of me and pushed me out of the way. He took the full force of the discharge. His entire body shook. He fell backward and started convulsing. His translucent skin started turning progressively darker until he could no longer move; he lay on the ground, immobile.
“No!” I said, running to Yakhar.
It seemed that the staff was giving Battu control over the Naaju. I knew I had to get the staff away from him, but I couldn’t get close enough with all the creatures surrounding him.
Seeing Yakhar hurt made me angry, angrier than I expected. It was as if someone was tugging at my heartstrings
. I thought about Yakhar being gone forever and that the monster who took him away from me was right in front of me. The more I thought about it, the angrier I felt; the angrier I felt, the more powerful I felt.
“You have been nothing but a nuisance and a parasite killing anyone on your path. I am tired of fighting you,” I said.
Battu ordered another massive attack. The Naaju floated all around me and attacked.
My focus was split. I closed my eyes and focused on one phrase, one thought: light over darkness. I kept thinking it. When I opened my eyes, I was floating five feet off the ground, surrounded by a cocoon of energy. I summoned a ball of energy. It felt like I was sitting on the surface of the sun. I focused on one word, one thought: release.
A powerful circle of light exploded outward in all directions from my body, obliterating all creatures. I landed on my feet and charged Battu. The latter lifted the staff high up above his head, getting ready to plant it in the ground. With inexplicable speed, I got under his arms and held them, preventing the staff from hitting the ground again.
Battu was barbarically strong; he pushed down, crushing my right knee, which hit the ground. But I felt no pain. I planted my left foot firmly and summoned all the energy I had and held the staff.
I could feel the dark energy pushing back against the light. I focused on one thought: destroy. With that thought, the staff exploded in Battu’s hands, in an unprecedented detonation, throwing both of us in the air violently. I hit the ground hard. Everything was blurry; my ears were ringing. I felt dizzy. I tried to stay on my feet but couldn’t. I fell backward; everything turned black.
17
The Gift of Cloth
I opened my eyes; three small heads were hovering over me, smiling and yelling, “Protector, Protector!”
I immediately stood up, and the Garabon children ran off. “The battle!” I said.
