Soulseeker’s Descent

by Pablo Andrés Wunderlich Padilla

  Something transported him, as though he were a speck of dust in the rushing current of a river. Something changed, energy fluctuated like a soundwave on the water’s surface. The wave spread, altering the elements as it went. There came a bright light, an entity. Through Mother, he understood that this entity was the union of the Old Gods during the birth of the universe. Mórofos and Désofor were one, light and darkness, the eternal and the finite, dancing in a poetic disorder.

  The brilliant union of Désofor and Mórofos underwent another change. An intense explosion conveyed an undulation that would expand throughout eternity and began to form the void, matter, nebulas and galaxies, suns and stars, and planets and living creatures.

  Mórofos and Désofor were gigantic. They lacked arms, legs, or heads. It could truly be said that they did not even have bodies. They occupied space, they emitted light.

  The initial division commenced, but the phenomenon left sediment, a part of its essence which could not be classified, measured, or altered. It was her spirit. It was Mother.

  Ÿ.

  His consciousness awoke once again. He emerged from death and, once more, he felt his body. He now possessed the properties of the earth, of the sanctity of creation.

  He was no longer a shaman. He was neither dead nor alive. He was a part of the universe; he was a guardian of its balance. He switched off his conscience and vanished.

  ***

  Balthazar opened his eyes. His penetrating gaze scanned the horizon in search of what he was looking for. There was no time to lose.

  He was startled at the ruinous state of Gardak, but at least Chaos did not rule there. He took off his hood. His hair, now white, glimmered. He watched the six-legged insects work together to remove the rubble. In a single glance, Balthazar understood the purpose of their work: they were digging to free the Queen of the Dakatak.

  It did not take long for Balthazar to realize that not only had Fuifay been overthrown, but at the same time, something good had happened. There was no throne, but there was authority. Someone had assumed leadership. He found her. It was Princess Meromérila.

  Meromérila knelt when the golden-skinned messenger with blue eyes stood before her. Soldiers, men of faith, and insects also bowed to him, following their queen’s example. When she had met him, a long time before, he had impressed her greatly and she had the same feeling now. He gave out deep and mysterious energy and that deserved all her respect. She also noticed changes. His eyes were now like sapphires, the black tattoo had turned red and radiated a light that spread along the arm on the same side like a climbing stem of energy.

  Meromérila had gained some weight since his previous visit. She had also continued practicing the common language of the Mandrake Empire. Her silver gown, long and elegant, identified her as the Queen of Gardak.

  “The time has come,” Balthazar said in his deep voice.

  “To visit the world of the portals?”

  “So it must be.”

  Chapter XXI – Regent

  The remodeling of the Imperial Palace was very nearly complete. After the proclamation of the new king and the purge of the Council of Kings, the city was ready to celebrate the re-inauguration of the building.

  Leandro was watching through the window. He was still the general and he would continue to be with the threat of war latent. Besides, the devastating war had decimated the army and there was no one to take over from him. As a result, he preferred to stay in his post by his own choice, not because he was being forced at the tip of a sword.

  He liked to see the city stirring from its sleep every day; the bustle of its inhabitants, the opening of the shops, and the rumble of the carts. Every morning from the market, there would float an intoxicating scent from its display of fruits, vegetables, meats, and fish.

  “You are needed, Regent,” Macadamio said at his back.

  He turned, bored. He did not enjoy carrying out the king’s functions, but he had been left with no choice. Karolina watched him tenderly as she wakened the twins.

  “Everything’s going to be all right, my love,” his wife assured him. She knew her husband’s moods well.

  “But I haven’t even been given any instructions! The king takes a vacation and I, with no reason whatever to be meddling in bureaucratic affairs, have to put up with it and do what I can. It’s unbelievable…”

  “It’s Lombardo,” Macadamio said. “He needs you to sign some papers to begin the coffee trade with the palace.”

  He calmed down. He had good memories of the farmer and he would enjoy talking to him and hearing his plans for the future. He had not seen his comrades in battle for months. He sometimes thought about Lulita, Luchy, Balthazar, and Turi the Crafty. He still mourned the death of the great Strangelus Üdessa.

  “Tell Lombardo I’ll be with him right away. I have to dress properly.”

  “Very well, Regent,” Macadamio said and left the room.

  “You must admit that Mérdmerén has shown courage,” Karolina said. “No king has ever tried anything like it before. Until now, the Empire has behaved arrogantly. The fact that Mérdmerén wants to establish alliances is the most sensible thing a government of Mandrake has done in a long time. Don’t you agree, my love?”

  Leandro had donned leather pants and a silk shirt. He tied on his scabbard and sheathed his sword. Finally, he combed his hair.

  Karolina smiled. “Always so handsome, my good general.”

  “Daddy’s handsome,” Nickolathius said playfully.

  Gabriel leaned forward to look out the window.

  “My sons are very strong already. Now then, Nana will be here soon, and she’ll want you dressed properly to go and play.”

  “Play? Yes!” the twins cried, creating an earthquake among the sheets and pillows.

  “Look what you’ve done,” Karolina scolded him with a smile.

  “It’s all done with love,” the general replied.

  He kissed her cheek and left the room.

  ***

  Leandro skipped down the stairs and mingled with the river of servants led by Macadamio and the builders, who were finishing their work. They all stopped when the general crossed their path, wondering how to greet him. They knelt before the king, but when they confronted the regent, they had no idea whether to salute like soldiers or bend at the waist to show him respect. Leandro, who paid no attention to what he regarded as trivialities, went to the king’s throne-room.

  Lombardo was waiting for him there, curiously inspecting the ornaments and paintings. The warrior, now a gentleman devoted to his lands, was dressed elegantly. A cloak and a black hat of good quality lent him the necessary touch of distinction for a meeting of such importance. He had grown a beard and there shone a new hope in his eyes.

  He stood up when he saw the general. He bowed his head and offered his hand.

  “General, it’s been too long since the last time we met.”

  “Really? How long? Almost eight months since the Battle for Háztatlon?”

  “That’s right, General.”

  “Well, I see you’re living a good life,” Deathslayer said sarcastically. “So who’s treating you so well?”

  Lombardo patted his swollen belly. Someone was preparing tasty meals for him, perhaps desserts to conquer his heart with.

  The regent sat down on the throne with visible distaste. He sometimes had the feeling he would be regent forever.

  “Please take a seat,” he said.

  “Thank you.”

  “Well now, are you lucky in love?” the general insisted.

  “Actually, yes.”

  “Well then, who is she?”

  “Ajedrea of the Recesses.”

  “The king’s daughter?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Well, you have balls. If you hurt her, Mérdmerén will have your guts. When it involves his family, he goes wild.”

  “He likes me. Fighting at his side has helped me earn his respect.”

  “Of course it has, I c
an already see it. You’re a great lad.”

  Lombardo scratched his beard. “A man, General. I’ll be twenty-one very soon.”

  “Very well, Don Lombardo. Macadamio has told me that you’ve come for something to do with coffee. What do you need?”

  “The Crown’s approval so that I can start trading, that’s all. The crops are already fruiting and in a few months, we’ll be gathering the first harvest. I’ve already prepared the washing and sun drying. You’re warmly invited to come to the Zapotillo to see the plantation and enjoy some afternoon refreshment. It would be a pleasure to have you with Karolina and the boys. We also roast our coffee in the clay ovens. I could have some brewed for you if you visit.”

  “About the coffee, what exactly did you agree on with Mérdmerén? I know nothing of the matter.”

  “We agreed that the Imperial Palace would start serving my coffee. And we agreed on a special price.”

  “That sounds good, but—”

  “I brought a freshly roasted sample,” the farmer hastened to say. “Macadamio?”

  The butler came in with a silver tray and two ceramic cups.

  “Here you are, Don Lombardo.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Do you need anything else?”

  “No, thank you.”

  The general accepted a clay cup with pleasure. The smell of freshly-made coffee awoke his senses.

  “We’ve done a few experiments,” Lombardo said. “And I think we’ve come up with the best taste. Try it.”

  They both drank. The general relaxed at once. He leaned back on the throne and drank in small sips.

  “It’s impressive! It has a taste like cherry and something else… Wood?”

  Lombardo smiled. “Exactly. It’s the drink of the Gods.”

  “Delicious! Where do I have to sign?”

  Chapter XXII – Aeternum

  Alac had only needed one passing of the Sands to declare his devotion to Allündel. It was surprising what the elves had managed in that patch of earth rescued from their old world. No less surprising was the fact that the elves had renounced the conquest of any other planet. Meanwhile, Róganok enjoyed himself flying around Allündel.

  “The titanic trees are called Lï. They are related to the Gods,” Karsa explained.

  The elf woman and Alac were tiny beside those trunks. Not even the huge trees of Tutonticám could compare with them.

  “And those tiny floating dots?” Alac asked.

  “Naevas Aedán. After the destruction of Tutonticám and their god Thórlimás, we elves devoted ourselves to saving all we could. That is how we are. We like to preserve the beauty Ÿ has created.”

  Alac was silent. His face showed a range of suppressed emotions. Karsa looked concerned.

  “Is there anything wrong?”

  “It’s just that… I had a very special friend, a Naevas Aedán. We went to Tutonticám, he met his people, and decided to stay with the spirits.”

  “I am sorry,” Karsa said, her eyes full of tears. “The Naevas Aedán are precious beings who help us look after these trees. They are not servants, nobody is one here, so they live according to their own principles and customs.”

  “Did you say servants?”

  “Oh, yes. There was a time when they were used to help others perceive the world and communicate. By the look on your face, I take it that your Naevas Aedán was consecrated for that purpose.”

  The rosy seraphs were flying at different heights around the elf, but they avoided the God of Light.

  “So Teitú has been a slave all this time.”

  “Yes. It is a pity, but that is so. Your seraph left you for his family, did he? That is normal. They are very much linked to their environment. They are divine beings but fragile ones, like the pure souls they are. You did well in setting him free, Alac. A Naevas Aedán would not survive more than a thousand Sands as a slave; in your world, I think that would equal three years or so. After that, they become insane.”

  That explained everything. There was a reason for Teitú’s mood changes. He needed to develop and return to his origins. Alac wished he could let him know that he would be happy in Allündel, but they were separated by galaxies and if he went back to Tutonticám, he did not know if he would be able to find Teitú. At least he felt relieved to know he had acted correctly in leaving him in his world and yet, at the same time, he rued his selfishness. But how could he have imagined all this when their fates had been joined? Ramancia should have foreseen Teitú’s evolution, like Alac’s. This thought gave him the strength to go on with his mission without the luminous being. Now he had to strengthen his link with the dragon which, so far, had proved a complicated business.

  “What are you thinking, Alac?”

  The young man started at hearing her say his name. He blushed.

  “That I was just a little boy wanting to be a farmer and I never imagined any of this. Now here I am in Allündel, the refuge of the elves, a piece of a planet. It sounds very strange.”

  Karsa smiled. Despite her beauty, Alac did not feel attracted to her. All she inspired in him was respect.

  “Let us go on,” she said. “I have to show you more things. Allündel may be small, but there is no end to its wonders.”

  ***

  They arrived at what seemed to be the very center of the patch of earth. From there, Alac could get a view of how the land of the elves was organized. The trees were set in concentric circles. Their crowns joined high above to form a net of leaves where seraphs floated. Apart from Naevas Aedán, there were other creatures he had never seen before.

  “They are mël,” Karsa said. “The spirits of space. They are primitive creatures, formed in the divine creation. We elves believe that every being was created with a purpose and for this reason, we look after the ones who cannot do so themselves after the destruction of their planets. The Times of Chaos was a genuine tragedy. I shudder to think that all that destruction will return.”

  “We can’t allow it,” the God of Light murmured, marveling at the creatures floating above them. “Why destroy? What compels Mórgomiel?”

  “Chaos is the only thing that nourishes him and if he does not get it, he despairs. It is thought that during the dawn of time, the God of Chaos was deeply jealous of his brothers and sisters. In itself, the essence of chaos is not evil: in fact, it must exist. The universe remains in balance because of the opposition of forces. We need darkness as much as we need light.”

  “In that case, I can’t destroy the God of Chaos.”

  “The properties of his essence would not fade with his death.” Karsa fell silent as if she were hiding a deeper truth she did not want to, or could not, explore.

  He had been in the world of the elves for very few Sands, but Alac had learned that they could not be made to talk. It was better to listen and accept the information they offered with grace, grateful for the gift of being able to share their wisdom.

  “Follow me. There are things left to show you and you do not have much time, Alac.”

  “And why don’t I go and stop Mórgomiel?”

  “Because the beauty of the universe must be appreciated properly. You have seen too many horrors and overcome many adversities. That has damaged your soul. It is time for you to wonder at the Light, to notice that not everything is lost and to appreciate beauty so that you wish to protect it with all the strength of your heart.”

  Karsa continued to walk and Alac allowed himself to be led. Once again, he missed Teitú.

  The elf reached a flight of grey stone stairs that went down amid a blue-flowered creeper that appeared and disappeared at every step. There was a murmur as if the flowers were talking among themselves.

  “Welcome to the Lookout,” Karsa said.

  Alac was amazed. It was held up on nothing! From the floating platform, he could see the infinite, the purple light of Oris and the nebulae in the distance with their enormous arms stretching through space and taking on unbelievable shapes.

  His e
yes were moist. Unable to restrain himself any longer, he wept as he was confronted with so much beauty. It was as if everything around had disappeared, even Karsa and Allündel. It might have been a dream. He spread his arms wide, unfolded his wings, and let the cosmic illumination bathe him. He felt like a sinner and did not know why. Perhaps because his thoughts were soiled with so much violence. He freed himself of them and was purified. Now he could take in the wonder of the stars and the whole universe. Then, he became aware of it.

  It was like touching calm water and then feeling an essence expand, creating waves of many colors. He closed his eyes and let the arms of creation embrace him. He was surrounded by the love of Ÿ.

  A blue light appeared in his mind. He saw himself floating freely, rocked by the fibers of the universe. Time ceased to exist. Nothing mattered but the moment he was experiencing in that precise and delicate instant of time.

  Several dragons appeared to him. Some were broken and others were graceful and complete with their riders. He witnessed the birth of galaxies and the destruction of others. He understood that construction and destruction were a part of the same thing; something is and then ceases to be, becoming able to transform into another form of energy.

  Alac fainted. Ÿ consumed his body and his soul, returning his essence to the cosmos. A delightful light came into being. It was himself being reborn, beginning another cycle in his evolution. The light, like a bud, burst open and a new Alac Arc Ángelo emerged, in whose eyes bore the soul of a young shepherd called Manchego and, like a butterfly just emerged from its chrysalis, he flew toward the brightness of the sun—

  “Do you feel all right?”

  Karsa was watching him understandingly. She knew what had happened to him, but there was no need for words. Alac turned his eyes toward the infinite, seeking Mother, but found only the silence of eternity.

  “Whenever you wish to call Ÿ, just come back here. Mother, as the Wild People of your world call her, has a mysterious and unique way of communicating with her creatures. When you feel abandoned, come back here and speak to her.