Schala…
Schala…
Where are you, Schala?
He had been seeking his lost sister for what seemed an
eternity and wasn't about to give up. He didn't know where he was now. Some
place harsh, icy and barren. The cold winds rushed over his numb, pale face,
and his eyes continued to search. What he was searching for, he'd nearly
forgotten. His eyes had forgotten. His cold, bitter stare traced the land below
as his cape rippled behind him. He was too lost to find her now. Too sorrowful
to reach out and touch her if he did find her. Too cold to go on. Much too
cold.
Magus
collapsed into a heap, his cape falling over him. The snow didn't make him any
warmer. His eyes stretched wide, he flinched and struggled to get up and keep
searching. "S… scha…. … ..la…" His vision blurred. His heart pounded. He
mustn't die. But why not? Death came to those who were ready. Was he ready?
Having not eaten nor slept in weeks, his memory swirled and faded. What was he
doing here, and where was he? Searching. He was searching for someone.
Pleading
for enough energy to stand, Magus began to lose the feeling in most of his
body. His eyes forced closed. He could not move nor speak. Snow blew over his
battered body, and he fell into slumber… sweet, sweet slumber. All became
black. And then, what he perceived was what he most desired. Schala.
It was a
mirror. Magus moved closer and blinked over and over. It was Schala on the
other side of the mirror. He began to move his hand to reach out, but he was
covered in chains. Schala disappeared as the mirror rippled like water. Please…
forgive… me… Magus's eyes widened. Schala's voice circled over him and
repeated. Plea… please… forgive me, Janus… Magus let out a scream that
could not be heard. Little brother. Magus flinched and the mirror
rippled again.
It was Zeal
Palace. He could see himself, as a little boy, and his sister, Schala. The two
of them proceeded down a corridor and through a door to room that he now
remembered. A red-haired boy, a blonde girl, and another girl with a helmet and
glasses floated unconsciously inside a tube. Schala gazed as her brother
scowled coldly.
"Idiots…"
he muttered, "What will you do, Schala?"
"Let us
rescue them," Schala replied softly.
"…I think
it's useless," responded Janus, turning and crossing his arms, "Besides, if
they escape, you'll be in trouble."
Schala
smiled. "Don't worry… about me."
Those words
haunted Magus for the rest of his life. The mirror rippled and became still. He
heard Schala's voice once more. Don't worry… about me. For one of the first
times in his life, he thought he would cry. But he didn't. All he managed was a
weak whimper, "Where are you, Schala…"
Almost as
if on cue, a misty figure appeared overhead him. Her emerald eyes glinted, and
her ice-blue hair gleamed like crystal shards. She smiled. Don't worry about
me… Schala's ghost took Magus by the arms and lifted him from the chains.
Up, into the black of nothingness they rose, until he awakened.
Bolting
upright, and feeling rather numb, Magus's cold eyes stared upon what didn't
seem to be there before. A gravestone. Wait a moment… He was not where he had
collapsed. Perhaps his memory was failing him again. Magus stroked his head and
examined the gravestone.
Miss
Princess Schala
Enlightened
One of the Magical Kingdom of Zeal
Daughter
of Queen Zeal, sister to Prince Janus
Mysteriously
disappeared during an unknown incident in the Ocean Palace
Magus felt
the etched letters with his cold fingers and thought he caught a final glimpse
of her spirit's face in the snow. How long he sat there, to be with Schala at
last, he did not know. The passing of time could not be determined where he was
now. And then…
He cried.
He had never cried for anyone before. Only himself. And… he did not know how or
why any of this happened. The tears dropped into the thick snow and melted a
portion of it away. Falling snow swept over him. Had he found Schala?
…No.
Schala was
still out there, he told himself. Only weaklings without an ounce of hope or
care planted this gravestone. And so, determined ever still, the great wizard
proceeded to search for his beloved sister. Not knowing where he found the
strength, he leapt upward and sailed the wind like a bird to his next
destination…
The
village. Villagers eyed him almost as if they knew him, but doubted themselves
and gave a wide berth to the strange-looking man. Alfador knew him. The young
cat recognized the scent and bounded after his footsteps. Magus smiled
slightly, and stroked the feline like he would as a boy. Schala had taught him
to be gentle and pet animals just the right way. …Schala.
Ever searching. He would find her.
