Chapter 3 Revitalization
The strength they would need would not only be found within themselves, but also in each other. When the light of Ra first shone upon the two, the God found them both awake. Odion standing and beginning to gather their supplies into his large satchel. Marik sitting on his knees, searching for the strength to stand. The feeble pleas Odion began saying would have as little of an effect as they did in the darkness.
"I am not asking you to come with me Odion, I can do this myself," Marik said.
"Where you go, I will follow, Master Marik," Odion said without a moment of hestation. "Besides," Odion continued, "We no longer have a compass for direction."
"What are you talking about? I had it with me," Marik said, dazed and suprised.
"I searched, Master Marik, but could not find it anywhere," Odion said slowly.
Marik sat there, angry and dismayed, on top of everything else they were lost. He began to think and realized he must have dropped it without noticing, probably as he was running in a frenzy towards the distant water.
"Wait Odion," Marik said, "if you did not bring a compass then how did you find me? How do you even know where we are?"
"I can read direction based on the position of the sun, Ra gives guidence to those who study him," Odion replied with a bit of pride.
"However folling your foot prints in the sand was a bit easier Master," Odion added.
Marik braced himself to stand, Odion quickly rushed to his side to help. Before Odion could place his hands to lift him, Marik gruffly pushed him back with his right hand.
"I dont need help Odion! I am not a child." Marik spoke, cold as ice.
Within a few seconds he drew himself up to full height and stood there, weakly shaking. Rustling though his satchel, Odion pulled out a spare canteen and handed it to Marik.
"Drink this Master Marik, it is the last container of water leaft," he said.
Marik drank but a little, the water did little to help the aching of his throat. A look into his violet eyes would tell you he was on the verge of collapse. But they could also tell that there is no identifying the power of the soul behind them.
Without any more words, they walked in the direction the Nile had to be. Marik was walking strong, but slow. Odion had to adjust his pace to be beside him, ready to intercept any fall that might occur. But oddly enough, the more time passed, the more steady and firm Marik became.
"Do you have anything to eat Odion?" Marik asked.
"Of course Master Marik," Odion replied.
He whirled around his satchel and pulled out an object covered in a linen cloth.
"Its hummus bread, I made it before setting out," Odion said, tearing off a large peice and handing it to Marik.
Neither had the thought of stopping to enjoy it, the sun was getting higher and higher. Strangely however, the heat did not seem as bad, the wind was blowing softly in all directions. They were alone as far as their eyes could see, no other signs of any other forms of life.
Within an hour Odion became frustrated and confused. The sky was growing darker, blocking his sight of the sun. Of course he had read about such things happening, when Ra wished to spite those who were lost. Odion could not imagine what he did to incur the God's wrath, now, of all times.
The winds picked up in a higher frenzy. Sounds of titanic objects smashing together were heard. The sky was now very very dark. But Marik was not afraid.
"Master Marik," Odion said, "I dont understand wh-"
"I do," came Marik's reply.
As Marik said that, a torrent of cool water rushed down upon them. For the first time in years, Marik was happy. He smiled wide and lifted his arms out, like a bird ready to take flight, and soaked up the rain. Odion was perplexed, but still not completly relieved, he knew that without the sun's light that they were still lost. But he let his satchel fall and enjoyed the scene.
All exhaustion and weariness aside, Marik spinned and danced in the ferocity of the shower. His body humming tones of complete and utter ecstasy. The rain purified him of his worries and concerns, it purified him of his pain and hurt. It caused him to dream again.
The End.
End Synopsis
Marik and Odion did not continue to the Nile that day. They were both happy to set out for home as the clouds broke open to show them the way. Only a week later they were both on the bank of the mighty river. But, perhaps that is a story for another time.