CHAPTER 25 I Find Myself in the Company of Friends

Donya, near the coast, is rolling grassy hills, though you can tell even there it's sandy. We've gone a ways south by sea and it is telling. It's warmer here and the farther we get from the sea shore, the dryer the air becomes. I'm thinking this would be the place I might wish I had my lipgloss still. Not that I would have it. Those bags are two countries north of here. I wonder when we'll be able to get back and pick them up, and just how long that mayor will hold on to them for us. Speaking of which, I ask Izark if mail is a thing around here and if we can send her a letter asking her to hold on to them for us. Thankfully, there is a form of mail service and he agrees that we should do that at the next town we come to.

At the moment, we're practicing teleporting with the chimos while we're in open fields. The babies are weaned now and old enough to help us, so each of us now has a chimo on our shoulders. I've asked for a female. They don't look quite so much like rabid rodents as the males do. I've never been fond of rodents for pets. They carried the black plague through Europe for generations, after all, harboring the fleas that passed the disease from person to person. I hope there isn't anything like that here, though I've already handled that, I hope.

Everyone has teleported their first distance, except me. Izark and Doros are trying to help me, but to go from here to Glocia, Niana, and Alef isn't working out too well. I get the concept. Picture where you want to be in your head, request it of the chimos (they work by level of desire), and "poof" you're there. I keep seeing myself reappearing inside Glocia, an arm inside Niana. That's not working for me or the chimo. "It's okay, Noriko," Izark puts his hand kindly on my head. "Just relax. Take your time - we're not in a hurry."

I look up at him with a slightly peeved look. "That isn't it. I'm both too logical, and it's the wrong order." He furrows his brow. "You go first," I say and cross my arms. He gets just a tiny bit antsy. "See? Follow that feeling."

He does, then looks enlightened. "Oh."

"Yeah," I nod. "I could go half-way around the world to get to you. I can't leave you." Everyone blushes. "Oh, stuff it," I scowl at them all. "You already know I'm attached to him. Go, Izark." I jerk my head at the others.

Izark focuses briefly, then he's gone and standing next to Alef. I release the constant need I have to be next to Izark and am next to him again in a flash. "I could make five chimos move me, without touching them, if it's to be next to you, Izark. I've known that since Doros first caught me in the air as I fell from the wall. I just didn't know that what I already knew was correct." Alef chokes back a laugh and I glare at him from the side of my eyes. Even Glocia is careful to avert her eyes this time.

Niana pats me on the back. "Congratulation, dear."

I nod to her and Doros appears with us. "I'll practice going to Izark a few more times, then I might be comfortable enough to go to other people and places." I promise. "This kind of thing is currently unsettling for me."

Since even this kind of thing takes up energy, though it isn't as bad at the short distances as at the long ones where at least two people are required to synchronize to not collapse upon arrival, we only practice for a short time, then use our feet like most people. During one practice, Irktule shows up with several of his spirit friends. "Irktule! How is my family in Ennamarna?" Niana is excited to see him. The spirits went there as soon as we were on the Western Continent and came back to let us know they were indeed there.

Irktule floats down to join us and his expression is somber. "Niana," he bows his head a bit, "Noriko, the people of Ennamarna are in trouble." We cluster around him. Apparently the government of Donya wants to invade another country on the other side of the desert, and they want to use Ennamarna as a base of operations. The mayor of Ennamarna has refused and the government is applying sanctions, cutting the city off from supplies from the rest of the country to get them to comply. Already the government is gathering their army at the edge of the desert in preparations for the march to Yansk. It doesn't sound good. They're between us and where we want to go. We look at each other, worried.

We arrive in one of the towns near the desert and the word on the streets is that the army has already begun to march. Alef is finally serious and is starting to dig in his heels about allowing Glocia and Niana to go on to Ennamarna. I can't say I'm surprised. We could probably do it anyway, but it's his responsibility to see to their safety. I'm wishing for just a little more spending cash, looking longingly at a booth of blank books, ink, and pens, when Glocia swears. I sigh. Niana's lost again. "We'll go," Alef says. He's sounding nervous. Izark and I nod. We've worked out a plan already on our way here to keep us all safe, since that's what the chimos are for. Doros follows after them, keeping both them and us in sight. We don't let Doros get too far out of sight either. I'm holding on to Izark's jacket as always, and letting him guide my feet. My eyes are looking for safe places to hide where they can group with me.

Of course, it happens. "Izark! Alef's in trouble!" Doros calls. I call a chimo to me from his basket and teleport up to a second level part of town, in an alley. (I discovered I could call them to me after making that odd comment to Izark the other day.) Izark leaps up to the top of a roof, finds Alef and the mother and daughter, and jumps down to help Alef fight a group of men. Together we worked out a smoke-screen - ninja style - so that people wouldn't be able to see a whole group disappear using chimos. As soon as the others are clustered together, Izark sets off the smoke bomb, Doros teleports to them, passes out chimos, and they are headed for me. Izark gets to me first, his own need usually as strong as mine to be close to me. When the others appear, we try to figure out what to do next.

A woman calls, "Here they are, up here!"

Glocia looks up. "Gah. That's a maid from before. She knows." We don't have much time.

"We'll have to synchronize," Doros says. We ladies give back our chimos and hold on to our men - me and Izark, Glocia and Alef, Niana and Doros. "When I say 'go' focus all your attention on me," Doros instructs. We haven't done it before, but we have talked about it, so we have some idea what to do. Doros puts out a fist and Alef and Izark put their hands on top of his fist, holding on. We all take a deep breath and Doros says "go". I focus on him with all my might. We fade out, then fade in.

Looking around, we"re standing in a field, like always when we practiced. I hope he took us closer to Ennamarna, not farther. "Hey," Doros says. "I'm not tired."

"Nope!" We look up. Irktule is above us, as are the spirits. "Congratulations! Shall we do that again?"

We blink at him. "What?"

"You can do that again and get to Ennamarna." Irktule says cheerily.

"Wait a minute," Alef says. "We weren't going to do that until we were at the desert."

"Well, now you've been seen and you may be chased. If you go straight there, you won't have to worry about it, right?"

"...And the army's reached Ennamarna," Izark says cooly, crossing his arms.

Irktule is suddenly sober. If a spirit could sigh, he would. "Yes, Izark. The army has arrived at Ennamarna. They have catapults, flaming arrows, very tall towers, and explosives. They will destroy the farm fields inside the fortress and overtake it without too much trouble. ...But you can prevent it." Alef blinks looking between Irktule and Izark. Izark only looks at Irktule, then nods. Alef looks even more disbelieving. I know he can do it...and he'll want to do it without me. That makes me sigh. He should know by now that I'd rather go with him. I decide to argue it this time, and take it to the internal talking and emotional level while the others argue the merits of going now. In the end, I lose to Izark, and Alef loses to Glocia and Niana. We both pout a bit. Izark and Glocia stand firm and put an end to it. Niana and Doros look between Alef and I, wondering what happened to make us be on the same side, since my argument with Izark was silent.

We get into our synchronous positions again, and focus on Doros. He focuses on Irktule who will lead us to Ennamarna. We'll have to jump twice more, so we just keep the focus going until we finally stop moving and there is stillness around us. It's now very hot and very dry. We look up and see around us tall sandstone walls with many holes in them that are surely windows. There is a well nearby and some level of grass under our feet.

As Izark and I turn to look around behind us, we hear a cry. "Izark! Noriko!" Our eyes go to the person running towards us. It is Gaya, her face beaming with the same joy she welcomed Izark with when we arrived in Calco. I can't help but smile. Izark looks like he wants to back up or flee, but Gaya has us both in a double hug, one arm around each of us, holding us close to her. "Oh, how I've missed you two!" she cries.

I put my arm around her. "We've missed you, too, Aunt Gaya." I hold her tightly. I really have, and her greeting, so happy and honest has made my heart open up. It was exactly the kind of greeting Izark needed, and thus me, too. No rejection at all. I send a quiet emotional message to Izark of "see...here is the acceptance, the joy. Please do not worry." He sends back a feeling of trust. He's trying and I'm glad.

Everyone else comes to greet us as well. Zena, telling us she saw us coming, as did Geena, who is holding tightly to Agol's hand. He is smiling at us as well, and I like the sparkle in his eyes. He's settled whatever doubts he had and I'm glad. The girls, Anita and Rottenina, are excited to see us, and begin to chatter away. I grin at them. There is a cry and a thud. Looking over, I can see Niana has knocked down Duke Jeida in her enthusiasm at seeing her husband again after more than a year. That's a long time and I sympathize. Glocia is greeting her brothers, and Banadam and Alef are high-fiving (so to speak). We've managed to bring everyone together. I have no idea why this particular grouping of family and friends is so important to the world of light, that it would ask the Sky Demon and Awakening to help them all come together like this, but it makes my heart very happy that we've been able to do it. I slip my hand into Izark's and squeeze it. Even Barago is having to have his say to Izark. Agol kindly goes to speak to Doros, who's a bit left out.

Things calm down after a bit and a throat is cleared. Calm descends and we turn to look. There's a man looking like a 1960's beatnik crossed with a lion standing in the field surrounded by others watching our reunion. "Welcome to Ennamarna. I'm the mayor, Mardwoog. I greet you on behalf of the citizens of Ennamarna."

Without knowing what I'm doing, I look at him and smile. "Thank you, Mayor Mardwoog." I can feel his light and the light of this place dancing with my own light. I feel like I've come home. He looks at me for a moment, then a small smile comes on his lips. He has recognized a fellow seeker of the world of light. Izark is staring at me and it takes me a moment to realize it's because I've chosen to be spokesperson for all the rest of us for the first time ever. I blush, but don't back down. I've never felt this strong and sure before, except when I first gathered the light into me in the wagon with Doctor Clairgeeta.

The citizens are as kind and welcoming to us as our friends and the mayor. They give us quarters with our friends, though Niana and Glocia go with Duke Jeida, who thanks us for safely bringing them to him. Alef goes with Banadam, who is staying near the Grand Duke. We take Doros with us and Barago adopts him pretty quickly, which overwhelms Doros, but also makes him feel pleasantly wanted, which he needs more of. We are shuffled off to the baths, public heated pools though separated by sex, which makes them like a vacation spot for me. I'm going to use them lots, if I can. Only getting to bathe every once a week or so has been hard.

The citizens prepare a meeting room for us - well, they prepare Zena's scrying room apparently, but they put out cushions for us and prepare food and restorative tea (finally, no alcohol), then leave us alone to catch up. Their kindness touches me and I have to wonder just how much they were told by our friends who arrived before we did. Do they already know what Izark and I are and don't care? Or are they just always so open and caring? It does turn out to be the latter I learn as we get seated and eating, since Izark whisper-asks Gaya, though he's nervous to even do that since we haven't openly admitted it to anyone yet, except Doros.

That sets the tone, though. Everyone, now eating, goes still and quiet and the room fills with expectation. I look at Izark. Kindly I ask, "Do you want me to tell, or do you want to?"

He looks at me. "I think there are things I need to tell...but do you want to start?"

My eyes light up. I really do. He gives his hidden grin to me and I wiggle in my seat. There's a laugh and I look up surprised. There are eyes, happy eyes, looking at me. I grin. "He says I get to start. Are you ready for story time?" Now there are grins, though our newest friends, Niana, Glocia, and Alef are more looking curious. Agol holds up a hand and sends Banadam and Alef to stand guard on the door. They take their plates with them. I don't think it's needed here, but I won't complain.

"Once upon a time," I begin, "there was a school-girl in another world that was suddenly dragged from her world to a world that only existed in the stuff of dreams and story books. When she arrived, she woke to find herself on a bed of soft golden moss under the largest tree she had ever seen. The world was still and had no one in it she knew. Frightened, she called for her mother and father, but instead of finding the way home, or the ones she loved, she had called a flower monster. Just as it was about to eat her, a man rescued her and killed the monster. Terrified, she ran to the man and held him as if holding on to life itself, her panic overwhelming her for some time. The man, a complete stranger, was extremely patient and waited for her to calm down, his warmth and presence being enough to bring her to a sense of calm...and shame at being so forward with a kind stranger. Of course, her noise and the dead monster drew other monsters, so he had to continue to rescue her until they came out of the sea of trees by a secret way."

I stop and smile. "This is the true beginning of how Izark and I met. I'm from another world and I did not come by my own free will and choice, but was claimed by the world of light and brought here to teach Izark how to find the world of light. We've been seeking it ever since I came. We're nearly done with our search. Here, in Ennamarna, we will learn the last thing we have to learn. Our search led us through many places and, somehow, all of you became caught up in our story. Some of you we've brought together who were separated," I look at Duke Jeida and his family and guards. "Some of you we've helped and you have helped us." I look at Doros, Barago, Agol, Gaya, and Zena. "We're grateful that you've welcomed us again kindly. Our trials have been as great as your help and aid have been. Izark and I were captured by the Source of All Evil, but Doros helped us escape. We know we'll have to face it again, and the man who is its hands on this world - Rachef."

Agol reacts very badly and Izark looks at him. I smile at Agol to reassure him. "When we escaped the Source of All Evil, Izark transformed for the first, and so far only time into his form of light. Because he wasn't prepared for the lesson and he had been so badly wounded, he can't remember how it happened. We've been searching for that understanding since then. We are near to understanding it. We've come from rescuing Doctor Clairgeeta, the foremost authority on the legends of the world of light, from the fate of death. He's taught us what we need to know to continue our search and he sent us here, to read the writings of this place." I pause again, then say very soberly, "It is now a race against time. Rachef and his weapon, a man who he's been training to be as strong as Izark and who hates him, are surely near to finding us again. We've learned that when light and hope are given to us, it is either in reward for the good we do for others, or it's because we're being given the encouragement we need to walk through another difficult time of sorrow and pain. The final fight with the Source of All Evil will be very difficult. If we can survive it," I look at Izark, "we will fight all the evil in this world with light until it's beaten back again." He nods and turns to look at everyone.

"I've been taught my whole life the same prophecy that everyone else has. Only when Noriko looked at me with innocent and clear eyes and told me that I was good and kind and could never be evil had the thought ever entered into me that I might not have to be what I feared most to become. I went to the sea of trees to destroy the Awakening. I couldn't do it. How could I kill an innocent girl who knew nothing of this world, the prophecy, and only had the desire to return to her home? She didn't come to destroy me, or this world. The longer she was with me, the more I realized that she had come to save, but I was still confused. Zena's words helped me to have even more hope," he nods his gratitude to her.

"But it was the recognition that I was more than the Sky Demon of legend as I was nearing both death and being taken and used by the Source of All Evil in his buried castle, just before Noriko rescued me, that made me have the courage to really fight for myself and all that I wanted to do and be. Hearing Doctor Clairgeeta's words lifted me even further and now I walk the path to find the being of light that I really am. I am still often doubtful and afraid, but Noriko's constant strength and surety is my anchor and my beacon. Her purpose, as the Awakening, has been to awaken me to my goodness and to the world of light, not to bring me to darkness and destruction. I am grateful...and I love her. A demon of destruction cannot love. I am not the Sky Demon of destruction of the prophecy of darkness." He looks at me. "When Rachef and Keimos come again, they will not have their way. Noriko will open the door to the world of light and the light will sweep away their darkness." Izark looks at everyone again. "Please help me protect Noriko until we can find the door so we can win."

The room is silent for a moment, then Agol bows his head. "Noriko has already seen it, though I don't know how. I was sent by Rachef to find the Sky Demon and the Awakening at the beginning at the sea of trees with his soldiers, and with Keimos. I didn't know until just now how evil they were, though Keimos has always taken delight in killing - violently. I know how relentless he has likely been in hunting you, Izark, and in his delight to be even stronger until he can some day best you. He is a frightening man. Geena has always been afraid of Rachef as well. When Keimos was retrieved wounded by Rachef, he told Rachef he'd fought with you near Calco. I was sent, with Geena, to find out more about you. There I heard the story of the two of you and the capture of the bandits at nearly the expense of your lives. I first began to have my doubts then."

He looks up and smiles at me. "When you landed in my lap, I thought I was helping a simple girl."

"You were," I say quietly with a smile.

"And when you told me your name at Gaya's house I couldn't believe that one of the two people I had been looking for suddenly had appeared - literally landing in my lap and bringing me to her home. All I could see was the same simple girl I'd saved. Only your special connection to Izark and the fact you could see Irktule made you remotely different. It was Izark's relationship with you that made you different. His need to have you near, and your calm patience with him. He was...is...so strong, it was difficult to understand why he needed you, a simple and weak girl, by his side all the time."

Agol takes a breath and runs his hand through his hair. "When he transformed in Selina Guzena it was shocking, but when I thought about it, I realized that only love would have made him do that. When they told me it had been after the woman said you'd been taken to your death, I understood that perfectly. I would have defended my wife to the death from her death if I could have, even if I had to announce to the world that I was a monster." He looks sadly at his daughter, taking her hand in his and she looks at him with a smile to comfort him. He smiles back at her, though she can't see it. "When I realized this about Izark," he looks back up at Izark, "I couldn't believe the prophecy any longer. I had already decided I wouldn't return to Reinka to tell Rachef what I discovered. I agree that a monster of destruction cannot love. I will support you. Noriko is worth protecting." I blush as nods go around the room. I have done nothing to deserve their kind regard.

"Izark," Zena says thoughtfully, "I've been watching you, though I didn't know it was you." She turns and points to a black mirror on a low table nearby. "This mirror has been in the possession of the Ennemarnians for many, many generations. Mayor Mardwoog says it has always been black. The day you discovered the light inside you, there were flecks of light in it for the first time in his understanding. Since then, I've been watching that light becoming stronger and stronger, more and more cohesive." She rises. "Mayor Mardwoog has also told me about the Legend of Light that Doctor Clairgeeta has likely told you, that there will be a great force of good that will arise to fight a great force of evil that will enter the world. That with the help of companions and love, that force of light will overcome the evil and restore peace to the world." Izark and I both blink, not having heard this legend before. She walks to a bookshelf carved into the rock wall of the room.

Hunting through the books she finally pulls down one that is very old, very yellowed. "This book is apocryphal. It contains the legend of darkness. It tells of a man, a priest, who gained great strength and ruled behind many rulers, extending his life many generations. With his four faithful followers, he ruled with terror and darkness upon the whole face of the land." She looks up at us. "Finally, he couldn't extend his life any longer, though he'd created great moonstones to amplify his power. Over a very short amount of time, his flesh dissolved and his body decayed and died. But his evil spirit remained, buried with his castle when the power released by his death caused volcanoes to erupt under and near it."

"...If the Source of All Evil brought you to him in a buried castle, then that is this evil man's spirit. I suspect he is desirous of walking the earth again and once again living as he did before. Perhaps he wants you to take your power, strength, and body and make them his own. He has found a man who is like him, Rachef, to begin his works, to again be someone he can stand behind and rule the world with an iron fist of darkness. You are not like him. You are not evil. ...Do you understand? This is the time of the prophecy of light. He is the evil that has come, and you are the force of good that will stand to prevent him and bring peace to the world again. I have no doubt that the world of light will open its door for you eventually. Noriko, as the Awakening will lead you to that door."

Izark and I are astonished. Gaya says, "Izark, you have always looked towards the light. I have never doubted that. You cannot be the Sky Demon of darkness." Many of our friends are in agreement with her - Banadam, Barago, the brothers, the girls, Doros.

"For Izark to withstand the power of the Source of Evil...perhaps it didn't believe that anyone could resist the temptation of such power as is contained in the Sky Demon. But Izark did, and has," Duke Jeida says in his careful, thoughtful voice. Agol nods his agreement.

Glocia stands, her usual intensity rising to the surface. "I - I also believe it. We've traveled with you, and you've helped us so much, in ways I cannot repay. I can say you are not what people are afraid of at all. Of that I am sure."

Niana nods her head enthusiastically. "Yup! You couldn't be evil." Alef nods his head as well.

One of the things Doctor Clairgeeta had told us on the journey was, "Though they are shapeless and invisible, men's feelings have great power." At this moment, when what Izark needs most to believe in himself is the feelings and words of others who believe as I do, I think I might understand his words. I feel Izark's heart healing, opening, and his fears and doubts diminishing. He looks around at everyone, then bows his head in humility that so many would judge him as righteous rather than evil. Tears drip from my eyes, tears of gratitude - for our friends and companions, and for the world of light that has given him this gift.