Chapter FORTY-FOUR: Meeting-TALIA
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They arrived outside of the Tear Shrine and entered the crystal building where four high stone pillars decorated the room. Each druid hurried off to one side, pairs of two standing at each space between the posts. Talia stood alone on one of the sides facing the others, while Dameon went off to a corner of the temple where he usually played during his mother's trips to her shrine.
Each druid went around and said brief summaries of causalities, problems, and anything else that needed to get done or to provide suggestions to better help matters.
"What about Aveyond? The ancient temple holds many items of importance. Can we not use one of these items?" Eithera asked, then pressed matters even further. "And…are we not to decide on finding another Priest, yet? Is it not time?"
"We would need the Oracle's permission to access such objects in the temple, and I do not believe that neither of us has been chosen to handle such artifacts," Daena responded. "Ask for the Druid of Light…I believe that the Oracle will deal with this personally. Some of us have yet to decide what will happen...For now, his power is being suppressed, so he does us no good." The Druid of Wisdom looked at Talia who sulked with grief and confusion over what was being mentioned and clearly tormenting her.
"So… what can we do then?" Talia asked them, changing the subject as well. "What else do I…not know, that has been kept from me? It seems to be happening a lot these days..."
The druids looked at one another, aware that some things have been kept from her due to her state of mind.
"Curses, Priestess! We are in the midst of an apocalypse and you are still clueless?" Eithera spoke out loud and frantically. "It has gotten far worse than we have ever imagined. It is no longer the world we all knew! It is war!"
"I know that!" Talia retorted, feeling overwhelmed by the glances each druid made at her. "I just want news so we can do something for all those people. Is that not why we are here? Isn't it?!"
Again, every druid fell quiet.
"No, well, yes, that is why we are here also; but there are more specific reasons…This is about the Chosen One," Vata said warily.
Talia swallowed hard before continuing, "Is... she safe? What has become of our watch over the Thais?! Do you have word of King Devin or Queen Alicia? —Why are you all acting so strangely?!" her words echoed in the room, making everyone more edgy.
"…We have lost control over the region. It will be a matter of time before Ahriman can completely destroy the Isle—whatever is left of it. The king was warned this could happen, that resisting would result in terrible consequences. The Oracle is trying her best, but I am afraid only the Gods can help us," Vata stopped and stared low into the stone tiles on the floor, becoming speechless.
"Wait…What about Agea? It helped slow down Ahriman before?" Talia reminded, suddenly the seeing a potential solution.
"There is no time to put Agea together again, Dreamer," Daena said.
"Are you sure?…Vata ought to know," Rashnu asked. "After all, you are good with time."
Vata shook his head from side to side, "I'm afraid not even time is a variable. You see, we would be down on one relic. Apparently, Secubus who holds the Water Relic has been working against us, the Oracle has told…We have destroyed the succubus, but she has spawned in the Western caves somewhere…Unfortunately, we believe the relic has been altered to help Ahriman in releasing demons in the surroundings of Thais and other kingdoms."
"But there must be something we can resort too! We just cannot sit back and just wish the best for that child!" Talia pleaded desperately. She wanted to go to the world and do something; though, as Dreamer now, she knew she could not leave.
"Well, perhaps, we can negotiate with the Demon? Have we tried that?" Armaiti wondered, not knowing what else to say.
"You know very well that the Demon remains elusive. We have suspected that it is seeking to find other strong demons, but so far we have ensured that there are none out pillaging around the world," Vata looked over at Eithera.
"Aye. I have taken necessary precautions to strengthen access to the Demon Realm long ago, upon hearing that the wretched demon had been resurrected," Eithera gritted at them, furious that a demon now lurked freely. "He will not get away with this for too long."
"So, then why are we here?...Shouldn't we be out there doing something?" Talia questioned them desperately. She wondered how Devin and Alicia were doing. She felt deep pain in her chest thinking of what could be happening to them and their child.
"Well, as far as what we can do there are few alternatives. We can return to our shrines and use our forces to preserve the elements we protect over, perhaps, with some success... We can also—or most of us can—together, go to the world and rattle the Demon out of hiding—Of course, at the risk of turning up empty handed and far worse than when we started...Or, we can remain here and figure out something more elaborative—Again, we might waste time searching for solutions that may not exist," Vata said trying to take charge of the meeting.
Talia looked around to see what everyone was going to say, but it became apparent that they had already made up their minds.
"You…you mean we-we are not going to search for Ahriman?" Talia spoke feebly, hoping that someone would not stand for the consensus. "Or protect Thais?"
"You do not understand, Dreamer…We are better off protecting what we can…Protecting our own elements is where our powers best impact the world," Vohu Manah said after a long silence and deep thinking. "The Oracle is not here, but I think she would want us to be at our shrines performing our duties until we know for certain that more can be done by us."
"No! I completely disagree! If we do not go after him, then who will?!" Talia yelled in disbelief over everything she was hearing.
"Please, we do not want to leave ourselves open for further attacks. It would be unwise for us to journey together and become vulnerable to Ahriman's resistance," Daena added solemnly. "Please, destiny is on our side tonight, Talia…We do not want to tempt it."
"I cannot believe this…" Talia whimpered coldly, but she knew that the majority had made their minds up. She remained silent, thinking of anything she could say that would change their decision.
"We wish there were some other way, but without knowing the whereabouts of that fiend, then we cannot do more. We shall leave you now to your duties. We must return to our shrines," Vata tried his best to explain.
Talia began to shake her head objecting to what they had decided. With nothing left to say, all the druids, except Talia, began towards the exit.
Talia opened and moved her lips to say something, but felt so hopeless being the Dreamer. As powerful as she was her powers now seemed completely useless if she could not go to her world. She might as well break her staff in two and throw the remains off the High Realm and hope the broken staff would kill the demon from afar.
A tear rolled down her cheek. She looked at Dameon. There was only one thing she could do now.
Armaiti was about to leave when he noticed her tears.
Talia hesitated for a second, unsure what to ask, or even if the favor could be done. "Wait!...Druid Armaiti, I have an idea, but I need somebody to watch my son. Please, I cannot tell you what I am to do…but...I must at least try."
The druid smiled, "Certainly. He will be safe with me until you return. We will be at my shrine…Just send someone to get him when you come back," he added the last, making Talia wonder if he knew of her plans.
"Thank you...Thank you so much!" Talia said as she picked up Dameon, interrupting him from his playtime. He squirmed a little as she handed him over to Armaiti.
"Mammy!" he squealed, realizing she was going away.
"Thank you again, Armaiti!" Talia said as she left her shrine. She raised her staff, fighting her varied emotions, knowing what she had to do; that she had no choice; that she couldn't do this alone. She stared at her priestess ring knowing where to go, and in a stream of starlets and bursts of lights, she left the Dreamworld.