Beyond the toppled covered wagon is a large furry animal-like monster - as tall as the trees and long of arm. It's just knocked Wei and Danjel back and is about to attack them again. I leap into the air, not slowing my run, and land on its face with both feet, putting wind energy behind the kick to knock it back.
The monster goes flying back about fifty feet or more. I land on my feet and look around quickly, using my wind to place everyone by scent so I'm not surprised later during my battle with the monster, that's only stunned.
A distinguished looking man, younger than Duke Jeida, is being protected from a shorter dark man - one of the Brunei brothers, by Lori. None of them are moving, however, having been startled by my entrance. I look the other way and Wei is helping Danjel to his feet. I don't see the second brother. "What's this? I thought you were fighting with the Brunei brothers?"
Danjel answers. "That's the younger of the brothers. I never imagined all the cruel deaths were because he could transform into a beast."
The man being protected, who must be Secretary Clairgeeta, asks who I am. Lori won't remember our one meeting most likely. He only says, "Danjel seems to know him, sir. He must be on our side."
"Uda must be furious," a deeper voice from their group says. "Once he's upset there's no stopping him."
Indeed the monster - Uda transformed - is on his feet again and preparing an attack - an energy attack that I can feel coming. He has inside him no fear or worry, only anger and focus on me as his prey. I begin to prepare my shield, then change my mind. My shield still goes up, but I put out both hands to send a return energy attack back. I'll need to meet it at some distance from where I stand. The attack coming my way is powerful enough to damage the people behind me if I let it get too close.
The attacks smash into each other and radiate to either side, since I'm not letting the energy come any farther this way. Trees topple to either side for several hundred feet. This is worrisome. I take the fight to Uda, wanting to push him back even farther so any more energy attacks won't hurt the people I need to protect.
He swings at me and I dodge, leaping into the air to then slam my heel into his head. If I can weaken him quickly, or knock him out, will he change back? I spin around and slam him into the ground with a high powered kick to the back of his head.
I've practiced enough now, and have had the peace of the farming village to teach me how to use almost all of my power without becoming fearful or angry. There's no need to be angry when I'd rather he change back to human and repent, like the Grey Bird that transformed did. There's no need to be afraid when even the Source of Evil is afraid of my power. I cannot die and I cannot be defeated.
Those were things I learned in that village as I worked there. Every little or big thing I can do to help others is a thing to be quietly proud of, and grateful for. Noriko saying she was grateful I'm the Sky Demon so I didn't die at that time taught me that. So I don't transform now when I fight. Only when I want to and how much I want to. Even that is an accomplishment to be quietly proud of. I'm grateful for the time we had there.
I land next to Uda, who growls just a little. Then faster than I thought possible, his hand is coming down to smash me. He's so large I'm surprised at his speed - and that he wasn't stunned for longer. I manage to dodge that blow but the next one catches me and throws me back. He's after me so fast I can't get away and his hand comes down on my shield that I've pushed out from my body to block the blow.
Blow after blow rains down on my shield, making it ring almost. He's so fast I can only hold it in place. When Uda finally pauses to rest, both arms are badly damaged and one hand is missing at the wrist. What!? He used enough force to tear his own hand off? Does he not feel it? Doesn't he care what he's doing to himself? Why is he still fighting? He's not like Keimos, to demand that he win to show he's stronger. Has Uda really turned into the monster? It turns my stomach and I'm confused.
And yet, he shivers and draws on more power and his elbow is coming to land a fierce attack on me. I dodge this time, not wanting my shield to continue to do damage to him. "Stop! You'll die if you keep this up! Don't you understand?"
My words only anger Uda more and the blows rain down in a mad pattern, as if he really is already gone and the monster only knows it wants to destroy. That does worry me. I felt like that, too, when I was almost lost to the Sky Demon and it only wanted destruction. What can I do to help him?
Irktule told us about evil seeds being in the Grey Bird's gut, that had entered him and made him transform so horribly. Maybe...maybe if I can expel them, using the method I used on Noriko when she had the disease insects inside her gut. Then I won't kill him and he may be able to recover. Uda's pretty big, so I'll have to use a large attack, and I can't get close, so it will have to be a distance one, but if I'm careful...
I gather the energy in my hands and focus it directly at his lower midsection, then release it in a steady stream so that it can have the time to remove as many as possible. The energy slams into him and washes the evil seeds out of him. He has so many that even I can see the dark cloud of them leaving him on the other side from where I am. Many of them have eyes, and are actually the evil spirits that frightened Noriko.
Uda is knocked back and lies limp on the ground. I wait and watch, hoping it was sufficient he can return to human form. Instead, to my utter astonishment, he fades into fog and blows away, as if he was already so much the monster there isn't anything left. Was he only a physical host to the evil? Was he dead long before now? This isn't what I wanted, nor had hoped for.
I hear from two different people - one of them Noriko - "Izark! Look out!" I turn and from above is coming an attack. I run but am already too late. A strange spiritual goo that I can't really feel and can barely sense holds me from moving. It doesn't hurt, but it's pulling something out of me that then snaps back into me as I'm let go and dropped to my feet again.
Uda's brother comes out from the trees near me. "I've never been beaten. I've absorbed your strength and abilities and replicated them. I will happily make you pay dearly for the life of my brother by beating you with your own power."
Sido's words don't sink in for a while. He keeps talking, though. That makes me wake up and become very afraid and I have to tamp my fear down. Until he actually moves I can't believe he was able to do that. "This power is fantastic! Can you feel it moving through me?"
He suddenly freezes and a look of concern comes on his face. I've seen that before, too, when the Grey Bird didn't understand what taking in more evil power meant and it was too much for him to control. I'm a little less afraid now, but worry is increasing. I've had to work very hard to learn to control the power within me. If he's absorbed it all in one moment in time, it's very likely he's never had to control this much coming into him at once. What will his body do?
I can only watch with everyone else. I'm saddened at first, that as the transformation begins he can only cry out in surprise and fear. Horror rises in me as that turns to pain and terror as his body is distorted and enlarged, ripped apart by the power. Uda likely had his power come in incremental increases that he could control. This is different, and Sido never expected it.
"The power ...doesn't stop ...overflowing ..." The words are pitiful, the scene horrific as the terrible transformation continues without stopping. His final words are, "What ...are you? ...What ...are ...you?" and then he's exploding into a hideous shape of smoke. It's winged and the horned head with flowing hair, claws ...all remind me of what I become when I'm the Sky Demon.
I'm frozen. The shape of my power is my shape. Surely it's given me away to have everyone here see it. They know he absorbed my power and my power did that. I can't turn around. I can't move. I've promised to protect. I've promised to serve. And Noriko is behind me. I can't run away, I can't face these people, and I can't face that what I saw is me.
My heart is seeking Noriko, seeking her warmth and comfort, to hear it will be okay. I can feel her coming. Her gentle reassuring voice unthaws me enough I can see again. "Izark. Izark. I'm here."
I manage to get my frozen body to turn towards her. She slips on a slope she didn't know was between us and I'm suddenly with her, holding her in my arms tightly. I moved so fast her feet dangle, coming nowhere near to falling towards the ground. She tightly wraps her arms around my neck and holds me, sending as much comfort as can match my paralysis of fear.
"It's okay. It's okay. I'm here." Her words and her surety that I am what I am fill me with what I need. She kisses my neck and I shiver, finally able to overcome my paralysis enough to bury my face into her neck so I can hide from what I saw.
I'm able to begin breathing deeply again, although I still want to run rather than face anyone. I hold on to her tightly so I don't yet. Running will surely give us away and I can't back out on our promises. I still need to learn what Secretary Clairgeeta knows.
I need her to explain it to me, if she can, so I can understand. "The power overwhelmed him. He never even got the chance to attack. He transformed horribly, then exploded. I don't know what monster the final shape was, but the whole thing was frightening."
The Teacher comes to my rescue. "It's okay, Izark. If he didn't attack, you didn't have to defend. ...The shape of the cloud was a dragon, Izark. That is what they look like." I freeze in dread and fear again. She's okay with me being that?
"No, Izark. That wasn't you. That was him, and what he could never be. He tried to become a dragon and it wasn't possible. You won, and you won honorably. Please, don't be afraid. ...That is what I'm not afraid of. Please. Don't be afraid of it. Don't be afraid of yourself. I love you."
She's too desperate because I can only be horrified now that I've seen a dragon for myself. She tries to correct herself, taking a deep breath. I echo it, needing to calm down, and set her on her feet gently. The others are moving, coming out of their own shock and horror.
It was a horrible scene, and perhaps too emotionally charged to begin with. She sees with different eyes and her eyes see me as light, not dark like that was. I try to put it aside to think about more later. Later she and I'll be able to talk while we're alone and she can explain it to me more. It's difficult, however. I stand in her swirl of calm surety in my goodness and try to let it heal me, but it's difficult to do more than let it be a temporary bandage for now, a thing to cling to like to a life raft in my stormy sea that threatens to drown me again.
The longer it takes me to settle, the more firm she becomes until she's unwavering in her faith in me. How can she believe it even when she knows all that she knows - including what a dragon really is? What the Sky Demon really is? How is it possible?
I look at her, confused, lost. She looks at me with the eyes of the Teacher that will not be swayed and will lecture me until I give in if I let her open her mouth. She holds the words in, willing to let me come at it in my own way and time, but I know I'll never sway her from her position. Knowing that settles me finally. We can have the argument and lesson later.
"Danjel, what was that thing we saw, the cloud shape in the sky?" It's Katarina, come from the wagon. I swallow and we carefully turn to look at the others, Noriko being my courage to do so yet again. I wonder if Noriko will answer it. Alef has also come with Katarina. They're all giving each other nervous glances, not sure how to answer the question. It wasn't a creature or monster of our world.
"Ah... that was...," Danjel doesn't know what to say.
Alef looks at the others, surprised by their reaction. He turns to Lori. "Do you know what it was?"
Lori tugs at the neck of his shirt and looks away. "Well...the older Brunei brother said he was capable of absorbing his opponent's powers and abilities. After he absorbed Kizak's, he turned into a horrible monster, then... evaporated into the sky, making that shape."
Noriko holds very still. Her hand holding my sleeve tightens a little but she doesn't say anything. If anything she's now as ready to run as I am. That helps me, too, to know that she'll go if I decide we must. I'm still holding onto her arm needing that much still to anchor me.
"That shadow was a reflection of Sido's inner self. The force he took in created it." We all turn our eyes to Secretary Clairgeeta, who has offered an answer to all of us.
"Doctor Clairgeeta?" Danjel asks. Noriko's interest spikes at the new title Danjel gave Clairgeeta. It takes me a moment to work out that it's because she wants to be at a university and that's a university title.
"Force is force. It's just physical power. A man's inner self determines the character of the force he manifests. In other words, whether a man manifests a good force or a bad force depends on which world his 'mind' belongs to."
Doctor Clairgeeta holds up a hand and puts his thumb and forefinger close together. "Sido had very little capacity to contain power inside him. He destroyed himself by absorbing more power than he could accommodate." Yes, that's what happened from my experiences. Like when Noriko teaches, I'm waiting for the more to explain the first part. That's the part I want to understand.
"The world we live in is greatly affected by another world that we can't see. Our world affects this other world as well. The nexus between the two worlds exists in our minds." Doctor Clairgeeta puts his fist on his heart. "If one is attracted to the world of darkness he'll generate darkness. If he chooses the world of light, he'll generate light. The tension between darkness and light produces a variety of effects in our world."
I chose light but was doing good before then. But I was as much...no, I am as much darkness as I am light. Do I stand at the nexus? When I chose light, did I move to there, or begin to? It's possible to do good while standing in darkness? I know it. I was already doing it. Have I been walking towards or in the light the whole time I've been drowning in darkness?
I begin to drown again in confusion and stop thinking. Now isn't the time. I hope Noriko's going to think hard about this. I understood what he said, but trying to apply it to me is going to be a large task, I think.
Doctor Clairgeeta is headed towards Noriko and I. "Our seers tell us that the world will soon be beset with conflict. Evil forces have apparently grown stronger. Those of us who oppose this growing evil are being removed from positions of power in our countries. However, we may still be able to reverse this trend." I raise an eyebrow slightly. He also believes we can return to peace, like Noriko.
"I believe that the world of light can overcome the world of darkness. If we can open a pathway to the world of light, we might even be able to change the Sky Demon from a force of destruction into a force for good." It's already happening, because Noriko's already put my feet on that path, and that's a change I'm working hard for. That part I don't have any doubts about, but it was what we were hoping to hear from another person who has studied it and also believes it.
"I believe that the world of light exists in the core of our being." That's where I found it that one time and where I keep looking for it to find it again. Doctor Clairgeeta arrives next to us and smiles at Noriko and me, then turns to face the others. "That is my theory. Danjel told me someone was interested in my ideas, so I thought I'd take the opportunity to talk a little about them." I'm grateful he's told us now, so that if we still have to run I have them to consider properly.
He turns back to me. "You are an amazing man. You have tremendous power within you, but you control it very well." He holds out his hand. "Thank you for saving my life."
I stare at the hand for a moment, surprised a little that he's willing to take my hand. It must surely take courage to even offer it, for all he is likely grateful to still be living. Pushing down my own reticence to touch, I slowly move to take his hand in mine.
"Izark. He can tell. He can tell but he stepped in and said all that to protect us, and to help us." Noriko lets me feel her wonder. She also shows me how open and expanded her mind and understanding feel. I'm relieved the Teacher has been placed on the next path of learning we need.
"The world of light - the force of good - has given us a gift, and moved us closer to understanding how to reach our goal, in one giant step. I'll need time to understand it all, but..." She can only let me feel that same wonder again.
She's equated the world of light Doctor Clairgeeta mentioned to the entity of good she's seen? That makes me wonder at her and I look at her, wondering how her mind turns in that way. I'm also not quite sure I was ready to be pushed a giant step forward, but it feels like it might be her giant push, not mine this time. I'm still wrestling with mine.
She smiles encouragingly at me, a happy smile, full of the light she wants to expose my darkness to. I'm grateful she restrains it for right now, and I'm glad she doesn't mind giant pushes forward. I would like to have her answer when she learns it. If she believes that Doctor Clairgeeta is willing to help us and protect us, then I can only be even more grateful.
I look back at Doctor Clairgeeta and firm my grip on his hand. "Thank you," I say with great meaning and depth. I wonder if he will understand it, if he understands who we are.
Doctor Clairgeeta releases my hand and looks to Noriko. She smiles at him. "Thank you," she says softly. Her words also convey more than she is saying. Doctor Clairgeeta's expression says that he's also learning, processing what we are and have done in front of him today, but I only feel a quiet conviction coming from him. Similar to Noriko's but quieter.
-o-o-o-
Introductions over, we're on the road again and Noriko's impatient. I am also, honestly. I want to know as much as she does. I listen to their conversation from the seat of the wagon where I'm driving the horses from. Alef is sitting next to me.
He's confused but not afraid. Only those who were in that place to see it all are afraid - except for Doctor Clairgeeta. I ignore the others' looks and nervousness since I can't do anything about that except continue to be myself, and pay attention to the teaching.
In one reading, while still a student, Doctor Clairgeeta came across a brief passage about the world of light and its counter-effects to the world of darkness. It caught his attention and over time he wandered all over the continents looking for ancient writings on the world of light and how to access it. Based on his research and meditations, he finally come up with the theory he explained earlier.
"How can we open the path to the world of light?" Glocia asks him.
"It has to do with our inner selves. Sadly, the ancient writings don't specify how to do it. The best I've been able to understand it is that each person has to come up with their own interpretation and find the path themselves - at least I haven't been able to describe it to anyone and have them understand just from my words how to do it. I think they didn't write it for the same reason. It's too difficult to put into words, even when experienced."
Noriko quietly asks, "Have you found it?" He doesn't answer, but I feel Noriko move and follow behind her at a distance. It's like moving inward to feel the emotions and to help the other one of us feel theirs, but it's outside the emotions. I can't follow her very far, but I recognize it. She's doing what I do when I sink into my power to learn what it is and how to control it. She isn't gone long before she surfaces again and I can feel her pleasure to have learned something new.
"Is the nexus between the worlds at the join between the mind and the heart?" is Noriko's next question. That's different from what I wondered. I see it as if the world of darkness spreads out behind me and the world of light in front of me, because that's the way I'm choosing to face and have always chosen to face, even when I was in the middle of the darkness. I've never faced the world of darkness. It's why I wondered if I stand at that nexus now, or very close to it.
I still can't stand next to Noriko who's fully in the world of light. That's too bright for me as of yet, but the push behind me has always been to get me there, to where she stands. I guess I feel like I'm at the nexus now because this most recent push is one to push me completely out of the darkness and into the light. It's the one step I'm afraid to take, to leave the darkness completely behind when it's the only place I've understood until now.
I feel a power rise up behind me. It's gentle and full of peace and love. I look over my shoulder in surprise. Noriko has her hand over her heart and has her eyes closed and her head bowed. Before it can become too great, Doctor Clairgeeta gently touches Noriko. She opens her eyes and looks into his, then slowly the power is drawn back into her again. When she's settled it within her, I feel a thing I'd never thought to feel again. Emotional peace. The place where we are connected emotionally has become quiet, calm.
Doctor Clairgeeta turns to the others and continues to answer questions and I listen to them. Eventually I feel Noriko fatiguing and the strong level of peaceful quiet is let go but the emotions are still a lot calmer than before. I'm joyful with relief and gratitude. I will love Doctor Clairgeeta forever for gently teaching Noriko how to find the peace that lets me have my peace back. Surely he must be a master already to be able to do it. We've saved a treasure only we can fully appreciate.
I hope the world will some day be able to properly give him their gratitude for helping save them from the destruction that could have come on them. I've walked another step forward, too, in just that much. To know that he's so willing to teach Noriko and help her walk her path so I can walk the path I wish to walk, gives me the confidence that I also can reach that goal, that destiny I wish to have.
-o-o-o-
At our arrival at the safe house for Doctor Clairgeeta, Danjel asks the de Gilenees if they'll stay and help on the eastern continent. Glocia considers it, then shakes her head. "We should return to Father. It will be good for us to be able to tell him and those with him that there are others here on the Eastern Continent who are working like we will be - to restore light to the world. I do wish I knew where he was, though. It may take us a long time to find them."
Danjel rubs his chin. "We're in contact with the clansmen on that continent as well. I've heard that there are some statesmen who have been banished that went to Ennamarna in the country of Donya. It's also known as the 'Town of Sandy Hideouts'. It's a desert fortress that is a place to itself. You could try looking there. Duke Jeida may have gone to be with them."
Noriko was excited to arrive here. This place is the university of the eastern continent and she finally feels at home. I know she wants to stay and continue to learn from Doctor Clairgeeta, but I've made promises, and she originally said that we might be needed by the world of light to see the de Gilenees returned to Duke Jeida. At the moment I'm waiting.
Doctor Clairgeeta, now dressed in his formal university robes steps forward, his expression again kind and his eyes speaking more than his words. "The folklore of Ennamarna and the writings in that place tell more about the world of light, and more clearly, than anywhere else in this world. It was considered the center of the understanding of the world of light at its height.
"It isn't surprising if good statesmen are taking refuge there. People of that town are protected by the light. It's in a harsh environment but the people lead very fulfilling lives there." He looks directly at me. "You might find it interesting to look into the documents I drew my theory from." Noriko is quite willing to go if it's for that.
Alef turns to look at us. "So, it looks like we've a slight change in plans. We'll head for Donya instead of starting in Zago. All right?"
I look at Noriko. She smiles at me. "Sure," I say. If I can meet my promises and obligations and she can still learn more, then that's the best solution.
Noriko looks at Alef. "It sounds rather interesting to me."
When we leave, Noriko hangs back and speaks to Doctor Clairgeeta privately for a moment. The others are in the wagon and are ready to go. I use our connection to tug gently on her to let her know it's time to go. She hesitates just a little longer, then hugs Doctor Clairgeeta. I can feel her gratitude and love, and her sorrow.
Here she has found a home. I'm sure we'll be back. She'll push me constantly as soon as things are calm enough that we can. She turns and runs to me. She smiles for me but some of the sorrow of missing her family remains. I put my hand on her head to let her know I understand.
I help Noriko into the wagon then turn to look back at Doctor Clairgeeta. His expression asks for me to keep trying hard to find the world of light. He's never once said what he believes or may know. I know he'll keep our secret and am grateful. I bow slightly to him, giving him my promise and my respect.
Doctor Clairgeeta bows his head in grateful response. It's time to move on and study what we've learned from him so we're ready for the next thing the world of light shows us to push us on our path forward.
