4: Truth In Clerya
Clerya was never meant to be a part of my journey. However, I wasn't willing to leave Sashr'en alone. Besides, I probably wouldn't have been strong enough to go anywhere by myself.
The soldiers cradled us in their strong, firm arms, rocking me back and forth from consciousness.
Between the blackouts, I watched the golden sunset over the vast horizion, and glanced upward around the spiraling tree, lost amidst the golden rays of light as they took one last dance amongst its thick, twisting branches. Perhaps it was the eyes of this body, but never before had the world appeared so vibrant and clear. Witnessing the beauty of Clerya for the first time in this body deeply sunk in the change in the person that I had become.
When I next opened my eyes, I fought for clarity at first, and then, the image clearing came face to face with the beautiful Sashr'en. Her warm smile and clean attire let me know that she was alright. At least, on the outside.
"Welcome back, Kuja., " She whispered, taking hold of my hand.
I wiped my eyes, needing to reaffirm that this wasn't a dream. I glanced down, noticing that I, too, now had clean, new clothes and appeared clean and untouched. Then I observed my surroundings.
The bedroom was located within a circular pod, with each wall partially open to the wide world surrounding it. It let in a gentle breeze, carrying with it the sweet scents of a Cleryan meal.
The touch of a hand upon my small, glittering horn caused me to leap up from my bed. Sashr'en leapt up from her chair, glancing down at her hand, then up at me.
"You... Are you... A summoner?" I didn't know what to say. It wouldn't make sense to her, because of her past. If Freya had told her of the summoners, than she knew that...
"I thought that Queen Eiko was the only one."
I stopped in my tracks, and brought my gaze to meet hers. Her eyes longed greatly for the answer, but the truth I couldn't risk to give.
"Not everything is as it seems, Miss Crescent. I too, am a summoner."
I paused for a moment, and then headed toward her. She took a step forward, and then spun around, heading for the half-ellipse shaped doorway. Hands resting on the frames, she stood momentarily, wanting to conclude on her thoughts and actions.
"Well," She began; "I'm sorry I touched your horn. I've just never met a summoner before. The Queen Eiko, is very sick. She has been for years. And no one can visit her anymore."
Sashr'en then went to walk away, but refusing to be left without the entire story, I ran to her, and clasped her wrist with a firm grip. She spun around to face me, appearing not shocked but more so relieved. I looked deep into her eyes, and begin to question. "Why?"
Sashr'en glanced down at the twisting roots below the branches, trying to avoid my gaze.
"Because they fear that it has an external influence. And they fear that there is no cure. So, the city of Lindblum has become locked, closed to all external visitors until a cure can be found. And it is because of this that the Four Powers reign, and that all is not well for Alexandria, Lindblum, or any of us."
I was confused, overwhelmed with a variety of facts. Who were the Four Powers? Since when could Alexandria not defend itself? And Lindblum? My fate bound by a lock? Sashr'en then took my hand, and met my eyes.
"Come, " She whispered.; "We must go to the temple of the council, where our questions can be answered."
I pulled back momentarily. This was not my battle, or my fate. I had not been reborn to go search for some child and bring it home to its mother. Or had I. Not all words were truth, so how could I be sure this wasn't my fate? How could I be sure of anything? I only could be certain of one thing. The Phoenix had a purpose for me, and needed me upon the earth once more.
So I took my chances, and went with Sashr'en to the temple. I could see no other option than to wander aimlessly and alone. At least here, I was needed.
Clerya was never meant to be a part of my journey. However, I wasn't willing to leave Sashr'en alone. Besides, I probably wouldn't have been strong enough to go anywhere by myself.
The soldiers cradled us in their strong, firm arms, rocking me back and forth from consciousness.
Between the blackouts, I watched the golden sunset over the vast horizion, and glanced upward around the spiraling tree, lost amidst the golden rays of light as they took one last dance amongst its thick, twisting branches. Perhaps it was the eyes of this body, but never before had the world appeared so vibrant and clear. Witnessing the beauty of Clerya for the first time in this body deeply sunk in the change in the person that I had become.
When I next opened my eyes, I fought for clarity at first, and then, the image clearing came face to face with the beautiful Sashr'en. Her warm smile and clean attire let me know that she was alright. At least, on the outside.
"Welcome back, Kuja., " She whispered, taking hold of my hand.
I wiped my eyes, needing to reaffirm that this wasn't a dream. I glanced down, noticing that I, too, now had clean, new clothes and appeared clean and untouched. Then I observed my surroundings.
The bedroom was located within a circular pod, with each wall partially open to the wide world surrounding it. It let in a gentle breeze, carrying with it the sweet scents of a Cleryan meal.
The touch of a hand upon my small, glittering horn caused me to leap up from my bed. Sashr'en leapt up from her chair, glancing down at her hand, then up at me.
"You... Are you... A summoner?" I didn't know what to say. It wouldn't make sense to her, because of her past. If Freya had told her of the summoners, than she knew that...
"I thought that Queen Eiko was the only one."
I stopped in my tracks, and brought my gaze to meet hers. Her eyes longed greatly for the answer, but the truth I couldn't risk to give.
"Not everything is as it seems, Miss Crescent. I too, am a summoner."
I paused for a moment, and then headed toward her. She took a step forward, and then spun around, heading for the half-ellipse shaped doorway. Hands resting on the frames, she stood momentarily, wanting to conclude on her thoughts and actions.
"Well," She began; "I'm sorry I touched your horn. I've just never met a summoner before. The Queen Eiko, is very sick. She has been for years. And no one can visit her anymore."
Sashr'en then went to walk away, but refusing to be left without the entire story, I ran to her, and clasped her wrist with a firm grip. She spun around to face me, appearing not shocked but more so relieved. I looked deep into her eyes, and begin to question. "Why?"
Sashr'en glanced down at the twisting roots below the branches, trying to avoid my gaze.
"Because they fear that it has an external influence. And they fear that there is no cure. So, the city of Lindblum has become locked, closed to all external visitors until a cure can be found. And it is because of this that the Four Powers reign, and that all is not well for Alexandria, Lindblum, or any of us."
I was confused, overwhelmed with a variety of facts. Who were the Four Powers? Since when could Alexandria not defend itself? And Lindblum? My fate bound by a lock? Sashr'en then took my hand, and met my eyes.
"Come, " She whispered.; "We must go to the temple of the council, where our questions can be answered."
I pulled back momentarily. This was not my battle, or my fate. I had not been reborn to go search for some child and bring it home to its mother. Or had I. Not all words were truth, so how could I be sure this wasn't my fate? How could I be sure of anything? I only could be certain of one thing. The Phoenix had a purpose for me, and needed me upon the earth once more.
So I took my chances, and went with Sashr'en to the temple. I could see no other option than to wander aimlessly and alone. At least here, I was needed.