Cry of the Carniave

Sun Shows The Way

The stranger leered, her glossy black hair done in two mini buns. She was wearing a gold Oriental dress with long white sleeves, long pink trailing ribbons decorated her hair. Her piercing, eerie eyes were the same colour of her clothes. I stared at her. Who was she? I wondered. What did she want? I opened my mouth to say something, but before we could say anything, the girl moved impossibly fast! She was a blur of gold and white as she moved around. She finally ended up next to Jay. Jay had a look of recognition on his face. He looked shocked, staring at the girl in disbelief.

"Shadith," he whispered softly, "is it you?"

The Chinese girl laughed, sounding very amused at his statement.

I was quite confused. Jay never mentioned about her before! What was going on.

"Of course it's me, Jay! Don't you remember me? Your partner from the old days?" Shadith teased. She traced a line down Jay's cloak as she grinned. Jay looked furious as she did it, angrily tossing his green cloak.

"Shadith, you little…" Jay began to say, but when he saw me watching, his voice trailed off… "I meant, you little, um… Err…" he mumbled. Shadith watched, eagerly expecting an answer. I broke the silence.

"Hey, what's going on here? Are you saying that you and Shadith are-" I yelled at Jay accusingly. Jay immediately looked horrified. Shadith just looked really disturbed.

"No, it's not that! Shadith and I were just old-" Jay protested.

"-Boyfriend and girlfriend." I yelled at him.

"Are you telling me you were toying with me all along? That you were treating me like some kind of-" I continued scornfully, starting to feel angry and betrayed.

Suddenly Shadith yelled, her voice barely audible over our fierce quarrel:

"It's all a misunderstanding! Jay and I are just old friends after all!" The pin dropped. All was silent. I blushed at Jay. Shadith just stared.

"Jay, I'm really-" I apologized, but Jay beat me to it.

"Me too," responded Jay. We stared deep into each other's eyes for a moment, but then he looked away, looking at Shadith.

"Laura, do you mind if Shadith and I talked privately?" Jay quietly asked me. I wondered what he had in mind for Shadith.

"Sure, I'll be going for a walk." I replied back as I walked away, leaving them alone…

I turned to Shadith. I still couldn't believe my eyes; Shadith was still alive after all those years! What makes her think I'll forgive her now? I thought angrily.

She had no right to barge into my life again! Not after I had just found Laura!

"So you know," I said bitterly, "I still hadn't forgiven you." Shadith looked sorrowful and guilty, but I wasn't fooled with her tricks. I pushed her roughly away, avoiding her golden eyes.

"The relationship isn't about you anymore Shadith! It is for Laura, and her only! You betrayed my trust!" Shadith's eyes seemed to glisten with tears.

"I really thought you had forgiven me after last time, Jay." she said quietly, putting her slender hand in mine… A flood of memories came back to me, becoming a blur of painful emotions and images.

Six years ago…

Shadith and I were partners in crime, stealing things and making profits from them. Our boss sold the things we stole and in return, he paid us our income. Ah yes, it was a good life, I could ask for no other life. What more was there after working for that cruel blacksmith? He had treated me like a servant, ordering me around the house while he read the newspaper! If I wasn't quick enough, he slapped me on the face and called me an idiot. Anyway, that was in the past now.

I had a real liking for Shadith, that strange mysterious girl who disappeared after dark for some unknown reason. But I had always wondered where she went after dark. I decided to find out for myself. I transformed myself into the Carniave after sunset and followed Shadith by flight. She went into Glade forest as I ducked underneath a tree. I had to be careful not to let her see me. The full moon shone on her... At that moment I blacked out... The next morning I found her trying to revive me and I realized she discovered my Carniave secret! I could never forgive her for that…

With a sickening feeling, I was brought back to reality. Shadith smiled friendly. "Jay, let's forget about the past ok? What's done is done." She changed the topic to general things. Even though I was still angry at her, my anger evaporated.

"So, what have you been doing since six years ago?" asked Shadith.

"Nothing much, I had been a thief until three years ago. Then I quitted my job and met Laura. Now we are searching for a cure for my curse." I replied. I then went on to name all of our adventures. Shadith seemed interested, actually listening as I described my adventures with Laura. When I had finished my recount, Shadith had a question for me.

"Can I join you on your quest?" Shadith eagerly asked. I shrugged.

"I guess we could use another person…" I said hesitantly.

"Great!" exclaimed Shadith, striking a victory pose. At that moment Laura came back from her walk…

I was completely refreshed from my forest walk, the air felt fresh against my face, blowing my curly hair. I stopped when I saw Shadith making a V shape with her fingers. Jay was talking to her.

"Hello Laura! Shadith had just decided to join our group!" Jay said.

"Really? That's great!" I laughed. "We should celebrate by going to a inn! So where do we go for our celebration?"

"Does Tai Yong Sarlod sound ok?" asked Shadith shyly. Jay and I looked blank when she suggested it.

"Where is that? I never heard of this place before!" Jay said, scratching his hooded head in puzzlement.

"Oops! I meant Sunny Salad! I was so used to my Cantonese accent, I forgot you guys weren't used to it! It's the next town, not very far from here. It is famous, partly because of the Sun Guardian! Plus it has excellent salad inns." She blushed.

"Wow! That's brilliant Shadith! We can always have a party after we defeat the Sun Guardian!" I said cheerfully. I urged on Freckles, reins gathered in my hands. "Giddy up Freckles, let's go on to Sunny Salad!"

A couple of kilometres later, we arrived at Sunny Salad. A gold sign decked the entrance of the quiet village: Welcome to Sunny Salad, home to many of the best inns in England! See the spectacular Saunlite Solarium!

"Solarium?" Laura asked, "Isn't that the thing we are looking for? The Sun Guardian's secret place?" I scanned through the clues, but the puzzling poem didn't give even the slightest hint about the solarium.

"Maybe…" I shrugged. "Glen didn't exactly say what it was though. It could be a inn for all we know." Shadith looked thoughtful.

"By some strange coincidence, I do happen to know a lot about the Sun Guardian," said Shadith. Laura and I turned around in surprise.

"Really? Where did you get this information?" Laura exclaimed. I was doubtful, since Shadith had betrayed me once.

"Oh, I just heard it from a friend that's all… She's from around here." Shadith added hastily. Something about her voice didn't sound right.

Was she actually hiding something from us? I wondered. Laura believed her though, so I went along with Shadith. Just in case she's telling the truth.

The solarium was very bright and airy, not only that, the entire structure was as huge as a house! Streams of abundant sunlight beamed through the open windows illuminating the entire room. Lots of plants decorated the room, giving the room a pleasant atmosphere.

"That's amazing!" I whispered, appreciating the silent solitude. I suddenly wanted to sit down and enjoy the scenery. Shadith smiled.

"Yes it is, isn't it?" she replied softly. "Underneath this room is a secret passage which leads to the Sun Guardian's realm. And only I know the entrance is right here." Jay's jaw dropped to the ground, his mouth hanging open (not literally)

"WHAT? You know the way to the Sun Guardian? Show us then!" Jay growled; his eyes narrowed into slits. Shadith shrugged.

"Ok. If you really want me to, then… Follow me." Jay scowled, but he reluctantly trailed behind her. "Stupid, low life girl." He muttered.

"Jay, be polite ok? I know she's new, but you don't have to take your anger out on her like that." I whispered to him.

"You just don't know what Shadith and I had been through…"

Shadith stopped in front of a locked door of iron. The door was two metres high and it was locked. I wondered why no one had noticed it when they visited the Solarium. Anyone could have opened it.

"This is a magical lock, no one can open it… Unless they used a special spell. Heli Seluim." explained Shadith in a factual voice. She unlocked the steel door. To our amazement, the door swung open, revealing…

"An empty vault?" cried Laura in surprise. I was shocked too; I didn't expect that this was the entrance at all! It looked more like a huge vault people often used at the bank.

"Relax, all you have to do is step into the teleporter. It will transport us to the Sun Guardian's realm." reassured Shadith. Any trust I had for Shadith immediately dissipated into stubbornness.

"No way." I stood my ground, refusing to step into the mausoleum at all.

"Why not?" sneered Shadith, "Are you actually afraid of the teleporter?"

"You had betrayed me once, how do I know if you won't do it again?"

I asked her suspiciously. I was really losing my temper with her teasing.

"I promise you one thing: If you do this for me then I will not tell Laura,"

Shadith shot back. I considered her promise carefully. Laura looked really confused about our conversation.

"What are you and Shadith talking about?" Laura asked.

"Never mind," Shadith added quickly. Before I could reply, Shadith pushed Laura and me into the vault.

A few seconds later, we were no longer in the teleporter. Instead Jay, Shadith and I were in a brilliantly bright room surrounded by torches that burned with different colours. The Sun Guardian was sitting on a dazzlingly white throne, his long golden hair cascading down his neck. Sleeveless white robes covered his muscular body. A yellow jewel was fixed on his forehead; glinting like it was polished minutes ago. Also, a golden headdress circled his head.

He was strumming a song on his sitar before he noticed us standing there.

"Ah, visitors of my realm," he murmured. "Welcome to my radiating realm! I'm Helious, Guardian of Light and Sun. If you have any requests for me, I could arrange some light for the winter crops." He was unexpectedly pleasant, friendlier than any of the other Guardians.

"Err- nice to meet you Helious," I said, curtsying to him.

"Nice to meet you too, mortal." Helious said politely.

"Master Glen sent us to collect some items for our quest. Do you have some? And he says he wants Sun's glory too." Jay added respectfully.

"Sure, I have some items if you want any. Here!" Helious tossed us a yellow amulet in a satchel, a box full of pure light and a sun shield. He did it rather carelessly; Shadith and Jay had to catch the items before they smashed to the ground. Helious sighed, a dreamy look on his calm face.

"Be careful how you use these items, they might help you against the next Guardian. She is guarding one of the strongest elements of all: Shadow.

Also, give the box of Sun's Glory to Master Glen as soon as possible. There's no knowing what he'll do when he is angry. Don't open it! He might even turn you into something hideous!" said Helious sternly.

"Yes Helious. He already cursed me to turn into a Carniave. That's why we came to get the box. We must go now." Jay bowed.

"Very well," said Helious, eying Shadith suspiciously. "You may go now."

After being teleported back to the Saunlite Solarium…

"Jay… I have to talk to you about something. It's really important and you must not bring Laura with you, whatever you do. Meet me behind the inn after the party all right? Before the moon rises."

"Is this another one of your tricks, Shadith?" I said warily.

"No it isn't! Please, Jay! You have to trust me this time!" begged Shadith.

As I waited for Shadith to appear, I noticed that the sun was beginning to set into the horizon. Sure is a lonely night tonight, I thought, I wonder why Shadith wanted to meet in this strange place? Why did she say that she didn't want Laura to come with me? What is her motive? About one hour later, I had fully transformed into my Carniave form and the moon was beginning to rise. Shadith appeared in her Oriental clothes.

"Ai ren Jay? Where are you?" Shadith called, I couldn't see her face.

I'm here Shadith, I said, revealing my Carniave form to her. Shadith wasn't even frozen with fear. Instead she smiled devilishly as her golden eyes flared brighter. She chucked evilly. I felt unnerved as she continued to advance on me. Shadith was acting really creepy tonight! Err… Shadith? You look… different tonight.

I thought to her. She read my mind as easily as if I had spoken to her.

"So do you Jay," Shadith said, her voice sounding seductive and low.

"Transella Fusien." Immediately I felt myself transforming back into a human. So rapidly did I revert, that I was alarmed at the speed.

"Woah, how did you do that?" I asked her after I recovered.

"Magic. I know a whole lot of it," purred Shadith. She put her hands on my broad shoulders and without warning; she kissed me full on the lips. Pain stung my lips and exploded in my mind as we remained in a lip locked embrace. I wanted to scream, I wanted her to release me. But she wouldn't let go. I felt dizzy and I almost fainted. The torturous kiss seemed to last an eternity to us.

"Shadith! What do you think you are doing?" I cried, ripping myself from her grip. When Shadith spoke, it sounded totally different from her normal soft, gentle voice. It sounded harsh and… Emotionless.

"Ai ren Jay, there's no time to explain! I have to go somewhere quickly before the moon reaches its peak!"

"But where are you going Shadith?" I yelled after her. But before I could stop her, Shadith was gone. Vanished like a ghost.

I could hear Jay running after me, but I melted into the shadows before he could get me. That was so close, another moment and he would have found out! A numbing sensation hit my senses as a purplish aura built around me. I embraced the moonlight as it transformed my body into shadow…