Since the last posting, some people have asked me why I have changed my pen name from Cielle to Thiriel. The reason is this: first, the name Cielle is common on (as far as I know, two other writers have the same name). I wanted something more unique, and Thiriel was it: it is actually a term invented by the poet William Blake, and it means "Air" – hence it sounds similar to 'ethereal.' I like its implication and its connection with the Romantic poet whose works have greatly inspired my thoughts. Hope the change was not too confusing for you!

IV. The Coast of Calla

After the last sound has withered

A silence remains, deep and broad:
The stars are only many names
For one single darkness.
Rilke

La Luna

The wind chimes called out to Valorick. A nocturnal breeze was lifted above the deepening night. Yet when Valorick looked above, the treetops were unmoved, still and silent as if they had no souls. Every blade of grass and every stem of flower likewise stood tall, unwilling to bend to the wind. What was this visionary wind that could not affect nature? Am I the only one who feels it, he thought. The darkling trees were like the shadows of demons who stood unflinchingly, guarding his every movement, so he quickly ran towards the house.

As he stepped onto the front porch, he heard the chime again. But if the plants are not moved, how is it possible that the wind chime can ring? Valorick went around the corner and saw a blue wind chime hung from the wooden beam. He walked over cautiously and held it in his hands. The music ceased. Dangling from the glass chime was a piece of paper, on which was written: "Heart of the Fire." The phrase made him frown; he did not like how everything was invested with so much meaning. Why does there have to be so much pain in one single night? He gave up trying to understand the phrase and let go off the wind chime and returned to the house. Just as he was about to step in, the tingling sound began again. He shuddered as he was reminded of preying spirits, and he entered the house.

The proposed entertainment was called off. The royal abode rested silently. Millerna and Endymion sat in the front room talking, and Hermione lay asleep in the corner. Allen was reading in one bedroom, with Amadis snoring softly beside him. Van and Hitomi were nowhere in sight.

Endymion came up to Valorick quietly. "Are you okay? That was certainly some spectacle out there. I'm never met anyone as mysterious as that man. I can tell that our parents were greatly upset by what he said."

Millerna cut in. "I can never understand people who confuse others for a living. We have soothsayers in Asturia too, and every time they present some prophecy related to politics, they are almost never right! So you shouldn't be anxious about what that old man said. See, they purposefully make it sound mysterious so they can leave room for interpretation."

Valorick kept his gaze fixed on the wooden planks beneath his feet. He said sullenly to Endymion. "Where are my parents?"

"Your mother is asleep in the room. Your father went out with my dad, I have no idea where they are."

Valorick quietly opened the door to the bedroom in the back. Inside, a little lamp was lit, and Hitomi slept peacefully beside Celena, Merle and Vianne. He was disappointed, for he would have liked to talk to his parents about the occurrences of the night. But he was glad that his mother has at least escaped to the world of dreams.

Just as Valorick was about to go out and find his father, Millerna detained him, saying, "We have an early start tomorrow, it's better that you try to sleep now. I trust that Orion has a power that no one else has, I'm sure he'll help Van come to some understanding."

Valorick hesitated for a while, then finally carried his sister into the room, and retired himself. For the remainder of the night, the house was silent. The elusive words of the prophet weighed down on everyone's mind. Even in her sleep, Hitomi began seeing flickering visions of the dragon and the phoenix spiralling in the phantom sky.

Far away in the woods of Aleph came the laughter of Orion.

....................................................................

Early next morning, everyone silently congregated in the garden. Allen helped the women carry out their luggage. Amadis sensed the misery and tension in the air, so even he reserved the unnecessary restlessness. Millerna took care of Hermione as well as Endymion, since the latter's mother stayed with Hitomi.

Valorick stood like a shadow near the entrance of the house. He listened intently to the movements within the room. When everyone else outside were ready to leave, Hitomi came out with heavy steps.

"Mother!" Valorick rushed over and held her by the arm.

"Val," she brushed her hand against his cheek. "You look tired, dear. I hope the occurrences of last night have not troubled you too much."

He opened his mouth ready to speak but simply shook his head. "Where is father by the way?"

Allen came up from behind and informed them, "Van and Orion took two horses last night and rode on. They will be meeting up with us on the Coast of Calla."

Hitomi frowned; "Oh..." she said softly, then went ahead with Celena.

Endymion came up and pulled Valorick along, since the latter was frustrated by the fact that his father had left without a word. But all parties eventually gathered themselves and proceeded to the river. After bidding farewell to Lord Vasio and the citizens of Aleph – who were baffled by the absence of the king – they boarded the Ocarina once again and sailed down the Eridanus towards Varie.

The weather continued to bathe the land in unbearable heat waves. Everything appeared fluid where no trees shaded the ground. Hermione, Amadis, Vianne and Endymion happily hung their arms over the side of the boat and cooled themselves in the water, while Celena and Millerna sat under an umbrella. With Van being away, Valorick stood alone at the helm, with Allen occasionally coming up to check on him.

The captain's deck rose as the highest part of the boat. From that height, Valorick could see far down the river and into the distance. The trees that seemed so spectrally motionless the night before, waved with the water and wind. Beneath, on the lower deck, the children played, their laughter absorbed by the zephyr. Yet amidst all this vitality, Valorick felt utterly alone. There was a ubiquitous sense of death, even in this sunshine. It seemed that he alone could hear the funeral dirge that resounded in the air. This river was like a canal, not into life, but into eternity, and there was nothing grand or beautiful about that endlessness, without form or substance.

The river widened gradually, and at around noon, Valorick could see the tremendous opening into the Bay of Beltenon. He had travelled here when he was younger but in his memory, the place did not appear so unreal.

They sailed into the Bay, cradled between the land and the Sea of Stars, beyond which is the Oceanus Ocarina. It took the boat a few hours past noon to reach the designated region. Even from the water skirting the land, they could see that the beaches were lined with white blossoms.

These calla lilies have become symbols of the Fanelian coast, their white petals waving in the sea breeze, reminiscent of the feathers of the legendary white dragon. Since the Destiny War, many have forgotten the sight of the white being fanning peace over the land. But when people behold the sight of the beach, with the ivory blossoms moving to and fro in the wind, they remember the soft feathers that once brushed against their faces.

Paradise seemed to have been imposed on this Gaean land. Everywhere on the white sparkling sand, people were relaxing in the sun, playing in the water, building sand castles...Children along the beach were attracted to the great white sails of the Ocarina, flapping in the wind, and they waved at Hermione and Amadis. Lovers were the only ones who sauntered by slowly, enclosed in a paradise within a paradise.

The boat docked near the resort where Allen said Van and Orion would be. The crowd in the region became denser as news spread that the royal families of Fanelia and Asturia would arrive soon. Hermione delighted in having others address her as the beautiful princess, while Merle remained bitter all day from having her tail pulled by the curious children. Hitomi and Millerna gladly greeted the citizens and visitors alike, conversing with them on the beauty of the Coast.

While the others relished in the social scene and the glistening landscape, Valorick quietly picked up his bags and proceeded to the beachside house where the Fanels were supposed to stay. Orion and his family stayed in a separate house nearby, as did the Schezars. Valorick kicked open the heavily embellished front door and dropped the bags in the vestibule. Everything in the house seemed to reflect the Coast of Calla. Lily white furniture was surrounded by sand colored walls, and the refreshing scent of salt water flowed in through the glass doors that opened onto the balcony.

Valorick walked around the house and picked a room that faced the trees behind the house. He did not feel comfortable staring at the vast unpredictable ocean; it would be like looking into the depths of time's abyss. He picked up a large seashell that lay as a decoration on the side table and tried to listen to the sound of waves inside it; but all he heard was a numbing echo that reminded him of the Nerya caves back home.

He stood out on the balcony and inhaled the salty air and squinted his eyes against the brilliant glare of the sunlit sea. By chance, he saw his father and Orion going into a large building that is the centre of the resort. Though far away, he was sure it was they. He hurriedly ran out of the house and towards the place. Innumerable people were in the way, and those who recognized him as the prince tried to seize him, but he unthinkingly thrust them aside and ran on.

Just when he was at a loss as to where his father could have gone, he saw a notice saying that a convention was to take place in the resort. He reacted immediately and proceeded to the conference room. But when he arrived, the doors were locked, but a little peak was possible through the crack in the wooden door. He could not resist, so he checked around for bystanders and quietly positioned himself close to the door.

Many men's voices could be heard, and Van's voice was audibly conversing with many people. Then, one authority began to speak, apparently a scientist from Zaibach. He explained some scientific terms which Valorick could not understand. But through the crevice, Valorick could see that his father and everyone else were deeply engrossed in the subject. The man began showing slides. The pictures contained what looked like weapons or just metal objects. They called it 'The Mind Machine.'

"The Mind Machine?" Valorick whispered to himself. "What in the name of Gaea is that?"

The scientist explained, "It gathers the energy of the human mind and uses that energy to perform the tasks that you want it to do."

A flood of questions and comments suddenly surged up, preventing Valorick from hearing about this odd machinery. Minutes later, the crowd became silent again, and the scientist went on.

"You are no doubt aware of Lord Oneseme's theory about the Atlantis particles which flood in streams around the galaxy. What the Mind Machine also does is that it is capable of catching these particles. In theory, it can also generate its own Atlantean power by separating two binary Atlantis particles that are bound by nature. The separation of two inseparable entities gives rise to tremendous power."

At those words, the conference became clamorous again, for the claims of the scientist were outrageous for some. Valorick could not see his father's reaction for too many people were in the way. But he himself was confounded. "The Mind Machine? Separation of two inseparable entities? Wouldn't that be like a sin?" he thought to himself.

Just as Valorick was intent on learning more, someone suddenly hurled a pebble at him. He flinched and turned around to see Hermione smirking at him.

"Val! What do you think you're doing? They locked the doors for a reason! Eavesdropping is a crime!"

"Go away, Hermione! It's not like you would understand!"

"Oh, I understand perfectly! Don't think you're the only one who knows what is going on!" She crossed her arms and smiled at him.

"Please! Don't you have someone you can show off to?" He tried to push her away without making too great of a scene. "You're making me lose all the important information!"

Hermione brushed off his hands. "Oh stop being so self-centred, Prince Valorick! I know that you're just desperate to talk to father about what happened last night! You want him to tell you that everything is going to be all right! You think I'm not bothered by the soothsayer? You think everyone else has forgotten about it?"

Valorick was dumbfounded. He blushed slightly. "I....I suppose you're right."

"Well, I'm not going to bother father and mother for a while. I think it's their problem to work out, not like we can do anything about something that happened aeons before we were born! So, I'm going to check on my Asgardian dragon egg, to see if it's hatched!"

"You brought it?" Valorick scoffed at her as she skipped off to the beach. He quickly turned his attention back to the convention. But as soon as he regained vision of the room, he realized that many people were leaving their seats and motioning towards the door. Upon that signal, he swiftly ran down the hall and out of sight.

Treading upon the hot, soft sand, he was at peace somehow. He had not known that his sister was capable of being so perceptive. He had always seen her as the stubborn, spoiled and impossibly shallow princess who decorates the halls of the palace with her brilliance. But perhaps she really has grown up a little.

His mind was equally mesmerized by the ideas disseminated at the convention. He tried to imagine what it would be like to operate something like the Mind Machine, which not only does what its pilot wills, but is also capable of garnering energy from human thoughts. However, the idea of separating Atlantean particles disturbed him. He had no conception of such particles, but the idea of severing what is naturally meant to be together rang a forbidden or tragic tone through his head. Thinking of these invisible elements that flow through the universe, he felt relieved. Perhaps like theoretical science, the words of the soothsayer were only conjecture, great achievements of the imagination flung into the Infinite.

La Stella

Hermione has happily informed everyone that they would be able to watch a meteor shower that very night. Immediately, there were measures to build tents on the beach, and Millerna eagerly engaged in ordering the suitable food. Everyone ran about carrying out plans and orders. Hitomi alone stayed in the beachside house. Even Valorick, wanting to forget the stifling numbness at his core, went along with Endymion in setting up the tents.

Sunset soon streaked across the beach, gilding every speck of sand with an otherworldly gold. Blue intermixed with orange, yellow and red, and on top of all that was a delicate layer of pink lace. Light danced across the water, the deep metallic azure of the sea wedded to the scarlet diamond that is the setting sun. A citric scent that wafted from the dinner table completed the sensory feast.

By evening, Orion's nose led him to the buffet set up on the beach. Van followed him quietly and joined everyone. Hitomi was still absent but he did not enquire after her. Citizens and tourists were cordially invited to join the royal families. Hermione's gregariousness was of the kind that never tires from social interaction, and in moments of praise and kindness from others, she would become almost saccharine. And thus it was that the young princess became the focus of the feast, with all the guests gathered about her like leaves around a blossom. Millerna could only gaze enviously. To pacify her, Allen agreed to take her on a walk after dinner.

By the time the meal was finished, the wind had risen on the beach. Silk curtains were drawn around the tent, and the guests sat inside, by the candelabras, and listened to Hermione's stories. She delighted in fantastic tales, whether told from imagination or from her imperfect memory. She told them of the time when she snuck into her brother's bedroom while he was sleeping and placed a salamander under the covers; the time she got lost in the Nerya caves and was rescued by the handsome guard; about her little dragon, which she will name Ryuu once it is hatched. She even incorporated Valorick and Endymion's adventure around Gaea as her own experience and told about the Mystic Valley, the Castalian Falls, the Mooncarcia Mountains – all places that she has never seen.

As everyone was absorbed by her high-flown words, Orion and Amadis still stood ravenously at the buffet table, devouring whatever was left of the seafood feast. Celena and the servants cleaned after them patiently. Allen and Millerna had already left to pick some calla blossoms. Valorick and Endymion kicked a ball around on the beach. Merle swam in the cold water, and Vianne watched from the shore. Meanwhile, Van walked alone on the beach, muttering to himself the words of the soothsayer.

Suddenly, a shower of stars began to fall propitiously from the sky. The crowd rushed out from the tent and cheered. Hermione jumped up and down, with her arms wide open as if to receive the descending celestial bodies. Music begun to play and the festiveness of the scene paralleled the cosmic stream of luminous ribbons, streaked across the night.

Van smiled at the scene then quietly left and walked towards the beach house. From the outside, the rooms appeared dark. Van entered noiselessly and found Hitomi sitting by the starlit window, looking out across the sand. She was crouched upon an armchair, her arm propped on her knees and one hand covering her mouth. The meteor shower fell like shadows across her face. She had not heard Van's entrance. But he slowly emerged into the light of the window and stood looking at her sadly.

"Van..."

He groaned, remembering that they had no talked since the night before. It was the longest time since they were married that they had remained silent to each other. It seemed aeons since she had called his name.

"Hitomi....I'm so exhausted," he pressed the heel of his palm into his socket, and sat down on the table in front of her chair.

She leaned forward and massaged him on the shoulder. "Perhaps we should never have come on this trip."

"It would not have made a difference. What has to happen will happen regardless of whether of not some prophet informed us of it."

"Yes, I suppose you're right." She sighed and swept the tear-drenched hair away from her face. "I just feel terrible that Val and Hermione had to hear it. I wonder what will happen. I have such an uneasy feeling."

"Me too...I had nightmares last night when I was sleeping in the woods, nightmares about the war. That's not auspicious."

"Van, I wonder," she started whispering, "If this is all somehow tied to Griffon. I can't stop thinking of him lately."

Van got up and lay down on the long couch. "Well, we are going to see him soon after our return to Palladium. But I would not like it if things got more complicated. Val and Hermione seem linked to Atlantis somehow, I don't want the same to be true of Griffon."

"I...I don't know. I don't like what that soothsayer said about me being a...a traitor. What does that mean anyways? How can betrayal be for the good of the universe?"

Van gestured for Hitomi to come over. She crawled onto the couch and cuddled next to him. "You know what I heard at the science convention today? I learned about the Atlantean particles Lord Oneseme told us about."

"You mean the ones that are supposed to be related to the Atlantis Within, power of the human heart?"

"Right, the very same. The Zaibach research team believes that they can use the Mind Machine to separate two binary particles and thus generate great energy."

"Separate them?" Hitomi winced slightly. "That's..."

"I know what you mean. I think the same, because we know what that feels like." Van kissed her on the forehead and they fell into a short nap.

When they woke up, no one was home yet. The moon had risen higher, so they decided to take a walk on the beach. They went to a region far away from where the crowds were and found a rock that was perched near a precipice. From that height, the entire Coast of Calla was visible.

They sat on the rock, dangling their legs over the edge. Talking about trivial things, they felt elated and young. But the shadow could not subside for long. Van saw Orion from afar, running along the beach and waving his arms wildly in the air. His freedom was envied by Van.

"Hitomi," Van turned to face her, "Do you remember what the soothsayer said about Orion?"

"Yes, he called him Sahu, the terms sounds vaguely familiar. I may have heard it on Earth once, but I can't remember."

"It's a very odd name. And why did the old man bow to him? But if all this has anything to do with Atlantis, then I suppose Orion should be involved, since he was my little brother after all."

Hitomi said nothing and looked far away, at the horizon that stretched half visibly between the sea and sky. Above the sparkling water, pendent in the purple ether, hung the Mystic Moon, like a pearly topaz lost in an amethystine void. Its iridescence tinged the sable surface of the ocean, and seemed to hint at splendor within the murky depths.

Van held Hitomi. "Do you know what Orion said to me last night? He said that something is coming...he said he can feel it. He was never wrong in the past."

Hitomi looked up at Van with a terrified gaze, and held his hand. But before she could say anything, she noticed that the pendant hung around his neck began to pulsate. It had not shone for fifteen years. Its color gradually intensified until it became crimson and the light beamed like fire against his pale skin. They said nothing. Hitomi simply placed her head on Van's should and cried.

Van held her, and gazed blankly upon the seascape. The cold wind shivered their being, and flying sand disturbed his vision. The tide was rising, and the beating torrent could be heard crashing against the cliffs. From where Van sat, he could see straight down the precipice. Obsidian rocks spot the white foam, like bulges of hell seeded across heaven's mist.

.......................................................................

After two days of relaxation and enjoyment on the beach, the royal families have decided to return home to their duties. It was a clear sky on the day of their departure, though cirrus clouds were streaked across the blue. Orion packed the boat full of specialty food and souvenirs. Hermione reluctantly said farewell to her new friends.

Before embarking the boat, however, Van met with Valorick and Endymion, who requested that they return to Palladium on horseback.

Van frowned in consideration. "It will take you much longer to get back. You will need to stop at two cities on the way. Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes, father. I think it's just what I need. You needn't worry about us. Our trip around Gaea was certainly more perilous. Besides, I'm sure we can find accommodations easily."

Endymion smiled. "Don't worry, Uncle Van, I'll take good care of Val."

Van inhaled deeply then nodded. "Well, just be careful. Contact us in case anything happens. Take two of the best horses, and don't forget your swords."

Valorick and Endymion thanked him gleefully and ran off to bid the others farewell. Celena packed dry bread for them, some berries picked from the woods nearby, and rice cake wrapped in long leaves. They both took white stallions bred on the plains of Etolia, the best breed there was on Gaea. When the royal party boarded the Ocarina, Valorick and Endymion stood on shore and waved to them, before taking off into the woods beyond the Coast of Calla.

They rode steadily on through the dense foliage. There were hardly any paths paved through the vast forest that spanned the entire country. Their plan was to go through Folken and Fidell before arriving at Palladium within three day. The journey was relaxing. Shade from the trees gave them cooling shelter, and the aromatic leaves soothed their weary nerves. Every few hours, they'd stop to rest and eat. And when they came upon a lake, they jumped in for a swim.

They conversed as they always have, for Endymion did not ask Valorick about the soothsayer. Nothing unpleasant was mentioned. When they arrived at Folken, they stayed with an old couple in a cottage inn and made their acquaintance, though the couple never knew that the two young men were princes of Fanelia. Some travellers on the way accompanied them for a little while before taking off on their own route.

In between Folken and Fidell, they came across an open field, with meadows of swaying grass and small fragrant flowers. Valorick stopped his horse and drank in the scene. "It seems so long since we've seen a wide space like this. What do you say we make the most of it and have a race?"

Endymion smirked, and met up to the challenge. So the two friends raced their steeds across the plain, their bodies rushing against the wind. But when the arrived at the edge of the forest again, it became hard to stop the galloping horses, for the speed had been too great, and a sudden halt would throw the rider off. Valorick was winning the race but unable to stop, he sped ahead into the dense woods.

"Val!" Endymion managed to pull the reins and called desperately after his friend.

Valorick tried to stop, but having to dodge the tree branches that were nearly hitting his head, he lost grasp of the reins. Gradually, the horse slowed down. Valorick took the chance to turn back, and he saw Endymion coming after him anxiously.

Just as he was about to call for Endymion, his white stallion suddenly slipped upon loose soil on the edge of a downward hill. It was as if the ground just disappeared from beneath the horse's hooves. Valorick tried to grab the reins and save both rider and horse from a calamitous fall, but it was too late. The steed fell sideways down the small hill, and Valorick was flung from its back. Brown soil and dried leaves streamed down alongside him, rapidly rushing him down to the unseen bottom concealed by trees.

The last thing Valorick sensed was Endymion calling him frantically. When he fell to the bottom, his head crashed against a rock. But before he completely lost his consciousness, he saw a pillar of light falling a few feet away from where he lay bleeding. Emerging from the blinding light was a girl riding a winged horse.

End of Part IV

I know that the whole description of the trip seems somewhat rushed. I didn't really invest a lot in the development of the minor characters – hope that's all right. The main focus is still on the Fanel family.

Note: the idea of the Atlantean particles and the separation of such particles come from Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy. I don't know how to begin describing my absolute awe of Pullman's genius. His story, in particular the last book of the trilogy, is undoubtedly the best children's story/ fantasy I have ever read. The ending moved me to tears – it has a power that few stories, other than Escaflowne, have. I hope to visit Mr. Pullman one day, since I wish to write a thesis on his novels. For those of you who have not read his books, I strongly urge you to do so. I will also plan to write short fanfic stories based on his trilogy.