Chapter 13: Bright Lights
It was still an hour before sunrise when Samus woke up. The fire was out, a mere pile of ashes. Leniox sat on the other side of that pile, silent as the stone around them. She lifted herself up and stretched as the night's wind started to die. The stars were fading as well, and it was these stars that had Leniox's attention.
Samus reached for her staff, which she had kept close to her, and walked to the edge of their camp. She looked out at the Pass of Conit as the darkness slowly yielded to day. She drew up a mental map of their course: they were half way through the pass, at about midday they would see the Rogu Path. Taking it up they should reach and cross the Swibal River by early evening. If they pushed hard they would get to Purit Peak maybean hour after sunset.
"We should leave now Samus," said Leniox. "Today will be a long day."
"Yes it will Leniox," she replied.
In less then a minute they left the ledge that they had called their own, and they started through the rocky pass. On both sides, terrible, sheer walls stood and Samus felt so small between them. For they seemed to have a stare like that of the Elders, but they were waiting for her to mess up. The pressure made her a little dizzy.
Leniox followed Samus closely through the steep and difficult trail. Patiently waiting when she would stop them to observe the section up ahead. She would pause and consider the different ways to travel that part of the pass, and Leniox never once said a word as she studied the broken and jagged climb. He was always confident in her choices and trusted her judgment.
The Pass of Conit took them through narrow tunnels and onto high stone bridges that were suspended over the sharp rocks. But no matter where the pass took them it was difficult going.
At the current time they were at a particularly hard place. The pass had taken them up a nearly vertical wall and they were now at the top. Looking down Samus saw a drop of roughly 80 feet, this just keeps getting better, for it seemed that this part of the passhad collasped. The hole stretched on for nearly 20 feet and there was only one way around the hole, a small ledge that jutted out of the right side. They would have to cross this drop on a walkway only one foot wide,willing themselves not to fall.
A subtle fear came over Samus, but it was dulled by her need to be strong for Leniox. The Chozo was looking quite pale, something she had never seen in any Chozo. He put on a solemn face and looked at Samus, waiting for orders.
"What do we do Samus?" he asked quietly.
"See that ledge?" she asked while pointing. "We have to cross on that."
Leniox's eyes widened and he took a deep breath.
"Chozo are supposed to be enlightened and strong, right?" he thought out loud. "Then why am I so afraid."
This lost of composure in her friend was greatly disturbing Samus. But you are strong Leniox, she thought. I need you to be strong now, I'm just as scared as you.
"Don't worry Leniox, you are strong and enlightened. You keep your eyes on me and I'll help you," Samus said sincerely. "I am going first. When I get out a little ways you come out and follow me. Try to grip the wall and don't look down."
Taking a deep breath, Samus surveyed the ledge. It, unfortunately, hadn't grown any bigger since she had first seen it. She noticed that the wall was weathered from wind and time. Luckily the wind isn't blowing now, she thought, only at night. The battered mountainside had a couple handholds but not many.
Samus took another breath, wrapped her staff in her robe, and stepped out onto the small walkway. The Orcios wood rapped on the wall, and the sound echoed in the vale. She placed her hands on the mountain's textured side ever so carefully. Samus slowly went out a couple of feet and then turned her head to Leniox.
"Come Leniox," she commanded.
The Astronomer nodded and timidly came to the ledge. As he placed his left foot on it he hesitated. Samus waited for him to come around or to scream that he couldn't do it. She was trained for this, he was not, and she couldn't blame him for being frightened. But just as she thought this, a new look came onto Leniox's face, a look of desperate confidence. He then traveled the small ledge to her.
Samus said nothing, not wanting to break his or hers concentration, but smiled at him. He smiled back, and so the old and true Leniox had returned.
After several minutes of slow progress they were nearing the end of the ledge and the restart of the pass's main highway.
Leniox carefully placed his left foot near Samus's right and gripped the wall. He waited for her to move so that he could too. She didn't move though, Samus was too busy looking at the problem in front of her. For just as the ledge met the other side it had broken off. They were suspended 80 feet above sharp stone, standing on a narrow outshoot, and now they were made to jump the lastyards or so. Unbelievable.
"Leniox listen to me," she said.
"Yes Warrior."
"In a few feet the ledge ends. We have to jump the last part of it. It isn't too far and I know you can make it. Stay there and watch me," she told him.
Leniox turned his head to her, careful of his beaked face. She took two more steps then stopped. He could see her body coiling up and said a quick prayer. Oh truth, guide my friend, and myself.
As she readied herself, Samus too said a prayer, to whatever powers there may be. Help me. Father said I could call on you, whatever you are, and I do now. Help me.
Then she jumped.
Up to that point in her life, Samus Aran had never felt so weak as when she jumped from that foothold. Flying though the air she felt free, but it was a dangerous freedom, the uncertainty of having nothing to hold. As she flew, her staff fell from her robe's folds, clattering on the other side. The newly risen sun peeked over the mountains and blinded her. And all in that second she landed on the other side.
Samus hit the rocky pass hard, cutting up her bared forearms. She lay there for a minute, feeling the rock's coldness but oh so happy to feel it.
"Samus?" Leniox called to her. "Are you okay?"
"I'm okay," Samus called back. She sat up and warm blood trickled down her arm. Ignoring it she walked to the edge and said, "now it's your turn." Please, Leniox, make it!
Her dear friend took his time in studying the jump. He was larger and longer than Samus, and since she had made the jump hecould too. Leniox inched his way to the ledge's end. There he paused and looked at Samus, who looked back with distressed eyes. Leniox…
The Chozo readied himself and then leapt from the ledge, his lean body extended to its full length. As he jumped Samus knew something was wrong. The rock beneath him crumbled and his feet slipped. His powerful jump failed. He's going to fall short, he is going to fall short!
Leniox soared through the air for what seemed like eternity. As his jump reached its weak climax the sun lit up his body, his every detail exposed.
He hit the edge with his chest and his arms struggled on the rocky surface for a hold. The recoil nearly made him lose his grip for it knocked his breath out of him. Samus reached for his wrists and pulled with all her might. The sounds of her exertion and his agony bounced off the walls, and they mixed with the sound of tearing cloth.
Samus took a better grip and pulled as Leniox's legs flailed in the emptiness below. She screamed as Leniox was yanked over and up onto the other side. As he came up his robe tore and he screeched at a pitch so high she hardly heard it.
He fell to Samus's side, panting and in mild shock. Samus immediately threw herself on him, bombarding him with kisses.
"Lenoix, you're alive! I was so scared!" She cried. The fear she had felt at her own flight was paled at the possibility of losing her friend.
Finally Samus sat up and helped Leniox to do the same, it was then that Samus noticed the blood.
The front of her robe was stained with a dark red. She knew that she was not bleeding and so looked to Leniox.
Where Leniox's robe had torn the warm liquid flowed. He had cried out in pain for that reason, as the sharp edge ripped his torso.
"Your hurt!" she exclaimed and quickly looked at the wound.
She lifted the flap of Leniox' Astronomer robe and saw the gash. Leniox's lightly feathered stomach had multiple holes, some still dirty with rock. Her Warrior training had given Samus a limited amount of first aid, and now she was very glad for it.
Samus helped Leniox to where the wall met the floor of the pass. She propped him up and went to work.
She cleaned the wound as best she could, we can wash it in the Swibal, when we get there. She checked the depth of Leniox's injury and was relieved to find it wasn't too deep. Deep enough to tear his muscle but not deep enough to threaten his vital organs. Ripping off the bottom of her golden robe she dressed his wound. The gold turned crimson but soon the bleeding stopped.
"How do you feel?" she asked Leniox.
He answered, "relatively good for what I have been through."
Samus laughed and said, "well, we have to keep moving. Can you walk?"
Leniox stood and gingerly walked a few feet. He grimaced but his stride was even.
"Yes, I can make it. We should leave this place," he said.
"Okay, let's go," said Samus as she picked up her staff.
So it was that the pair left the drop.
It was after midday when they could see the Rogu Path. The Rogu Path met the Pass of Conit and traveled north, up the Qulox to Purit Peak. Samus was greatly relieved to see the path. The Pass of Conit was bare and rocky, but the Rogu Path was gentle and once more covered with trees. She was a little disappointed though because they were behind schedule. Leniox was doing fine but he was slowing them down, and she feared they might be too delayed to reach Purit Peak tonight.
"There is Rogu Path Leniox," she told him.
"Good, I will be glad to leave this pass," he replied.
They headed up the Rogu Path. Their bare feet welcomed the cool ground instead of the pointed rocks, and their eyes welcomed the forest over the monotone of stone. A Murlbird sang its song and welcomed them to the Rogu Path.
They had been on the path no less then an hour when they heard a noise. It was Samus's stomach, crying to be fed. All of their excitement had stilled the hunger but now it came back much louder.
"I am hungry too, and tired," said Leniox after her growl had receded.
"I doubt there are any Doda trees nearby," Samus said.
Leniox rested his tired body against a tree and sighed, "perhaps there is something else."
"Like…"
"Oh, maybe Murlberries," he replied and revealed a bush full of maroon colored berries from behind the tree.
"Oh yes," Samus laughed. "Murlbirds only sing near Murlberries. How could I forget?"
So the duo ate the fruit of Creto and their greatest hunger pains were stilled. Neither was satisfied, but they set off anyway.
Up the slow slope of the Rogu Path they went. Leniox was able to walk without Samus's assistance on the dirt path. He reveled in the beauty of this path- the red barked trees, healthy leaves, creatures at peace, and the pure blue sky that was visible through the canopy.
They traveled all day, sometimes stopping to pick more Murlberries or to observe the innocent life around them. It was a seemly perfect bliss, but Samus never let her guard down. The close call at the drop had reminded her how dangerous this journey was, and she won't forget that.
The sun was nearing the horizon when they came upon the Swibal River. Samus was happy to see that the Swibal would be an easy wade instead of a hard swim.
Samus led Leniox into the crisp water as it was turned yellow by the sun. They both lifted their robes and waded through the knee-deep river. The pebbles of the riverbed shifted under their weight.
On the other side of the river Samus washed and redressed Leniox's wound. With a fresh dressing they started on the path again.Now though, the path was growing more vague and the trees fewer. The sun was drifting under the horizon and it was growing colder.
"Can we make it before night falls?" asked Leniox.
"No we can't." answered Samus. "but I don't want to be out here at night, so if we hurry we can get there before it's too dark to see."
Leniox said nothing but kept going.
They kept going for more then an hour but it was in vain. Soon the night consumed them and they had to stop because they could not see. There was no moon tonight and the stars were dull. The worst thing though,
was that Samus could see Purit Peak just before the dark blocked it out.
"We have to stop Leniox," she said despairingly to the darkness. "Leniox, are you there?" she cried when there was no answer.
Suddenly she could see. A small orb of orange light floated near her. It cast a weak light around her and its holder, Leniox.
"We Chozo can have the power to create holograms. I will make this one of light so that we can reach Purit Peak," he said.
Samus stared at the light and Leniox smiled. He had showed her holograms before, at their secret spot, Benach and Uirlow had too. All Chozo could project holograms but their skill was rarely a need. At their secret spotthey had done it for fun and games, to play tricks and show off. Now he would use this ability to guide them up the mountain.
Speaking Chozian words, Leniox forced the light to grow. The orb gained strength and shone all around them. The light flowed in a revolving circle, making a sort of dome. The translucent orange allowed them to see out, and as Samus did so she saw something that took her breath away.
There were dozens of glowing orbs. All throughout the Qulox there were Chozo holograms lighting the way for numerous pairs. A procession of bright lights in the absolute darkness, like some ancient ritual.
As Samus and Leniox ascended to Purit Peak they marveled at the skill of their peers. Some of the Chozo formed their holograms into several orbs that floated around them. Some made winged creatures that flew through the sky before returning to their creator. Still others formed storms of hologram light that flashed lightning and sent sparks flying.
Not one to be left out, Samus urged Leniox to create something. So he did. In a flash of light the orb split into millions of pieces that circled them at dazzling speeds. Like lightning bugs they flickered on and off. The little bugs expanded to a loose ellipse then contracted until Samus could feel their wing-beats on her face. Just as suddenly, Leniox ended it and the light was simple again.
"Wow," Samus said softly in the quiet.
One by one the lights disappeared as some pairs reached their destination. The holograms either just stopped or were released to the sky, where they floated to the heavens.
Soon Samus and Leniox could see true lights in the distance, Purit Peak. A huge observatory, complete with a grand telescope, loomed above them. They reached a set of stairs, every otherstair lit by tall candles.
When they reached it Leniox turned to the south and released the hologram as lightning bugs that scattered into the night. They were finally there.
Samus helped Leniox up the stairs, guiding him with her arm. The climb was not long, but they were both tired and hungry from the day's adventure. They reached the top and paused to gather their breath.
"We made it," Samus said to Leniox.
They looked out and could see the last lights fading into the sky. How beautiful those lights are, Samus thought.
Samus and Leniox turned to the observatory's arched doorway and were unsurprised to see two Chozo waiting.
"Come and take leave," said the first, who was dressed in a silver robe.
"Come and take your rest, for your journey has been long," said the golden robed second.
So Samus and Leniox went inside to take their leave and rest, for their journey had been very long indeed.