Chapter Twenty
Reflection
What is it that can be seen in you? Do I see truth? Do I see lies? Do I see fear? Do I see courage? Do I see honour? Do I see shame? What is it that I see in my-self that others cannot see? And what is there that they see, which I cannot focus upon to observe to myself?
Sage stared at his reflection upon a floe of ice; pondering the same thoughts he pondered what an age of the sea ago seemed. Long since had it been since Sage had seen his own face, and now, he didn't know what he could see…
Scars and marks twitched his face, and the growth had outsized his younger self, but even still, Sage still could see within his current reflection, the face of the younger Sage, whom loved life, and never feared. It hurt Sage to remember that calf, though it seemed so long, long ago that he was that young.
For three days, Gol had led the last two members of White River in circles, an aimless migration that had no destination. Few songs were sung between them, each orca in their own state of mourning.
Confused and deep-rooted in his thoughts, Gol could only think, humming songs to himself about what had happened to White River and what was to happen to the song now. Gol was unsure of what to do, and sung songs of the past to seek guidance to the future…
Elli refused to look at Sage. Her eyes constantly were full of tears, unable to handle the emptiness that she felt without the song of the pod to surround and comfort her. Sage was unsure if she blamed him for the Crimson Tide, or if she was still mourning, but it deeply hurt him that his mate refused to look him eye-to-eye.
Meanwhile, as Gol wandered and Elli mourned, Sage reflected. He looked back at everything and saw how it came to be, how it all happened and how it all could end…
Sage was certain of one thing. The Crimson Tide was the work of the monster that had chased him into the cavern of the Asterite. The giant medusa, with a mouth wide enough to swallow a young orca whole sounded the description he remembered of the monster.
But a master Kiera had mentioned in her dying song… Who was this monster's master?
Kiera had also mentioned Uton attacked someone. Uton had vowed to one day rule the seas, be the ultimate master, and with such a beast as the one who could cause a Crimson Tide upon a pod of fiercely trained hunter orca, there was a very good chance Uton would become his claims.
Sage knew it. He just knew Uton was the monster behind this carnage…
Or was he?
The hauntings of the Asterite continued to nag at Sage's mind. Should you go now, fleeing your destiny, lives will be lost. the Asterite had warned. Was this truly the fault of Sage? Had he brought the Crimson Tide down upon his own pod?
No. It was impossible. Just because Sage refused to suppose the Asterite's words was no reason for he to believe this was his doing…
Or was it?
Shaking his head again, Sage glanced towards Elli and Gol. The elder male was off in his songs again, as Elli floated at the surface, little life within her bereavement body.
Sage turned his head to the floe again, watching his reflection.
Was it truly your fault? he questioned the manifestation upon the ice, gazing at the near indistinguishable star markings upon the chin. Could all this have been avoided, had you accepted your fate? Accepted your-self as a Seer? As a hero?
Never. This was to happen no matter what…
Things don't happen by chance. Because I fled, I caused death…
Uton is the one who caused death! The Crimson Tide is not my doing!
The Asterite is all-knowing. It is older than Gol and knows better… It warned you…
I did not kill my pod!
Not directly, but you did aid in their path to annihilation…
"It's my fault!" screamed Sage as he burst into tears, unable to take the conflicting of his conscience and heart anymore. The to and fro of verbal warfare within his body was too much. He had to choose a side and stick to it. And as Gol claimed once before, the heart never lies…
Sage's heart told him that he was partly to blame for this…
Sage's wail broke Gol from his trance and Elli from her mourning, both of whom rushed to their friend's side to support him. Unsure they were of what he wailed for, but support him they would do…
"It's ok Sage," Gol whispered to him, his song calming and soothing. "The Crimson Tide was of no-ones fault, for these things sometimes…"
"No!" Sage snapped as his tear filled eyes burning with rage as he back-finned from them. "No… It's all my fault they all died before their time. It's my fault my sister will never experience life. It's my fault my mother no longer breathes, as with the entire pod… It's all my fault!"
Tilting his head in wonder, Gol questioned, "And pray tell young Sage, how is it your fault?"
"Because I refused to listen to one wiser than you," Sage glowered, his gaze of hatred aimed at him-self, not Gol. "I neglected the wisdom of the ancient Asterite, and in doing so caused the deaths of the entire pod! It is my fault for not accepting my destiny…"
Elli stared on, her face full of perplexity, as Gol watched with eagerness. "You encountered the legendary Asterite, yet you never sang of it? Why hide such an honour to your name?"
"Because the Asterite claimed I was a Seer," Sage growled, his tear-filled eyes still crying as his hatred for himself burned through them. "It told me I was a chosen one to challenge this beast that killed our pod, but I refused to believe it… I refused to believe I was in the same line as the hero Ecco, as a Seer…"
"But," Elli ventured forward, her song gentle. "If you were of the same line as Ecco, would you not need to be a dolphin?"
Tossing his head, Sage snapped, "The line of Seer extends through all children of Delphinius. A Seer is chosen to be the hero to save the planet, and is marked with these," he tilted his body up so the markings upon the chin were visible. "Accursed stars. I am a Seer, and because I refused to believe in that fact, the pod has paid the price for my gaffe…"
There was a pregnant, deathly silence as Elli and Gol digested Sage's words, but before either Elli or Gol could answer, Sage made their minds up for them. "Uton is the one to blame for the killing, and I'm the one to blame for allowing it to happen." He blew heavily at the surface, exhaling demons as well as stale air from his body. "This I can do only alone and thus I ask you not to come along. I bid you, song-master Gol and Lady Elli, farewell. And this time I don't think I'll return…"
Turning on his flukes, Sage began to travel towards the open seas, towards where he'd find the grotto of the Asterite, and plead for another chance to redeem himself as a hero and protect all those that still lived within the seas.
"Sage! Wait!" called a voice. The sweet tones of Elli, who raced up past him and cut him off. Her eyes looked hurt and her song faltering, "Do you believe you caused the Crimson Tide through your actions?"
Lowering his gaze, Sage replied, "Yes."
Pause. "How do you feel about that?"
Sage lifted his head again, tears welling his eyes, "I never wanted anything like this ever. If I could turn back time I would prevent it, but unlike the hero Ecco, I'm unsure I can. But I can't live with myself knowing that I could have prevented it from causing more Crimson Tides if I accept my fate now…"
Elli lowered her gaze, tears welling in her eyes. There was a long silence between them, before Sage attempted to move past. "Do you remember our vows?" she asked, blocking his escape once more.
Surprised, Sage replied, "Y-yes…"
Looking up, Elli's eyes burned with a passion Sage had never seen. "I promised to be beside you for forever and a day Sage. Forever and a day. Even if you are a Seer, that vow is something I hold to myself and will continue to hold, an unbreakable bond." She blew, her eyes passionate. "I will be beside you, no matter what you may be, for you are mine Sage, as I am yours."
Tears welling within him again, Sage nuzzled his head affectionately against Elli's. Her faith in him was something that even Sage could not understand, but she believed in him and his destiny. And no matter what, she would stand beside him.
A deeper rumble called for attention, as Gol approached, breaking apart the happy couple. "As you can see Sage, I made an excellent choice in the heir to the song. You look at mistakes of the past and aim to correct them for better future. Though the future of White River may be finished, the future of the world awaits and you are willing to learn… But blame you not, do I for the Crimson Tide. Accepting such a fate as you have is not an easy choice and you made the wrong choice, but are willing to right the wrongs…" The old one blew at the surface. "I have little time left within me, but in either body or spirit, I will be alongside you…"
Sage glanced to Elli, to Gol and to Elli again, tears welling within his eyes for the numerous time that very day, knowing that he was not blamed for the Crimson Tide, and that even now they stood alongside he that faced much.
"Thank you Gol, Elli… Thank you…"