Chapter 6: Winter Solstice
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2013 DECEMBER
SIXTH MONTH: LIMA, PERU
After Uruguay, Sah-him spent most of his time at the Fort in healing and meditation. He spent his weeks getting more mobile and regaining his fighting conditioning. Namla would frequently go on hunts without Sah-him while he was healing.
This changed the week before the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. It was high summer in the Southern Hemisphere, but all of the Wahy gathered from the Demon's Venom and the Demon's Spine to make the trek to Tiahuanaco.
"Namla," Sah-him called. "Why is everyone here?" he asked.
"This is the last part of your training in the Ruya," Namla replied. "This is why we are called the Wahy. Twice a year, the Ruya are called to the Great Nexus. It grants all the Ruya a vision. We must make note of that vision and either stop it or help it come to pass."
"What kind of a vision do we receive?" Sah-him asked with some hesitation. He didn't want to see horror and death.
"It depends on you," Namla told him. "The Nexus grants a different vision to each Wahy. Some are simple and easy visions. A child that has grown up and moved out. Others are horror, like Muzlin with the power of Ra's al Ghul. The Nexus only grants you what it feels you are capable of conveying to others."
"Okay," Sah-him said. "What do we need to prepare?" he asked.
"For our gift?" Namla said. "Nothing." Then he chuckled. "But we have experience in these visions. We bring maps and notebooks to write down what we see while it is fresh in our minds."
"I hope we don't have too much climbing," Sah-him told him. "My leg is better, but it still doesn't like stairs."
"Then you will like the rest at the top of the temple at Tiahuanaco," Namla told him. "Come. We at least have good weather on the ride there."
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2013 DECEMBER 21
TIAHUANACO, PERU
WINTER SOLSTICE
The Wahy arrived and camped the day before the Winter Solstice. Several hours before dawn, the Wahy rose and began the trek in the dark through the ruins of the grounds to the tallest temple at Tiahuanaco. Sah-him could feel his injury burn from the long climb. But it was offset by the warm welcome he could feel from the Great Nexus.
The Great Nexus at Tiahuanaco was much stronger than the one at Lima. Much more powerful. Sah-him had to struggle to keep his Inner Eye closed. The presence of the Nexus was more than just sentient, it could almost speak. His gift had not been as trained the last time he had visited Tiahuanaco.
Once they had all arrived at the top of the temple, the Wahy all took seated positions a few feet from each other. Namla sat next to Sah-him.
"Now, Sah-him," Namla began, "You will sit here in the lotus position with your Inner Eye open and our outer eyes closed. Just let the Nexus give you the vision. Write down what you see. The vision will be triggered at dawn. At the Solstice. Any questions?" he asked.
"I can't think of any?" Sah-him replied. "I'm sure I'll have a bunch afterward."
"Good," Namla replied. "Just remember to breathe."
"Breathe. Breathe," Sah-him said to himself. He let himself get more comfortable and into the lotus position. He placed his hands properly. "Breathe." He closed his eyes and opened his Inner Eye.
Sah-him was instantly lost in the power of the Nexus. It swirled around him. Then he was suddenly struck with feeling. It was overwhelming.
-Worry- The feeling vibrated through Sah-him.
An old Mayan temple was surrounded by dense jungle deep in the forests of Peru. It appeared to be late summer or early fall in the jungles. Fruits were full and ripe on the vine.
-He comes- The words echoed him Sah-him's mind with clarity.
-Who is he?- Sah-him asked.
-Felix Faust- The voice replied in his mind. Sah-him could feel the disgust the voice had for this person. The person made the voice angry with their actions.
The next vision was a strange man (Felix Faust) creeping into a hidden room in that same Mayan temple in Peru. There was a giant skeleton in the room.
-Who is the skeleton?- Sah-him asked. The skeleton seemed important. The vision was focusing on the skeleton.
-Mardru- The voice told him with approval. The voice was more neutral about Mardru. The threat of Mardru was passed.
The vision focused on the skeleton. It was holding a box. A golden box. Faust took the box. He tried to open the box. He tried magic. He tried force. He tried smashing it against the stones. But nothing he did worked.
-What does the box hold?- Sah-him asked the voice.
-A map- The voice said. -He does not have the key- The voice stated.
In the vision, out of frustration, Faust threw the box and shattered the skeleton. The skeleton gave Faust one last message. A message that Merlin had the key to the box. A message that the key is a skeleton key. It sent an image of that key to Faust. The magician cackled with glee.
-The box was hidden for a reason. Evil comes.- The voice relayed one last time.
The vision faded from Sah-him's mind. He quickly riffled through his backpack for a map of Peru. He quickly marked the location of the temple on the map. Then he started writing down everything he had just seen in his vision. Everything the Great Nexus had told him.
The others were doing similar actions all around the room with different maps. A few were still receiving visions. When he was done, Sah-him folded up the map of Peru and kept his notes so he could make his detailed report to Hamsa.
Namla was finishing up his notes. He looked over at Sah-him. He could see the questions in Sah-him's eyes.
"You have questions now," Namla said with certainty.
"Yes," Sah-him replied. "The vision was confusing."
"Did you see violence?" Namla asked.
"No," Sah-him replied. "I only saw one man. Felix Faust."
"A sorcerer of great evil," Namla told him. "He is a man who is never up to any good. Did you see his aura?" he asked.
"No," Sah-him replied. "That was not a part of the vision. He was in a temple… in Peru," he said.
"Then your vision is for the Demon's Venom," Namla told him. "They can lay the trap for Felix Faust and end his evil."
"There was more," Sah-him told him. "I saw the skeleton of Mardru. Mardru left a vision of Merlin and how to open the box that was with the skeleton. A box that contains a map."
"Damn," Namla swore. "The rumors were true. Mardru and Merlin did work together to create a map to the Books of Magic."
"The what?" Sah-him asked in confusion.
"It is an ancient story," Namla started. "The Books of Magic are a transportation device meant for a person of one lineage. The family has kept them safe at Nanda Parbat. But because of the use of Magic in the title, magicians and sorcerers have sought the books. The books have gained rumors about what they contain as the evil servants sought to upset the balance."
"This Mardru was good?" Sah-him asked. He had heard about Merlin. That mage was supposed to be a magician for good. The Great Nexus didn't hate Mardru.
"No," Namla replied. "Mardru was an evil source who faded from existence thousands of years ago. Merlin was balanced, but not good. He was half-demon blood. It allowed him to wield great magic without the physical cost to his body."
Sah-him's eyes widened with this news. "Demon blood?" he whispered. "How… how did he become balanced?" he asked in awe.
"He was saved as a child by a young fey," Namla said. "She convinced him that his father was a demon and intended to use him. She taught him how to fight his father and how to use his gift of magic."
"Wow!" Sah-him said in awe. "None of that is in the old Earth legends."
"No," Namla replied. "But the Lady of the Lake… She was that fey. Older and wiser, but still his ally." Namla looked around and noticed that the rest of the Wahy were writing or resting. "Rest. We will return to Lima soon."
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LIMA, PERU - THE FORT
When the Wahy returned to Lima, Hamsa greeted them all and directed them to the large meeting room.
Hamsa stood at the front of the assembled group. "Welcome back, Wahy. Who has reports that are critical to the Demon's Head?" he asked them.
Two of the Wahy stood. "We do, Fasir," they replied.
"Then go. Take a laptop and type up your reports on the way," he told them. "I prepared the League plane just in case it was needed."
"It will be done," they replied and left the meeting with their backpacks.
"Of those that remain," Hamsa said while looking at the remaining Wahy. "Reports for the Demon's Spine should assemble in that corner. Reports for the Demon's Claw should report in that corner. Reports for the Demon's Horn should report in that corner. Reports for the Demon's Venom should assemble before me. Reports of little importance may go and type up your reports. I will review them later."
Sah-him watched as the Wahy moved as if this was a common occurrence. This is a common occurrence. It happens every Solstice. Most of the Reports seemed to go to the Demon's Spine or the Demon's Venom. Few of the reports were for the Claw or the Horn.
"Excellent," Hamsa said. "Go type up your reports and file them with the Qas. I will arrange travel for the Claw and the Horn. The Spine may return on their League plane. The Venom will return with their reports to me tomorrow in this room. May the Source guide you."
"It will be done," they replied before they dispersed to type up their reports.
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The next day, Sah-him returned with Namla and the other Wahy to report to Hamsa the results of their vision. Sah-him was the last to report his vision. He waited until all of the other Wahy had completed their reports before he started his report. He had the benefit of watching them report before him. He at least knew the procedure to follow.
"Fasir," Sah-him started formally. "My vision took me to the forests of Peru. It appeared to be summer or fall. The location was a Mayan temple deep in the undergrowth. The Great Nexus was worried. Felix Faust had found the temple and the hidden room where the skeleton of Mardru was located." Sah-him took a breath. "Faust attempted to open the Golden Box located with the skeleton of Mardru. He failed. However, Mardru's skeleton granted him one last bit of information. The method to open the Golden Box was a Skeleton Key being held in possession of Merlin. The Golden Box and the Skeleton Key were a map to the location of the Books of Magic."
"You could recognize Felix Faust and the skeleton of Mardu?" Hamsa asked skeptically.
"I was not, Fasir," Sah-him replied. "The Great Nexus told me of their identities."
"The Great Nexus TOLD you," Hamsa said with eyes wide. He looked over to Namla who just nodded at the information. "I see," he replied in consideration. "Based on the information you have provided; I will immediately move to secure the remains of Mardru and the Golden Box. We will then set a trap for Felix Faust. His evil has been allowed to escape for too long. I doubt he is the only sorcerer who will look for a map to the Books of Magic."
"I'm glad to be of service, Fasir," Sah-him replied with his closing statement. He had hoped to be included in the hunt.
"You did well, Sah-him," Namla told him as they rose to leave the meeting room.
"I wanted to join the hunt," Sah-him told Namla.
Namla laughed. "You are so eager," he grinned at the young man. "You are still recovering from your injuries. AND… it is almost time to return to Nanda Parbat."
"I'm almost healed," Sah-him griped. But he was looking forward to returning to Aldire and Alqadar. He wouldn't want to delay that reunion.
Namla chuckled at his sullen response. "See the Qas. Train back up to strength. I will make sure that my report goes with the Fasir. Do you know that Dalia is to go with you?" he asked.
"I didn't know," Sah-him replied. "She will do well with the training. Tayir and I have been talking to her with the Qas. I'm sure she will be back in six months."
"Yes," Namla said. "I dread any drug lord that dares to cross her path then."
"Her teacher will help her stick to just evil men," Sah-him said. "I have talked to her about how not all of Frank's men were evil. How some of them were just as coerced as she was. She seemed to get it."
"Good," Namla replied. "Otherwise, I may need to assist with those first hunts."
"You would be a good choice," Sah-him replied. "She trusts you more than the other Wahy because you rescued her."
"Then I will do what I can to help her when she returns," Namla said with a soft smile.
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LIMA, PERU - THE FORT
Sah-him and Tayir Alfiniq had been called before Hamsa just after the Christmas celebrations in Lima. They both were pretty sure they knew what it was about.
"Fasir," they said respectfully before the Fasir of the Demon's Venom.
"Apprentices," Hamsa said with a smile. "I have your training reports from both Master Najwa and Master Namla. You have both completed your advanced field training. You will both return as Eadi. It is now time to return to Nanda Parbat for your final branch assignments by the Demon's Head."
"It feels much longer than six months," Tayir replied.
"Yeah," Sah-him added. "It feels like it's been forever. But I still miss them."
"Them?" Tayir asked.
"Aldire and Alqadar," Sah-him replied.
"Yes," Hamsa replied. "Qasisa Menna had included a report on you as well Sah-him."
"She did?" Sah-him asked.
"Yes," Hamsa said with a smile. "She wanted to make sure I told the Demon's Head that you were bonded to Aldire and Alqadar. When he makes final assignments, he should place all three of you in the same branch."
"She had mentioned that we would do better together," Sah-him said sadly. "I have tried to stay focused. But it has been hard."
"I have not noticed you lacking focus," Tayir said softly. "Even sparring, you seem to be driven."
"That was Qasisa Menna's advice. To help stay focused," Sah-him said to his friend. "To only focus on what is right in front of me. This hunt. This sparring match. Not how I am missing parts of myself… I am working at one-third of myself… I KNOW I can be so much more… if I don't have to focus on missing them."
"Your gift is quite strong," Hamsa told him. "Master Namla has remarked on its strength. Yet… you say this is you operating at one-third?... I would be very interested to see you operate at 100 percent… with your gift."
"I just know that I can do more," Sah-him replied.
"Then you will," Hamsa said. "We will get you back to them. They will work better with you as well. Together you are all stronger."
"Yes," Sah-him replied. "We are stronger together."
"Pack your things," Hamsa told them. "We will fly out tomorrow morning. Dalia will accompany us. I hope that she will join the League and the training that has benefited you, Tayir."
"I hope so as well," Tayir replied.
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END PART 03.ODCU-DCU-DCU-DCU-DCU-DCU
Endnotes:
References:
Arrowverse Wiki (2022). Arrowverse various links. Retrieved on October 9, 2022, from wiki/Arrowverse_Wiki
DC Database (2022). Various DC Character links. Retrieved on October 10, 2022, from wiki/DC_Comics_Database/
Quotes (2022). Arrow Quotes. Retrieved on October 13, 2022, from movies/arrow_(2012)_100398
Grant, A., Breyfogle, M., Mitchell, S. (1990). Detective Comics (1937) #621, Rite of Passage: Part 4, Retrieved on October 16, 2022, from /comic/detectective-comics-1937/issue-621?id=5952
Spiritual Lifestyle (2020). The 14 Colors of Aura and Their Spiritual Meaning. Retrieved on October 28, 2022, from the-14-colors-of-aura-and-their-spiritual-meaning/
Word Hippo (2022). Spanish. Retrieved on October 10, 2022, from .com
Word Hippo (2022). Arabic. Retrieved on October 10, 2022, from .com
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Work Title: Arrow Redesigned 03: Demon's Venom, Sah-him
Summary: Sah-him's (Oliver's) specialized field training with the Demon's Venom. Learning to use the Ruya. AU. Ship-Laurel/Oliver/Tommy. Graphic Injuries. Arrow Redesigned Series, Part 03.O.
AO3 Sequel Information: Arrow Redesigned 02: The League, Basic Training
AO3 Series Information: Arrow Redesigned Series
Rating: AO3 [Mature (M)] [Mature (M)]
AO3 Archive Warnings: AO3 [Graphic Violence]
Fandom Category: Arrow (2012), Green Arrow (Comics), DCU (Comics),
Spoilers: None
AO3 Relationship Categories: AO3 [Multi]
AO3 Pairing: Laurel Lance/Oliver Queen/Tommy Merlin
Characters: AO3 {List all}: Oliver Queen (Sah-him), Robert Queen, Moira Queen, Walter Steele, Thea Queen, Sara Lance, Dinah Lance, Bruce Wayne (Batman), Obeah Man, Jack Drake, Janet Drake, Dr. Thomas Wayne, Georgio De La Vega (Extrano), Frank Sanchez,
Original Character(s): Tayir Alfiniq, Namla, Hamsa, Azhar, Mahir, Najwa, Qasisa Menna, Qasisa Narm, Qas Amin, Dalia, Louis, Malcien, Haraq, Latif,
FF Genre: [NOTE: Limit 2] Adventure, Friendship,
AO3 Additional Tags: Alternate Universe, Angst, Action, Adventure, Violence, Explicit Language, Drama, Family, Friendship, Adult Content, Major Character Injuries,
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