Chapter 2: Worlds Apart

"Zari..." Talme said softly. "Zari wake up. The sun is behind the bluffs. We have to move."

Zari groaned groggily then laid still.

"Zari," she said again, gently squeezing Zari's frail shoulder. "We can't stay here, not with you in this condition."

"Then how do you suppose we leave?" Zari asked tersely, slightly cracking her eye open. "Neither you nor I can move yet."

"I can, and I can carry you along with my own weight."

Zari let her head flop from side to side. "I have no energy to supply you with."

"What?"

She sighed, "Here's how the link between you and I works. I'm obviously the life source." Talme nodded, remembering what Agi had taught her a long time ago. "So you see, I'm not only the life source but the energy source as well. It'll get easier and you won't notice it as much, but until that time, I have to at least have enough energy to breathe."

"So whatever I do draws from you."

"Right."

"So much for a portal then."

"Where'd you have in mind?"

"A little place I set aside for my retirement."

"Which would be?"

"The neighboring moon of my home."

"Sounds nice."

"The natural barriers and inhabitants of the moon would be able to fend her off, if she tried to attack, until you and I would be able to face her."

She let out a mock chuckle but broke out into a small coughing fit. "You and I fight her? What she lacks in strength she makes up for in cunning. She'll use our own weapons and allies against us before she uses her own reserves."

"She sounds like a crafty witch."

"Believe me she's more than crafty."

Talme thought for a moment, trying to find a way to persuade Zari that they had to move. "So how long do we have to wait before you're able to travel?"

"One more night," she said sleepily. "Who knows. If I get a good rest in we might be able to leave soon."

"You said you didn't have any limits on power." Zari let out another cough/chuckle. "I remember you telling me that."

"Are you really that anxious to move?"

"I think it's necessary."

"And you're willing to carry me?"

"You barely weigh anything! I swear you feel like a fistful of leaves."

"I trust you Talme. Just know, if I die she sets her sights on Shin."

Junid walked up the knoll, leaving the elder behind. "Where are you lad?" he called. "My senses aren't as clear as they used to be."

The sound of his voice hit his ears like a jarring clap of cymbals. He woke with a start.

"Shin?"

"Here!" he called back as he sat up, head in his hand.

Junid turned sharply and mentally hit himself in the forehead. I should have known he'd be there. He trudged up the steep incline until Kibitoshin came into view over the crest. "Ah! There you are."

"Junid?" he asked, surprised but his headache wouldn't let his face show it. "I told you I don't need any help."

"I know," he said as he sat down beside the fusion. "But can't an old friend at least come to visit?"

He smiled slightly then nodded and extended his hand. "It's good to see you again."

Junid took his hand and shook it. "Good to be back lad, for however short a visit."

"Let me guess, the elder brought you here."

"Yep," he said with a sigh. "Funny fellow, he's wound too tight."

"He's a lot like you used to be."

"Ouch... I realize I wasn't exactly... encouraging. And I apologize for whatever sharp words I said to insult her honor. She was a spirited lass; the life on this planet as far as I'm concerned."

He clenched his jaw, trying to fight back the lump swelling in his throat. Now was not the time for tears.

"Have you found any leads you want Talme or I to follow?"

He shook his head, "I sent her into exile I will be the one to bring her back."

"A fine goal to be sure, but you also have the universe to attend to. Which is still your first priority. Now Talme and I, we have nothing but time on our hands."

"Wait a minute..." he said suddenly. "Talme? Where is she? I don't sense her here anymore."

"She's-" His eyes suddenly widened.

"She's alive?!" they said in unison.

"How can that be?" Kibitoshin questioned. "No one can summon a being from death using their own life force!"

"Now hold on a minute," Junid said as he held up a finger. "There were five people who could."

"What? And why was I not told of this?"

"Because this was the first chance I got to tell you. Agi paid Talme a visit to see if she knew anything about Zari. Agi asked if she had sensed anything unusual: a portal or anything of the like. Both Talme and I had felt a strange brooding on the planet we nearly lost you on."

He shivered as Shin remembered the icy talons of the shadows. "What strange brooding?"

"It's almost as if they're massing together. The planet grows darker with every passing year. They're leaderless however, and the barrier is still holding. Not a single vapor can get passed it."

He shook his head, "They're not leaderless." He stood. "I know how leads them, and she's more than capable of breaking the barrier."

"Who do you speak of?"

"Her name is Desdelona."

Junid felt goose bumps rise up on his skin. "I've heard of her. Talme's told me-"

Their ears twitched and both of them walked to the edge of the knoll and peered down into the valley. The elder's voice rose with every passing moment as he argued with a tall woman. She stood, looking from a distance like a tall red column due to her cape, twice if not three times the elder's size.

"Agi?" Kibitoshin said thoughtfully. "What is she doing here?"

"Best find out before she tears his head off."

He nodded, "Agreed." He put his hand on Junid's shoulder and disappeared.

"I don't care why you're here!" the elder cried in protest. "This sanctuary is for Kais only! You have to leave!"

"Just tell me where Shin is," Agi said dryly.

"Here," Kibitoshin said quickly before the elder could shout back. "In some form," he added quietly as he met her shocked gaze.

"This can't work now!" she said.

"What can't work?" Junid asked.

"He's not in his original form," she said as she pointed at Kibitoshin.

"And what does that have to do with anything?" the elder snapped.

"If he's not as he was when he branded her he can not undo what has been done!"

Kibitoshin's eyes widened and he stepped forward, taking hold of Agi's arm. "What have you found? You wouldn't be here if you didn't know something?" His voice quivered as his insides coiled up tightly, ready to spring at the slightest hint of direction. "Have you found her?"

"I have a strong lead," she said. "I detected a slowly forming portal on the desert planet

Zereto."

"And!"

"It's of Talme's making."

"Zereto?"

She nodded, "But you're not going alone."

"Fine," he said then both he and Agi disappeared.

A deep magenta ring finally completely encircled Talme's wrist. She raised her hand over her head and held Zari in close. She could feel the energy drain taking its toll on her. Zari shook in her grasp, trembling wildly. I'm almost there Zari. Hang on a little longer.

Agi panted in the dry heat. "I've swum in fire pits cooler than this!" she breathed.

Kibitoshin turned rapidly in all directions. Where are you?! Something sparked. "There!" he exclaimed, pointing north. Agi barely got a look before he rocketed into the air. She coughed and waved her hands to clear the dust and sand.

His eyes frantically scanned the ground beneath him. I can feel it! She's close I know it!

The ring grew brighter then widened into a circle just big enough to stretch passed Talme's outstretched foot. I promise I'll make this up to you Zari. She turned her head skyward and gazed into the vivid rippling mirror as it descended toward them. Both of us will be back to our old selves within days I swear.

I believe you...

She squeezed her gently. Hold on a little longer, then you can rest as long as you want.

He plummeted to the cluster of cliffs, towering spikes, and caves. He bounded from cave to cave calling her name then rocketing to the next one. He leapt passed a small cubbyhole then pulled back abruptly when a dark splotch caught his eye. A basket? he thought when he took a closer look. He stepped in the entrance. "Zari!" he called. What's that light?

On the back wall of the outcropping, light danced like the reflection of the sea at night. He looked at the floor then bolted for the hole. "KALILA!" he cried.

Zari's ear twitched and she turned half closed eyes toward the ceiling. A sudden spark in the portal sucked the energy right out of her. Her head fell against Talme's shoulder.

He scrambled through the hole. "Kalila wait!" he cried as he reached under the edge of the descending ring. Don't leave me. His fingers stretched and strained, coming inches away from her arm.

Talme's eyes sparked an icy blue and he flew back into the wall.

He shook his head and reached out again, "WAIT! TALME!"

I'm sorry Shin, but you can't take it back yet.

"Let me try!" he pleaded. He pressed his face to the sandy floor to see under the ring; nearly reaching the floor. Clawed hands snagged fistfuls of his uniform and jerked him back away from the ring.

"What's the matter with you?" Agi hissed. "You want to lose your arm again?!"

The ring touched the floor and in a brilliant flash it disappeared.