Secrets, part 9
Deep the void between worlds, where the dying linger, Kavi had been trapped in the darkness for nearly a week. His body was numb, seemingly submerged in water. Far above the shimmering surface, tiny points of light danced - his memories. From where he laid, they looked more like falling stars. The cold liquid that surrounded him had been still until now, but something had changed. The water was flowing. He pondered the meaning of it all. Was he returning to the living or leaving it behind? As the pool that held him shifted and slipped away, his face broke the surface for the first time. It felt good to breathe again. Whatever the fluid was seemed to have put him in stasis. He wondered if that's how Jasper felt for those six long years. Then some of the dancing lights above grew larger; They were descending to his level.
He watched with fascination as a few of them orbited him playfully. He could hear voices, children's voices. They giggled and beckoned him to play, but who were they? "It's time to wake up, big brother. Get to your feet", encouraged the first. "Papa, you'll be late. Wake up", chided the next. The third said nothing, but lingered as if it wanted to. Kavi tried to move, but his limbs were like stone. Even moving a single finger took every ounce of will for just a small twitch. The first orb bounced around him. "Come on! You can do it!", it giggled. The second settled briefly on his chest, emanating a faint warm glow. "Don't leave us yet. Get up!", it pleaded. The third, silent one floated just over his eyes. It seemed to be studying him. "I can't", it finally uttered in the only voice Kavi had ever actually spoken. It sounded just like he did before the incident that led to his current life. "Yes, you can!", argued the first, its light growing stronger. "I'm scared", said the orb with his voice.
"Don't be afraid, Papa. You haven't even met us yet and we still believe in you. You can do it. Just get up", said the second orb in a kind tone. "Who are you?", Kavi managed to force from his throat. His magic was so weak, it was barely in tact. Just that small utterance drained all of his energy. "We can't tell you that yet, but maybe if you follow us, you'll find out", teased the first orb. Again, the weakened dragon slayer fought the stiffness that riddled his body. The strain caused intense agony, but he'd managed to sit up. The lights danced excitedly at the sight. "Come on! You're almost there!", exclaimed the first orb. Kavi looked over himself. He knew this body was only ethereal. He must still be unconscious. His hands trembled as he fought to move them. Then, something dawned on him...Something was different; A foreign energy flowed through his veins. It felt familiar. Staring into his palm, he whispered, "Blythe...What have you done?". He was overcome with concern. There was no telling what was happening in the real world. What had Blythe attempted? Was he all right?
As if reading his thoughts, the trio of lights formed a tight circle and began to rotate quickly. An image of Kavi and Blythe, both wracked with fever, laying side by side, appeared. Veda was tending to them with love while a stranger stood over them, watching intently. The illusion collapsed as the orbs separated. "I don't want him to die!", cried the third orb in Kavi's young voice. It seemed frantic as it drifted without a set direction. "He won't die, Papa, not if you wake up", said the second orb. Kavi stared at the lights in wonder. 'Big brother', 'Papa', and his younger self...What did it all mean? "Come on, big brother! You'll be late!", shouted the first orb, racing into the distance. The other two followed a little slower, allowing Kavi time to get to his feet and stumble along.
He had no idea whee he was headed or even what was really happening, but he followed the strange lights anyway. Maybe it was Jasper or Veda trying to reach him in his dreams or maybe he simply delirious from the virus. Either way, it mattered little. The lights bounced along a river bed, the water that once encapsulated his body. Only now he could see it wasn't really water; It was blood. It smelled like Blythe. Why was his blood this far in Kavi's mind? That could mean it was also in his body. He sighed as she struggled to keep up with the orbs. He only hoped his lover would be there to greet him when he finally conquered this strange place. As he trudged, more lights appeared and joined the odd journey. These new lights never spoke, but they each held a familiar presence. They were the memories of his guild mates. Those who had passed and those still alive intermingled, encouraging him to struggle on.
Finally, the darkness opened to light. Kavi stared breathlessly as the orbs danced around him. Before him laid a dragon, sound asleep. "Mother?", he thought...No, it wasn't her. The color was wrong and so were many other details as he looked closer. The three lights that started everything orbited this sleeping beast, drawing him in. Kavi stepped closer, studying it closely. It definitely wasn't Gita, but then...who was it? Its massive eye opened and peered straight into his soul. "Who are you?", he uttered. The beast vanished. In its place slept a small, furry animal. Kavi kneeled down to inspect it. He gently stroked the opossum's head. As it peered up at him, it, too, vanished. Taking several steps back in surprise, Kavi now faced something new. It took the shape of a woman, but seemed made entirely of shadows. The mark of Tartarus burned brightly on its chest. "A demon?", he wondered. The odd being slowly raised its hand toward him. Pointing, it whispered, "Lazarus".
Kavi shielded his eyes as everything went up in silver flames. The entire realm seemed to be on fire, but it wasn't hot at all. He touched the flames experimentally. They felt warm, soothing, like a bath of heated milk. A small fire stayed on his fingers as he withdrew his hand. Something hissed and fell away, burned, but it wasn't his skin. Feeling eyes upon him, he spun around. Dozens of eyes stared back. These beings, too, seemed made of shadow, only they had small point of light mixed in them in strange patterns. They whispered in a foreign tongue, one Kavi didn't understand. The only thing that seemed to be repeated, was the sound "Wo". Was that one of their names? All chatter ceased as the first shadow being reappeared. She hovered before Kavi with a powerful presence. The other beings shrank away. The lights from before were absorbed into her left eye one by one. With a mixture or their voices, she said, "Wake up."
-
In the physical world, Nova and Veda watched over Blythe and Kavi. Veda sighed with relief as she wiped Blythe's face with a damp cloth. "His fever's broken", she stated. "You were right, Nova-sama! His blood is amazing! Do you think he'll mind if take some?", asked Tepin with a grin. "Hush, child. You've no need for human blood", chided Nova. Tepin sighed and returned to her game with Ronen. He'd never heard of such a game before yesterday, but he was learning quickly. Nova stepped closer to the bed and peered at Kavi intently. "His color is returning. If all goes well, he should wake soon", she said. Veda grinned faintly, glad the worst was over. "It may not be for another day or two, but soon", added Nova. Veda nodded and thanked her for her help. "I was so scared we were really going to lose him this time", she admitted, tears forming. "Understand that he may never recover fully. It all depends on him now. If his will is strong enough, he'll find his way home. However, the virus has taken its toll. He may not be same boy you raised", stated Nova, a hint of sadness in her voice. That tone was unmistakable. Nova had clearly lost someone close to her. Was it the virus?
-
Above ground, in the main guild, Acheron carefully monitored his guild mates. Each was ordered to take the cure Nova had brought just to be safe. He sighed as he wrote in the log books. Grem stayed beside him, trying to lighten the mood. They had grown up together and were best friends, even if their personalities were mismatched. Grem watched his adoptive brother closely. "Those weird visions are still bugging you, aren't they?", he asked. Acheron nodded. "It's strange. The place I see feels like home, but I don't recall ever being there...How could it be? They have no magic. I know mine is nothing special, but - ...", he trailed. Nearby, it was Teresa's turn to be treated. She'd left the troublesome Dalia with team three in meanwhile.
Interjecting, she said, "It's not a strange place; It was your home at one time." Grem sent her a funny look. "How do you know that?", he inquired skeptically. She grinned faintly. "I can see more than you can", she stated. He looked at her lightless eyes as he thought the statement over. "That's awesome!", he beamed. "Do you wish to know more about it?", she asked. Acheron and Grem exchanged glances. Was it wise to pry or wrong to ignore the visions? "They're more like dreams", sighed Acheron, unsure. "Not dreams. Memories", corrected Teresa. "If you find your curiosity wanting, ask Master Puck for a book on a place called 'Edolas'. I'm sure his library will have one", she said. Taking her treatment, she left in silence, letting the boys think it over. "What's an Edolas?", asked Grem with his broken grammar. Acheron sighed, annoyed. "It's a 'where', not a 'what'." Grem shrugged. He thought his question sounded fine. "It's pretty cool, anyway. I mean, I have no idea where I came from. At least you have an answer. Maybe Teresa will tell me my hometown next", he grinned. Having the thought, he wondered off to find Edolas on a map, unaware of its true essence. Acheron felt strangely at peace about the whole thing. He could feel it in his heart that what the seeress had stated was true, but what did it mean?
-
In Jasper's room, he nervously waited for Yona to awaken. Rani sat beside the sleeping dragon slayer and assured him she would help calm the inevitable rage. "Do you think I did the right thing back there?...Dad thinks so, but -...", trailed the incubus, once again mired in his thoughts. "Your father is very wise. If he trusts Lady Necahual, then we should, too. He wouldn't let anyone hurt Kavi or Blythe...Right?", she asked. Jasper sent her a soft smile. "Of course not...I just hope Yona understands that..." As if stirred by her name, Yona slowly sat up. Her head felt unusual. It didn't really hurt, but she felt off, at any rate. "You did that stabby finger trick again, didn't you?", she asked, glaring at Jasper. Seeing him already beginning to buckle, Rani replied, "Yes, he did, but everyone's all right now. Please don't be mad at him."
Yona stared into nothing as she recalled the events. Finally, Jasper asked Rani to leave them alone to talk. Once she was gone, he sighed, trying to find the words that express his intentions. "You always do what your dad says?", teased Yona. He nodded with a sheepish smile. "Ugh, daddy issues", she thought. "I would have done it anyway...You were ready to attack that woman, but you didn't even realize what you up against...I did it to save you from making a mistake. Lady Necahual is a powerful ally. The guild needs her", explained the incubus. "You mean what she is? So, she's fey. Big whoop. What is she anyway?", asked Yona. Jasper shook his head. He couldn't answer that.
An awkward silence lingered for several minutes. Eventually, Yona sighed, giving in to the guilt ridden look on Jasper's face. "What is it?", she sighed. "It's not that I won't tell you...I can't...Even mom doesn't know anything about our visitor...One of dad's secrets, I guess...", he replied. "It really bugs you when people keeps secrets, doesn't it? I guess we have that in common", she grinned, lightening the mood. He grinned with a slight nod. "Speaking of secrets, come here", she said unexpectedly. Nervously, he sat beside her. "What are you hiding?", she inquired, staring at him with interest. With her face so close, he blushed as usual, but she wasn't laughing this time. She really wanted to know something. "What do you mean?", he asked shyly. She sighed, annoyed. Then a grin crept over her face. She knew how to make her point. With on finger, she traced a line from his ear to the center of his throat and downward. Near his belt, he instinctively grasped her wrist, halting further advancement.
"That's what I mean. Maybe you're really just that shy, but I think you're hiding something. What is it? What's so bad that you can't tell me?", she asked. Jasper shied his gaze, struggling to find an answer. Deciding to give him a hard time, she laid on the innuendo thickly. Grasping his tail, she held the forked end up so both could see it. "Does it look like this?", she teased. Bright red, he whipped his tail free and uttered, "N-no!...Stop that...". After a deep breath, he tried to calm his complexion. "Why do you always push so hard?", he uttered in a low tone. Yona sat back and looked at him in earnest. "Because you can't hide forever. You're going to have to trust someone eventually", she replied. Avoiding eye contact, Jasper said, "I do trust you...I-...I love you." This time, the dragon slayer was blushing. "Eh?", she uttered, caught off guard.
Fighting his instinct to retreat, he met her eyes and repeated his last three words. "Why are you saying that now?", asked Yona, mildly flustered. Shying his eyes, Jasper explained, "I guess I just wanted to make sure you knew that...I was scared, you know...When you got sick...All I could think of was what I would do if you ended up like Kavi... and I couldn't find an answer...It felt really wrong, thinking of you so much when he was clearly in worse shape...I couldn't myself..." Sighing, he added, "One of your friends explained it simpler than I ever thought it to be with a single question...When I realized he was right, it all made more sense." Hearing no response, he glanced back at her nervously. She punched his arm hard without warning. "What was that for?!", he panicked, holding his sore arm. "I'm not crying, Stupid!", she shouted, much louder than she meant to. One look at her red face explained her reaction. Yona wasn't good at handling her emotions, at least not the positive ones. Lashing out was all she could think of. Jasper grinned softly as he pulled her into a warm embrace.
"I didn't see any tears", he said softly. He could feel her tremble in his arms. Somehow, he'd gotten through why he wanted to save her from that mistake with Nova. It wasn't about the guild. He didn't know what or who Nova was, but he clearly sensed that she could crush Yona without trying if threatened. In the end, it turned out he'd merely protected her. "You're cursed now, you know that?", she uttered. She was slowly regaining her composure, but the scars on her heart would give her no peace. "I know", he replied, holding her even tighter. Her words were crystal clear in his memory. "Everyone who ever loved me is gone; They died. It's my curse. Please don't ever say those words to me." He didn't care even if the so called curse was real. He'd say those words as many times as needed to break down her defenses just to build her up again. He saw that now.
"No more curses. No more secrets...I know I tend to hide sometimes...I'm sorry. Let me try harder. Whatever it is you ask...I'll answer." Yona gripped his shirt tightly in her palm. "No more secrets?", she asked coyly. "When this virus blows over, I want to take you somewhere special...It's a secret place only Kavi and I know about. Whatever you want to know, I'll tell you there...So be patient...Okay?" Taking a deep breath, she pulled herself together and pulled free of his grasp. "I'll try", she uttered. He smiled, glad an understanding had formed. Then, another seemingly random jab. "Ow! What was that one for?!" She laughed, "That one was for knocking my ass out." She was hopeless. Shaking his head, he let it go. At least he'd avoided most of her wrath...
-
To be continued...