I sense a heightened energy from him.
“About your Dark Matter Magic ability. How much of it can you wield?”
My eyes narrowed. With a question like that, I couldn’t help but show an expression.
“May I be candid, master?”
“Please.”
The question felt loaded. Especially, from after hearing about the Black Guard fable. Dark Matter Magic wasn’t to be taken lightly, since it had the power to be a particle manipulator and disruptor on any level. Not to mention, if it was wielded by my hands, it would be considered a crime. Sure, I had broken the law once and managed to avoid punishment. Was he holding me to ransom for this? If he wanted me to break the law again, purposely this time, I doubt it was for something innocent.
“Why would yah want to know?”
Master Asuras sat back, regarding me through shrewd eyes. He stroked his beard, then rose and stood before an alcove shelf on the purplish moonstone wall behind him. His eyes lingered on the Anwar worship statues and offering jars perched neatly on it.
I glanced around the room for the first time, realizing the circular enclosure of raw moonstone with a purplish hue. A glowing quartz stalactite hung from the ceiling, as the main source of light to the room. Shelves of scrolls, books, papers and vials ran along one wall, where a bench was set up with glass tubes, vials and testing apparatuses. A simple writing desk, high back cushioned chair and cot littered with pillows and blankets were near it. My conclusion of the man was a magis dedicated to his work, but not obsessive about it. Yet.
“What I say must stay only between the five of us.”
He glanced at Wolf, who was being held by Kalia and didn’t seem to want to leave her pats. His smile softened with endearment by the sight.
“Wolf. My friend, I can entrust you with secrecy on this matter.”
Our eyes lit up at hearing the skirrat’s speaking voice for the first time.
“If you say so, old two-legs, for two more ganmodoki.” Its squeaky voice had some grit and attitude to it.
I couldn’t hold back my chuckle at the creature’s boldness to negotiate a term for more food.
“Deal.”
Wolf skewed his head toward Kalia. “Miss, I’m a he.”
His snout twitched and seemed to be pursing in a pout. At least, what it could achieve for one.
Kalia’s expression was back to her fawning for the creature. “So cute.”
With the mood more relaxed around the master’s office, the master continued to expand on his request.
“My life is dedicated to Our Lady Anwar and all she stands for. You would not know the Mantra for the Maiden’s Soul. This is the core set of scriptures within Anwar’s Law.”
We absorbed his information on the scriptures, which set rules on how to respect and acknowledge females as their own power. But not just for females, all beings with the intelligence of a human. In Anwar’s Law, the term ‘Maiden’ was defined as a peaceful and passive energy and entity. Its counterpart was ‘Warrior’, which encompassed the aggressive and emotional states of a being.
“The first and most fundamental rule to the mantra and Anwar’s Law, ‘Tho shalt not demean the intelligent soul.’ No matter what their status or form. If they have the ability to think as a human, the law extends to them.”
I nodded. It definitely explained why we were being treated as servants and not slaves. As long as we stuck to the rules and expectations of the temple, there was no reason for others to treat us one. At least, within Anwar’s care.
He returned to the chair and sat before me again.
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“Knowing this, I use this as my stake. I believe your Dark Matter Magic has the ability to bring peace and equality to our world.”
I leaned back and regarded him carefully. His expression was steady, so he seemed to genuinely believe in his words.
“But this magic is temperamental. I’m sure you are well aware of the Fable of the Black Guard.”
“More than aware. And the fact that you are telling me this is most reassuring.”
I sighed and decided to also be candid. Adding the stakes of my identity to his request. “I don’t know who I am.”
He listened quietly and attentively as I gave him a recount of my life up until he had first encountered me. The end of my retelling left him frowning and stroking his beard in thought again.
“River? Hmm. Oh! Morsaquasis!” His eyes were animated with awe. He nodded. “It would explain your magic origins.”
“Oh?” I was keen to fish for more from him.
He told us of a theory. The dead were surrendered to the river Morsaquasis, which was known to pass them to other realms for reincarnation. It seemed the waters were imbued with chi from the Chiorntex, which was the term for the cosmos and universe. It was formed after a Tsazcuth was destroyed during a natural disaster, which had reconstructed the surrounding lands to become a completely different formation and ecosystem in the current time.
“This disaster was said to be caused by the Black Guard. The properties of Dark Matter Magic were apparent when the river was formed.”
“Okay. So, what is a Tsazcuth?” I frowned in thought.
He gave a clap filled with passionate energy. “Ah, yes! Excellent question.”
Kalia stepped closer to us as the master gave us a laymen version. In short, a Tsazcuth was a portal that channeled to various cosmic chi paths within the Chiorntex.
“These chi paths can be linked to other worlds!”
“Amazing,” she whispered.
“Indeed.” The master steered the conversation back on topic.
“So, I believe your magic can help me decipher another Tsazcuth . All known ones have either been destroyed or incapable of use.”
My wonder on the information was filled with doubt. I felt a dark energy swelling within me. A feeling of some other entity listening and waiting to be released. That scared me.
“I’m still doubtful of my magic. And I don’t feel I have control over it. That time yah had seen me use it, was when I realized this.”
He wasn’t deterred. “We can help you with that. If you agree, I promise to help you control your powers and protect you both with my life.”
“Me too?” Kalia looked perplexed.
He nodded. “You are important to Neven. And I feel something special from you too.”
I frowned. All that aside, I wasn’t sold on his motivations for the Tsazcuth. If it could be a portal to another world, why open it? Didn’t he love this world?
“Still, why do this? Do yah hate this world?” I soberly asked and folded my arms over my chest. “Or is it not enough for yah.”
“My, you are a very careful and insightful girl.” He raised an eyebrow; his amusement was shown on his face.
“No. I love this world, and it’s because I have such deep love, I want to make sure we have the power to bring great and meaningful changes to our present day and future.”
He leaned forward to push his final point across. “Don’t you want to ensure no one is enslaved. Especially, younger and innocent children than yourself? Those little ones who didn’t make it here had to suffer for doing no wrong. But if they could’ve lived in a world where children are give the proper guidance and encouragement, they could’ve had the chance to be great adults and leaders of our world. Isn’t that a cause worth taking risks?”
He had a point. The feeling of rage I felt at seeing the injustice aimed at the innocent was still within me. I didn’t like to see them suffer, so was determined to protect and bring justice where and when I could.
“But wouldn’t changing policies and rules be easier?” I still wanted to be sure of his commitment.
“Neven. Haven’t you seen enough of the rules and policies in this place? There are many conditions to consider that changing them wouldn’t achieve anything. Instead, only more tension, corruption and distrust.” He leaned back and regarded me carefully. “No, sometimes you have to take salvation to another level and reconstruct the baseline.”
I sighed. It seemed he was determined. And I didn’t see it as a bad thing if it was toward a good cause aimed for a better life.
“Okay. I understand. If my magic can better the world, then fine. Remember, this magic carries risk.”
“Doesn’t everything?” His mouth stretched in a hearty grin.
He leaned back and turned his attention to Wolf. “My friend, I need you to deliver a message to Rose Reach.”
Wolf’s whiskers twitched with a sigh as he leaped off Kalia’s hands and landed on the master’s shoulder, who whispered into his roundish and perky pink ears. The skirrat leaped off his shoulder and left the office through the cloth door.
“I’ve kept you up. I’ll inform the sisters that you can start your duties later in the morning. Please return and rest well.” He rose and headed for the cloth door.
A short while later, Edde entered the room.
“I trust you are aware of what is required from your charges?”
Edde bowed. “Yes, master.”
I rose and gave him a cordial bow. “Sleep well, master.”
Kalia did the same. We followed Edde back to our cots.