Right after crossing the Barrier, the Rophions took Kkuṟai off Palar’s soft pillows. Then, putting the boy on one wolf’s back, they ran as fast as they could toward Yamu’s house where the old priestesses of their village were, those who were usually taking care of sick people when it was necessary.

These priestesses, who were also known as Ārōkkiyam or Mīṭka, which meant „regaining health,” took care of Kkuṟai later along with Mai. Yet, even though they kept bandaging his wounds after putting plant ointment on them, the boy still had a big fever, something that made him continuously shudder. Thus, delirious, Kkuṟai kept mumbling, „Mama, it’s cold! So cold it is around me!” Nevertheless, even though everybody heard his murmur, none of them could help him with this.

They couldn’t help Kkuṟai with this because his delirium was due to the crows Kākkai’s venom, which was so fast flowing through his veins. That’s why the boy felt big pain all over his body. More than that, those wounds were also bleeding, for those who ever fell prey to that crows’beaks weren’t able to save themselves and this was so because of the wounds that never healed. Thus, because nobody could take that venom out of the injured one’s body, it was flowing through each cell of his body, washing him in cold beads of sweat, something that made the poor soul regret sometimes that he was still alive. Yet, even though that venom hurt them so much, each injured soul wanted to live. The same happened to Kkuṟai because he was clinging with teeth and nails from life, not wanting to leave this world behind him.

However, even though the boy wanted to live, it was a fight against the clock with death, for… he could only prolong his pain and nothing more, being stubborn to cling to life. The same happened to the water the old priestesses used to wash the boy’s body - it also made the boy gnash his teeth because it wasn’t lowering his fever as they wanted, but making him suffer more when cold drops of water got to also wash the open wounds. That’s why the boy was often heard gnashing his teeth while being delirious.

Mai, however, even though she was seeing how much her poor boy was suffering because of what they were doing, wasn’t ready to give up. She simply couldn’t do that. She was a mother and a mother was always doing the impossible to save her child from death’s claws. That’s why she probably jerked to her feet the moment Yamu entered their home. Then, completely crazy, she pounced on him, shouting, „I won’t ever allow this, Yamu! Only over my body.”

The man, staring into her eyes, which were the eyes of a beast at that moment, looking like burning embers, said nothing. He only sadly smiled, for he didn’t feel hatred for his enemy or death as his wife felt at that moment. He only felt great pain. Something that made him feel his soul squeezed in the devilish claws of sufferance, slowly but surely killing him inside. He didn’t even say something when Mai shouted again, „Did you hear me, Yamu?” I won’t allow you to take the boy away from me. Never. I better burn this world to the ground than let you take Kkuṟai out of this house.”

Only then did Yamu sigh. Then, in a shaking voice because of the pain, he said, „You know better than me, Mai, that we aren’t who decide this. According to our ancient traditions…”

„I don’t care about those traditions, Yamu!” The she-wolf gnashed through her teeth. „For my children, I’m ready to kill if necessary only not to…” She kept silent eventually the moment Yamu held her to his chest. Then, wrapping his arms around her body, the man tried to give her some comfort, at least how much he could give her at that moment.

Yet, this didn’t help him too much, for Mai didn’t hug him too. She only kept staring with hatred in front, really wanting to burn the world and those devilish crows at the same time. At the same time, she was continuously shaking, squeezing her fists, and gnashing her teeth while tears bathed Yamu’s eyes and his hand was caressing her long black hair, trying to calm her down.

Mai said nothing, not even when her husband said, „You know, Mai, that I would have done everything if this had helped him to survive. Yet, even though we want this so badly, we can’t walk onto the path of death in his place. At the same time, we can’t choose Fate in his place. That’s why we must allow our boy to do that: choose which path to walk on eventually. Thus, if he survives, he will be a real wolf, whose name will be known by everybody as the one who defeated death.”

„What if he doesn’t survive?” Murmured Mai in half a voice.

„Then… he’ll live in our heart, forever. He’ll always be our child, Mai, for… Kkuṟai is and will always be our boy. That’s why, if this life is so cruel to take him from us, then… we’ll wait until the moment we see him in the Underworld, where we’ll ask him for forgiveness by kneeling in front of him and for leaving him alone in front of death.” Then… Yamu kept silent. His eyes, however, kept shedding bitter tears while looking at the sufferance of his boy, tightly held in the arms of that Virgin, for whom Yamu felt fear all the time - Mōrgaṉā.

Suddenly, when one of the old Mīṭka murmured, „I feel the presence of the Titanide Mōrgaṉā in this house,” Yamu shuddered. Mai, powerless, hearing these words, simply „liquefied” in the arms of her husband to fall later to the floor. Then, sitting on that wooden floor, which she was touching with wide-open palms, she felt it so cold when it had been so warm before that. Maybe because of this, her eyes were also filled with tears. „Mute” tears, for poor Mai wasn’t even sighing, just as she wasn’t hearing any of the old Mīṭka’s murmurs, who were trying to unsteel Virgin Mōrgaṉā’s heart through fervent prayer just not to take that boy with her. Along with those murmurs, a long gnash of the teeth was also heard: it was Kkuṟai who was gnashing his teeth while fighting with that Virgin of Death.

„Then… give him to Death!” Mai suddenly whispered, making everybody in that house shudder. „If the heart of a mother can’t save him, then let him be saved by traditions.”

„Mother, how can you…?” Akita, who was outside the house along with Ilēcāṉa and other Rophions, shouted. She even tried to enter the house where her parents were at that moment, looking like stone statues and staring with blind eyes in front, but not at Kkuṟai. Yet, she couldn’t enter that house because of the other wolves who stopped her. That’s why Akita looked at Ilēcāṉa eventually, trying to ask him for help. The boy, however, didn’t look at her. He was sitting at that moment on the wooden porch, on the Western one, staring in front with empty eyes. A behavior that made Akita yell at him eventually, „Do something, Ilēcāṉa! How can you just stay and…?”

„There is nothing we can do, sister!” The boy eventually murmured, barely heard. „We can fight against the whole world, but not against Mōrgaṉā! Nobody won a fight with her.” Then, when his eyes filled with tears, he let them freely flow on his cheeks, for he felt powerless at that moment, even though he would have been able to burn the world as Mai wanted at that moment while Kkuṟai was still fighting with the crows.

Yet, through those tears, Ilēcāṉa wasn’t seeing only the horizon, but also memories. Fragments taken from their happy past, when they were still children, having no worries or problems, when they could run on the village’s streets, happily laughing. Yet, that far-away happiness didn’t comfort him. It was hurting him too much as if a sharp knife was twisted in the wound. Nevertheless, even though those memories injured his heart so much, he preferred them because he was seeing the little Kkuṟai thus, the 5-year-old boy, climbing the wooden stairs of their house and yelling, „Mother, I’m back!” Memories that made Ilēcāṉa unwillingly smile when he saw the boy hugging his mother, who was sitting on the wooden floor of their house at that moment, sewing a dress, in the same place where Kkuṟai was laying at that moment, surrounded by the old Mīṭka. Women that Ilēcāṉa didn’t see at that moment, just as he wasn’t seeing the sufferance of his brother.

Akita, however, unlike her brother, was seeing Kkuṟai. At the same time, she also saw how much he was suffering. That’s why she kept yelling at the others to do something and help the boy, not just stay there and watch. That’s why she was really mad at that moment, thinking that the whole world had agreed to give her little brother to Mōrgaṉā, without at least trying to defeat her. Nevertheless, the moment she saw her father squatting in front of his wife, whom he held to his chest later, allowing her freely cry while knowing that he was there, Akita accepted their fate eventually. She also accepted their defeat. That’s why she also sat on that wooden porch and burst to cry as the others did.

Only Ilēcāṉa was smiling, even though he wasn’t aware why he was doing that. Yet, his smile was so sad, a smile that was breaking him inside, knowing that those could be the last moments they were seeing Kkuṟai alive. Even so, the moment Yamu let Mai into the care of the old women, who moved away from Kkuṟai already, Ilēcāṉa closed his eyes. Then, he turned his head to the left and looked at the sky. With blind eyes, he looked at that sunset, the one hidden behind the clouds. Thus, he didn’t see his father approaching Kkuṟai, who was still delirious and shuddering. At the same time, he didn’t see Yamu bending toward the boy, whom he wrapped in white bedding. Then, holding the body in his arms, Yamu stood up.

Once facing the door, Yamu looked at his boy’s face, who opened his eyes for a few moments. Then, looking into his eyes, Yamu murmured, „Son, you have Fate in your hands already. Just as you have your life in your hands. That’s why, I give up on you if necessary only for you to survive. Thus, Kkuṟai, do only what your heart asks you to do! If you have power, fight with Mōrgaṉā. Then… turn back to us later! Yet, if this is too hard for you and you want to rest, son, make your choice, for… I am so powerless in front of her.” Then, sticking his forehead off his son’s, Yamu closed his eyes, fighting with the tears, for he didn’t want his son to see him so weak inside. No, he didn’t want to be weak. Not in front of Kkuṟai and not at that moment.

He opened his eyes eventually the moment Kkuṟai murmured, „What about you, papa, what would have you done if you were me? Would you have fought with Mōrgaṉā or you had given up in front of her?”

„I would have fought, Kkuṟai!” Replied Yamu, staring into his son’s eyes. „I would have clung with teeth and nails from life if I hadn’t had weapons, for… for Life, son, for Life one fights!”

„Then… I will also fight,” murmured Kkuṟai barely heard. „I’m the son of my father, don't I? I’m your son, Dad!” Then… he sighed again, in the arms of pain. „Yet, Daddy, if I don’t make it, I want you all to know that I love you so much, that I will always love you, even beyond death. Thus, if this life allows me to turn back to you someday, in the body of the naughty Kkuṟai, or like any other child, please, be my parents again because this life doesn’t have sense without you, papa.”

These words, confidently said by Kkuṟai, made Yamu burst to cry. Then, holding his boy to his chest, Yamu murmured, „I promise you this, Kkuṟai. I promise that you will always be my son!”

„Then… let’s go!” The boy murmured through sighs. „It’s not good to let Mōrgaṉā wait. Who knows, if she sees me brave and coming to her and not running away from her, she can feel sorrow for me and allow me to stay here and not take me with her.”

Saying nothing more, Yamu nodded yes. Then, kissing the boy’s forehead, he headed toward the door later, the moment he saw that his son closed his eyes again. He stopped eventually, right next to the threshold, the moment Mai, who was still sitting on the floor, murmured, „Wait!” Then… Yamu waited until the she-wolf stood up, helped by the other women, to approach them later. After that, with slow movements, Mai took the medallion in the form of a half-moon off her neck and put it to her boy’s neck, whispering, „Let Iruḷ (obscurity) take care of you, son, and the Titanide’s power always be by your side in such difficult moments of your life! That’s why, Kkuṟai, fight! Yet, if you can’t defeat the death’s soldiers, allow Oṉṟu (the angel of the Underworld) to take you on his big protective wings, for he is the only one capable to lead your steps to peace.” After that, Mai squeezed her son’s hand, with both hands, and kissed it. Something that made Kkuṟai open his eyes again and force a smile. This made Mai slowly bow in front of him. After that, according to their tradition, she turned her back to him.

Thus, the moment his wife showed Mōrgaṉā that she „gave up” on Kkuṟai, Yamu stepped over the threshold of their house. Yet, he rushed to do that just not to prolong his wife’s suffering more, for he knew how much she was suffering already. Then, right after Yamu was outside of his house, those who were waiting there also turned their back to the boy. Nevertheless, they bowed their heads and stood like this, in silence, while Yamu proudly moved away from them, carrying his son toward the place of glory.

Only Ilēcāṉa had been heard gnashing his teeth eventually, also with his back to his father and brother. That’s why Fenrir put a hand on his shoulder and watched him, trying to give him some comfort at least this way. Yet, the young man didn’t look at Fenrir. He only squeezed his fists, feeling the pain boiling inside him, something that made him wish to take revenge on those who hurt his little brother.

Nevertheless, what Ilēcāṉa didn’t know was that Yamu felt the same as his son. Unlike his son, who could show his pain, the man was forced to keep silent and carry the boy toward the place of glory even though he was seeing him suffering so much. At the same time, Yamu was suffering also because he wasn’t sure if that place would be one of glory or death. That’s why he thought that that path, toward the western altar Vāyil, the one considered by the Rophions as the Path toward Salvation, was so long. Yet, he also knew that they weren’t alone in such difficult moments and this was so because of the Rophions that were staying with the back to them, having their heads bowed and suffering with them. That’s why they were staying in a line, on both sides of that path, from Yamu’s house to that altar - just to show Yamu and his family that they were with them.

Next to the altar, Yamu saw Arion and Island waiting for them. Yet, they weren’t with their back to him and to the boy as the Rophions’tradition was saying to stay in such moments. That’s why Arion told Yamu when he saw him so confused, „Those who serve Life can’t stay with their back to it. Moreover, if the injured one is still breathing. That’s why we are watching you two, Yamu, showing you that the servants of Life are still next to you.”

These words made Yamu sadly smile. Then, looking at Kkuṟai’s face, which was washed by cold beads of sweat at that moment, he said, „Even though our old belief seems cruel, I still believe in it. That’s why I decided to bring my son here, at the Gate of Salvation, because I believe that my son can win this fight with death. At the same time, I’m sure that he’ll be capable of choosing the correct path to walk onto… the path toward Life. Thus, when he turns back to us, all of us will wait for him here. With wide-open arms, we’ll receive him back. Yet, if Fate wants Mōrgaṉā to win this fight, then his name will be glorified forever, like the name of a soldier that died on the battlefield and not like the name of a coward, who was forgotten after dying inside a wooden house. That’s why I’m sure that if Mōrgaṉā wins, my Kkuṟai won’t be lost, for Odin will take care of him and will take the boy with him to Walhalla, the Lands of those who heroically died on the battlefield.”

„Let it be this way!” Murmured Arion and Island at the same time. Then, they took the hoods of their white robes off their heads, and, bowing a little, they closed their eyes. Only their right hand was still moving while tightly holding the handle of the sword. At the same time, their left hand was resting on the sword’s scabbard, protectively.

Yamu, however, didn’t rush to let the boy on that cubic stone. He watched his son for a few moments more. Then, sadly smiling, he let the boy on that big white stone, brought there by the young men of the village, especially for that ritual, for… that stone was generally left in the center of the Karuvil of the Rophions because they considered that only there the stone could be purified. Thus, after carefully putting the boy on that stone, Yamu kneeled next to the stone and closed his eyes, murmuring unintelligible words, which were so similar to the words of a prayer. Yet, the moment he tried to stand up and leave, Kkuṟai opened his eyes again and, grabbing his father’s arm, watched him with almost blind eyes. Then, barely heard, he said, „Is it time, papa?”

„Yes, son, it’s time!” Yamu said with pain in his voice.

„Then… go with my mother and never let her alone,” the boy said, releasing his father’s arm and taking a normal lying position again.

Yamu, however, contrary to their tradition, held his boy’s hand again and whispered into his ear, after bending toward him again, „Do you still remember what I have taught you, Kkuṟai? Never give up! Fight, even if it is so hard there, and always remember that we are waiting for you back home!” After that, kissing the boy’s forehead, he stood up and, turning his back to that place, headed toward his home without looking back at least once.

Arion and Island, right after Yamu turned his back to the boy, took the swords out of their scabbard and crossed them above Kkuṟai. Then, after the sound of the hit swords was heard like an echo only, the Rophions left that place, closing both doors that time and leaving that village so abandoned. Only the seven sentinels were still seen at their posts. Yet, they were also staying with their back to the boy and having the hoods on their heads.

Thus, left alone, Kkuṟai opened his eyes again and looked at the sky, with almost blind eyes. Yet, even though he was shuddering like an Aspen leaf, bathed by cold beads of sweat, seeing the black-like pitch sky that had golden rays at that moment, the boy smiled. Then, closing his eyes again and allowing the delirium to hold him in its arms again, he murmured, „I would be able to give my entire life away just to see the Sun again. Yet… be it as the Titans wish.” After that, the moment he closed his eyes, the white cloth that was covering his body colored red, the color of life that seemed to leave the boy’s body at that moment.

***

The Attārai, one of the oldest legends of Rophions, says, „During the rituals of soul’s purification, no alive soul should be seen around the one left on the Western stone of the altar Vāyil. If this happens, that soul will be lost forever, having no chance to choose right which path of Fate to walk on eventually.” Because of this, the village of Rophions was deserted. Even the night fell over that place so suddenly, in minutes only, even though Yamu left his son on the stone Vāyil at sunset. Yet, right after the doors had been already closed, a night, the color of the tar, similar to a spell, covered the village. Then, a huge bird, with black feathers, was seen flying above the camp, just as Bestla saw Tarther flying above that village only days before.

Yet, it wasn’t a spell or the law of nature. It was the power of the Virgin Mōrgaṉā, who was always feeling the soul left in her power. That’s why she appeared there in the form of the black bird, flying in circles above the one left on that stone, the one named by the Rophions, in such moments, Avar Pāvi or the sinner, the one left to decide by himself which path to walk on eventually. Thus, after that soul was deciding his own Fate, the bird Mōrgaṉā was vanishing if that soul chose to live. However, if that soul decided to follow her, Mōrgaṉā was touching the soil with her claws, just to take that poor soul on her big wings toward the Gates of Purgatorium.

Thus, because of the bird Mōrgaṉā, which was flying above the village on such nights, the Rophions were closing both doors, for their old legends said, „If the Virgin Mōrgaṉā finds an open door or an uncovered hole, then she enters that house, looking for more souls to take with her. More than that, if Avar Pāvi isn’t able to choose which path to walk on eventually, he will try to hide. Thus, like the bird Mōrgaṉā, he will look for shelter in one’s home. That’s why…”

„…if that poor soul finds a shelter in someone’s house, he brings the misfortune there, and that house won’t ever find peace or joy again,” Mai’s lips murmured, unwillingly, the words of that old legend.

Nevertheless, even though the other members of her family heard what she said, no one said anything else, for they, just like Mai, were so anxious waiting for the morning to see if their beloved brother and son chose the Path of Glory or the one of Death. Thus, sitting on the floor while supporting their backs on the cold wall, each of them in a corner of the house, Yamu’s children and wife were looking with empty eyes in front of them. Just as he was looking in front at that moment. Yet, even though they were seeing the wall in front of them, it seemed to them a deserted place, that home. It was because a member of their family was missing, the one considered Avar Pāvi that night. Because of this, they were shaking like an Aspen leaf, asking Mōrgaṉā not to take their beloved brother and son with her.

Yet, even though they were shaking inside, Mai and Yamu looked so calm outside. More than someone would have thought that two parents could look in such moments. At one moment, they even closed their eyes and listened in silence to the rhythm of their heartbeats, the sound of four hearts that got to be heard as though it was a single heart beating. Yet, unlike their children that looked scared and were always praying for the bird Mōrgaṉā never touch the soil of the Rophions’village, at least not that night, Yamu and Mai were also praying for the soul of their child, asking the Supreme Power of the Earth not to allow him to suffer too much. That’s why they tried to look calm. At the same time, they trusted their younger boy, whom he knew as being a fighter and a wise boy, capable of choosing the path of glory no matter if it was on earth or the Lands of Walhalla.

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Suddenly, when Ilēcāṉa hissed through his teeth, „Be damn forever, devilish birds,” everybody winced. Yet, even though Akita and his parents looked at him, the boy didn’t look at any of them. He only gnashed his teeth and continued his thought, „Just like those who got to hurt innocent souls only because they wanted the throne of the World. More than that, be damn too, Fate, for hurting our souls today and for making us shudder like an Aspen leaf while thinking that Mōrgaṉā can take our beloved brother’s soul with her.”

Mai, however, even though she knew well what was in her son’s soul at that moment, reproachfully told him, „Don’t curse Fate, Ilēcāṉa! At least not during the Holy Ritual Attārai when your brother…”

„I know, Mother! Yet… I can’t chase the hatred from my soul away when I know that that child suffers now for nothing. I don’t even understand why he is suffering now when he’s only…” Not being able to control the flow of his tears anymore, the boy let them eventually freely flow on his cheeks.

The same happened to Akita. She, however, cried with no words, afraid to be heard by the bird Mōrgaṉā, who could get to their door eventually. Yet, when Mai approached and held her to her chest, the girl burst to cry. Just like Ilēcāṉa, who was crying with his head on Yamu’s shoulder, after the man approached the boy to comfort him.

Thus, next to their parents, the young people cried a lot, without being aware that their tears were hurting their parents’soul even more. Yet, when they could finally control the flow of their tears and when it was silence in Yamu’s house again, Yamu said in a whisper, „You know, Ilēcāṉa, sometimes Fate tries us. Yet, even if this happens, we shouldn’t doubt its decisions, just like Fate can’t doubt our decisions. That’s why I always say that a Rophion should have priorities in life.”

„Priorities?” The boy gnashed his teeth. „It’s better to think of revenge for those who suffer, for only this way…”

„And… will revenge help your brother?” Yamu calmly said, words that amazed the boy a lot. That’s why he stared at his father, confused. Yamu, however, sadly staring at his second son, kindly told him eventually, „On the contrary, Ilēcāṉa, the curse or one’s hatred can influence the others from his tribe. Especially the weak ones. Just as Kkuṟai is tonight. That’s why, son, tonight focus your mind only on good thoughts, and focus the power of your good energy over him. This way… you’ll help him more to pass this night and win.”

„What about tomorrow, papa? What happens if Kkuṟai…?”

„Shhh,” murmured Yamu, putting his index finger to his lips. „We’ll think about this tomorrow if necessary. I, however, trust my younger son, just as I trust each of you. That’s why, boy, pray for our Kkuṟai to pass this night, be next to him tonight even though only with your thought. This way… he’ll feel the power of our family.” After that, Yamu bowed his head in prayer and held both his hands in one single fist.

Yet, even though he understood what his father wanted to tell him, Ilēcāṉa still felt disconsolate. Nevertheless, he said or asked nothing more. He only looked at Yamu, listening to his prayer in silence. Even so, he suddenly felt that he couldn’t understand his father. More than that, he couldn’t understand why Yamu was so calm when one of his boys was in the arms of agony at that moment. However, even though he didn’t understand his father, he still respected him. Just as he was respecting Yamu’s decisions. That’s why he also closed his eyes eventually and started to pray, in his way.

The only ones who kept silent for a long while were Mai and Akita: the girl was supporting her head on her mother’s left shoulder while Mai was supporting her cheek on the girl’s top of the head. Eventually, without moving, Akita said, „I want to go tomorrow to the altar and interrupt the ritual, Mother. I think Kkuṟai deserves that.”

„No, Akita. You know very well that’s not possible,” murmured Mai.

„Why? Is it because the same blood can’t break a curse or interrupt a ritual?”

„That’s right. That’s why the virgins of the village should be the only ones to interrupt the Attārai. At the same time, one of them will be chosen by Kkuṟai if he survives. That’s why you can’t be one of those twelve virgins.”

„But, mother, the rituals are only for…”

„No, Akita. The rituals are holy and must be fulfilled as our ancestors have decided it. That’s why… trust your brother if you don’t trust the rituals. At the same time, pray, just as your father and Ilēcāṉa do now, for… this is what our Kkuṟai needs at this moment.” Eventually, also taking a posture of praying, the two women made the silence be felt even more in that house, for… that night was an extremely long one, a painful one. At the same time, it was a night with many thoughts spinning in one’s head while the doubt was taking over their souls, even though the one that was waiting was confident, believing in magic and rituals. This happened only because their love for the sinner was bigger than their trust. That’s why they also doubted and feared.

***

Wearing a long black robe, similar to the Yātrīkars', looking as though she had been in a trance, Yellen was walking like a mad person on the village’s streets, dragging the skirts of her long robe on those streets and sweeping the dust with them. Yet, even though she thought that nobody was seeing her at that moment, Nathaniel saw her while standing in front of the open door of Dike’s house, for the Rophion’s leader’s house was the only one that had its doors open during the rituals. This was because the Rophions thought that Mōrgaṉā was unable to enter that house because of Dike’s power.

Thus, confused, while looking behind his sister, Nathaniel asked, „What is she doing? She has been told to stay hidden and not to interrupt the ritual. I can’t believe that this child…” The moment he tried to exit the house and follow Yellen, whom he thought was possessed at that moment, Arion grabbed his arm, stopping him.

„Let her approach him if necessary!” Arion told Nathaniel, who was staring at him, confused.

„But, Arion… the Rophions’legend says that…”

„…no alive soul should approach the suffering one or it would lead him to perdition. Yet… Yellen is different.”

„Different? How?” Asked Nathaniel, amazed, still staring at Arion. Then he looked at Fenrir, Sephir, Island, Mago, and Malon, who were also in that house, waiting for an answer from them.

He received an answer from Island eventually, for the Titan thought that he should do that, „Yellen is a Yātrīkar! A blind one. Thus, as the blind Yātrīkar are considered dead souls by the Rophions, she doesn’t fear the black bird Mōrgaṉā, the one that flies above this village now. At the same time, Yellen has the right to approach the sinner.”

„But, Titan, how can you say that Yellen is dead? She’s alive!”

„It’s just a saying!” Arion calmed him down. „Being a Yātrīkar, who are considered dead souls after escaping from the Gates of Purgatorium, Yellen has a different fate than us.”

„Yet, it seems risky to me to let her wander the streets. Moreover, after she’d been possessed not long ago. We don’t know what can happen to her now when Parca is around.”

„Anything won’t happen to her here,” said Fenrir thoughtfully. „The Barrier doesn’t allow Parca or any other evil soul to enter here.”

Nathaniel swallowed hard. „Even so, I consider it risky to…”

Malon, standing up, approached Nathaniel and Arion eventually. Then, resting his palm on his friend’s shoulder, he said, „Trust Yellen, Nathaniel. You know that after Hestia’s ritual, her power increased a lot. More than that, she’s now able to control that power very well. That’s why, if she’s on the street now, even though she looks like a crazy person, I think that she’s doing this for something. Even though we don’t know why she’s there.”

„Malon is right,” said Sephir. „We don’t know what Life and Fate are planning now that they both are on Earth.” Words that amazed everybody. That’s why they all stared at Sephir, except Island.

Fenrir, however, extremely confused after hearing what his wife said, suddenly shook his head. Then, staring at her, he said, „What do you mean with… Life is on earth, Sephir?”

„Exactly what you think about right now. Life is on earth since long ago. Since when… I don’t know. I also don't know the reason why she’s here. That’s why I consider some of Vāḻkkai’s decisions weird. Just as it seems to me that Parca's behavior is also weird.” This time, by saying what she said, Sephir managed to amaze even Island, who looked at her with wide-open eyes. Sephir, however, even though she saw everyone staring at her as though they had seen a ghost, smiled. Then, she said, „Even though none of you has ever thought about this… it’s the truth.”

„But… it’s insane,” murmured Mago, thoughtful. „How can Vāḻkkai and Parca be together? As far as we know Parca is by Evil’s side. At least she’s been recently. Just as Vāḻkkai is by Good’s side. Or at least this is what we all thought.”

„I don’t think that we are wrong thinking that Vāḻkkai is by Good’s side,” said Sephir confidently this time. „Just as I think that we have never been wrong thinking that Parca plays a double game. Thus, being by Good and Evil’s side, Parca managed to deceive Life and Death at the same time.”

„Vāḻkkai and Maranam.”

„That’s right, Grandpa. Thus, to convince you all that what I say it’s true, I’ll tell you that: Mayar isn’t with Parca right now but with Vāḻkkai. Yet, even though Parca knows that Mayar isn’t by her side anymore, but by Life’s side, she did nothing to destroy her or at least to try to possess Samaya’s copy again.”

„It seems only a smart tactic for me,” said Nathaniel. „A tactic planned by Tenebre, for… let’s not forget that Mayar has her blood by being Ahi’s child. Thus, allowing Mayar to be by Vāḻkkai’s side, she’s probably trying to take advantage of their bond. This way, she’s trying to find out how to release Mannar and make the prophecy happen.”

„This is a probability too,” Island interrupted the young man’s thought, „Yet, we don’t know if this is right.”

„What if we can find out this?” Said Fenrir. Thus, he managed to amaze everyone, who right away looked at him. „I was thinking that we can find out this from Pakai, the Titan of Strife, who’s with Tenebre right now.”

„Now I must accept that you are right, wolf. Thus, he wouldn’t have helped Tenebre to control the crows Kākkai. Yet, I think that’s risky to do this right now. At the same time, I consider this necessary. That’s why I ask you all: how should we do that?” Arion asked.

„Simply: following him!” Replied Fenrir. „I say to look for him right after the dawn after the Virgins will break the ritual and Kkuṟai will decide his Fate. Thus, taking those two Titans by surprise, for I’m sure that they think that they have defeated us by injuring one of us and don’t expect a counteroffensive, we can easily get that Pakai and Tenebre’s Palantir.”

„I still consider this risky,” said Sephir. „Let’s better wait for Master Dike, Dad, and the girls. Eventually, they are still in the woods. That’s why, any reckless decision can endanger them.”

„Yet, I consider Fenrir's idea better,” said Arion. „Waiting can be similar to accepting our defeat. More than that, we don’t know how much it will take for the four to find Baradar and bring him here. That’s why we must be prepared, in case something happens.”

„I agree with Arion,” murmured Island. „And, Sephir, if we make it by getting Pakai or at least Tenebre’s Palantir, they will be weak. At least for a while. Thus… we can help Dike and the rest.”

„Then… it’s decided,” Fenrir confidently said. „We hit the road tomorrow at dawn. Who or where we go, we will decide tomorrow too.”

„I say that’s clear enough who goes. Yet… where to look for those two? Let’s not forget that Rophion Forest is an extremely big one and looking like crazy people for them all over isn’t a good idea actually,” insisted Nathaniel.

„What I say it’s that they can’t be elsewhere than in Mannar’s Glade,” said Fenrir, grinning. „Elsewhere, that cobra doesn’t have anywhere to go, for… let’s not forget that her biggest dream is to release her beloved son. Thus, she can go only there, once she has attacked us. I’m pretty sure of what I’m saying because of today’s attack. She did that to keep us occupied while they would do what they planned. What they didn’t take into account eventually was that they turned us into predators from prey. Something that they will regret a lot from now on.”

***

Squeezing Accu’s top in her hand, Yellen’s eyes started to color into a weird red, a color of her eyes that was changing with each step she was taking to approach the place where Kkuṟai was lying. Yet, there was something else weird about her: that Accu and the Eye of the Devil also got a reddish color, similar to her eyes, even though before that and even during Hestia and Gaea’s ritual, the two objects had a bright silver shade.

Yet, even though none of those who ever saw those two objects knew the real reason for that change, it was still somehow related to the Rophions’ritual, which was related to the power of the blood that was quickly flowing through the veins of the one who went through that ritual of Life. At the same time, the bird Mōrgaṉā, which the girl was seeing flying above the camp, also influenced it. A bird that made Yellen leave her shelter eventually and head to the Stone Vāyil, intending to see what Mōrgaṉā had in mind at that moment or whose side she was in fact.

Thus, when only about 100 meters were left to the place where Kkuṟai was, Yellen felt a powerful flap of wings right above her head. A flap that didn’t make her bend as it was planned. The girl only stopped when she felt it. Then, uncovering her head by leaving the hood fell on her back, she looked straight in front of her. There she saw the big black bird flying in large circles above Kkuṟai. Then, after finishing the six circles, as though she tried to let Yellen know that that soul was hers, she started to float above it. A behavior that made Yellen grin. Then, powerfully squeezing Accu’s top, which suddenly got a silver color, she forced Mōrgaṉā to touch the soil with her feet eventually.

Nevertheless, when Mōrgaṉā’s feet touched the soil, she’s been forced to turn into a Virgin, which was completely black dressed, having dark long hair that was covering her back. She also had red eyes at that moment, similar to Yellen’s eyes, for even though she tried to control the girl thus and keep her away from that place, Yellen resulted being stronger than she thought. That’s why she had been eventually forced to touch the soil barefoot when before that she had done this only having the body of the bird. Yet, she couldn’t do that in the form of the bird also because Kkuṟai was still alive.

Thus, defeated by the power of the two children, Mōrgaṉā stared at Yellen, who was also staring at her, and hissed her through her teeth, „You don’t even know what big mistake you’ve done by interrupting this ritual before time, young Yātrīkar. Doing this, you sentenced this poor soul to sure death.”

Her words made Yellen smile in fact. „I think the opposite, Mōrgaṉā. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have appeared in front of me in the form of the Virgin. Only if… you don’t feel that you are about to lose.”

It was Mōrgaṉā’s time to smile. Yet, she did this forcefully because she didn’t want to let the girl know that she was right. At the same time, she felt a strange vibration coming from Yellen, something known by her heart, but still something she couldn’t remember what it was. Yet, she didn’t talk about this with Yellen. She only said, „Yet, I don’t understand what you win by doing this. Just as I don’t understand why do I feel that I know you.”

Staring at her, Yellen wondered what kind of trick was using Mōrgaṉā. Yet, while looking at her, she understood that Mōrgaṉā was confused. That’s why she realized that the Virgin was trying to be careful while being with her, only not to let Yellen find out her plans. Even so, Yellen knew that she won. That’s why she told her, grinning, „Maybe you saw me in another life.”

„In another life? Which one?”

„What do I know?! I don’t remember to be honest. That’s why I said that it's possible to know me because you took my soul after one of my lives ended.”

Mōrgaṉā, insistently looking at the girl, frowned. Even so, she couldn’t understand where she saw that girl before. Only when she noticed the Eye of the Devil and Accu in Yellen’s hand, she shuddered and murmured, „Oḷi!”

„Oḷi? Who is she?” Asked Yellen. A question that made Mōrgaṉā shudder, understanding that she had talked too much. Then, seeing Mōrgaṉā suddenly looking elsewhere, made Yellen understand that the Virgin knew who she had been in another life. At the same time, Yellen was aware that Mōrgaṉā won’t ever tell her about this for two reasons: she had been someone who Mōrgaṉā killed or someone who had been very close to Mōrgaṉā while she had been alive. Thus, in both cases, Mōrgaṉā was tied somehow by the vow of secret, like any other Spirit of the Underworld. That’s why Yellen eventually said, „Well, you can keep it a secret if you want. Anyway, eventually, I will find this out. Yet, meanwhile, I tell you this: stay away from this soul, Mōrgaṉā! At least while he decides which path to take eventually. Otherwise, you should face my power and the power of Accu at the same time. A power that you had never been able to defeat.”

Her words made Mōrgaṉā shudder and stare at her. Then, the Virgin suddenly asked. „You? How do you know that Accu’s power is something I couldn’t ever defeat?”

„Just something I feel. I see that I wasn’t wrong. That’s why, Mōrgaṉā, I think it’s time to go away, for you’d flown too much time above this child, making him doubt which path to choose. A behavior I don’t understand actually, just as I don’t understand the reason why you are doing this.”

„None of your business!” Mōrgaṉā hissed through her teeth.

„I think it is my business. Actually, by saying this, you let me know the reason why you are doing this: Maranam. He sent you here like he sent Pakai and Tenebre to this forest - he was looking to have the power of the Rophions. Yet, Mōrgaṉā, tell him to stay calm and wait for something he won’t ever have because I won’t ever allow this.”

„Why? I thought the Yātrīkars were by his side!”

„Well, not all of them,” said Yellen grinning. „At the same time, not all the Yātrīkars are afraid of you.” Words that made Mōrgaṉā shudder again, for the girl seemed to know more than she let her know. „Yet, I think that’s better to leave this talk for later. Now… we have other priorities.” Then, stretching her left hand in front, Yellen allowed Accu to unwrap so fast from around her hand and stretch a lot in front toward Mōrgaṉā, who was shuddering with all her body seeing this.

Yet, Mōrgaṉā moved from her place only when Yellen covered her head with the hood again. Then, when Yellen’s eyes got the color Accu had at that moment, a bright silver, a hint that the power of the Yātrīkars could be used against her, Mōrgaṉā allowed two black wings to appear on her back. After that, she hissed through her teeth, „It’s not the last time we see each other, blind Virgin of the Yātrīkars. Yet, next time I assure you that I won’t leave so easily.”

„As though this is something that can make me fear!” Yellen growled through her teeth. Then, the moment her left hand squeezed in a fist, Accu pounced itself on Mōrgaṉā. Yet, it didn’t touch her, for Mōrgaṉā suddenly turned into a bird and raised much above the village of Rophions. After that, she made a few circles in the air, six to be more precise, to head toward Yamu’s house eventually, totally covering it with her big black wings. Nevertheless, even though she saw where the bird Mōrgaṉā sat eventually, Yellen didn’t chase her and either told anyone about this, for she knew very well that Mōrgaṉā had no power over the alive ones. This was due to the Barrier, which allowed Mōrgaṉā enter there only to watch over a soul that was at a crossroads at that moment - over Kkuṟai.

That’s why, being aware that it would be more productive to focus her energy on him, Yellen looked at Accu and gave it the signal to wrap around her left arm again. After that, when her eyes got that reddish color again, she headed toward Kkuṟai, who was badly shaking at that moment.

Thus, being next to that stone, Yellen looked at Kkuṟai’s face for a while. He, however, didn’t look at her, but at the sky, with those almost blind eyes. Yet, even though she was seeing him suffering so much, Yellen felt nothing for him: neither loathing nor compassion. Even so, moved by a strange feeling, she moved her left hand above the boy’s body, covering him with a silver blanket, the same shade that Accu had while powerfully shining at that moment. Nevertheless, that bright color lasted only seconds, for right after Accu stopped shining, the blanket that covered Kkuṟai’s body got a reddish color, and the boy, as though he stopped feeling the cold, stopped shuddering too.

This happened because of Yellen’s power, who sent part of the warmth of her body to him just to make sure Kkuṟai resists. Then, sitting next to him, she watched him for a while with her red-like-fire eyes. Yet, feeling a certain discomfort inside, Yellen grinned and growled, „It’s so unpleasant to look at an abandoned and persecuted soul.” Nevertheless, as though she suddenly turned back to her senses, she shuddered. Then, looking at Kkuṟai’s face again, she wondered, „Why do I feel all this? I have never been a Yātrīkar. Is it because of my previous life? Or… is it because this soul looks for justice and revenge for the way it died?”

Not finding an answer to her questions, the girl focused on Kkuṟai again, for she came there for him. Then, bending over him, she whispered into his ear, „Go toward death, Kkuṟai! Choose the path where immortality can get only. Yet… choose this only after getting in front of the Gates of Purgatorium and talking to Bodhi, for that little-girl is the only one capable of deciding your Fate.”

„But… why?” Murmured Kkuṟai, without opening his eyes or watching her.

„Because this is your ritual Attārai in fact: the purification of the soul. That’s why I ask you this: where if not at the Gates of Purgatorium the soul purifies?! Next to Karuvil! That’s why listen to my advice and go there, for only there you can find the real power and understand what is your destiny here, on Earth. Yet, be careful while passing through the Tunnel of the Desert Expectations. Be careful while crossing that tunnel because there is someone who can make you doubt your decisions. If you do that, if you look back even for a second, you’ll be captive forever there and you won’t ever have any other chance to see this world. That’s why, Kkuṟai, keep this in mind: never allow fake memories to deceive you. Listen to your heart only, to your soul, for it’s the only one that keeps the lie away from us. Thus, if you can listen to your soul only, you will have the right to return home, there… where Fate will always wait for you.”

Then, right after she finished whispering these words, Yellen let a wave of red energy exit her left palm, which she moved above the boy again. Thus, when that energy completely entered the boy’s body, Kkuṟai’s chest stopped moving up and down, and his lips and nails suddenly became livid. At the same time, the wounds on his body stopped bleeding, after the venom exited them and formed black distorting figurines, which still had a strange form of a jackal on that white stone on which the boy was lying. Those figurines got that form from the venom because it was Pakai to blame for the boy’s suffering.

Then, carefully looking at those figurines, Yellen smiled. After that, she took a small white bag from her left sleeve, in which she put those 13 figurines. Later, closing that bag, Yellen looked at the forest and said with hatred, „All in good time, Pakai. Everybody pays for what he has done when the time comes. Just as I’ll take care of you to pay for everything you have done in this life. One by one.”

***

Painfully sighing, Pakai kneeled, touching his chest, the moment he had the vision of the jackal turning to ashes. After that, touching his chest with the wide-open palm, he spat venom, as it happened to Coallar before his death. Yet, unlike Coallar, who dignifiedly accepted his death, Pakai started to shake like a damn frightened bunny when he saw this. He even murmured, terrified, „The Curse! The one thrown over the Rophions – it turns to me. Why?”

Yet… suddenly looking in front, he saw a blinding light. This made him cover his eyes at first not to lose the only eye he still had. Then, when he was able to look in front again, he saw the red bars of Mannar’s cell, outlining in front of his eyes. Something that didn’t make him feel joy. On the contrary, Pakai started to shake even more while staring at the black diamond seen on Mannar’s forehead while that one was squatting next to those bars, staring at Pakai.

Seeing Mannar there and more when he heard Eris’s voice, the Titan of Strife shook like a leaf. „Welcome home, Master,” Eris told him in a cunning voice. „Now, when you are here, we can start the game!” Yet, the moment Mannar suddenly put his hand between those bars, thinking that he could get at Pakai, the jackal suddenly crawled back. Then, without looking at that cell, he turned his back to it, jerked to his feet, and ran, like a crazy one, to hide in the forest.