“I don’t like them going off alone,” said Steve as the two youngsters disappeared into the forest.
“They have been almost inseparable since she finished school. Besides he has been nothing but nice and helpful. I am sure they will be fine,” answered Emily as she made her final preparations for work.
“Those forests are not completely safe, and he is still a stranger. I’d rather I was with them. What if something happens?”
“Life is full of dangers. You yourself told me once, that a parent’s job is to prepare a child for it, not shield them from it. I know that the accident took a toll on you but sooner or later she will have to leave us, Melar or not. Would you follow her to college?” Emily retorted, backpack and car keys in hand.
“I know, I know. It’s just. I worry.” He responded his eyes still glued to the forest that had swallowed his darling Katie.
A gentle hand turned his head, and a gentler kiss warmed his lips.
“You should. But you should also learn to stomach it and hope. We have taught her well, so she’ll be fine. Besides, you keep saying Melar is dangerous, so he’ll be able to keep her safe. Now we must go, or I’ll be late. Let’s hope tonight finally brings answers to our questions.”
----------------------------------------
“Would you mind if I take point?” Melar asked from beside her, his steps so light she couldn’t hear them above the gentle rustle of the leaves.
“Sure. We should follow the path for about 20 minutes, then make a right. I only hope I can find the right spot.”
“I’ll keep my eyes open. You walk at your own pace, I will always be close by,” came his response before he leaped like a deer from his small perch to another stone near the trek.
His passing was like a mirage. Not a single disturbed leaf to mark it. He used the stones, dead branches, as well as live ones, to move up and ahead. His white hair swayed with his movements, glistening in the light.
Katie’s mind had a hard time concentrating on anything but his fleeting form.
‘He has changed so much in a single month,’ she mused.
The grotesque sight of his form when they had first found him came unbidden. However, now, so far away in the past, it served as a welcomed contrast to his graceful form before her eyes. A sign of his recovery and their efforts. He still hadn’t regained his past musculature but gone was the skeletal form that could barely move for more than a few minutes.
Suddenly, Melar stopped and slowly turned his head to the left. With the same deliberate slowness, he crouched, like a coiled spring ready to pounce, and so he did.
His pale form disappeared in the nearby bush only to reappear a moment later with a squirming squirrel in one hand.
“What is this animal called?” Melar asked as he gently but firmly began examining the struggling mammal, curiosity written all over his face.
‘Cute,’ was all Katie’s mind produced as an answer for a solid ten seconds. Only when his searching eyes latched onto hers did she remember his question.
“It’s a squirrel. They are harmless.”
“Are they edible?” he asked as he sniffed it, the poor animal suddenly freezing in fright.
“Ummm, yes. But let's not. It’s too cute to eat. Besides, we have sandwiches, remember. Oh, also some species are protected.”
“Like this one?”
“No. I don’t think so. Still, can you not, um, kill it? I feel bad for it,” Katie asked again, a bit of concern leaking in her voice.
“I do not like senseless killing. Don’t worry, I was just curious,” he jumped back into the bushes, returning a moment later with a few acorns. “Is that what they eat?”
“Yeah, they gather nuts and stash them for winter.”
“I see,” he responded and tossed the nuts back in the bush.
With his curiosity satisfied, Melar bounded in another direction. Soon, a new question on his lips. Like so he explored the forest while Katie followed at her best pace.
‘He is like a kid. Endless reserves of energy and enthusiasm. It is so painfully obvious that he is not from around here. I wonder if he is comfortable with me, so he shows it, or if he is just that naive?’ she thought, as she enjoyed the few looks, she managed to steal when he was preoccupied with a new specimen.
The trek they were following was one Katie and her grandparents had carved for themselves. During her early days of walking in nature, she didn’t feel like meeting people, ashamed of her injury. So, like always, they obliged her. Now that kindness allowed them a peaceful walk, free of prying eyes.
Peaceful, until Katie noticed Melar’s form tensing up. His eyes were focused on a break in the bushes, almost completely hidden by the ever-growing plants.
“It’s this way, isn’t it,” he asked, already moving.
“Yes.” Was all Katie could answer, a pit forming in her stomach from the anticipation of the crash site.
However, her fear turned out to be unfounded. When they finally reached their destination, it didn’t give rise to horror like Katie expected. Despite the evident destruction much of what made that scene was gone. The boundary of the barren blackened earth was already uneven, broken through by life. The central area where she expected a large spot of blood was somehow even more green than any other. The evidence of there ever being a bleeding person was thoroughly hidden.
Before she could get her bearings, he was already on the move.
----------------------------------------
‘Again nothing. There is something seriously wrong with this situation. If they have no sourcery they should be unable to access it, yet there is no ambient soul energy.’
“Katie, is there a tower of any kind nearby? Something massive?”
“Not really. I think there is a radio tower close to the peak I want to show you, but I wouldn’t call it massive.”
“Could we go there? I want to see it.”
“Sure, it's not far. But why?”
“I am just curious.” Was all he said, eyes still glued to the ground.
A few times he kneeled and brushed the charred soil, but it never was what he hoped to see. After almost half an hour of fruitless searching, he finally gave up.
‘Not a single fragment of the dimensional bead. Which in a way makes sense. Such a long trip demands colossal amounts of energy, no wonder it didn’t survive the ordeal. Sadly, that means I have no way of figuring out the spell matrix. I feel like I was dropped in another examination. Nothing but my own knowledge to rely on. Well, and that. I guess I should take it out soon. I wonder if father predicted this. Or did he simply fear something else, and this is just a coincidence?’
“Let's go,” Melar said and started back towards the trail.
“Did you find what you were looking for?” Katie asked, falling in step with him.
“Sadly no. There are no new answers only new questions.”
“Wanna share?”
Melar looked at her and her puppy eyes and smiled, “Not yet. Maybe in time.”
The rest of the walk was spent in silence. Melar’s mind was too preoccupied to bother with learning about the local wildlife. Besides, that had just been a distraction from the anticipation.
‘Maybe I will learn something from this radio tower. But what if I don't? What else can I try?’
Deep in thought hours slipped by, searching his memory for theories that could explain the unknown phenomena. Sadly, he could come up with only a handful of tests he could run that would tell him almost nothing.
‘Still, it's a step forward. Besides figuring this mystery isn't even a priority. As long as I confirm I can work around it, I can let it be for now.’
Katie tried to start a few conversations with him, but he wasn't in the mood to chat so soon she stopped, quietly following and occasionally offering him directions.
Finally, half an hour before noon he saw the metal construction peeking over the treetops.
When they reached it, he found the sight underwhelming. It was a light construction, a thin tower made of metal struts, kept standing by taut metal wires. A small fence surrounded it, preventing trespassing of both men and animals.
He immediately commences his test, by releasing the control over the soul energy saturating his body. He felt it bellow from him, only to start disappearing only a few centimeters from his skin. Just like back at the house, the pull was barely noticeable.
‘It's not getting pulled toward this radio tower, so I can exclude these as the cause. Two more tests remain but they both require materials I have no access to yet.’
“All right, I've seen all that I want. Where is this favorite spot of yours? I am starving and your grandma's food sounds really good right about now.”
“This way, it's just over that hill, on its eastern side. Best view, unless you count the popular tourist spots.”
“Your company is plenty for me. Although I am curious to see more of your people. That city you mentioned, Missoula, we should go check it out soon.”
“I can't wait to see you in a mall. It would be so much fun. Mind if I invite a friend? He's been pestering me about meeting up, but I have been so busy with you that I kept dodging him.”
“Sure. I am curious to meet him now.”
“Great! Come, this way,” Katie responded with an easy smile.
Melar allowed her to take the lead and in less than thirty minutes they exited the forest on a small clearing. It was shaped roughly like a triangle, with one side to the forest and the opposite edge tipped by a massive rock outcropping. It was almost three meters above the grassy ground at its base and had only a tiny path leading up, which had clearly been used regularly.
With a bit of a struggle and some help from him, Katie got to the flat top of the mountain and boldly strode towards the crevasse. There, she dropped her backpack and sat on the very edge.
Melar meanwhile took in the vista that had opened up to him.
At the very edge of the horizon, partially hidden by clouds he could spot another mountain range. Below nestled between the two ranges was the valley in which the house was situated. A river split it in two and winded from north to south, nurturing greenery on both sides.
Then there was all the civilization milling about. Roads filled with cars and trucks as they called them, endlessly moving one way or another. Houses littered the land, like stars in the night sky. Some stood separate, almost alone, while others stuck together forming small clusters. To the north, he could see a grey haze which he assumed was the largest city in the area, Missoula.
He knew they were close to other humans, after all, Katie had shown him a map a while back. Now, however, he could see just how close he was to society for all those weeks. Thankfully, Katie’s family liked peace and quiet. Their home was at the easternmost edge of said civilization, connected to a small road with a dirt path of their own.
For a few moments, he enjoyed the view, but his attention was pulled by the waft of delicious smells coming from a plastic bag Katie had opened.
“Ahh, this is indeed a good place Katie. I can see why you like it. You are right here in nature with only her sounds as a company,” he spoke as he lowered himself next to her, imitating her position, dangling his legs over the edge. “Yet, civilization is at your feet with all of its chaos and order bared. A good spot!”
“Glad you like it. I found it while I was in a bad spot, and it made me feel better. Gave me a perspective on my troubles at the time. Seeing how small every human and every car seemed from up here, made me realize that as huge as my problems were, they were tiny compared to everything else. Suddenly the universe wasn’t as hostile as before. Indifferent yes, but not out to get me.”
“Yes, that is true. If anything, it’s not indifferent but open to interpretation and exploration. It stays neutral to all that inhabits it so that we can decide for ourselves what lives we would live. Are we going to live on our own, fighting the rest of life for a place to live or would we succumb to the natural tyranny of the collective so that our own personal burden is lowered? In the end, it is up to us.”
Katie was staring at him.
“What?”
“I’ve just never seen this side of you, the thoughtful, philosophical one.”
“Philosophical, what does that word mean?”
“Umm, the study of nature and its principles. Like, truths that are inherent to it, based on reason. I think?”
“I see. Well, there is definitely such a side to me. It is in fact extremely important to who I am.”
“I see.”
“Good thing we both do. Imagine getting here without sight.”
“Haha, that was almost a good joke.”
“Not really my strong suit but couldn’t pass the chance.”
For a while, all they did was enjoy the timeless view and the delicious tastes exploding in their mouths. Sadly, the sandwiches weren’t everlasting and soon all they had was the view.
As Melar was looking into the distance, chaotic thoughts bouncing in his head, he noticed Katie staring at him from the edge of his peripheral vision, prompting an unintentional smile.
“What? Why are you smiling?” Katie asked, so fast, that she basically incriminated herself. Still, he chose not to tease her.
“I am just happy about where I ended up. On my way here I feared death by getting dropped in the emptiness of space or a sun.”
“Aha! So you are an alien! I knew it!”
“Hahaha. Yes, you caught me.”
“Where did you come from? How did you get here? How …”
“Wow, there. Slow down. I answered your question forthrightly and some information slipped up. That doesn’t mean I am going to tell you anything else, before tonight. But I will answer those and any other questions soon enough.”
“My patience is beyond depleted. Can’t you share just a bit? Anything?”
“I’m sorry but no. It would make for a confusing conversation later on. Just hold on for a few more hours. “
More pleas followed but they were equally shot down with little remorse and a little too much mirth from Melar.
However, the peaceful picnic was disturbed in a way neither of them expected.
----------------------------------------
Suddenly Melar’s jovial mood disappeared from his picturesque face. He turned his head towards the nearby forest, only for his braw to furrow and his eyes to take on a sharpness she had never seen before.
Katie felt fear shoot through her veins like cold metal. It was the first time she felt dread ever since the accident and it came from a primal sense of danger when she looked at him.
With slow fluid motions, he got up from the edge of the stone and in a single move took off his white T-shirt, dropping it on top of the backpack.
“There is nothing to fear Katie. A beast is approaching, attracted by the smell of food. I will take care of it. You just stay up here and be quiet.”
The command was spoken with a casual voice but with such authority that Katie obeyed instinctually. All humans have evolved to follow or lead, and, in this case, it was obvious who fell in what role.
Melar crossed the distance to the edge in a few steps and directly dropped down. He fell for nearly three meters and landed lightly just as a Grizzly appeared from between the trees. It was a huge male specimen, easily three hundred and fifty kilograms, outweighing the slender boy by more than five times.
Katie, who had followed to the edge to better see what was going on was startled at the novel yet familiar sight.
‘A grizzly? Here? How? Why? I don’t have the bear spray! I need to call someone!’ Katie’s panicking mind screamed, only for her thoughts to be broken by Melar speaking to it.
“Hi there furball. I am warning you. If you are looking for an easy meal, you won't find it here. Only death awaits you.”
As if the proclamation wasn’t startling enough, what Katie heard next was beyond reason.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Melar leaned forward, his hands drawing back and like a feral beast he roared. However, it was not a sound a man could ever make. It was, deep, guttural, primal, powerful, enough to scare the nearby birds away.
Sadly, the male grizzly that had wandered south from Canada saw that as a challenge and issued its own. It raised on its hind legs, reaching over two meters, and roared in turn.
Katie was left speechless by the display. All thought escaped her body, leaving her paralyzed on all fours as she looked from up above at the bizarre scene.
“I warned you. Now I get to play with you. Let’s find out how much I’ve recovered.”
Melar’s tense form dashed ahead just as the bear charged in turn. Just before the titanic form clashed with the small boy, he turned slightly to the side, dodging. However, he didn’t waste the opportunity, delivering a punch to its front left shoulder.
The bear skidded and reoriented, seemingly unaware of the punch. Pouncing again eager to rend its prey.
“That was weak. I guess we should bleed you a bit.”
As if his body heard him, black streaks formed on the back of his hands slowly slithering to the tips of his fingers. The transformation process was fast but still slow enough to require several narrow dodges from the raging beast, that kept clawing at Melar.
Katie watched mesmerized as the slender white fingers she had observed writing in a notebook so many times, turned obsidian black, elongated, and ended at razor-sharp points.
What followed next was like a scene from a movie. The two combatants swiped at each other. All reason told her that Melar should have been ripped apart, bleeding, being eaten alive. Instead, it was the bear that suffered more, wounds accumulating. Every time it tried to harm Melar, he would move away by a hair’s breadth, then immediately deliver a counter strike, leaving streaks of red behind. His black claws parted the flesh of the mighty beast as easily as a hot knife did butter.
Within moments Melar’s hands were bloody, and the bear was slowly becoming more red than brown.
However, the young man wasn’t always in time with his dodges, and a few gashes appeared on his slender body, red streaks marring his white skin, blood seeping out and flowing down.
Katie watched with morbid curiosity as the violent scene played out. Gone were thoughts and actions, only one emotion filled her, ecstasy. Like an insect caught in amber so was her attention caught by the life and death struggle before her eyes.
Her hungry stare caught everything in so much detail that her mind was struggling to process it, memorize it, or understand it.
She saw the bear’s frenzy and its indignation at being hurt so badly by such a tiny animal. She saw its movements slowing down, its despair rising.
She saw the delight and feral madness in Melar’s eyes. Only it was bound by a steel grip of reason and calculated action.
She saw his tense muscles roll beneath the skin, always ready to explode in action and deliver another serving of pain.
She saw the pleasure each painful roar of the animal brought Melar.
She saw the truth.
It was not the mighty beast that was the hunter, it was the prey, and its final moments were drawing near.
As the first minute of the fight came to an end, the two contestants stopped and stared at each other. Melar’s back was to the forest, cutting the only escape route from the small clearing. The bear roared in defiance but didn’t move, fear filling its small beady eyes.
“I warned you, but you didn’t listen. I’ve felt the destruction’s eagerness for too long. Today you shall satiate its hunger.”
It seemed the bear understood the proclamation. In a final gambit for its life, it dashed but not towards Melar but to his right, hoping to escape this nightmarish little creature.
Sadly, all the blood loss and numerous wounds slowed it down enough, for Melar to respond with a deadly blow. His clawed hand formed like a spear and pierced the bear’s passing side, plunging it all the way to the elbow. The heavy charge carried them both for a few meters before the grizzly nosedived into the dirt. Its heart was split in half, with the light of life in its eyes fading quickly.
When the beast finally stilled, Melar pulled his arm, and a sloshing sound came as a companion to the crimson liquid that gushed from the gaping hole.
At that moment, however, Katie could see only his beautiful pale face, artfully sprinkled with a few drops of red, and his bottomless golden eyes.
For a moment she could read his thoughts as if her soul had linked with his. Triumph over death, exultation in life, and the dark pleasure of taking another’s life were all mixed up in one gorgeous whole.
The moment passed and all she saw was the smile. Something in her broke and she felt the gravity of her world recentre on him. Unknowingly, she was bound to him, like the moon to the earth, forever to remain in his orbit.
As soon as she could move and think again, the bizarre experience gone from her memory, she stood up and rushed over. When she saw the damage he had sustained, she wheeled on him. Fear turning into anger when she saw his smiling face.
“Are you okay? What did you do?”
“What do you mean? This beast attacked us, and I killed it. Where is the problem?”
“You shouldn’t have! You could have died!”
“And what? Let him eat us?” he asked incredulously.
“No! We should have ran!”
“Ahh, so I should have left it to eat you.”
“Well, no.”
However, Katie’s next words got stuck in her throat as she realized what would have happened if he hadn’t fought and killed the beast. Her limping form getting tackled by a bear flashed through her mind, a movie scene that still gave her nightmares accompanied it, and suddenly she was happy that Melar had fought the grizzly.
“But… it's not allowed!” her socially trained mind added, her mouth speaking without her bidding.
“Well, then whoever is not allowing it should keep the animals in check. Besides, unless you plan on telling on me then we would hardly get in trouble.”
“What about the body?”
“What of it?”
“Shouldn’t we do something with it?”
“Like what? Drag the corpse of an animal we shouldn’t have killed all the way down the mountain? Let me guess. You plan on pointing the way while I lug it?”
“Okay, that’s not what I meant. It’s just, it feels wasteful to leave it like this.”
“Why would it be wasteful?”
“It's just that by leaving it nothing is gained from killing it. That is the definition of wasteful.”
“Only from the self-absorbed perspective of a human. Nature wastes nothing. Sure, a human won’t get its pelt or meat or bone, but nature will get it all. The body will decompose and get absorbed into the earth. Unless of course another carnivore smells the blood and comes over to feast. Which reminds me, it's best we leave. Unless you want me to kill something else.”
“No. Let’s go.” Katie retorted and headed down the path, towards the safety of home. However, his last words, stuck with her.
‘He is not wrong. It is quite self-centered to think something is wasted just because people are not using it. Then again, what would ‘wasteful’ even mean if it's not considered from the perspective of society? After all, nature wastes nothing, only changes its state for the use of something else.’
Such thoughts spun in her head or flashes of the unforgettable fight. From time to time, she snuck a peek at the bare back of her savior. Not with the intent to enjoy the sight of his broad shoulders and attractive form, although that was an added bonus. No, Katie was observing the few cuts he had received. She wasn’t quite sure, what with all the blood around them, but she was confident they were almost completely closed.
Still, she said nothing, waiting patiently for the right time to confirm her suspicions.
Soon, the two were back at the house. Each went in their own rooms, to wash up after the eventful morning. With the July sun and the extra effort both had expended, a shower was welcomed by both.
Later, when Melar finally entered the living room, a book and the dictionary in hand, Katie seized the moment.
“Lift up your shirt!” she commanded with as much authority as she could muster only to receive a chuckle and an amused look.
“You first.”
“I don’t mean it like that. I want to see how the wounds from the bear are. They could get infected. Who knows how many germs got into you.”
“Germs, let me check that word. How is it spelled?”
“Tell you after you show me. Please?”
“I’m fine. No need to worry.”
“Won’t you show me? Why not?”
“Ugh fine. Not like it matters.” With a familiar smooth action, the t-shirt was off, and all Katie could see was pristine healthy white skin, not a sign of scars or any recent wounds.
“Aha! I knew it! You can heal yourself super-fast. It wasn’t a fluke.”
“Indeed, I can. Fluke, how is that spelled? And before you start, I am going to answer all your questions tonight.” Katie’s mouth clamped shut, bitter defeat written on her face. “Oh, also, could you show me how to use that map tool on your laptop? I got curious about the area after that great vista you shared.”
Like that, the afternoon sped by, hour after hour. Each was doing their own thing. Melar studied the map for a while then went back to his English studies. Meanwhile, she resumed reading the AP biology textbook for the next year.
She did her best to ignore him, for even the sight of him gave rise to questions.
Luckily time waits for no one and soon they were all around the table, dinner almost ready, and the awaited conversation about to begin.
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“Alright. Katie, I believe it would be best if you start with your questions. I will endeavor to answer them to the best of my ability while adding anything else I think you should know about.”
“Great! Who are you? Where are you coming from? How did you get here? Why are you here? What are your plans?” she shot in a single breath.
“Haha. You chose not to give me any question to ponder on, but you have given this some thought.”
“Given some thought? My patience has been overdeveloped from all the times I held myself from asking you.”
“And all the times you failed.” Melar teased with a smile. “Okay, let's not test your patience any longer. Who am I? My name is Melar Zestros. I come from a planet called Leira and belong to the people of Lesi. That is what we call ourselves, the way you call yourselves human. I…”
“Oh... That reminds me how come you look so much like us? Our idea of aliens usually assumes you would have quite a different morphology. Like green people or massive black octopus-like creatures.” She interjected as more and more questions spilled into her mind.
“I do not have an answer to that, only assumptions. When I met you for the first time, I thought I was at a colony of ours hence our similar appearance. I am now quite certain I am very far away from the area of influence of my people. I have two possible explanations for our similar appearance. One, we have a common ancestor. Maybe another civilization seeded your world and mine, and we simply have no surviving records of it. The second explanation would fit nicely with evolution theory.”
“Did you know of evolution theory before hearing it from me?” she interjected again.
“Katie, this will not be the only time we talk, you know. If you keep interrupting me and asking questions, I won’t be able to answer your first ones, some of which are more important.”
“Sorry.”
“It’s fine, your enthusiasm and eagerness are understandable. Yes, we have evolution theory as well. As far as I understand, not quite as fleshed out and grounded in biology as yours but still very similar. My planet Leira seems to be very similar to yours. The distance from its star, the single moon, although ours has some life on it, the same or nearly the same gravity. Even the air feels the same. Only the experience of me leaving my home world and numerous peculiarities around me, clued me in that I am in a foreign world. Well, that, and me finally looking up at the night sky and seeing not one familiar constellation. So, it stands to reason that within a similar environment, a similar evolutionary journey could have led to the formation of our similar species. Satisfied with that? Can I return to your first questions?” He asked with a small smile.
“Yes, please,” Katie answered primly.
“Okay. So, a bit more about me. I am 17 years old, turned them on the winter solstice in my world sometime in November according to your calendar. I am a single child, my father raised me alone because my mother died in childbirth.”
“I am sorry to hear that.” Emily softly said, squeezing his hand lightly.
“Thank you. In some ways, her absence has been extremely palpable, in others… Well, my father did an amazing job raising me. Anyways. I was in the Royal Academy, something like your high school only we learned sourcery rather than science.”
“Sorcery? As in magic?” Katie asked but already had the feeling she knew.
“I will answer that in detail a bit later. Think of it as our equivalent of your science and technology for solving problems. Although the two systems are very different in how they go about it. I was in the final examination before graduation when I got launched off-planet. At the time I was in a dimensional bead and judging by my, hm,“ Melar paused for a few moments trying to think of an apt description “ ‘landing site’, I arrived in it. Before you ask. A dimensional bead is how we travel across our planet when speed and security are top priority. It allows tunneling through space itself to arrive anywhere on the planet in a matter of seconds.”
“Wow,” Katie intoned, fully expecting a spaceship rather than a fancy teleportation-like device.
“Yeah, that is amazing,” Steve interjected, amazement clear on his face. “Your civilization must be very advanced, to be able to travel so far and so fast.”
“In some ways, yes, it is more advanced than yours. I don’t know enough about your world to have an accurate idea, but I get the feeling that in other ways we are far behind you. So that is the short answer to your first three questions. I think I should mention a bit more about my world before I try to answer the latter two. The mother world as we call it has only two continents and many groups of islands,” Melar began, only for Katie to jump in, helpfully this time.
“Archipelagos,” Katie offered.
“Is that the word for a large group of islands?” Melar asked, to which he got a nod. “Thanks. Its political structure is what you call a monarchy. There is the Emperor, who rules from the smaller of two continents, which is his and his family’s domain. He is the ultimate authority and presides over the Leira and all of our out-of-world colonies. He commands our species as he wishes, for he is the most powerful sourcerer that has ever lived. Immediately below him are the four kings, each a powerful sourcerer of their own right, and their families. In our world, there is a hierarchy of noble families. The Emperor at the top owns all. He gives out land and authority as he sees fit. The four families are the ones he has given the highest authority with their fiefdoms located on the second and larger continent. Under them and subject to their rule are other noble families, hundreds of them. Now a bit about our history. Not going into too much detail, our recorded history starts a little over 2000 years ago.”
“We have you beat on that one,” Katie interjected with a smirk.
“Indeed, you have. Before then were the Dark Ages, a time when civilization was almost non-existent, a time of tribalism and constant conflict. As for before then there are only legends. Most agree that we were a mighty civilization, but our hubris destroyed us. A handful of survivors were left to fend for themselves in an extremely inhospitable environment. Left to rebuild without the guiding light of the past, hence the name of the period. That epoch ended when the first sourcerer came into existence, Leira. Long after her passing the planet was named after her as a sign of respect and gratitude for her efforts. She was the most powerful person for hundreds of years and united all the tribes on the main continent into a real civilization. The rest is history I don’t think we need to get into now. I think that is enough backstory.”
“Yeah. I am curious about the other two questions she asked. Which are more pertinent to our present,” chimed in Steve.
“I agree but I am going to disappoint you. I do not know why I am here, for I did not arrive by my own volition. I don’t even know who arranged for my bizarre send-off. When I left the examination grounds and realized that I was leaving the planet I was almost certain I was going to die. Instead, I woke up here. So, your guess as to why I was sent here is as good as mine.”
“But you were sent, correct,” Steve pushed.
“Yes. There is no way my arrival here was an accident. Too many factors point to a deliberate action. But I do not know the plans of whoever is responsible, nor have I been given any information or instructions.”
“That you would tell us about. No offense, but if you are some kind of invading force, which is possible, you wouldn’t tell us about it. After all, as you just stated, your people have colonized other planets. What’s to say you are not here to do just that.”
“I understand your concern, but I assure you I have spoken only the truth. I haven’t been given a mandate to do anything here. I am as clueless as you are. Which brings me to the last question. What am I going to do… To that, I too do not have an answer, but conquest hasn’t crossed my mind. I guess, in the short term, my goal is simply to survive and adapt as I have always done in foreign environments. That is my only goal and still without a concrete plan on how to achieve it.”
“Now that I am strong enough to contend with one of the strongest beasts of your world, I am confident I can survive in the wild. With the language and knowledge, you helped me gather I should be able to integrate myself in your society, or at least in its outskirts. I can be out of your hair today. However, my honor compels me to properly compensate you for all your assistance. I know you have had an ulterior motive for helping me, a very natural thing, and I take no offense. So I believe it’s time I asked you a question. What is it that you wish of me?”
The three exchanged looks and then Katie turned to him and answered.
“The way your body healed on the way down from the mountain on that first day. As well as how it healed today after the bear attack…”
“WHAT?”, Steve yelled jumping to his feet. “You were attacked by a bear? Why didn’t you say something?”
“Because I knew you would react like that, and I was more interested in having this conversation than that one. Melar took care of it, in quite the extraordinary way if I may add. He got a few scratches but by the time we were back, they had already healed. I’ll tell you all about it later. Can we get back to the topic at hand Grandpa?” With a grumble and a pat on his hand from Emily, he slowly sunk back into his chair.
“As I was saying, we would like to use some of your miraculous healing powers. As you know my left leg is not fully functioning.”
“Yes, I have noticed.”
“It would be great if you could help me with that but there is another person dear to us that we would like you to focus on first, my mother. You see, my family was in a car accident 2 years ago and no one came out unscathed. My father died and my left side got crushed but my mother had it the worst,” Katie began as she delved into the painful memories and told Melar all about the tragedy and its consequences.
By the time she was done, dinner was over, and they had retreated to the living room. In the end, Emily pulled two tick folders from a cabinet. Each contained all the medical records for Katie and Rachel. Naturally, Melar accepted them and for nearly half an hour poured over them. Despite not knowing much of the medical lingo, the images and certain layman-spelled observations were useful to complete the picture that Katie had earlier described.
“Before I go on. I have two things to say. First, the way they patched up your shattered bones with pins and plates is both ingenious and quite impressive. Second, completely barbaric. No wonder you are still struggling to recover.”
“Can you heal me and my mother?”
“Short answer is yes and no. However, for you to better understand why, I need to explain to you a bit about sourcery. Mind you, it sounds like sorcery, but I am using the word source as root. I had to come up with my own word since your language doesn’t have one. Sourcery is the act of manipulating the source of reality, or more accurately a tiny part of it. By utilizing their Will, trained individuals, I shall call sourcerers, are able to manifest, change, and outright ignore natural laws. A sourcerer, in theory, can do absolutely anything.”
“Really?” Katie couldn’t hold her incredulity.
“As long as they know how and have the energy. I am a sourcerer and quite talented for my age. In fact, the most powerful in countless generations if you believe some of my teachers. Indeed, I am capable of healing myself as you saw earlier. However, I am not a healer, that is not my calling. For reasons I will not go into right now, that is very important. Due to my past, I am competent when healing the body and its organs, I have done it many times on myself and quite a few times on others.”
Melar explained to the group, only to turn to Katie specifically for the next part.
“Therefore, healing a body wound like yours will be difficult but possible. For one, the body has a blueprint of how its building blocks are supposed to be organized and function within each cell. Also, I am quite familiar with how each part of a leg functions. It will take several sessions. You might be bedridden for a while. Some pain will go along with the healing process, but its complexity is something I can handle. I know how,” he said, stressing the last part, only for his reassuring smile to fall.
“A human brain on the other hand is designed to be malleable, which means that with all the time that has passed her brain would consider its current state as the new normal. I have healed nerves, but they are easy when concerning the body since their function is obvious and usually there is plenty to draw comparisons from. The most complex thing related to nerves I've healed was my eyeball and I only succeeded thanks to having a second one to compare it to. Even then, I needed a specialist to put some final touches to regain full use. I am more competent than dedicated healers my age and level of cultivation, but it is unlikely I would progress much further in the field. Healing something as complex as the brain is beyond me at the moment.”
“What about in time? We can wait!” Katie pleaded, tears welling up, ready to spill.
“To heal her I would need to spend decades of experimentation and study. Not only that but since it is not my calling the chances of me succeeding are slim.”
“So, there is no hope…” Katie mumbled, burying her face in her hands.
“There is.”
“What?” she asked, her head bouncing up.
“Now I want you to take a moment and listen because while there is hope, the price may be too high,” pausing for a few moments, the compassionate face Melar had worn throughout the last part of the conversation fell and only cold indifference remained.
"When I came into this world, I was almost forced upon you. My strange circumstances, as Katie calls them, and the hope they brought you, made the choice between helping me and surrendering me to your government an obvious one. Almost like you had no choice. I believe in choice and so I will give it to you now. But before that, I want you to know something else about me. I am not a saint, there is plenty of unsaintliness in me. However, I have my own moral code, and I do my utmost to be just according to it. So, no matter how these may sound to you, to me they are exchanges of equal value.”
“The way I see it there are four options for you to choose from, now that you have heard my backstory,” Melar began his voice becoming flat and matter of fact.
“Option one, you call your government and surrender me to them in return for whatever you manage to negotiate. In return for your kindness so far, I will not exact revenge like I usually would in such a case.”
A flash of discomfort appeared on Steve’s face, but Melar ignored it.
“Option two, you keep quiet about my existence and allow me to finish my recovery so that I can heal Katie, fully. However, you choose to distance yourself from me so I will leave you and return at some point within the next two years and perform the healing. Once done I would again leave, and our business would come to an end.”
“Option three, you offer me your further assistance, and within the next 6 months, I will heal Katie. How much assistance you offer would mean the difference in how soon I will be capable of performing the procedure. This further assistance will be in the form of a 0% loan of resources. Once Katie is healed, I will return what you have given me. Our business comes to an end, and again, I leave.”
“Then there is the final option, option four. You have noticed that I have not mentioned healing Rachel so far. You have not earned the favor that equals such an endeavor. Spending decades on such a pursuit is too costly. I am simply unwilling to waste so much time on a pursuit that doesn't fit me. However, there is a way for Rachel to get healed through sourcery. Katie has told me that she too wants to become a doctor like her mother. Back then she said she wanted to heal someone, and I am guessing she had Rachel in Mind.”
"Yes, I am willing to do anything to get my mother back!"
"Anything is a big word. You are not aware of just how much a person can give,” Melar responded darkly. Then, he took a deep breath as if preparing to take a step beyond the point of no return.
“I may not be capable or willing to attempt healing Rachel, but I am willing to help you become a sourcerer capable of such a feat.”
“Wait, wait, wait. Hold up! Are you saying it's possible for me to become a sourcerer, like you? Be able to heal wounds like you do?” Katie asked jumping to her feet. Her incredulity was mimicked by her grandparents.
“Yes. However, it will be beyond hard and the cost immense.”