Far below Lam Lathi, on the western edge of the Ryoken Island, is an area known as the Felokyle. The landscape blends harshly with the wild cliffs. There, the foaming water runs her many fingers down the coastline, covered by excesses of pale-blue shale. About halfway down the coastline the cliffs reach their peak, before crashing into the empty shores that lead to the southern plains where the Commundia live.
An array of birds' nests linger in the cliff rock, out-looking the vast ocean and rugged coves. A large city of pale blue extends as far as the eyes can see, filled with fountains and stacked homes made of stone and decorated with shells.
Up above, a Neandelerian sky platform dominates the landscape causing everything, including the horizon, to pay homage to its outline. Giant engines and armored floats blocked the stagnant clouds as they try to pass through the patches of blue sky,
I stare in awe up at the sky platform.
“She's here. Lani is up ahead,” whispers a voice in my head
“I'm sure she is,” I say back to my possessor being. Somehow my other half hand found me. Atjani Kelsever was his complete self again. I grin and look through my binoculars. I had been stalking Lani and her friend Nathari for some time now. It was experience that I knew pretty well from my younger days with the resistance fighters around Corsana. I wasn't sure why Alana wanted me to get this picture, but I had it in my sights.
“I'll find this picture and bring you back, Melinal.”
“You might fail. It didn't work out when I scouted for us before,” whispers my other half.
“Shut up,” I mutter to myself.
I get back on my horse, and grab the reigns. I re-wrap the bandage around my hand, feeling like I shouldn't have mutilated it again. I just wanted to hold onto something. As soon as I found Melinal again, I would stop. That was the deal I made with myself. I planned on keeping my commitment, just like I planned on Alana keeping hers. She was around somewhere and could feel her chills once in a while. She moved slower than my possessor being, taking her sweet time.
I take a look around me. I was almost to the city. The countryside around was filled with tall golden grasses, with many dirt roads cutting across it. They stretched out, until the distance turned into brown dirt and pale blue on the horizon. I could see the ocean from here. The Felokyle was a large area without too many rivers. The Neandelerias purified the ocean water and gave the area its population boom. The tribes were starting to enjoy it.
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I continue down the road, until I see Lani and her friend. I get off my horse. I get her to stay away with some grasses I had picked for her. Nathari and Lani had split off from the main group to enter the city together. It was a prime opportunity for me. I would wait until they were busy getting camped, then pull the trigger. Lani and her friend were about to die. I had no problem with it. Nathari was Lam Lathi just like her. I saw his silent hand gestures. He was my enemy just the same.
“You shouldn't kill her,” whispers my inner friend.
“I'm out for revenge. She can always find someone who cares enough to bring her back to life,” I reply.
“Alana lies. It's not so simple.”
I try to ignore the other half of me. It leaves me. My eyes turn green again. I'd rather be left alone anyways. There was always the constant check ups with Alana and it was getting on my nerves. She wasn't being as intrusive as before. It helped me stay patient. Melinal used to tell me I needed all the help I could get.
“I don't trust Alana either, but there has to be some merit to what she says. I've seen the flying machines and I know there is more to the ancient picture, than I'm aware of.”
I sit in the grasses alone.
I look up. The sky was bright yellow seeping through the dark gray clouds. It was evening and it looked like Lani was getting a head start on setting up camp. I stop a distance away, out range. My possessor hadn't seen any of Lani's tempests near me for a while. I could get a little closer and get an accurate shot.
The grasses rustle as I step carefully over them. I carry my rifle quietly and hide among them. They itch my fingers. I kneel down and aim. I breath in a few times, exhale, and hold it. The shot comes off as a surprise, only I never get to pull the trigger. Alana's possessor comes out of hiding and gets me. My eyes coat.
“No bloodshed, Atjani,” says Alana softly. I feel her take control. I protest her sarcastically.
“I thought you believed in me?”
“I do. I just believe in her more. You don't know me, Atjani.”
“I'm glad I don't,” I think back.
Alana makes me smirk and put my rifle down. I run my hands over it unwillingly. I would say sensually, but that embarrasses me. I've been humiliated enough in life. Alana just made it worse.
“So why do you even want this picture?,” I ask.
“Wouldn't you like to know....” Alana forces me to smile, then she leaves me. I wipe my eyes of the silver junk. I hate being possessed by a tempest, but it was easier when I let Alana do her thing. It's not as strenuous and I kind of enjoyed traveling with her. She got me out of a fight the other day at a village on the way. I would have won without her, but her thoughtfulness counts for something.
I look over again at the looming sky platform. It was time to head down the road and live under its shadow. In my mind, it was still better than Lam Lathi.