“Show me your hands!” a rebel guard demanded, aiming his weapon at Elysia. The group’s sudden entrance back into the base startled those within. Several nearby rebels ran to assess the commotion. Seeing one rebel’s sights on her, the others followed suit, raising their weapons to Elysia as well.
“Stand down,” Ishh said, his voice tinged with exhaustion. He raised his hand to them as he struggled to stand. “She saved us.”
As weapons lowered, rebels rushed to assist Xoital and the others to their feet. On her knees, visibly drained from her display of power, Elysia gazed at her hands. Ayii? she thought, feeling a response from within. The woman I saw, made of light, was that you? she asked inwardly. The warm pulse quickened briefly. Taking it as a ‘yes,’ Elysia smiled to herself in satisfaction.
A shadow dimmed the light from above, obscuring her hands. Looking up, Elysia saw a hand stretched out to her. It was Ishh offering assistance. After a pause, she gathered the strength to stand on her own. Ishh withdrew his hand and adjusted his jacket, a hint of awkwardness lingering from Elysia’s refusal.
Slightly stung, Ishh cleared his throat, “That power - it was a Nature Scar, was it not?” The hurt from Elysia's dismissal subsided. “That hasn’t been seen on Zephyr for decades, except among those captured by Ome’s Guardians from below.”
Elysia’s expression turned puzzled; a what? she thought.
“This is incredible!” he exclaimed, “With someone who possesses that Scar on our side, the Rebellion can finally turn the tide against Ome!” Ishh, adjusting his jacket once more, continued with composure.
His excitement, though appreciated, wasn’t entirely grasped by Elysia. I demonstrated the power to manipulate vines and rocks, but can I genuinely accomplish what he suggests? she pondered. And even if I could, would I be in control? Ayii, she was the one pulling the strings. I felt like a mere spectator in my own mind. Is it safe to give up control to use this power? As she questioned her capability to fulfill Ishh’s goals, she wondered on another point: What does he mean ‘from below’? Her contemplation was interrupted by a warm pulse, fainter than before. She recognized it as Ayii, attempting to reassure her.
“Okay,” Elysia uttered aloud in agreeance to Ayii’s signal.
Ishh turned to her and smiled. “Thank you, Elysia,” resting his hand on her shoulder, gratitude radiating from his face.
Unaware that Elysia had been engaged in an internal dialogue, he had inadvertently secured her commitment to aid the Rebels in revitalizing Zephyr’s land and overthrowing Ome’s rule. He offered his hand again, Elysia accepting this time, sharing a brief, professional handshake. She could see his immense appreciation and could not find the gall to deny his request. Releasing her, Ishh adjusted his jacket and signaled nearby rebels, instructing them to gather others for an emergency briefing.
As Ishh and the rebels departed, Elysia watched Xoital approach with noticeably less reserve. She suddenly grabbed her wrist and inspected it. Startled by the familiarity, Elysia recoiled unsuccessfully. While Xoital assessed her wrist and arm, she took a deep inhale.
“What are you doing?” Elysia asked, discomfort evident in her voice.
“I’m checking you for injuries,” Xoital responded flatly, “You reek of inflammation and iron.”
“Let's go patch you up,” she resolved after one last whiff of Elysia’s scent.
Without waiting for Elysia’s consent, Xoital tugged her along to their medical room down the hallway. The footsteps of the rebels echoed throughout the compound. Despite its underground location, the facility was adequately lit. Numerous small openings allowed outside light in. The sturdiness of the concrete she walked on was a familiar comfort, reminding her of when she once walked the halls of her home. Bowls holding lights lined the corridor they traversed, casting enough luminance to brighten corners unreachable by natural light. After a left turn, they reached a doorway marked ‘Medical.’
“Sit there,” Xoital pointed to a chair against the wall. She walked to a corner and began rummaging through clear containers. Elysia sat down, taking in her surroundings. Shiny metal tables and chairs, a white box with a red “+” drawn on it, and various silver panels, tubes, and tools were laid out across the room. It was the most well-lit and clean-looking area she had seen in their base.
Xoital returned to Elysia, seating herself on a stool that glided effortlessly across the ground. She grabbed a semi-clear, flexible bottle and poured a clear liquid onto a small white sponge. The air filled with the unmistakable scent of alcohol as Xoital began applying it to Elysia’s various scuffs and cuts. Elysia watched appreciatively as Xoital tended to her injuries with care.
Noticing Elysia’s stare, Xoital broke the silence with a question, “You wanna know how I can smell your injuries?”
“Yes,” Elysia responded, snapping out of her trance.
“I am Scarred—Wind Scarred specifically,” Xoital explained with a smile. That’s what they call someone who possesses the power to command an element. Because of it, I am more sensitive to scents and sounds than those who are not Scarred—not Wind-Scarred.” She continued to disinfect Elysia’s hands and arms.
“So, being Scarred allows you to control the elements? How did you get this ‘Scar’?” Elysia inquired, curious about the subject.
Xoital placed the used sponges into a nearby tub and picked up a small shiny metal tool from the table. It was silver, lightweight, and fit snugly into her palm, much smaller than the thunderous metal weapons from earlier. Aiming it at Elysia’s cleaned wounds, it emitted a soft hum followed by a slightly unpleasant concentration of heat. Elysia watched as her wounds sealed and faded at remarkable speed.
“It is different for everyone. I was born with mine. Others get theirs from messing with Scarred objects for a long time, - I think.” Xoital explained. ”Mi madre said they came from a battle between gods centuries ago.”
Elysia felt a discomfort at Xoital’s words. The thought of a battle between gods unsettled her.
“Their battle reshaped the land and left Scars all over Xyria: places and things filled with divine energy. Generations ago, people visited these lands, first out of curiosity and reverence. But then, when people noticed the change in those who did, many more began to flock to them, hoping to receive a similar blessing,” Xoital explained. “But, these are just stories I was told as a child.”
Is that something to do with you, Ayii – that battle? Elysia thought to herself, but there was no response. The absence of it gave Elysia a slight pause.
Finishing with her hands and arms, Xoital leaned over to scan Elysia for any wounds she missed. Elysia, visibly uncomfortable with the invasion of personal space, instinctively moved her face back as far as she could. “T-thank you for the help,” she said nervously, clearing her throat.
Xoital stopped her scan and smiled at Elysia. “Not a problem.” She stepped back and began cleaning up the area, placing all the wrappers and used cloths into the same white tub from earlier and the shiny tools into a large bowl embedded into a table that looked like a sink. With the turn of a handle, water flowed from the metal tube hanging over the bowl.
Less wary of her previous captor-turned-ally, Elysia felt the urge to ask questions about unfamiliar aspects of her surroundings. “I’ve never seen such a healing room,” she started, “The tools you use are intriguing. What was it that made my injuries vanish?” Her voice held a tinge of nervousness, evident to Xoital. Elysia usually kept to herself, pondering on ideas and subjects until she figured them out independently or until an opportunity arose for her to solve a mystery unassisted. But she also recognized when situations were out of her control. Realizing this world she was in did not match the memories she could recall; she knew when to ask for help.
Xoital, looking back as she cleaned the tools, flashed a look of peculiarity brought on by such an inquiry. “Healing room? What are you, a thousand years old?” She chuckled. Elysia gave a slightly embarrassed grin. “That is an R.I.S -α: rapid infrared stimulator – it hastens the regeneration time of damaged cells. An older, lesser version of more advanced models, but it does what we need it to do.”
I see Elysia thought, retracting back to introspection, remembering the times she worked with her town’s healer as a child. His tools were simple but effective and relied heavily on organic materials like wood and flowers. She readjusted her cloak as she compared the differences in her head.
“You think to yourself a lot, don’t you?” Xoital asked, observing Elysia, then turned back to focus on sanitizing her hands and tools.
Just as she finished cleaning, a rebel entered the medical room. “The captain is starting his briefing.” Xoital dried her hands on a cloth and followed the rebel, with Elysia not far behind. They arrived at the most significant space Elysia had seen in the underground encampment so far. Though not grand, it was spacious enough to echo voices. Ishh's reverberated as she approached the end of the corridor and entered the briefing hall. He had already begun.
“This discovery is paramount. We MUST inform the other rebel captains of the progress we have made today. With that said, we must abandon this outpost. The Guardian’s presence means this location is no longer safe. I know it took a great deal of time and resources to make this base possible – our engineers are incredibly talented to have achieved this marvel - but your lives are more valuable to me than anything. We can rebuild. We will rebuild.”
He paused, looking into the eyes of every rebel in the room. Although some part of him wished to stand his ground and fight, he was wise enough to know when to live and fight another day.
“By our estimation, we have roughly an hour before they find us and breach through our walls - so we must act quickly. Salvage what you can and prepare for a full retreat.”
The silence between his words was broken by a thud that shook the ground. Dust and rock chips rained down from the ceiling. Everyone looked to the ceiling and each other before turning to Ishh for guidance.
“Double time.”
All the rebels dispersed in a flurry, scrambling to collect as much of their essentials as they could. Ishh, in a swift stride, entered his office, leaving the door ajar. Elysia glimpsed him, grabbing several small, gleaming metal objects off his desk. Elysia turned to Xoital, but she had already gone to secure her belongings. She started to walk back into the corridor she came through, searching for Xoital. Footsteps and voices echoed throughout. Rebels darted back and forth between rooms, panicked. The sense of urgency was thick in the air. Elysia felt the desire to help, but her unfamiliarity with her surroundings kept her idle.
Lights flickered as the base shuddered again under the weight of another ominous thud, this one alarmingly close. Elysia’s search led her to peek into the medical office and subsequent rooms, yet she encountered nothing but rebels, consumed by panic. As she passed yet another room, Xoital called to her, “Ely!”
Feeling relief upon finding her, Elysia asked, “Is there anything I can do to help?”
“Yes,” Xoital replied, catching her breath. “Necessitamos mas tiempo - we need more time. I can smell their corrupted stench, and there are too many for us to hold back if they break through. Go to the entrance you sealed and use your power to fortify it. I will come to grab you once we evacuate. Can you do that?”
Elysia took a moment to respond, unsure if she could summon the strength to hold back the Guardians. Ayii, if you’re listening, I need you, she thought, but there was no response.
“I can,” Elysia accepted. Xoital smiled and ran off to assist the other rebels.
Turning towards the hallway leading to the entrance, Elysia’s confidence wavered. I've done it before, she thought, trying to reassure herself. As she walked down the hall, she tried to invoke some response from Ayii, but she still felt nothing. The absence of warmth she was looking for further fueled her uncertainty. Her mind wandered, empowering the doubt she faced within. Ayii? Will you help me? She asked but was met with continued silence.
Approaching the entrance door, she heard the loud whirring of metal and voices yelling inaudibly beyond it. Placing her hand against it, she felt the vibrations of the commotion outside pulsating through. Closing her eyes, she focused, searching for that sensation, that connection to the vines and rock. Guiding her hand over the surface of the cold iron, she found no such feeling. The cracking and crushing of wood grew louder, weakening her focus and resolve even more. They were close. She traced her palm along the seam where the door and the jam met, trying to connect with the metal, attempting to replicate what she experienced when Ayii was in control. Unsuccessful in her attempt, she lifted her palm from the door. As she did, the sound of breaking vines and rock transformed into grinding metal. The Guardians had found them.
Disappointed by her inability to tap into her power, Elysia slowly stepped away from the door. A resounding, terrible crash against the metal quickly interrupted her inner turmoil. The door bulged from the impact. Rushing footsteps approached Elysia from behind.
“Elly! Let’s go!” Xoital urged.
The two ran back down the corridor towards the hall where the briefing occurred. Stopping at Ishh’s office, they found him waiting inside. Gesturing for them to hurry, he led them to an opening at the back of the room.
The base shook again, and an explosion echoed through the compound. Footsteps flooded the space, steadily growing louder as they moved. There were many.
As Xoital climbed into the hole, followed by Elysia, Ishh took a moment to gather water from the puddles throughout the facility. Globs of water flew past the Guardians, alerting them to the rebels’ location. The water met the entryway of the office, forming a thick wall in the shape of the door. With a flick of his hand, it froze solid, sealing the doorway. As Ishh entered the hole, he pulled the water from his jacket and blanketed his office floor with ice.
He could hear them shooting at the door as he progressed deeper through the tunnel, placing the small, gleaming metal he had picked up earlier along the path behind him. The sound of ice crumbling quickened. The Guardians yelling grew louder until their voices began to ring in the escape tunnel. Waiting for this moment, Ishh clicked a small trigger, and the gleaming metal devices he placed expanded into thick blooms of dense blue ice that sealed the tunnel.
Stolen novel; please report.
Emerging on the other side of the escape route, they found themselves at the edge of a pond in an underground cave. Xoital climbed out first, followed by Elysia, and after a moment, Ishh. Commanding the water in the pond to fill the tunnel, Ishh’s movements were smooth and precise. It culminated with a sharp release of his palm that flash-froze the water.
“Is everyone okay?” Ishh asked, turning to his tired subordinates.
A mix of nods and affirmative groans filled the damp, still air. Several lamps held by the rebels illuminated the space, allowing just enough visibility for the rebels to find their way to a flight of wooden stairs. Upon reaching the top, several of the rebels worked to move a large rock. A high-pitched breeze screeched, lowering in tone once the opening widened, revealing the setting suns. The group stepped out.
“Good job everyone. I am glad to see no one was hurt. We will disperse and lay low. Wait for my signal,” Ishh ordered.
As everyone began to go their separate ways, Ishh approached Elysia.
“They know there is a Nature Scarred within the Rebellion now. You will be a target to them,” Ishh warned. “I have an extra room you can take if you don’t have anywhere else to go.”
Elysia met his gaze; his offer was sincere. Before she could reply, Xoital interjected, putting her arm around Elysia.
“No worries, Captain. I’ll look after the stray,” Xoital assured.
Elysia felt stressed by the idea but compelled to agree with Xoital.
“Are you comfortable with this arrangement, Elysia?” Ishh inquired, seeking confirmation.
“I guess so.” Elysia conceded quietly. She was not completely certain, but she felt she could trust Xoital.
“Of course, she’s fine with it! Elly and I are practically like sisters, right, Elly?” Xoital interrupted before Elysia could voice her opinion.
“Elly?” Ishh echoed, a hint of confusion in his voice.
A momentary silence ensued, awkward enough to make Elysia wish for any sound to break it.
“Yes. That’s right….Xoi?” Elysia blurted out, hoping to dispel the increasing awkwardness with her acquiescence.
Ishh’s smile returned, “Very well.” He turned to leave. “Her safety is in your hands, Xoi. Protect her with your life.”
Xoital gave an intense, sarcastic salute. She held the pose until Ishh was out of sight, then quickly turned to Elysia, grabbing her arm. “This way, chica,” she urged, tugging Elysia along the path leading to her home, careful to avoid any encounters with the Guardians as dusk burned away the daylight.
They arrived at a quaint, wooden house, its worn appearance attesting to its resilience against time and the forces of the elements. Upon entering, a woman immediately greeted them with a smothering warmth. The adornments around her neck complimented her dark brown eyes and long, dark, auburn hair. She engulfed Xoital in an embrace that elicited a cry.
“Ahhh! Too tight, too tight!” Xoital exclaimed as she wriggled, “Demasiado, Mama!”
The woman continued her embrace long past Xoital’s cry until she finally released it to study her face. Placing her hands on Xoital’s cheeks, her demeanor shifted to one of seriousness. “Que sucedio, hija?” Her voice, though soft, carried an unmistakable weight of concern. Before Xoital could answer, her attention turned to Elysia. Her eyes widened at the sight of her. Releasing Xoital, the woman gently but firmly examined Elysia, her hands guiding Elysia’s face as she scrutinized her eyes.
“Who are you…?” she inquired softly yet intensely.
“Mama, this is Elysia, a new friend of mine,” Xoital introduced.
Elysia, trying to assuage the close inspection, gently guided the woman’s hands away, requesting, “Please,” with a softness that mirrored her discomfort.
“Mama, you can’t just grab people you just met like that.” Xoital chided gently. Hearing this, Elysia glanced sharply at Xoital, thinking about the hypocrisy of her words considering their earlier interactions.
The woman, withdrawing her hands with grace, stepped back with a welcoming smile. “Elysia, meet my mother, Xende. Do not worry; she washes her hands all the time,” she added humorously.
Elysia’s gaze flitted between Xende’s hands and Xoital's. She couldn’t decide if she should be worried or eased by the unwarranted assurance.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Elysia,” Xende said, her warmth dissipating the initial awkwardness. Her smile offered Elysia an unexpected amount of comfort.
“It is nice to meet you as well, Xende,” Elysia replied, “Thank you for allowing me respite in your home, especially given the abrupt-.“
Before she could apologize further, Xende raised her palm to Elysia, signaling her to stop. “The honor is all mine,” she said with a gentle bow. Xoital and Elysia looked at each other simultaneously, exchanging puzzled expressions.
“Mama, please, you are embarrassing me in front of my new best friend,” Xoital exclaimed. She walked over to her, wrapping her arm around her shoulders, and turned to speak to Elysia. “My room is down this hall. Give me a minute; I need to speak with my mother.”
Elysia nodded, her attention caught by the unique texture of the hallway walls, which contrasted sharply with the roughness of the rebel base. She admired the framed pictures hanging on them, pausing at the image of a man who bore a striking resemblance to Xoital—or perhaps she looked like him. Reaching the room at the end, she was greeted by a riot of colors and personal items, including an array of finely crafted toys and a wardrobe filled with vibrant clothing.
One toy, a knight in shining armor, caught her attention. There is so much detail, Elysia thought, impressed by the craftsmanship. Staring at the toy sparked a flood of memories. She thought about the toys she grew up with and her sisters and how they used to play together. She smiled to herself.
Her reverie was interrupted as Xoital entered the room. “Find anything good?” she asked, making her way to the wardrobe.
“Not quite, ” Elysia replied, attempting to mask the nostalgia as she placed the toy back onto its shelf.
“Here, let me see.”
Xoital riffled through her clothes, tossing out those that didn’t meet her approval with a decisive flick. She grabbed two pieces from one drawer and worked her way down to the bottom drawer before she caught the last piece of attire.
“Try these. They are stretchy, so they should fit a giant like you.” Xoital teased, a playful jab for the comment about her small stature earlier in the day. Elysia received the clothing and gave a slight grin, acknowledging the joke. Xoital’s smile quickly soured into a frown as she sniffed the air.
“You stink. You should take a shower.” Xoital remarked bluntly, pointing toward the hallway. “First door to your left.”
Elysia stepped into the bathroom, struck by its pristine cleanliness. She laid the fresh clothes atop the toilet and faced the bathtub, the sight of two knobs throwing her for a loop. Elysia remembered only ever seeing one knob in her shower. She twisted the knob furthest away, initiating water flow from the lower faucet into the tub below, while the showerhead let out a single drop. She turned it off and reached for the second knob. Water poured out from the lower faucet while the showerhead remained dry. Elysia twisted the knob to its off position. As her frustration mounted, she discovered a third, diminutive knob atop the lower faucet. Upon pulling it, It remained aloft, and with a subsequent twist of the first knob, a deluge of water erupted out of the shower head, dousing her arm.
Elysia let out a piercing cry of pain from the sudden embrace of scalding hot water. Xoital ran into the bathroom, “Are you okay?” she asked with concern laced in her voice.
Tears brimming in her eyes, Elysia nodded feebly, “Yes.”
Xoital approached and felt the heat emanating from beyond the shower curtain. “Whoa, you like it hot, huh?” Xoital chuckled at Elysia while adeptly adjusting the two knobs to make the water a suitable temperature.
“I didn’t know it could produce hot water,” Elysia admitted, still recovering from the scorching water’s scorn.
Xoital paused, turning to face her fully, “You’ve never had a hot shower before?” she asked in disbelief. Elysia shook her head from side to side. She stared at Elysia momentarily, allowing a beat of silence to pass.
“Where are you from?”
A question she hadn’t thought to ask when they first met. Now that she had noticed, Xoital couldn’t help but consider the level of curiosity she witnessed Elysia portray since she had been with them.
Elysia pondered, her mind wandering through the myriad of unfamiliar technologies and conveniences she’d encountered among the rebels – from the enigmatic toys to the menacing metal weapons and the hot shower. “I’m from the Ruuyn Province of Suund.” She answered.
“Suund?” That’s-“ Xoital stopped herself from finishing the thought. A flash of realization, or perhaps recognition, flashed across her face. Elysia saw her companion’s eyes widen, observing the dawn of something that had not been perceived by either of them.
“What?” Elysia asked, nearly desperate.
Xoital quickly fixed her face. Her eyes shrunk. “You should shower. You need it.” She advised, handing Elysia a towel and washcloth before exiting, the door softly clicking behind her. Elysia’s gaze lingered on the door momentarily before undressing and entering the now comfortably hot shower. As the water cascaded over her dense black curls, drenching them as they clung to her skin, she journeyed through her memories, discerning the familiar from the foreign – or lack thereof.
Suund, my home, she thought; Ruunyn, my province. One by one, she continued, naming her family members: My sisters Fraii, Yelsy, and Truun; my mother – Griiyna; my father – Jol. With each name, a piece of her past fell into place. She went down the list, chronologically lining up names, places, and events until she encountered a gap. The Keepers…the keepers were…, her mind grasped at the fragmented thought, but it all remained nebulous. Pushing her thoughts past it, she found another gap: Ayii is… The recollection was fleeting, a decaying figure of fading light that stirred a profound sadness. Ayii…., Elysia tried to force herself through the thick fog that obscured her thoughts. She knew the name was of great importance, but as she struggled to maintain the idea, grief overcame her. Tears from her eyes converged with the water that washed over her face. The steady pattering against the tub muddled her soft sobs. Eventually, she regained her composure, finished her shower, and dressed in fresh clothes.
The bathroom door opened, and Elysia stepped out, accompanied by steam that hugged the ceiling. Xoital and Xende stared when Elysia appeared as if she interrupted their conversation. From the depths of her reflections, Elysia broke free to ask where to put her dirty attire.
“I will take them, “ Xoital offered with a sweet smile.
She grabbed the clothing and walked into a room Elysia hadn’t seen yet. In her absence, Xende approached Elysia and grabbed her hand. Her touch was gentle and laden with unspoken comfort. Elysia felt the sadness that lingered and began to melt. Their eyes locked in silent communion, a solace of quietude amidst the turmoil within Elysia. Familiar with the gaze, she knew that Xende saw something.
“What do you see?” Elysia asked vulnerably.
Xende’s smile widened as she gently motioned them toward the couch. “Come,” she urged tenderly.
As they settled, Xoital re-entered the living room, finding her place against the hallway’s edge, observing the intimate exchange between her mother and Elysia. She has always marveled at her mother’s gifts of perception. Though Unscarred, Xende possessed a profound sight that left many speculating about divine favor. Her insights had invariably woven into reality, earning her a reputation amongst those who witnessed her uncanny foresight.
Xende, holding Elysia’s hands, spoke.
“All my life, I have been blessed with the gift of seeing what others could not. I’ve had dreams that have become reality. Sharing my wisdom with many; some took heed and found peace, while others ignored my words and crawled deeper into darkness. And though my words have sometimes failed, my sight has never faltered.”
Observing the intense power that resonated in Xende’s voice and dwelled in her eyes, Elysia sat in silence, compelled to listen.
“The moment I looked at you, I knew who you were. Pain and despair could not disguise you, dearest Mother.”
Xoital shifted her weight from the wall, hanging on her mother’s every word. Captivated by the scene unfolding, she leaned in.
“This world has been corrupted,” Xende continued. “And it has spread far and wide, muting all light it touches. Everyone I have ever known and loved has been taken from me by it. All but my daughter.”
She glanced at Xoital briefly, sharing a fragile smile. Turning back to Elysia, she continued.
“And you, Elysia, have been touched by it, too. But it has not stopped you; it has only slowed you down,” she paused momentarily, “Yes, I see your Light within, and I see the corruption that has eaten away at you. Slowly, your connection with Her has been dissolving.
Tears breached Elysia’s resolve. “Ayii?” she whispered, hope and sorrow intermingled.
“Yes. Her presence within you is palpable; however, Her voice seems distant.” Xende consoled and gently dried Elysia’s tears as they spilled over. “Even now, She is trying to speak with you. But do not fret, I may not be Scarred, but my sight has shown me the way since I was young.” She began to stand. “I will help you cleanse the corruption that blocks you from connecting with Her.”
With those words, Xende retreated behind a partition that blocked her from view. Elysia stared at her hands momentarily, then looked up at Xoital, who returned a sympathetic smile. After a minute, Xende returned, cradling a folded cloth. She lifted the folds to reveal a brilliant gold pendant adorned with colorful gems. It was about the size of her palm and hung from leather ties that she unraveled. Elysia, amidst her sadness, became captivated by its ethereal energy.
“This pendant was given to me by my mother, who received it from her mother, whose mother gifted it to her – and it continued to my great, great, great, grandmother, who received it from her mother, who originally found it in the Ruins of Madera long ago.”
Gently, she draped the pendant around her neck. As it settled, a marvelous glow emanated from it as if activating. Xende’s eyes lit up with the same glow. Elysia felt an electrifying chill, a testament to the pendant's potency. There was no doubt that this was a powerful object, one that had been imbued with a Scar, a heavily concentrated one, at that. The longer Elysia stared into it, the more she sensed its intent and was mystified by its unadulterated benevolence.
Xende extended her hands. Elysia, moved by a deep trust, placed hers within them. Suddenly, a sharp agony lanced through her, eliciting a startled cry. She tried to withdraw, but Xende’s grip tightened, a necessary embrace to confront the darkness. The sharp pain Elysia felt intensified, digging deeper as if it were trying to get as far away from Xende and the pendant as possible. Elysia flinched and squirmed and cried out, but Xende was steadfast. She knew she could not let go because the corruption that made its home inside Elysia would only get worse if she did.
“Forgive me, child, but it must be done,” Xende said apologetically, drawing Elysia closer, her pendant glowing brighter in solidarity. She closed her eyes and chanted several phrases to herself. The hum of the pendant and Elysia’s cries filled the air until Xende’s stern command cut through.
“Look at me.”
Elysia felt the command anchor her amidst her turmoil. Her resistance waned at the soft boom of Xende’s voice. Her head, which had been turned away, still refused to face Xende.
“Look at me,” Xende commanded again, and the tension softened. Elysia's head turned to face Xende. The humming from the pendant peaked, and Xende’s eyes matched its brilliant light.
“Look at me,” she commanded once more.
Tears still ran down her cheeks, and Elysia slowly opened her eyes, finally meeting Xende’s gaze. The light outshone everything, engulfing Elysia.
Overwhelmed, Elysia raised her hand against the piercing luminance, but it swiftly receded, revealing her to be alone in a field of gray and withered flora. When she went to touch a nearby flower, it disintegrated into ash. Shocked by the abrupt change in scenery, Elysia jumped to her feet. The field she stood in was endless and gray. The sky was suffocated by dark clouds, dripping with slender beams of dull light. Only one point of interest stood out in the lifeless landscape – a lone black house. Its mere presence whispered her name, compelling Elysia to head towards it.
Each step summoned a ring of ash that dusted the next and let off a dreadful cry that motivated her to move more urgently to the lonesome home to escape the ashen garden's eerie tunes.
Nearing the abode, the whisper grew to a clear request –“Hurry”- as a thunderclap shattered the sky. The dark clouds began to roil, flowing out and spreading rapidly behind Elysia as if trying to overtake her before she could make it to the house. Elysia picked up her pace. As she ran, she could feel the hair on her neck prickle. The thunder sounded more frequently as if angered by her mere presence. Sparks began to appear around her, and she ran with all her might to try to escape the imminent threat of lightning.
Is it following me? She thought as she sprinted for her life.
The sparks extended into arcs that danced around the withered blades of grass, matching her pace. She heard the crackle of electricity build. She could feel a magnetism gather as her hair and cloak slowly rose to the dark chasm above. Gravity betrayed her and began to push her into the sky. Her feet could no longer dig into the ground as she moved. The arcs that danced around began to rise as well, reaching skyward like a prelude to their culmination. The buzzing of the arcs loudened, and Elysia knew she had no other choice. Mere meters away, as the forces of nature conspired against her, she lunged forward to the porch of the black house. Her arms extended in front of her, begging for its sanctuary.
The buzzing of electricity ceased, and a deafening roar of thunder claimed the air, preceded by an enormous bolt of lightning that consumed Elysia. But just as it met her body, she was immediately pulled by a vacuous force from the porch. She crashed through the door of the black marble home and landed on the floor. The bolt from the dark heavens prolonged its stay and chased after Elysia, defying the laws of nature itself. It sought to claim her, invading the door’s threshold, only to be met by a greater force from within. A bright, white light illuminated the room and rushed from behind Elysia, repelling the ravenous streaks of lightning out of the house.
The storm’s fury abated. Elysia’s gaze lifted to see the woman soaked in light with pitch-black, smoke-pluming eyes. Her form was much clearer than it was the last time she saw her. Although her light was bright, Elysia could make out the details of her face and body. After a moment, Elysia stood up and walked closer to the woman.
“Ayii?” Elysia ventured, her voice a mix of hope and uncertainty.
The woman smiled, her voice a soothing balm, “It is so nice to see you again, Elysia.”