A cloud of dust rose behind the paws of five Great Cats and one Great Wolf as they loped across the desert. They fanned out in a loose wing shape, the lone wolf on the outer edge.

Lilau tucked close to Makotae’s back, eyes down as colors flew by. The sun had long since set, casting the landscape in cold, deep blue. It did nothing to dull the sting of Lilau’s Spirit Sight, especially at night when the desert truly came alive.

Roars, chirps, howls, and what she could only describe as cackling drifted across the sands as every living creature came out to do in the darkness what they couldn’t under the blaze of the sun. Even the plants, as sparse as they were, came alive at night. Hidden blossoms and leaves opened up, casting a sweet, heady fragrance into the air.

If not for the glow of her Spirit Sight, and the understanding of where she was heading, it would have struck Lilau as beautiful. As it stood, the closer they came to the place of illusions, the more Lilau’s stomach turned.

Macien had taken Lilau’s acceptance of the task with an unreadable expression. Still, she’d wasted no time in rounding up the hunting group that now traveled by Lilau’s side. Lilau would never admit it to anyone, but the sound of the hunters’ weapons thumping against their backs and hips gave her a bit of comfort. Right now, she would take what she could get.

She felt it before Allak called from her right, his voice bouncing a little in time with his Great Cat’s stride. They’d arrived.

Weight descended without warning. It crushed the air from her lungs as she grabbed for the bow she had once carried with her. A spot that remained bare since Inalia’s care. Lilau’s heart beat against her chest. The sensation grew, massive and dangerous. This wasn’t just a Fokla. Stop.

Makotae obeyed instantly, nearly sliding her over his neck in the process. Lilau reseated herself in the saddle and forced her eyes up even as her instincts yelled at her to run.

Heat burned into her eyes, but she could not look away. The air shimmered. It ignited into glowing gold, which oscillated, shifted, until it formed a shape she’d become intimately familiar with over the past two moons.

A Great Cat stood before her. Its hide shone like bronze. The surface swirled, a mix of bright and dark areas twisting as heat waves emanated from its body. Fire licked its paws, the end of its tail, and around its head, framing crystalline eyes filled with cloudless blue. Girl That Is Lost. Your travels have brought you far. I greet you.

Tears welled up and splashed down Lilau’s face as the burning in her eyes intensified. Someone called her name. Vague shouts echoed at the edges of her hearing, but the Fokla in front of her demanded all of her attention.

Her breath wouldn’t slow enough for her to speak, so she pushed her thoughts out to the spirit. Who are you?

In her core, deep within the flickering flame, somehow she knew, but she wanted to hear it.

I am Narasten, Guardian of this land.

What little moisture had survived the trek across the desert disappeared from Lilau’s mouth. Another angry Guardian.

I’m upset, but not at you, Rae-Lini. Do not fear me. You have come with many questions weighing on your mind. Ask them.

A jumble rushed to the forefront of Lilau’s mind, far too tangled to separate.

Narasten rumbled, a sound she’d heard from the Great Cats as they lounged. I don’t wish to harm my children, you can assure them of that. However, my power is… unstable. I’m containing it as best I can, but the influx is growing. Even I can only absorb so much.

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With one of her questions plucked from her thoughts, the next ones came loose on their own. Why am I here? Am I meant to help these people?

You already know the answers to those questions. Even as others push you away, even as you flee another’s touch, you strive to help those around you. It is who you are, by your very essence, regardless of the tribe who birthed you. Even now, your heart settles on helping my children. They need you, but it is too soon. So many have lost sight of the past and strive to revisit old mistakes. They drive this world to its knees.

Then why don’t you stop them?

I am not who I once was. Long ago, I relinquished my powers and now live because others force it. I am tethered. Now too many of my children walk in my poisoned footsteps. If you are to help, you must learn to control the essence flowing through you as I have. I can teach you if you are willing.

If she was willing. Lilau mulled the words over. Did she have a choice? On one hand, her dealings with the Fokla rarely ended well. The last powerful Fokla she’d allowed to help her had tried to kill her. There was no way for her to know this one’s motives, nor could she hope to stand a chance against a Guardian should it turn on her.

On the other hand, Narasten spoke true. She’d wished for the river to resume pulling her onwards, because she knew the feeling building in her heart. She’d lashed out at Macien for the same reason. As much as staying, as relying on others for her survival, sent chills down her spine and fanned the Spirit Fire in her core, another far more familiar fire gained strength with each passing day. These people had helped her immensely. She wanted, no, she needed, to help them in return. Yet in her current state, she was nearly worthless. Even now, searing pain grew behind her eyes as they approached their limit. I want to learn, to help. But how do I know you won’t turn on me like Tirijuki?

Lilau put extra emphasis on the fox Fokla’s name, seeking a reaction. Narasten gave none.

You don’t. Narasten shook its head, making the crown of flames dance. I will not lie to you. While I do not wish you harm, my tethers give control to another who may. I am stronger than them, for now. But I can’t say for how long.

Would you tell me if there was a safer way to learn to control essence?

I would. Although it is yet another thing you must trust me on.

Trust. Lilau grimaced. Unlikely. But, without a better option, she’d accept Narasten’s help. For now. When do we start?

After you assure the hunters and your wolf that they, and you, are in no danger.

The sun-like body of Narasten blinked out. The sudden switch in brightness hurt more than staring at the Fokla. Sharp pain shot through her eyes. Lilau yelled and clamped them shut as shouts answered from around her.

“Are you all right, Lilau Noka?”

“What happened?”

“What is it?”

Are you back?

Makotae’s presence soothed the pain into something more bearable. I…. Did I leave?

Not in body. But you froze up and went blank like… like when you were injured. Worry leaked through Makotae’s calm aura.

I’m sorry if I worried you. I’m fine.

Then you should tell the others so they’ll stop squawking.

Lilau had her head down and eyes closed, but that didn’t save her from the racket of concerned questions and exclamations grating on her ears. She opened her eyes and stared down at the crowd gathered in front of her. “I’m fine! A passing pain, is all.”

“Far more than that,” a hunter, whose name escaped her, said. “You were as the dead.”

“I was simply getting the answers Macien wanted.”

“Then it is a Fokla?” Allak moved into her field of view. Dark purple swirled beneath his robes in agitation, stirring up the other colors of his body.

Despite the time she’d spent with the Cat Tribe, she was far from familiar with most of them. She frowned, weighing her options. According to Radai, Narasten had disappeared ages ago. The return of a Guardian, let alone one ‘tethered’ to others, was important, and potentially dangerous, news.

Perhaps better for Macien’s ears, then? Makotae’s weight shifted away from the hunters, who now pushed closer in anticipation of Lilau’s answer.

Agreed. I don’t wish to deal with the uproar my words will cause. “It is a Fokla.” Lilau hesitated, trying to decide what to say next. It proved unnecessary.

The hunters cried out and whooped, arms pumping as if they’d killed an animal large enough to feed the camp for a week. Their Great Cats wheeled on their back paws, kicking up a fresh cloud of dust as they bounded back toward camp.

Makotae reacted a moment behind. Lilau grabbed on to the saddle as he took his position in line, the sudden burst of action causing the world to brighten until her head pounded. The medallion grew hot against her skin, yet the world’s brightness remained. Even if she’d be helping the Cat Tribe, the thought of controlling the essence which controlled her was enough to take a chance with Narasten.