After walking for nearly an hour in the dense, thick rainforest under a hot sun, Jeneta seriously started to think that their new guide, Kondolar, had somehow gotten them lost. The sun was already high in the middle of the sky, signaling it was midday on the Southern Horizon of this beautiful yet deadly world of Cyphyrus. She wiped trails of sweat off her face and looked up to see a group of small monkeys hoot in a high-pitched voice and jump across treetops and branches. Beautiful flying creatures of many sizes and shapes flapped their wings and whistled in joy as they called to their mates, and the deep green leaves of the trees swayed in a gentle breeze. Long, thick vines hung from the tops of the trees and their sides, almost in an inviting way to explore more of the jungle world above. During their walking earlier, Kondolar did manage to point and pick out which fruits and berries were edible, but the girls waited until he ate them first, not really trusting his abilities yet. But when they did turn out to be safe, the group ate with relish, knowing that it might be a while before they ate again.
Jeneta softly chuckled at that, then thought in amazement that just a couple of days ago, they were in a land where Winter was just about to begin. Now they were in a land where Winter probably never comes, like the Caribbean and Equatorial regions on Earth. But her face then turned grave as she thought of the hasty retreat she and the others left in. Was Lamas alright? Zain had found them again, and there was no telling when and where he'll catch up with them. Nearly very sound, nearly every shadow had her on edge as she imagined the maddened general jumping out on them in surprise and ending their lives. But the more she thought about Zain, the more she thought about Djoser's strange reaction to him that time when they fought. What was that about? Jeneta didn't know, but she hoped to find out before any harm came to Djoser or anyone else.
Her reverie was interrupted when Kondolar gave a startled cry and tripped over a branch, landing flat on his face. The young man quickly brought himself back up, but that didn't stop Angeni, Prya, and Heather from giggling softly behind their hands at his tired and embarrassed look.
Ling rolled her eyes and stood in front of the sorcerer-in-training as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Look, I don't know about anyone else, but it's getting really clear to me that you either like taking the scenic route, or you've gotten us all hopelessly lost! I thought you said the river wasn't that far away!"
"Oh dear, I'm sorry! I really am!" Kondolar babbled, clearly embarrassed. "I could have sworn I marked where I traveled from so it could lead me back! I...I...some animals must have moved them or...or.."
"Or what?" asked Ling impatiently.
"Umm...eaten them." Kondolar softly chuckled to himself with a huge sweat drop over his head.
"What? You used food trail? In a jungle? Are you crazy?" Ling blew out her breath in exasperation and stalked off, shaking her head.
"I didn't think I would be gone this long," the young man whispered to himself, embarrassed.
Jeneta smiled patiently and put a hand on his arm. "Kondolar, it's alright, we'll find it eventually. I guess we'll just have to keep walking, that's all."
"But what if we have to walk until dark!" said Heather, looking up at the sky. "We can't be outside when night finally comes. Not in a place like this..."
The young man hung his head for a moment, then looked up with worried eyes. "I...I'm really sorry everyone. I just keep messing up on everything. I'll never be a good sorcerer. I'll just screw up everything. I'm a has-been before I even started...."
Prya stepped up and shook her head. "No, don't say that. I have faith in you. You'll be great someday, I know it."
Kondolar looked up in surprise into the young girl's eyes, and seeing her growing admiration and respect for him, he smiled a little, and she smiled back. For a moment, it was just the two of them there, and no words were spoken as they gave each other hope and strength through their eyes. Kondolar was just about to open his mouth and thank her when Angeni started looking around.
"Everyone, quiet!" With quick movements, the Native American girl rushed to a group of bushes and parted it. She looked up into the air, then back at the group. "Looks like Kondolar didn't get us too lost. The river's around here somewhere. I can almost hear it...feel it."
"She's right." Djoser closed his eyes and concentrated, letting the feel of the land flow around him. He pointed to the right, where Angeni was already standing. "That way. It shouldn't be far now."
Together the group walked on in that direction, parting leaves and vines that blocked their path. Soon, about half an hour later, the vegetation, bushes, and trees got a little thicker, signaling that they were getting closer and closer to a water source. Several minutes later, the sound of rushing water reached their ears, and Kondolar gave a sigh of relief. "My boat should be docked here. I remember this area now!"
Another parting of some bushes, and they were right on the banks of a large and grand river. The water was clear and light, reflecting the bright sky, and schools of small, multicolored fish swam within it. Some even jumped out of the water and back in, their scales flashing brightly in the sunlight.
"Down there!" said Kondolar, pointing to the left down the receding banks. The group all gave a grateful sigh as they saw the dark blue, medium-sized boat tied to a tree. Quickly they walked down the muddy river bank to it and climbed aboard, hoping it would be able to carry them all.
Soon they were off down the river. Jeneta and the girls looked on with rapt attention at the many glowing insects that flew out of the bushes and trees and hovered over the river. The small fishes in the river jumped out of the waters and snapped their jaws at the insects, making crunching noises as they caught some. Stars began blinking into the sky one by one, and within moments, the whole area was quiet except for the occasional hoot and whistle of a bird or insects noises.
Feeling herself relax by the boat's gentle rocking after a long while, Jeneta turned to Angeni, who was staring quietly into the water.
"Angeni, how did you know the river was near by?" the dark-skinned girl asked in curiosity.
"Oh, my grandfather used to take me out camping when I was little," The girl's eyes lit up as she remembered old times with the old man. "He'd teach me to somehow...I don't know...feel the Earth around me... to feel my surroundings. He said it had something to do with our people being able to communicate with and live off the Earth, but I didn't pay much attention to that. I just knew it felt so wonderful, being able to see and sense all that." Her eyes then turned sad. "I miss him...a lot."
"I know how you feel. I never really got to know my family...well, my real mom and dad, but sometimes, I think I dream about them, and I feel like I miss them too." Jeneta and Angeni smiled at each other in understanding for a moment, then turned to look at Tao as he slid up to them on the bench.
"Hey, just thought I'd let you know we're almost to Kondolar's city." the young man said. The girl's turned to their right, and sure enough, a bright light...almost as bright as the sun, erupted from behind some low hanging branches and vines a long way's down, the river leading right into it.
"Wow!" whispered Prya, standing up to get a better look. But before anyone could even caution her to sit before she tipped the boat, a beautiful small bird with feathers as colorful as a rainbow landed softly on her shoulder and began chirping in her ear. The girl giggled as the bird's feathers tickled her chin. She then watched as the bird flew away, circling happily in the air.
"Amazing!" Kondolar said, his eyes wide. "That's a Tsainani bird. They are said to be a guardian of our city, and only comes to those who have a great obstacle or destiny ahead of them." He nodded his head. "I guess destiny has brought you all here after all."
Prya, with a nervous look, sat back down. Closer and closer the boat came to the overhanging branches and vines, and when it finally came up to them, they suddenly..as if by some magic, began to part slowly, allowing them to pass through undisturbed.
As the boat slowly passed through, birds of all sizes, shapes, and colors flew overhead, almost as though announcing their arrival. Prya and the other girls looked around in complete awe at the beauty and sheer elegance of the birds as they glided through the vines, giving the whole area a magical look. A moment later they were through, and once again they were amazed by the sight of a bustling and beautifully painted city.
The river seemed to run right through the middle of it, because on the banks were medium-sized buildings, homes, and small temples built on either side of it. People everywhere were rushing and walking about, carrying loads or children in their arms. The women wore silken sari-like dresses that flowed gently in the breeze and small veils that covered the lower part of their faces, their eyes shining brightly over them. Most of the men wore short, tan or white-colored pants and light shirts, and white turbans on their heads. The people there had tan to medium-brown skin that greatly resembled Prya's, but their eyes were almond-shaped and their noses slightly flatter. The buildings were beautifully shaped with large windows and the rooftops onion-domed. Most of the buildings were colored gold and white, but a few red and blue buildings also came into view.
"Kondolar, your city is beautiful!" said Jeneta, looking around in wonder.
The young man smiled and steered his boat around a curve in front of a large, gold-colored temple with two pillars and a stone statue of an animal-headed woman on top of it.
Quickly the group climbed out of the boat, walked up the river bank, and hurried towards the golden temple as a couple of young boys boarded and began to steer the boat away to dock it under Kondolar's orders. Everywhere, people looked at them in wonder and surprise, not used to seeing strangers in their city.
Once inside, they followed Kondolar down a darkened corridor lighted by torches pass a few rooms, then turned left to stand in front of a set of gold and white colored double doors.
Kondolar turned to look at them nervously. "Umm..my teacher can be a little...rash, but please don't let him scare you. It's all mostly an act. I'm sure he'll be excited to meet you. It's just that...ever since he had his vision, he's been convinced that the ones who would save our world would come see him one day..."
With that, the young man opened the doors and stepped inside while the girls looked nervously at one another.
Inside, the room was completely dark except for two lone flames blazing on top of long poles. Seated between those poles on a large cushion chair was a tan-skinned, older looking man wearing a long, dark brown robe. On his face was a long white beard that nearly reached to his lap. His arms were crossed over his chest, and his eyes were closed as if in sleep. His head was bald except for few wisps of hair. He sat quiet and regal until the group stood almost in front of him. His eyes then snapped opened, and he regarded them with a cold, hard stare.
His eyes turned to Kondolar and he sneered "Fool of an apprentice! Where have you been? You were to return back here hours ago!"
The young man actually seemed to tremble, and went down on one knee. "I'm sorry, Master Yelsnid! I did as you asked and explored the woods, but..but.."
"It wasn't his fault!" Jeneta walked up next to Kondolar as he struggled to find the words to explain himself. "We..errr...we lost track of time exploring and ..errr...we couldn't find our way, and.."
"Typical excuse I would expect from a child. Cease your babbling." Yelsnid waved his hand in dismissal.
Jeneta's eyes narrowed in anger. "Child? Why you old....!" But before she could say anymore, Djoser stepped up and covered her mouth with his hand, muffling what more she was going to say.
"We're very sorry, Master Yelsnid. We got here as soon as we can. Please accept our apology." Djoser bowed his head in a respectful way, then stepped back with Jeneta still in his arms.
The older man narrowed his eyes for a moment, and turned to look back at Kondolar. "I suppose these are the ones you have met in the forest, as my vision had foretold me."
At Kondolar's nod of "yes", the old sorcerer got up from his seat and walked slowly in front of them. He gave them all a once over look, then he stopped in front of Prya with a gasp.
"You! You were touched by protection, haven't you? You're the one I envisioned that would help us!" Yelsnid's eyes widened as he recognized the face of the one he saw in his long ago vision.
"M..Me?" Prya backed away slowly, her heart beginning to pound. "How am I alone supposed to help you?"
"As a sorcerer, I am very much in tuned with the magical properties and spiritual signs in this land, as everyone knows." He gave them another hard look. "You all...you're not from this world, are you?"
Once more, the girls all looked nervously at each other, not knowing whether they should confirm or deny his question, but Djoser stepped forward, trying to change the subject.
"Master Yelsnid, you still haven't answered the question about Prya..."
"I was just getting to that!" snapped the old man. With a deep breath, he turned to the young Indian girl. "Years ago, when our world fell to the evil of Kumraa when he broke free of his seal, I dreamed that someday, saviors from another world would come and help free us. One of them...much like you, would be able to find a way to bring back our Silver Eye."
"What's the Silver Eye?" Prya blinked in confusion, but at the harsh look of the sorcerer, gulped loudly and remained quiet.
"The Silver Eye is a crystal that has protected our city for a very long time. Up until very recently, it had resisted Kumraa's forces and prevented them from taking us over. It's been said to have been one of the eyes of our god we worship, Iyanish." The old man's eyes actually began to water as he looked at the others. "Just a few years ago, our Silver Eye was stolen back by Iyanish himself. He...He was cruel...changed, different. He was always good to us, but now he has decimated so many of our people who have tried to plead and beg him to give us back the crystal. We are afraid that Kumraa's forces will be here within days...even sooner, since he must know by now we are helpless to protect ourselves. Please..you all, especially you Prya, must go and retrieve the Silver Eye. It is the only way we will be protected."
"I..I don't...know.." An embarrassed blush covered the young girl's face, and she was unable to find the words to express her thoughts, her fears of how a whole city was putting their trust and hopes on her. How could she succeed? She had never been good at anything much, thanks to the low self-esteem from her parent's constant putdowns. But before she could say anything else, Kondolar straightened up from his kneeling and stood next to her, his hand on her shoulder.
"She will be able to do it, Master Yelsnid." he said, determination in his voice. "With our help, at least." He turned his head and gave her an encouraging smile. "After all, I do believe and have faith in her. She'll be a great person someday."
Prya eyes misted as she looked into the young man's eyes, gratitude filling her heart and soul. Never had she had someone believe in her so much. More now than ever, she actually believed she could start and finish something important.
The rest of the girls stepped forward and stood by Prya, determination filling their hearts also. "Prya will be able to do it. We'll make sure she does." Ling said, taking Prya's hand in her own. The bond the two shared grew stronger than ever at that simple touch.
"It sounds to me that your god Iyanish was also put under a spell by Kumraa," said Jeneta as she crossed her arms. "I say if we find this Iyanish and release his mind, we'll get back the Silver Eye AND maybe find the fourth Sacred Medallion."
"Yes, that's right! I almost forgot about that!" said Heather, pushing up her glasses on nose. "Every other deity we've come in contact with did manage to hide the Medallions from him before they were captured and their memories erased, maybe Iyanish did too."
"Then I say we shouldn't waste any time." said Tao, already becoming impatient. "Where should we travel too, and how long would it take to get there?"
Master Yelsnid rolled eyes and grunted. "Young people! You always have to make things so much harder than they have to be, don't you? Didn't you hear that I am a sorcerer! TCCH!" With a wave of his left hand, a large wooden white staff with a fist-sized ruby on top of it appeared in his hand, glowing bright and sharp in the darkened room and making it a little brighter. "I can easily send you all to the area where Iyanish is said to live, but you have to pinpoint his exact location yourself..."
But before Yelsnid could say anymore, Kondolar stepped forward. "Master! Please, may I go with them? There's many things I can do to help them..."
"Like what?" the old man asked impatiently.
"I...err..well that is..." The young man lowered his head in thought, trying to come up with something. But it was Angeni with an understanding look that came up and nodded in agreement.
"Please, let him come. He'll be able to help navigate us where we're going, right?" She turned to the young man and winked, then at Prya, who had a hopeful look on her face.
Master Yelsnid thought for a moment, then rolled his eyes. "Oh very well! At least I won't have to endure his incessant clumsiness for a while. Alright then, be gone, and may good fortunes walk with you!" With that, Yelsnid shouted a strangely worded phrase, and with a bright white light, a beam of energy burst out of the staff's red ruby and surrounded the group with an eerie, greenish light. The ball of light carried them higher and higher, and with a crack, the group disappeared, leaving the room once more in darkness and silence.
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In a dense, crowded rainforest a few miles outside the city, all was quiet except for the chirps and calls of birds and insects. A moment later, the wind picked up, and the leaves and vines of the rainforest began swaying and branches bending. A bright light flashed in the air above the ground, and a large ball of light appeared. The light stood hovering for a second, then began to descend lower and lower. The light touched the ground, and immediately, it dissipated and Jeneta and the rest of the group stood there looking around in wonder.
"Are...are we at Iyanish's place?" asked Pyra, her eyes wide.
"No, I don't think so. Master Yelsnid said that he could only put us close to where he was." Kondolar looked around blinked his eyes. "But I do remember as a child reading some books and poems about him living in some sort of mountain.... in a cave or temple...and there it is!" He pointed to a small, tree-covered mountain a little ways in the distance ahead of them.
"Don't all gods in this world?" said Ling sarcastically, rolling her eyes.
"Come on, we should get going." With that, Kondolar turned right and led the way through the dense trees. But even in the mid-afternoon, the overhead branches and the large leaves made seeing a little hard, and the young man finally stopped and raised a hand.
"Maybe we can do with a little light. Lumiaries experidus!" At first, nothing came out of his hand and the group looked at him in expectation, like the first time he tried a spell and nothing happened. He blinked his eyes and was about to bring down his hands in defeat when suddenly, a long stream of fire burst from his fingertips and ignited a small tree in front of him, much to the surprise of everyone. But the fire burned out quickly at Kondolar's surprise, and the tree was only slightly scarred.
Kondolar looked sheepishly at them. "Maybe I should try that again..."
"NOOOOO!" yelled everyone at the same time. Kondolar backed away in defeat and walked ahead, clearing getting the signal. Djoser softly whispered a spell, and a small, bright light glowed from the top of his palm and gently lit a path for them.
They walked on for a few more minutes and reached a semi-muddy, damp area when Angeni suddenly stopped dead in her tracks, noticing how quiet it got. "Guys, hold up a minute..." She walked slightly ahead of everyone. "I've got a bad..." Suddenly, before she could finish her sentence, the ground beneath her seemed to open up, and Angeni fell through the ground with a surprised scream.
"Angeni!" yelled Prya, Jeneta, Heather and Ling. Before they could even move to where she was, the ground suddenly opened up underneath Jeneta, Heather, and Ling. Each girl screamed and tried to grab onto something before being covered by the ground, but the opening holes were too fast.
"Dammit!" yelled out Djoser. He was about to cast a spell to stop whatever it was when he was overtaken by a hole opening beneath him. Tao backed away and was about to jump for a tree when the last muddy hole swallowed him, his eyes wide with fear. He was immediately followed by a frantic Kondolar who could only manage a silent, open-mouthed scream before being pulled through a hole that appeared underneath him.
Suddenly, Prya was alone, very alone. Looking wildly around her, she wrapped her arms around herself in fear, tears filling her eyes. "Everyone! Where are you, what happened?" Fear made her heart pound heavily in her chest, and her breaths became short. What was going on? Did she cause this? How?
Almost without her knowing it, a tall, shadowy figure came up behind her. With a gasp, Prya slowly turned around, and the sight she saw behind her caused her to scream in terror, fall to the ground on her rump, and desperately skid backwards away.
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To Be Continued...
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