BDS: Chapter Forty-Two

In the days that followed, the warriors attended a private ceremony for Malik at the Tran Ceiabré. The light warriors, wearing white cloaks, and members of the Order gathered around the falls' pool. The soft blue glow of the falls brightened the clearing as the moons of Elsaria reached their peak. Colorful spheres of light floated gently through the air, along with a soft melody.

The magical effects are from the trees and other elements, Valora told the others quietly. They wish to pay their tribute.

Syam stood before the group and lowered the hood of his robe. "Sir Malik was one of the greatest warriors I have ever known and was a loyal ally who acted out of passion and love for this planet. But most importantly, he was a wonderful friend. The extent he went to in his duties for the Order and for the lives of others is something we can never fully repay him for, other than by continuing his mission of leading and protecting others as he felt convicted to do. He served more than one century as a guardian of this planet and now continues to do so from a different vantage point."

The warriors spoke in unison as they stretched their arms and pointed their gladaés in the air. "We honor you, Sir Malik. May your starlight never cease." Beams of light shot from the swords' blades and twirled together, projecting in different directions like a cascade of shooting comets across the sky.

Kesól's eyes took on their familiar yellow glow as he held his sword before him. He released the hilt and the sword shot up over the clearing, spinning rapidly. A glittering shower of gold light fountained over the clearing, reaching high above the forest trees. The sword dropped back into his grasp, but the light remained, falling like never-ending glittering gold raindrops around the warriors.

Jarek hesitantly shuffled closer to Jalena after the ceremony.

"What is it, Jarek?" Jalena spoke gently. "I know you want to ask me something."

Jarek scratched the back of his head as the other masters gathered around the two. "Well, I was just thinking that if Aderes's energy can return through Drasúl, then maybe Gyan can reform somehow too, since he is a part of you or—um, within you now."

"Aderes was trapped within Drasúl through the use of dark magic, Jarek," Hoshi said. "I don't think there is a chance of him reforming into physical form."

"He will probably just return to where he went after he died once Drasúl is killed," added Danika.

Jalena swallowed as she dropped her gaze, suppressing the pull of hope Jarek sparked within her. "I wish that what you suggest were true, Jarek," she said quietly as she turned away. "But Gyan gave his abilities to me—that is all. I do not feel his energy other than through his gifts, so I know that he is gone."

The next day, Syam walked across the platform in the Temple of Kya's main hall, appearing wearier than he had in some time. It seemed as if the entire city had appeared for the tribute to Gyan and others who had sacrificed their lives in recent events. The temple overflowed with people as they gathered together across the grounds, holding or consoling each other. The light warriors entered the platform together, their faces hidden beneath the hoods of white cloaks.

Images of the Maveik and other Order members flashed from holographic projections across the temple as Syam moved to the front of the stage. When he spoke, his voice was hoarse and tired. "Our peaceful kingdom has recently been witness to an array of dark events that have remained absent from these lands for many years. One thing, however, that I know to be true about the people of Alsar, is that they can persevere no matter the darkness. And although this strength has manifested a victory for the kingdom, it is with great difficulty that I stand with you today in honor of what was lost with that victory.

"Had it not been for the actions of our allies and the fearless actions of our Order members," Syam gestured to the images behind him, "Alsar would now be in ruins. Although our buildings and homes remain, what lies within our hearts has been altered with the transition of those we love. And though your hearts are weary, we must remember to celebrate this love over any sorrow."

Gyan's face appeared across the temple as images of his memories projected all around. "Master Gyan Mesengic used his light energy to ensure that this entire kingdom remained safe. The light warriors that incarnate into this star system carry a unique gift of light, and Master Gyan's was a shield. Therefore, it is no surprise that he used his life as a shield to protect and keep those he loved safe. His sacrifice shall not be forgotten as we move forward with him in our hearts.

"We know you're out there, Master Gyan, still finding ways to spread light and protect as you did for all of us. We are honored by your service and the connection that you have shared. The kindness," Syam paused and cleared his throat, "and love that you held in your heart will continue to touch those in this kingdom who were blessed to have known you, both as family and as a warrior. We will continue to celebrate your life."

A soft soothing tune filled the air as Syam quickly wiped the corner of his eyes and withdrew from the front of the stage. The flickering flames from white candles and the silver and gold lights flowing through the temple brightened.

Jalena stood at the back of the crowd, hidden beneath a dark cloak rather than the traditional white to avoid attention from the townspeople. Her chest constricted in response to her father's words. She stared at the ground, unable to look at the projected images of Gyan that spread across the front of the temple.

How can you miss something that never truly leaves?

The words Malik spoke haunted her now. She knew that what Kesól spoke at the last council meeting was the truth—that Gyan was her soul twin. She could feel his energy within her, and yet, it was as if there was no real separation between them. There was a part of her that wanted to rip him away from her—to use her charisma to pull his energy out, but she knew there was no way she could bring herself to do it even if she found a way to do so. It would be like trying to separate yourself from yourself. You could deny the existence of that piece of you, but you would also know that you were just denying a truth, never really embracing the lie you attempted to convince yourself of.

She was furious at him more than anything. How can you be angry at someone who gives you more than you can return? But, she was…even with all the gifts he had left her. She was angry at him for awakening a part of her heart that longed for more than just being a light warrior, then leaving and taking that part with him. The feeling of him—the fraction that he left—was only a piece of him and would never be enough to replace the whole that was gone.

Part of her now regretted the delay in the connection she had forced between them. She had always held back her affection for him. When they were younger, even before he first confessed his feelings, she had been pulled to him. It felt odd, considering she had not ever felt pulled to anyone. But, after the death of her mother and how it affected her father, she thought it was best to refrain from any intimate attachments. With her unwavering insistence, Shamira had been the only one to break through Jalena's shell. Despite her best efforts to avoid it, Gyan had always lingered in her mind even before he was initiated as a san.

His energy and eagerness had changed her—had changed her mind about becoming close to others. He had used the connection between them to make him stronger rather than the opposite. His lack of reserve when it came to sharing his emotions was something she admired. Despite the reservations she voiced to him, he never wavered in the love he expressed, and that was something that intrigued her.

She shook her head as her anger resurfaced. Still…

It could have ended differently.

What bothered her most was that she couldn't fully understand why he didn't choose a path that could keep them together—why he made a choice that tore his team apart. She felt conflicted between wanting to be available to support his teammates and wanting to free herself of the connection she had finally formed with all of them. She had come to enjoy being a part of the team of masters—their sibling nature, acceptance, and support of each other. Now though, she watched them with difficulty. The pain that she sensed in their hearts overwhelmed her because being near them meant that she could not escape her own. All of them, including her, had somehow come to rely on Gyan's strength for encouragement. He had a way of making people do that without meaning to, and they suffered more now from his loss as a result.

She blinked away tears as a clear image of him laughing surfaced in her thoughts. She couldn't get his eyes out of her mind. His passion, his conviction, the desperate actions he took to gain her love and acceptance…all of it was always there in his penetrating gaze. The way he stared at her before the last Lumfáinne activated was something she would never forget—as if he knew a wonderful secret that she could not see.

But, Gyan was wrong about the happy ending. There was no beautiful secret in being left stranded to finish a job in a strange realm without a clue of what to look for—especially without his added insight.

She knew the pain of losing him was something she would forever carry, and she accepted that pain as a punishment for failing to protect him. At least she still had the chance to rectify one thing—to destroy Drasúl. And she would use all the pain and anger she now carried to do it, no matter what it took.

Jalena's thoughts were interrupted as she glanced at Gyan's family walking together and holding each other as they made their way through the crowd. A sense of shame spread through her as she felt the depth of their sorrow. She wanted to say that she was sorry, but she didn't think she could form the words.

Despite the comforting presence of her father and Shamira, she felt more alone now than ever. Even Eclipse had abandoned her.

Jalena's throat tightened as a longing to see her cat rose within her. She inhaled sharply as the blue glow of her Lumsigne brightened beneath her cloak hood. She put her hands over her head as sorrow filled her chest. Her eyes filled with light and she disappeared in a flash.

Miliani turned sharply as the flash caught the corner of her eye. Her eyes narrowed in thought as she stared at the space Jalena previously stood.

"What is it?" Sahdika asked Miliani quietly.

"Nothing," said Miliani. She squeezed Sheldrían to her and leaned in closer to Haji as more people approached to offer their condolences.

Later that evening, Jalena watched over Gyan's home from a high tree branch in the grove near his house as townspeople came and went. She forced herself to watch everyone gather on the front porch, trying to steady the overwhelming desire to free Gyan's family of their pain somehow. She could manipulate someone's energy with ease, but now she wished she could pull heartbreak from them too.

As she watched Sahdika comfort Miliani and Lesiana on the front porch, a desire for her own mother formed. She swallowed hard and disappeared in a burst of light.

Miliani's expression dawned understanding as she saw the flash at the top of the grove tree. Her eyes shone with tears. "Nán."

"Yes, dear?"

"Master Jalena needs you."