BDS: Chapter One

Gyan stood alone at the edge of the main trail leading into the Ceiabré Forest, his back against the trunk of a large tree. He closed his eyes, inhaled deeply, and let the distant booms of the familiar ceremonial drums fill his chest.

The drums pounded as a signal for the citizens of Yevani to gather at the Temple of Kya in honor and celebration of Aderes's service as a light warrior. Gyan's chest tightened as he glanced in the direction of the temple. He stepped onto the trail leading to the Tran Ceiabré waterfalls, appreciating the comforting familiarity of the forest. Except that it wasn't really the same. The forest seemed emptier somehow like a vacant space had been carved out in honor of Aderes's absence.

Gyan had felt the heaviness of grief surrounding the temple and decided it would be easier to manage if he kept his distance during the ceremony. Valora had agreed to share her visions of the ceremony through their telepathic connection so he would hear the proceedings.

He looked around at the forest trees that he and Aderes had so often explored and touched the Lumsigne marking on his neck. The blue glow that shone beneath the marking, signifying lingering grief over the death of another warrior, had almost faded completely. He could feel Aderes's spirit more now that his grief had subsided some, just as Aderes's sister, Lesiana, had predicted.

Gyan felt he had done fairly well in managing his sadness about the recent death of his best friend. Most of it was due to Lesiana. She had hardly let him have a moment's rest since her rescue from Mordán. Her constant chatter and bright gray eyes seemed to help alleviate all the warriors' shared pain from Aderes's absence. After a short amount of time in Lesiana's uplifting presence, it was hard to feel the heaviness of everything that had happened.

The breeze of the forest picked up and ruffled Gyan's dark hair, which had now reached the top of his shoulders. He ran his fingers over the edge of his chin to itch the stubble now common along his jawline.

Aderes's voice entered his mind. You look as rough as you feel.

Gyan smiled as he reached the clearing to the falls and took an elevated trail at the edge to the top of the cliffs. I like it, he replied.

Because you have finally found your edge, Aderes answered.

Gyan's smile turned into a chuckle as he remembered the past conversation he had with Aderes concerning his "edge" and how he would need it to win Jalena's affection. His smile faded as soon as it formed as a longing for Jalena took hold of him. He quickly pushed thoughts of her out of his mind and adjusted his white cloak. He took a seat beneath his favorite Tear Drop tree, then opened his mind to Valora.

Elder Master Syam is about to begin the ceremony, Valora stated. I will share what I am seeing.

Okay.

The ceiling and large pillars, marking the boundaries of the main room of the temple, had been flooded with silver and white lights. Just like for most ceremonies when the weather cooperated, the walls of the temple were lowered so that the cool evening breeze wafted through. Small flecks of glittering silver light floated in the air between large white candles and out into the temple courtyard as a result of Malik's spellwork. A holographic pearly shimmer shone across the white attire of the crowd lingering in the temple and around the grounds. All warriors in attendance stood at both edges of the stage in white cloaks, their hoods drawn low over their faces. Directly in the center of the temple stage, mounted on a glowing white stand, was Aderes's gladaé—the signature weapon of a light warrior.

It's beautiful, Gyan whispered.

The drumming ceased and beams of bright silver light spread across the temple as Aderes's sword lit up. The crowd gasped in awe. Streams of silver gently expanded from the sword and formed large holographic images of Aderes's memories throughout his life.

Gyan's breath caught as he saw himself in the projections, laughing with Aderes and his other teammates. He swallowed hard, secretly glad he was not around other people at the moment.

Breath, Valora whispered as her voice caught and tears fell softly from both her and Gyan's eyes.

A soothing melody swept across the temple, high and smooth, as if to purposely catch and lift the saddened energy that suddenly deepened across the crowd.

The melody faded, and Syam stepped forward. He lowered his hood and addressed the crowd from the front edge of the stage. "Tonight, although filled with mixed emotions, is still a ceremony of celebration. As with many light warriors that have blessed our presence in the past, we celebrate the gifted life of Master Aderes Bane, who was treasured by the Order," Syam gestured to the warriors, "his incarnate team," he held a hand out to the crowd, "the Kingdom of Alsar, and all of Elsaria."

The crowd erupted in applause.

After all this time, they finally love me when I'm gone.

Gyan smiled. Sorry, I couldn't bring myself to attend.

I wouldn't have gone either.

Gyan laughed out loud.

You okay, Gyan? Valora said.

Yes…sorry, he replied as he focused his attention back to the ceremony.

The light from Aderes's sword filled the room once more and then faded to a small pulsing glow.

"A warrior's gladaé is an extension of the soul," Syam continued. "Although Master Aderes's body has faded into the light once more as it does at the end of every warrior's incarnation, his energy lingers on within his sword, which is now presented to his newly reclaimed sister, Lesiana." Syam nodded to Lesiana.

Lesiana smiled through a fresh set of tears as the crowd parted for her. The light filling the temple glimmered off the jeweled beads intertwined with her blonde curls. The star crystal necklace that Aderes had given her as a child hung around her neck, glinting as it caught the light. Heads turned as she straightened her long, white gown and walked slowly up the middle path of the crowd to the edge of the stage.

Syam lifted Aderes's sword from its resting place and placed it in its sheath. He held it out horizontally above Lesiana. "May Master Aderes's light forever serve as protection for you as he so willed at the end of his life on Elsaria."

Lesiana smiled a polite smile as Syam knelt in front of her and handed over Aderes's sword.

"Thank you, Elder Master Syam," she replied quietly.

Syam stood and the crowd applauded. He held out his arms. "In this kingdom, we celebrate the continuation of life. We all know there is no such thing as an ending, for energy does not diminish. There is only transformation from one dimension to another. As Aderes now joins his mother and father in a different realm, I wish you to join now with your family and friends and find comfort in their companionship. Remind each other of the continuation and growth that we share in and of the gift of Aderes's life, so any lingering sorrow may be lifted from your hearts."

The crowd applauded once more as Syam and the other masters bowed to the audience.

Thank you, Valora, Gyan said. I owe you one.

You will never owe me anything, she replied. Wait for us at the falls. The team will be there soon.

Okay, Gyan said. The temple faded from his mind's view.

He stared at the pool of water below him and resisted the urge to contact Jalena. He had recently taken to avoiding her despite his yearning for her, which was another reason he had dodged Aderes's ceremony. The desire to be near her had intensified drastically ever since Aderes's death. He felt the only way to control it was to stay away from her. Although taking action to leave her alone helped, it did little to relieve the longing. It was like living a lie, but he couldn't see any other way because he felt as if his desire reflected something that had gone beyond affection or love.

After the warriors had returned to Yevani for Aderes's ceremony, he had found himself absentmindedly following Jalena home. When he discovered he was almost to her front door, it startled him because he couldn't remember following her.

He had decided to speak with Master Asia and Master Jabari about it the next time he saw them. Until then, he wanted to keep as much distance between him and Jalena so he wouldn't make a fool out of himself more than he already had.