BDS: Chapter Thirty-Three
"How is he?" Jalena asked Asia as she met her outside of Malik's classroom. She looked at the old wooden door. "Should he really be resting in there?"
Asia shrugged. "That's what he wanted." She shook her head. "Stubborn old wizard. Thankfully, he is sleeping now… Jalena, he doesn't have much longer. He knows this and it makes him restless. He is full of advice for the Council and has had visitors all day but has been asking for you. He is going to burst with irritation if you don't go."
"Jalena!" Malik's voice carried from beyond the door. "I know you're standing there. Get in here—I need to see you!"
"Guess he's awake now," Jalena said. "I'll watch over him," she added when Asia released a tired sigh. "You go rest."
Jalena pushed into Malik's classroom, which had been rearranged to his preference.
The furniture was moved aside to provide space for a large bed that sat in the center of the room. A table topped with books and scrolls was placed on one side of the bed. Malik was propped up on the bed, seemingly smaller and more frail than normal. A blue dome of light stretched out over him.
"It's strange seeing you like this," she said as he beckoned her hurriedly over. "Why in here?"
"It's my hollow," he replied hoarsely with a small smile. "Don't you know all wizards have one?"
Tears instantly filled her eyes as she pulled up a chair and sat beside him.
"No time for that," he said much more gently. "There is much to talk about, and I have gifts for you."
She nodded and wiped her eyes quickly. "What is it?" she whispered.
"Kesól has everything he needs to know about what is necessary to create moonfire, except for the power of the Aléise. However, if you can infiltrate Mordán's country home again somehow, I am sure Akila has more stored."
He grabbed Jalena's forearm. The blue cocoon of light extended around his fingers. "This next set of information is very important. Affera came to visit me. You are to be the keeper of the map and code to the Keys of Alendrial. I have left all of that, including the history of how they came to be, and the Libranin your care."
"What are the Keys of Alendrial?"
"They create portals to other dimensions—one was given to each planet in the Alliance."
"Why do the high priestesses want me to have them?"
"I am unsure, but Drasúl has one already in his possession, so I am certain they will require you to retrieve the one hidden on Elsaria at some point. It is guarded by the Jamboar."
"The Jamboar?"
"The creatures that balance the internal energy of the planet. They are covered in rock and dirt and live in damp caves. I told you about them when you were a child, but it was long ago."
She nodded as her brow furrowed. "I remember now."
He coughed and pointed to his staff. "That is for you also."
Jalena stood and retrieved it. She ran her hand along its length.
"The staff will not work as a conduit once I leave. However, the stone will retain the starlight embedded within it, much like the gladaé does after one departs. You are to take this on your quest to retrieve the keys. I have embedded all instructions within the stone. The stone will also serve as a direct communication link to me."
He chuckled when Jalena lifted her brows in surprise. "My next assignment has already been determined."
"What is it?"
"They have invited me to join the guardian forces as an advisor, and I have accepted.
"This makes you happy," Jalena said as she watched Malik's tired gaze.
"For no other reason than I can watch over you and the others directly. Through the stone, you will be able to hear my voice just as you do now. Then, I'll be the one leaving indecipherable prophetic clues for you all rather than the priestesses."
Jalena smiled and nodded.
"There is one other thing—well a couple." He grabbed the Libran from the table beside him and handed it to Jalena. "Open this to the latest entry."
Jalena did as Malik requested.
"There have been facts of recent events recorded within the Libran, but no prophecy since the one about Aderes and how his actions led to the binding of his heart. I now know that part of the prophecy was referring to Aderes being trapped in the body of a Javen. I also know that the end of the prophecy has yet to be fulfilled."
"Where it says, 'In forced action, darkness bleeds and light is consumed until the fire shall rise?'" Jalena asked.
Malik nodded. "Darkness has indeed spread, but I feel that the end of the prophecy could be transferable to more than one realm now, especially if our enemy escapes. There is always knowledge present in lack of information as clues linger in whatever the priestesses refuse to reveal." He scowled. "I learned this the hard way."
"This is a lot to take in," said Jalena.
"I know, but you are the one that must know. No matter what happens, Drasúl must be stopped. It is within a Javen's nature to drive everything to destruction. He cannot be allowed to live on Elsaria, but he certainly cannot be allowed to spread darkness to other realms either.
"Not all species on other planets have the knowledge to fight Drasúl or the power of the warriors to protect them from harm. If we allow him to escape, the potential destruction he will bring upon others is our responsibility."
"You have my word."
"Do not be fooled by his level of magic. He is a Javen and his power will grow until it stabilizes, but when he stands before you, you will possess all you need to defeat him."
Jalena gave a small smile. "So, is this what you wanted me to see?" she pointed to the latest entry in the book.
"Yes."
"These aren't Faborn runes. Is this a prophecy or…?"
"I have never seen the symbols before or the mark that appeared with them."
Jalena stared at the mark beneath the passage.
"The message arrived today, along with a guest."
"A guest?"
"I took a Xita-8with Fane and retrieved her from the Woven-Light Forest after I saw a bright light fall from the sky. She is a woman from another realm that possesses Goddess energy. Her name—Lunara—was the only thing she spoke before she fell unconscious. She is in the healing chambers now but has yet to awaken."
"You think the message in the Libran is connected to her?"
"I do."
"Priestess Ayuvana claims that she wishes to ask the Order for assistance, particularly yours."
"Why me?"
"That is all the priestess could see. To learn more, you will just have to wait until she is awake."
Jalena nodded and turned as they heard a soft knock at the door.
Gyan and the rest of the master warriors filed into the room. Jalena stood and returned the Libranto the table as the others gathered around Malik's bed.
"Ah, if it isn't the greatest troublemakers an instructor has ever had."
Gyan gave Malik a small smile, attempting to ignore the tightness building in his chest. Somehow, being in Malik's classroom made their visit even more difficult.
A forced chuckle escaped some of the warriors but was quickly followed by silence.
"Wipe those somber expressions off your face. This is a time for celebration, because I will be still annoying you will all my wisdom, just in another way. Besides, you must not lose focus." He raised his eyebrows. "You have a Javen to hunt."
Jarek cleared his throat. "Now that we are becoming more powerful, I guess we don't need crazy wizard teachers bossing us around anymore." He looked at the ground.
Malik smiled. "Kesól can continue that role for me."
Jarek crossed his arms and sniffed. "Yeah, well."
"I will miss you too, Master Jarek."
Jarek looked to the ceiling as tears spilled from his eyes. Malik's eyes shone brightly as he held the group in his gaze. The blue dome of light disappeared as he opened two glowing arms to Jarek.
Jarek's breath caught as he allowed Malik to hug him tightly.
More tears fell from all eyes in the room.
"I hate this," Hoshi said as she wiped her face.
"All of you gather closer," Malik commanded. "I wish to leave you with a gift."
The team moved the nearby table aside and made a circle around him.
Malik's eyes flashed silver-white again as he opened his mind to share his thoughts with the group. "None of you knew of my existence when you first began your training as apreidus, but you must know that I have watched over you from the day you were born. And my starlight always will no matter what form I take or where I journey to. I have visited you in Feyla Forest without your knowledge also, Tarak, after learning of your existence."
The warriors' eyes widened as Malik's memories filled their minds.
Gyan smiled through his tears as he saw Malik's view of him as a baby nestled against his mother in a cloth wrap while walking through the marketplace. The scene shifted before him, and his throat tightened as he saw Aderes running next to him in the forest, laughing and stumbling along the trail. The vision disappeared, and he saw himself watching Jalena train with Shamira from where he sat above them in a nearby tree.
Shared visions of the group when they were apreidus appeared: Gyan asking Master Jabari about the Spear warriors and the group playing together at the Tran Ceiabré or splashing in the sea.
Laughter rang throughout the room as all the warriors saw Master Jabari pulling Jarek and Lorcan apart for wrestling during meditation on the Chinálei; Hoshi and Danika giggling together as Valora knocked Brogan over; Aderes tackling Gyan from the side as Gyan watched Jalena walk past them…
"He's asleep, now," Valora said softly as the memories faded.
The group looked down at Malik, whose skin was pulsing with a soft white glow. A peaceful smile lingered on his face. Each of the warriors quietly said their goodbyes and exited in silence. Gyan remained in the classroom to gaze at the portraits reflecting the Damsé Esprimiente.
I'm going to stay with him, but I'll give you a moment alone, Jalena said to Gyan as she followed the others out of the classroom.
Gyan moved closer to Malik, a fresh set of tears dripping to his cloak. "I'm going to miss you, star wizard." He grabbed Malik's limp hand gently. "Thanks for all that you are, Sir Malik. It has truly been an honor knowing you—a bonus to this life. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have been able to master being a Shanlo under Kesól's teachings."
A burst of glittering light floated up from Malik's open palm and moved into the pendant around Gyan's neck. The pendant lit the room with its silvery blue glow.
Gyan smiled as warmth spread through his chest. "I love you, too," he whispered.
Late into the night, Jalena slept in a chair near Malik's bed with the Libran in her lap. Her head rested on the edge of the bed; one arm was extended across Malik's legs. Her eyelid twitched as a speck of glittering silver light brushed her cheek. More specks joined the first, showering down from above her. She opened her eyes slowly and looked up. Malik's spirit, which was surrounded by a silver-blue glow, floated above her at the end of the bed.
Jalena pushed herself up fully and glanced at Malik's body. Starlight rose and swirled around the room as his body slowly disintegrated.
A burst of light suddenly flooded every corner of the room.
Jalena shielded her eyes and then looked around the room in awe as the light dimmed. Mirages of her at all ages appeared before her, including scenes from her early training sessions with Malik.
Malik's smile widened. "Ever since you were a little girl, I have always guided you," he said. "I had only a view of a fraction of the light you carry within you then. Now," he chuckled, "I have a better vantage point, and I can admit that even I was fooled by your modesty. With my insight, I still did not give you the credit for all that you truly are. You have not yet reached the time when you will see all that you can do, but it will be a sight to behold. I see fully why it is you they entrusted with this large of task."
Jalena stood as her chest tightened. "What task? To end Drasúl?"
He smiled slyly. "It is much more than that. Master Gyan was assigned as your Shanlo, but you are bonded with him in a deeper way than he as your protector. It is why you are drawn to him also."
"I'm not ready to do this without…" Jalena inhaled sharply as she gave Malik a fierce look. "I refuse to let you go," she said as her tears fell. "I will simply miss you too much."
"How can you miss something that never truly leaves?"
Jalena took a deep breath and dropped her gaze as more tears came.
He extended a glowing hand as she approached him. She closed her eyes as he put his hands against her cheek. "Transformation must happen," he whispered. "But, that is all it is. You know where I will be and how to reach me."
Jalena touched Malik's hand for several moments before his spirit form began to fade.
"The road you travel ends with everything you desire. It is my promise to you. Do not forget who you are and lend strength for the others when they are weary."
As Malik's form faded completely, a burst of starlight flooded the room and spread into twinkling lights that fell from the ceiling, repeatedly disappearing and reappearing. Varying sizes of blue and silver spheres of starlight floated around the room. Jalena, tears flowing freely, stretched out fully on Malik's bed and watched the lights dance and shower over her. She smiled through her tears as a memory filled her mind.
Six-year-old Jalena sat straight up in her bed as she heard a soft knock on her bedroom door. Her tangled black hair hung wild around her, cradling her swollen face.
"Jalena, there is someone here to see you," Syam said as he opened her door and peeked in.
She sniffed. "I don't want to see anyone."
"You will when you know who it is."
Syam opened the door wider and Malik strode into the room. "Hello, Jalena."
Jalena's face brightened. "Sir Malik! Why were you gone so long?"
"I had work to do, but I'm back now."
Jalena's eyes filled with more tears. "My nán she is—" She buried her face in her small hands, "—she…went to another…realm—" a fresh sob escaped her.
Malik hurried and knelt next to the bed. "I know," he said softly. "Your father told me. I am sorry, Jalena. But, she is watching you through the stars now, and if you hide your eyes you will not be able to see the light."
Jalena dropped her hands. Her eyes widened as she looked at the ceiling. Varying sizes of silver and blue spheres of starlight floated throughout her room as glittery specks of silver light repeatedly showered down and faded over her. "How long will it stay, Sir Malik?" Jalena whispered in awe.
"As long as you wish it to."
"Then I wish it for—"
"—forever," Jalena said aloud as her focus returned to the present moment. She watched the stars across Malik's classroom ceiling until a deep sleep overtook her.
Several hours later she woke to find Gyan at the edge of the bed, slipping her hand into his and lacing their fingers together. "Gyan," she whispered. She threw her other arm around him.
"Hey," he said softly as he squeezed into the bed beside her. He kissed her and pulled her closer to him, then looked up at the lights around them. "This is the most beautiful I've ever seen this dusty old room be."
"Yes." She chuckled as she buried her face against his chest. "Yes, it is."