TBC: Chapter Thirty-Three

"This is the land where you grew up, Sir Malik?" asked Jarek, a look of wonder in his eyes. He stared out the cockpit window as the Xita-8 flew low over Woven-Light Forest.

Malik nodded. "It is the most beautiful kingdom in all of Elsaria. I have not returned for many years though."

"I see how the Woven-Light Forest attained its name," Gyan stated as he stared at the forest beneath them. Beams of golden light seeped through the green treetops and into the sky as if the forest were blanketing pots of gold below the tree canopies.

"There is a mineral found in the ground here—Uthandrial—that gives the ground its golden glow," Malik replied. He steered the ship south. "It is even found in the trunks of the forest trees, causing the bark and the leaves to take on a golden hue. But, that is not the only marvel in Eltia."

Gyan smiled as they passed over a wide, rapid river.

"The Uthandrial River," said Malik.

"It runs different shades…" Gyan said in awe.

"…with streaks of gold," Jarek finished.

"You are in for more delight when you see the grounds of the Mystic Woodlands," Malik stated.

"Why would you ever leave this place?" Jarek asked.

"There was no reason for me to stay after the Elsarian Wars," Malik replied gravely. "When I first shared my teachings with the ascetas, I was still living in Eltia with the Inala and traveled back and forth. My travels became so frequent that I eventually moved to the Celestine Temple to work full time."

The three continued toward the mountain range that surrounded the city of Lumania. Trees of blue, green, and varying shades of red laced the sides of the Majest Mountains. Waterfalls of violet, blue, and gold spilled over the sides of the mountains surrounding the city. Jewels Gyan had never seen before lay embedded within the mountain, creating the most visually elaborate landscape he had ever witnessed.

Malik lowered the Xita-8down onto a clearing near a lake on the outskirts of Lumania. Standing at the edge of the clearing to greet the visitors were four Inala males, dressed in long, white cloaks bearing the Inala Crest on their back—three stars aligned vertically within a diamond shape. Each held a thin, jewel-encrusted staff in their left hand.

The Inala are very cunning and suspicious. They will be hesitant about allowing you further in the city unless they feel comfortable with you, Malik said telepathically as the three emerged from the ship. Being a warrior will help, but they will scan your mind for any sign of darkness and then decide if you are permitted into the city. It will feel slightly uncomfortable but do not block them.

With their varying shades of reddish-brown hair, sharp features, pale skin, and ice-blue eyes, the Inala race was well represented by the men who waited to meet the three.

Malik, Gyan, and Jarek bowed in greeting.

A tall, long-haired man stepped forward and scanned each in the group with narrowed eyes.

Gyan felt a chill flow through him as he met the man's gaze. A cold feeling swept his mind as if someone had splashed iced water over his brain. It left a strange feeling even though it only lasted a couple of seconds.

Weird, Jarek said to Gyan as he shook his head.

The man tapped his fingers in the middle of his forehead in greeting and the other three men mimicked his gesture.

"Mysteis Malik, your presence in your homeland has been missed for too long," the man stated with a smooth voice. "Perhaps current darkness stirs because you abandon your past."

"You know the reason I left, Nafín," Malik responded in a low voice.

Nafín raised an eyebrow. "I know the reason you stated," he corrected. "Nevertheless, perhaps you bring hope with your return visit." He looked to Jarek and Gyan. "And your light companions?"

"Master Jarek and Master Gyan," Malik stated. "We are here to see Priestess Ayuvana."

"She is expecting you," Nafín said. "Follow us."

Nafín led the group up a winding stone path adorned with thin, rectangular blue glowing lamps hanging from silver vines. The path aligned the edge of a mountain and led to a building of bright, iridescent glass that stood at the base of the city. Gyan and Jarek followed the group unhurriedly, taking in the magical site before them.

Lumania stretched across the entire valley between three expansive mountain ranges. Stones and glass of every color embedded the buildings of the city, reflecting a canvas of colorful beams all around as the light from Elsaria's day stars reflected off the décor. Enormous trees of all shapes and colors outnumbered and intertwined with buildings and homes throughout the city, the branches and vines being just as much a part of the architecture as glass or stone. Glowing spheres and stars of colorful light and various crystal ornaments hung from tree branches, illuminating the magic within the city even more. A gentle ringing of chimes filled the air as a light breeze rustled the large and colorful leaves of the surrounding trees.

"Sir Malik, what type of glass is the large building at the base of the mountain made of?" Jarek asked. "I have never seen a silver shine like that on a building before."

Malik smiled. "It is not glass you are seeing, Master Jarek. It is water."

As the group reached the tall building, the warriors understood more about how the building was formed. The ceiling architecture controlled the thick flow of falling water, creating an illusion of glass where light stuck its surface.

Gyan and Jarek slowed their pace even more, fascinated by the uniqueness of the design. The water lifted into an archway, creating a passage further into Ayuvana's palace of trees and glowing gold and silver stone. The sides of the palace rose high into a cathedral-shaped arch.

The team was led up a long winding staircase aligned with diamond-shaped lamps. The path continued up to the largest tree the warriors had ever seen, which grew directly in the middle of the palace. Its top could not be seen from the ground below. Blossoms of all colors mixed with leaves of silver and gold showered down onto a white stone floor.

"Sir Malik, you have finally returned," a smooth, light voice called out from above.

The group looked up to see a lady in a long, flowing white gown trimmed in gold standing on a thick branch of the tree. Her pale skin and ice-blue eyes mimicked those of her race. A thin browband of dangling golden vines adorned her long, red hair. Small ornaments of gold were intertwined in her hair, matching the glowing gold and silver jewelry that dangled from her neck, arms, and wrists. A thick golden cuff in the shape of a serpent clasped the bicep of her upper left arm.

"Wow," Jarek whispered.

"Lady Ayuvana," Malik called up to the priestess as he bowed. "I am honored to finally enter your presence once more."

Ayuvana watched the three closely as she moved down from the tree's trunk by way of a silver, vine-encrusted staircase with her gown trailing behind her. She reached the group and turned her lingering gaze upon the two warriors, studying Gyan the longest.

Gyan shuddered as his insides turned to ice. He remembered hearing stories about the Inala race as an apreidus. The race was one of the first on Elsaria. Although they were generally peaceful, they were known to be less empathetic and were often labeled as more selfish than other races. The priestess was said to possess an ability to scan a person's past or future, so she chose the leaders in the society from birth through use of her gift. As a race, the Inala were known for making keen judgments that served their society in the most productive ways. Their knowledge of the land led them to build vast structures that lasted centuries. Their cleverness and unified beliefs also made Lumania one of the most secure places in all Elsaria.

Ayuvana touched her fingers to her forehead and gestured outward to the warriors. The two returned her greeting with a bow. She turned back to Malik. "I already know why you have come, Mysteis," she said. "It is only with the turn of dark that you would return. I felt it long ago." Her gaze returned to Jarek and Gyan. "The warriors of light are prepared for what lies before them?"

"They are," responded Malik. "I bring with me Master Jarek and Master Gyan."

"My people have endured the hardship and following recovery from the effect of the Elsarian Wars. Since that time, our race has sought the necessary wisdom to defend themselves if anything similar ever happened again, for I will not allow darkness to enter these realms. If Mordán attempts to bring it here, he will not survive."

"Then all of Elsaria will need your help, Lady Ayuvana," Malik said. "The balance of the planet may be at stake."

"I will protect my people and secure this territory first, but you have my alliance if Mordán is not prevented from expanding his realm into most of Elsaria. Power gathered for dark desires is what led to the destruction of races in Eltia to long ago."

Malik studied Ayuvana curiously. "What is it that you know, milady?"

"A Mysteis, born of the traitor, Nemerus, is assisting Mordán."

"We have learned this, also," Malik said.

"But, you must take caution, Malik. She assists him only in serving her own motive—to take revenge against you."

Gyan and Jarek glanced at Malik in surprise.

Unmoved, Malik only sighed. "She has been misled."

"You have suspected this then?" Ayuvana asked.

"Yes."

"Then, I trust that you are ready." She peered at Malik for several moments. Her eyes narrowed in curiosity. "Walk with me…alone."

Nafín turned to Jarek and Gyan. "You may come with us to rest and eat."

Malik nodded his approval and the group separated.

"You have not told anyone have you?" Ayuvana asked Malik as the two walked along a stone path leading in the opposite direction from where the visitors entered.

"Of what?"

Ayuvana looked at Malik knowingly. "Your star energy."

Malik paused and looked out over the city to the lake in the distance as the second Elsarian star slipped out of sight beyond a bordering mountain. "No…I have not." He lowered his voice. "After all these years you remain the sharpest of your kind, Priestess. I have discovered none other who is as keen."

Ayuvana's polite smile did not reach her eyes. "You wish this," she stated rather than asked.

"I do." Malik sighed. "I am ready for the next chapter of my journey…but my time is not yet finished. I can leave no Mysteis on these lands, especially not one from my family. We may be one of the most powerful species that existed in Elsaria, but a curse of greed for power lies within my family tree. None of my kind must remain. I believe I have lived this long to finish this task and for one other."

"Which is?"

"To spend a little more time as a guide for the warriors—for one in particular. It is only after that time will I journey back into the stars."

"You have served as her guide—the one the priestesses of the planet refer to as the queen of the light-bringers—from her birth."

Malik nodded. "She is the main reason I moved to Alsar. I am not sure what her task is, but it goes beyond what I can predict at this time."

"My sight does not reveal it either," said Ayuvana, "which means that her task may be linked to a place beyond these realms. Master Gyan is in love with her, but his future is hidden."

"Yes. I believe their destinies are intertwined, but I do not know in what way."

Ayuvana's expression became stern. "Malik, Mordán is seeking a way to strengthen his army. He searches for a power that lies in magic. The warriors must not underestimate his potential. With a star witch at his side, he could have access to the dark magic that aided Nemerus."

"I believed that knowledge to be destroyed when Amedia was attacked during the war."

"My people did not find any remaining documents linking to Nemerus after searching the lands," Ayuvana stated. "However, we did not discover Akila's existence until she was seen near the ruins of Amedia not long ago. If she had found and hidden the knowledge, then we cannot be certain of what she has learned. All I have seen of her energy is that she is powerful and dangerous. The lust for dominance is strong in her spirit as it was in her father."

"That is what concerns me most. Descendants of my blood are unable to control the flow of their lust for power."

Ayuvana took Malik's hand and placed her other hand over his—a gesture of affection not often displayed among the Inala people. She softly traced the royal blue tribal markings on Malik's hand and wrist with her finger. The markings, along with his skin, began to glow.

Malik blinked several tears from his shining silvery eyes. He smiled in surprise as Ayuvana grinned in response to the light that emerged.

She squeezed his hand. "And yet you, my dear old friend, remained encased in the light of the stars after centuries of believing you were the only one of your people remaining on this planet." She met his gaze. "You are the reason that balance was returned to our land. The warriors are indebted to you as all who have lived on Elsaria are since the time of your birth, many centuries ago. It is not because of blood that people turn to darkness, Mysteis. Remember, as it flows through you, it has also been your blood that has brought the warmth of light."

The light from Malik's eyes and skin slowly dimmed. He bowed to Ayuvana. "You have touched the light of my soul with your words, milady. But more so, it is your unwitnessed smile that has remained hidden from me until this moment that will warm my heart for the rest of my days."