TCO: Chapter Three

As the night wore on, and after many congratulations were offered, Gyan made his way east of the temple to Ceiabré Forest to join the other light warriors for their extended celebration. The moist, cool air enhanced the sweet smell of plants and flowers that grew wild throughout the forest.

Like many who grew up near the forest, Gyan took the brilliant colors and sweet scents of Yevani for granted, as if any other conditions reflecting less than his current surroundings were unimaginable.

He easily found the well-worn path in Ceiabré Forest that led directly to the set of waterfalls that served as a popular spot for Yevani youth. Over the years, the falls had become a haven of escape from elder gatherings.

Gyan absentmindedly dodged some incoming neon orange lightbugs leisurely floating along the forest path as his thoughts strayed to the recent ceremonial events and then to Jalena. He had never interacted with her much, and although not much was shared, it was enough to keep her in his mind the entire path.

He had always been taken with her, even when they were children, but remained distant when they were younger, more due to intimidation than anything. Her beauty, of course, intrigued him, but he was drawn to her for more than that without knowing exactly why. Yet, he doubted that she thought of him in the same manner and had no reason to believe that her feelings for him were anything more than friendship.

"So, did she chew you up and spit you out?" A voice called from the edge of the forest.

Gyan smiled as he caught sight of Aderes casually leaning up against a tree along the forest path. "Not…exactly. She's actually supposed to come to the falls later…guess she just couldn't resist my wit."

"Right. You were a real charmer back there—choking all over yourself." Aderes laughed.

Gyan scowled lightly. "Very funny."

"She just didn't want to let you down on your big night, I imagine," continued Aderes as he joined Gyan on the path. He slapped a hand on Gyan's shoulder. "She'll have plenty of time to reject you after we start training together."

Gyan smiled and pushed Aderes to the side so that Aderes stumbled off-trail.

"Don't worry though…" Aderes called as he jogged to catch up to Gyan, "…I'll still be around to get you over your unavoidable heartbreak."

The roar of falling water became louder, and the clearing that marked the presence of the falls soon came into view. Tonight, the area was lit up with standing torches and strings of light placed at different points around the falls. Friends and couples were gathered around, sitting on large boulders overlooking the large pool of water that housed three waterfalls known as the Tran Ceiabré, or the Three Crystals.

The waterfalls were considered a mystery for many residents in Yevani, for they radiated a brilliant blue-white light during the night when the two moons of Elsaria reached their peak. During the day, however, the falls appeared like any other waterfall on the planet. Many in the kingdom believed the falls to be magical, but Gyan remained uncertain of the validity of the rumors regarding the falls' healing powers.

"Aderes, Gyan—over here!" called Valora, waving from atop a large boulder.

The two made their way to their favorite spot of boulders near the water's edge where the other warriors had already gathered. Hoshi and Brogan sat next to each other on the sand, their backs against a boulder. Hoshi moved over to make room for Aderes and Gyan.

"Where are the others?" Aderes asked.

"Danika isn't here yet, and Lorcan and Jarek are riding the falls or, rather, competing to see who the biggest moron is," replied Valora.

Riding the falls was often done, despite parental objection, to test one's level of courage. The participants slid over one of the three falls at the same time and whoever reached a designated mark first, sustaining the least injuries, won.

"Now, Valora, that is no way to talk about your fellow light mates," said Jarek from behind her.

Valora jumped in surprise, her leg accidentally flinging out and into the side of Brogan's head.

"Hey!" exclaimed Brogan as Hoshi doubled over in laughter.

"Sorry, Brogan!" gasped Valora.

Jarek and Lorcan, still dripping with water, playfully pulled Valora off the boulder to the ground. As Lorcan held her shoulders, Jarek shook his violet hair, sprinkling water all over her, then stole her seat on the boulder.

"Jarek!" she protested.

"Yeah, we'll remember what you called us when you need our help escaping some dangerous creature one day," Lorcan added, laughing and slapping Jarek's hand as Valora pushed herself up.

"You…save me?" Valora smirked. "I think it would be the other way around. Besides, you'll get yours. Just wait 'til we meet at the chinálei again."

Lorcan and Jarek's smiles disappeared, which caused the other warriors to laugh. Gyan could understand why Lorcan and Jarek stopped laughing, for Valora had several sparring moves that were guaranteed to make her partners sore for the rest of the week.

"Come now, Valora," said Brogan, smiling, "surely they can be forgiven."

"No way."

"Well, in that case, someone replace her water with wine and maybe she'll forget," said Lorcan, making everyone laugh again.

The conversation soon shifted to thoughts about the next phase of training.

"What is there left to study?" asked Hoshi. "We've been training for years."

"Maybe they'll teach us to fly," said Jarek. His brown, red-haloed gaze brightened at the thought.

Lorcan scoffed. "You wish. Pilots make up a separate part of the Order, I think."

"Master Shamira's a pilot," interjected Valora, "so that could be part of the training."

"I heard we study the customs of different civilizations in more detail and advanced skills that improve our power further. Other than that, I don't know," said Gyan, shrugging. "The Elder Masters don't disclosed much."

"We forge our light gladaé at some point," added Jarek. "At least that's what dán says."

Hoshi nodded. "During master training."

The group continued to discuss upcoming training possibilities and their thoughts about ceremony as Gyan's mind drifted in and out of the conversation.

Feeling restless, he decided to go for a swim, all the while glancing, for what seemed like the hundredth time, at the path leading away from the falls. To his dismay, the trail remained clear. By the time many of the warriors left to go home, Jalena still had not arrived.

"Better luck next star," Aderes said a while later as he watched Gyan closely. "Eh," he waved a hand nonchalantly, "Jalena's too intense anyway. She's kind of scary."

Gyan's responding laugh was shallow. "Scary is good."

As the exhaustion from the day's events took over, the thought of sleep was too inviting to refuse any longer.

"You wanna go?" Aderes said as he stifled a yawn. "It will be light soon."

"No, not yet…. You go ahead. I'll wait."

"Don't hold your breath, mate," Aderes said as he stood.

The last of the Tran Ceiabré visitors followed Aderes away from the falls.

The first rays of orange and blue morning light began to peak over the horizon as Gyan climbed to one of his favorite spots atop the fall cliffs. Deciding that he would just wait a bit longer, he settled underneath a large, drooping Tear Drop tree to watch the rise of the day's first, morning star.