CHAPTER 24

“Breaking my heart with absolute tenderness…”

I

Raviex woke up at the sound of the alarm timer in his Visual-C he had set the previous night before he went to sleep. He quickly switched it off before Kyoden was awoken. Hearing his soft snores, he was assured that he did not disturbed his sleep. The time on the Visual-C read half past five in the morning. After washing up, he changed into a set of clean clothes before walking out of Visanté’s house. Putting on his boots, he set off for the beach.

It was a few minutes walk there. The sky was still of a dark patch. The first morning light was faint at the edge of the eastern horizon. The air was cool and fresh. No one was in sight at the beach in his vicinity. He drew his sword which was in its sheath, hung behind him.

He gripped the handle of Letaikno tightly. All his thoughts, all his emotions, he would toss them aside for the time being. It was only him and Letaikno. He remembered Damien’s words when he said, “When the weight of the world is too heavy on your shoulders, take a step back. Concentrate on your interest or favourite pastime, and the mind will ease. And when the mind eases, you will have calmness. With calmness, you will have the courage to face the world again.”

The waves were pleasing music to his ears. He had never heard anything like it. He could feel his worries disappear almost instantly. He held his sword in an attacking stance, letting his mind believe there was an opponent before him. He wielded Letaikno skilfully, practising the arts of the Katelion Blade.

It surprised him so, even now, that he was able to bond with Letaikno so very well in only two years. After King Levon’s death, Letaikno had mysteriously appeared by his side. It was last seen in the King’s hands. How it found its way from Kaza City to the Floating Land, Raviex would never know. All he knew was that he had never loved sword-wielding when he was a young boy.

‘But it is different now,’ thought Raviex, as he spiralled in the air along with Letaikno. He had a duty; the duty to protect his people. There was also a personal motive, which was to avenge his father’s death, to defeat Dark Valkyr and his empire. They were the reasons he wanted to become stronger every passing day. And Letaikno would be his greatest assistance.

Another blade clanked against his. Raviex’s eyes and ears were immediately at their sharpest alert. He had been too engrossed in his own thoughts that he allowed himself to be ambushed and challenged.

Ryn…?

Her eyes were fierce and there was not a trace of her restraining her full ability. Her twin daggers clashed against Letaikno with such agility that he was forced to focus entirely to catch up with her movement. He flipped backwards as she rapidly swept a foot at his feet, causing the white sand to be swiped in the air.

Two daggers were flown at him. One with its master, Letaikno led him to deflect them. Raviex was sure then that the Sword of Katelion indeed was alive. He was not cut off any slack for Christine did not stop there. She kicked at him around the neck but he quickly blocked it with his forearm. Catching and blocking her relentless fists and kicks, he felt his speed heightened.

Suddenly, the girl’s foot sunk much lower into the sand than she expected and lost her balance. Without thinking, Raviex grabbed her arm to steady her. Their eyes met, swiftly aware how close they were. They diverted their sight, however, to the horizon which connected sea and sky, as the rays of the sun burst magnificently, lighting the sky. The stars dimmed and faded from the eyes soon after that.

Discomfited, Raviex released her from his grip and took a step backwards. He cleared his throat nervously and placed Letaikno back into its sheath. Christine’s cheeks flushed a tint of pink as she looked away. They had forgotten they were no longer little children but young teenagers who were heading for adulthood.

“Ryn, I think I err… have to apologise to you about umm… yesterday afternoon,” Raviex started, blushing as he spoke. Christine looked at him. It was the subject they were avoiding, seemingly trying to avoid awkward situations they might be in.

“I… err… actually; I did not expect that to happen and well… I was really only trying to help… and I’m sorry if in any way, I’ve… err… taken advantage of you,” he stammered.

Christine’s face fell at his apology. Only trying to help…?

She averted her gaze from him, wondering why her chest throbbed and ached. “It’s okay. You have nothing to feel sorry about. You did help me a great deal with Estelle. So, ignore whatever happened yesterday. I’m not blaming you for anything.” She gave him a small smile and made her way to the Visanté’s house.

What was I thinking… or hoping? I’m such an idiot.

Raviex watched her back as she went. Why was his conscience yelling at him? Had he done something wrong? He just hoped that by apologising, they could still be as close as before. Why did she walk away from him that way? The look on her face, was it portraying an expression of hurt? He rubbed his neck gently. How he wished he knew what was on her mind.

“You’re up early today, Christine,” greeted Lorenne who was reading a book in the living room.

“I suppose…” Christine replied distractedly. When she felt her eyes on her, she spontaneously asked her what book she was reading.

Lorenne held it up so that she could read the title on its front cover. It read ‘Advanced Sorcery Volume 5 (Time-Casting Counteract)’. She eyed her knowingly. “Is something the matter, Christine?”

The other girl shook her head slowly. “No… I don’t think so.”

“Don’t worry, Christine. Airemi knows what she’s doing,” she said, patting on her shoulder as she got up to the kitchen to help Visanté with breakfast.

Kyoden who entered the scene after exiting his bedroom, in turn sat beside her before the place got too quiet. “Sweetheart, the goddess of love does amazing things all the time. But you’ve got to have a little faith in her.”

“Everyone’s talking nonsense today,” muttered Christine, unsure why she felt crossed all of a sudden. “Airemi has not visited me, okay, Kyoden,” she snapped frostily at him.

He raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? Alright, if that’s the case, I’ll leave you alone. Chill, girl, we’re your friends. We hope for the best for you,” he said sincerely. He leaned forward to her and spoke softly. “I know you had a bad past, Christine, but sometimes, we just have to let it go. You can’t go on living, fearing everyone is out to harm you.”

She stared at him astonishingly. He had actually said something worth listening and sane. Kyoden Kaneshiro had finally managed to earn a small share of respect from her. She nodded slowly and sighed. He was right. She had to start learning to trust people.

“Give him some time; he’ll set the record straight himself. He’s trying to understand his feelings right now,” he added affectionately.

Christine bit her lower lip. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she mumbled, scurrying off into the girl’s room.

Kyoden fell back into his rattan chair, smiling grimly at Raviex who came to the door. “Speak of the devil.”

The Prince slumped into the seat next to his, barefooted. “My head hurts…”

“Not your head, my Prince, it’s your heart which hurts,” corrected Kyoden, finding his way to the kitchen, in search for breakfast. Raviex stared after him, looking perfectly perplexed.

The group of six finished breakfast soon enough, rather, they weren’t given any other choice but to do so. Raviex and Christine were so determined on focusing their eyes on their own plates and in eating that Kyoden feared Visanté’s plates would crack under their tension.

Visanté was currently leading them to the Snare, the name of the place where rebels met openly and boldly. “Did Cedric and Christine have a quarrel? They do not seem very happy this morning,” he asked Sonia, who strode beside him.

Sonia peeked at the duo behind. They were walking at least five metres apart from one another. She sighed, “Visanté, let’s just say those two are hard-headed and prideful beings who simply refuse to admit their feelings on their own initiative.”

“So they like each other?” he asked again, taking a left turn which would lead them to the city.

The strategist frowned. “That’s an agreement between Lorenne, Kaneshiro and I. And when Kaneshiro and I actually agree on a matter, it is bound to be true,” she commented. “That’s because we rarely agree with one another,” she inserted the last part in a mutter.

“Pardon me?”

“Never mind what I said,” she laughed.

As they approached the city, the rotting smell in the air returned to fill their nostrils. They were forced to put up with it. Raviex felt nauseous initially at the stench, but found himself numbed against it later. The tail of his eye caught sight of a small crowd near the ruined gates which they had passed through themselves yesterday evening.

“Visanté!” Raviex called out.

Everyone halted their footsteps and looked at him enquiringly. He pointed with his thumb behind him to indicate the bustle. Visanté craned his neck to see past Kyoden and Raviex who were taller than him and also noticed the crowd of about twenty people.

“Looks like we have more visitors,” he murmured. He broke into a run in the direction. The other five trailed him from the back, guessing endlessly who the visitors were.

“Peace; we mean you no harm.” They heard a female voice rang in the air. Her voice was most pleasant to the ears, soothing and musical. From her thick accent, it was easy to judge her as a Daiburno, a citizen of Daiburn City.

“What is yer purpose ‘ere, girl?” questioned the same aged man who stopped them the day before.

“We are here to help,” she answered truthfully.

The men around her guffawed and one of them shouted jeeringly, “We don’t need help from a lil’ missy and a kid!”

Now that they had positioned themselves in front, Raviex and his friends were able to view the newcomers clearly. There were two of them: A boy and a girl. Since the boy’s height barely reached the girl’s forehead, they assumed he was the younger one. They made a strange pair too for they had nothing in common.

While the boy had fair skin, the girl was tanned. His chest-length hair was black and partially tied up into a small bun at the top of his head. He owned a pair of sharp brown eyes, playful and determined. She, on the other hand, had waist-length wavy brown hair which was tied over her left shoulder with a silver ribbon. Her silver-grey eyes were inescapable proof of her origin from Daiburn City for they were the trademark of the pure Daiburnos. Sonia presumed the boy was from a different place.

“Get outta our sight! We sure don’t need a bunch of kids running around!” yelled another intolerantly.

“Watch who you are talking to, mister,” the boy said quietly. He spoke Exodian in a peculiar accent, a blend of Daiburno and Flamese accent— the native language for the people of Flame City which was located on the Phillarion Continent, the continent down south on the world map. A round wine urn, the size of a football, was bounced on his deftly hand.

“Shenjoon, please,” the girl cautioned him.

“Or what, boy? You gonna pee in your pot?” The men roared in laughter.

Suddenly, Raviex saw a blur of brown flying towards the man who insulted him. A sickening thud was heard before the man was knocked out on the spot on his head. He realised it was the wine urn the boy was carrying. It returned to its master’s arms faithfully.

“Shenjoon!” chided the girl disapprovingly.

“I was only defending myself from their nasty insults, Yexi!” Shenjoon protested before he pursed his lips defiantly.

“You will pay for your impudence, boy!” The men were red in the face from embarrassment and anger. They began rolling up their sleeves and motioned towards the duo. Christine went to their side steadfastly and glared at their men.

“Back off!” she thundered.

The men stood rooted to the ground. They had seen her fight Ismael yesterday and they weren’t quite sure they wanted to pick a fight with her. But seven men foolishly charged at her. Christine smirked. “Don’t blame me for this! You have picked a VERY wrong time to play with me. Angel’s Flight!”

The seven men were bewildered as she suddenly vanished before their very eyes, a trail of blue aura swarmed around them in her wake. Punches and kicks were landed on their bodies and they could do nothing to fend themselves. She was never a very forgiving person, especially when she was in a terrible mood. She struck them hard, like mere punching bags.

The men fainted and fell to the ground within seconds. Christine came to a pause, her arms crossed. She glowered at the other men coldly, as if goading them to fight her. They, however, glanced at one another before retreating. They did not want to end up like those who were spread on the ground.

“That was awesome!” Shenjoon stepped up to her, grinning admirably.

Christine’s countenance altered to a friendlier one as she smiled at him. “You’re not too bad yourself. You’re called Shenjoon?” He nodded delightfully and they shook hands.

“Don’t be too full of yourselves! You will pay for what you did to my men!” the aged men shouted, his greying beard rustled at his bristling breaths. He drew from his waist a crooked dagger of which the Kazans called a keris.

“Pak Kishak! With all due respect, sir, it was your men who primarily tried to attack these innocent people,” defended Visanté, stepping in front of Christine and Shenjoon.

“We do this to protect our people. Dymaz’s strength will decrease so long as no new human resources reach him,” snapped Kishak.

“It doesn’t matter if he requires new men or not, Pak Kishak. You’ve fought his ten-men-army yourself. They are the same ten men! He doesn’t require new soldiers. If you and your men continue with your stubbornness and disallow external help, then Kaza City will never be restored!” reasoned Visanté, tired of his obstinacy.

Kishak grunted. He knew the youngster was right but he refused to admit it publicly. “When we welcomed those government officers, hoping they would take Dymaz away, they never did. They sided him, betrayed us. Why should we trust outsiders now with our own battle?”

“Then allow me to clarify our status,” the Daiburno girl voiced out. The two round bells at the sides of her waist jingled as she walked to Shenjoon’s side. “I am the Yamist of Inspiration, Tao-Yang Yexi. My husband here, Tao-Yang Shenjoon, is the Messenger of Inspiration. We are sent by the goddess Elinas on a journey to Kaza City, in which case, to help those who is in need.”

A bizarre silence hung in the air. The crowd wasn’t sure if their ears had misheard what she said. Kyoden nudged Raviex and whispered to him. “How, in Kaisen’s name, did that boy end up with such a gorgeous wife with his age!?” Raviex shrugged. He didn’t think it was in the norm for such a young boy to marry, what else to say, a girl who was a few years his senior. Christine eyed Shenjoon teasingly and giggled. “So you’re married!”

His ears were a bright pink as he coughed. “My parents’ wish… Anyway, I think the main point here is that we’re here to help.”

“What proof do you have to your identity?” questioned Kishak disbelievingly.

“Some people can be so distrustful,” remarked the boy.

“Shenjoon, please be polite,” reminded Yexi, and then said, “Show them my Scroll.”

“Why should we waste our efforts if they don’t appreciate it?” he grumbled. Nonetheless, he held out his left hand and commanded, “Scroll of Light, show thyself!”

A silver orb descended from the heavens and hovered right above his palm. It melted away and a rolled-up scroll was seen. Everyone who was present bowed their head in respect for the holy item which was granted from Amaea.

“Return to thy home, Scroll of Light,” said Shenjoon softly. The same silvery orb formed and took away the Scroll from the mortals’ eyes and ascended into the skies. “Is that a good enough proof to all of you?” he asked.

“Iron evidence it is,” muttered Kishak.

“So, please, hear me out,” spoke Yexi. “You must call off your attempt today to declare war against Lord Dymaz. Your people are not ready for it yet, Yamist of Bravery,” she continued firmly, referring to Visanté.

Visanté’s jaw tightened. She was right and he was more than glad to do so. “Very well, Yexi.”

“Thank you,” she replied to his cooperation.

Kishak snorted. “I knew they won’t be able to make it.”

“Do not misunderstand me, Mr. Kishak. I am not saying that they are weak but it is the will of the Light that this day shall not be the day of bloodshed. I am a tool of the Light. I speak as how the gods inspires me to. The Light has heard your people’s cries and now, they will be saved,” said Yexi in confidence.

Those who heard her speak became hopeful. They were reassured of their faith and grateful for their prayers were answered. Lorenne, Christine and Visanté, too received a strong lift in their morale and faith through her speech. They were the selected ones who served the Light directly, a burden but a pride.

“Gather all your men who are against the evil governor, regardless of any political sides. Meet at the place which you call ‘the Snare’ in an hour. There, two important revelations shall be made and a vital decision must be made.”

II

An obese and bald man sat before a long table, served with a meal fit for a king. His bottom took up the space of the specially-made chair for him which could be sitten by three persons. His large tummy put an inconvenient distance between the table and him. His huge hand reached out and grabbed a slab of meat from the salver and ate it greedily, licking his fingers after that.

A lean man fully clad in a black cloak, from head to toe, with its long collar sticking up, concealing his face partially, came into the dining hall and stood at the other end of the table, facing the alarmingly overweight man. His beetle-like coal black eyes were fixed on him in a cold manner. He was here for business and solely for that purpose.

“Lord Dymaz.”

The other started, being too engrossed in his meal. He found it disturbing the way he spoke in that raspy and hissing voice. He lifted his head sluggishly to see him, his podgy neck barely visible under all the chunks of flesh.

“Kontonaku, it is you! Oh, you gave me quite a fright!” exclaimed Lord Dymaz.

Kontonaku did not bother with the greetings and went straight to his point of meeting the governor. “I have come to inform you of an urgent matter.”

Lord Dymaz had resumed his feasting. “What is it?” He said with his mouth still full.

“The Kazans are planning to strike back again.”

He stared at the tall man blankly with his small eyes, which was followed with a loud chortle. “They never give up, do they? Ah, do what you do best, Kontonaku. I’m sure it will be a breeze for you as like the other six times.”

His remote expression did not change. The large hoop-like earrings which he wore tinkled as he moved a step forward. “I think you are not aware of the situation now. This battle will be a tough one, even for me. There are four Yamists and four Messengers in your city now!”

“Then, finish them off. I don’t pay you lavishly for nothing,” said Lord Dymaz, as if it were an everyday news that Yamists and Messengers met in his city to threaten his seat of power.

“I have warned you, Lord Dymaz, if I fail, I will not go alone. You will be coming along with me,” snapped Kontonaku menacingly. With that, he stormed off. Lord Dymaz carried on, not the least perturbed by his threat.