Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Oryan lifted his unconscious taskmaster from the fiery ground onto a cart. Other harvesters were propping themselves against Elka vines, ignoring the sharp thorns piercing their skin. Oryan stopped wiping sweat off his brow because he had no perspiration left. Turning his head to the left, he saw three other men collapsed on the ground.

“Luka, they can’t be on the ground! Help me get them on the cart.” Oryan faltered toward the three men.

“Oryan, save your energy. The cart won’t help. You see how burnt his face is! Only hope is the stone.” Luka called back.

Oryan saw an unconscious young blonde, too young to be a harvester, just started a week ago, with a bloody, charred right cheek. His right eyelid gone. Scoffing at Luka’s inaction, Oryan dug his feet into the fiery, ash ground and lunged toward the boy. Lifting at the young man’s shoulders, he dragged him toward the cart.

“You’re just burning his back, fool,” Luka said.

With resentment, Oryan heaved the boy above his shoulder and carried him the final distance. Winning the respect of the others, five harvesters volunteered to help Oryan carry the two other unconscious men to the cart.

“We should send someone to the Center to get fresh water,” Oryan said.

The harvesters started laughing. Oryan’s head sank.

“Water? Boiling water to cook us up nice.” Luka struck Oryan’s shoulder. “You need to understand the situation, O. Our village is burning, and the only protection we have is that stone and your little girly friend.”

Oryan didn’t doubt Presti’s ability, but he doubted the sap. The village’s fate didn’t depend on Presti; it depended on the men who surrounded him. He didn’t know the Purity Stone’s location, and such secrecy felt unfair and made him helpless.

***

In the chamber of the Sanctuary, everything was still. In the chamber of Presti’s body, everything was violent. Her mind raced with insecurity. Her heart beat with fear. Her skin burned with fire. Ritual preparation that normally soothed her soul now felt needless.

After placing the heavy ceremonial robe over her shoulders, she tied its five cords. The dense wool scraped against her bare back and suffocated her skin. The rubies from her headdress rattled against each other. Presti flinched as she slid the white slippers onto her feet, the most injured part of her. She placed the three vials in the pocket of her robe.

Now, fully dressed, she recited the ancient chants from the center of the room. Stopping mid-chant, she dashed to the Sanctuary’s door and latched it shut. There wasn’t time for mistakes, and she had made one. Unsettled, she returned to the center of the room and began the chant again.

As the final chant finished in a hum, a yellow glow escaped from the pearl walls. This yellow glow caressed Presti’s legs, sending a sudden chill up her spine. Eventually, the glow transformed from a transparent mist into a solid liquid, concentrated around Presti’s lower body. The smell of honey and lilies intoxicated Presti’s senses. Feeling serene, all the muscles in her body relaxed. The yellow liquid lifted her body toward the ceiling. After hearing a rushing wind, Presti lost consciousness.

***

            Searing heat ate at Esis’s bruised knees. She hid in a thicket, with no intention of saying goodbye to her living loved ones. She convinced herself that this was the end. Presti and the Purity Stone were no longer her salvation. Now that Emiline was dead, it was justice. Someone innocent lost her life; it was only fair that everyone else burn as well. She pressed her hand flat against the ground and allowed the sting of fire to singe her palm. Gritting her teeth, she pulled her injured hand to her stomach. This is how she wanted to die, by her own choice.

            Esis lifted her body with renewed strength, and sprinted toward Westin Creek. Death by forced drowning felt more courageous. Carefully choosing her route, she avoided heavily populated areas. She decided to run through Malon’s Forest and didn’t even allow the Center to come into her view. Plowing through Malon’s Forest, she saw mothers and fathers forcing their children to climb the trees. She hadn’t considered that Malon’s Forest would become a sanctuary from the hot ground. The terror in the children’s eye slowed her sprint.

            “Esis, help us,” Rabbi begged.

            Despite the heat, the widow still wore her heavy smock for modesty and worked hard to bring the children to safety.

            “Esis, stop! The children need your help!”

            “I have something I need to do,” Esis snapped.

            “There are only a few more children who need to climb the trees. Surely, you can spare a few minutes.”

            “No one can spare a few minutes, Rabbi. Our world is burning. I need to do something while I still have time to do it.” She sprinted away without further explanation.

Once she cleared the forest, Esis heard hysteria behind her. The screams sounded so horrific, her compassion forced her to return. The trunks of the trees had caught fire. The children reached for their parents’ embrace, but the flames prevented anyone from saving them.

Esis ignored the searing pain, climbed the first tree, and rescued three children by lowering them to their parents. She jumped from the first tree to the second. She released two children to Rabbi.

“The Purity Stone knew we needed a warrior.” Rabbi said as she gave a rescued child to her mother.

Only one child remained, hugging a tree limb, refusing to let go. Prying the girl from the limb, Esis pulled the girl to her chest, and leapt to the ground.

“Whose girl is this?” Esis asked.

 Parents ushered their children out of the forest, but no one came forward for the girl nestled in her arms.

“Whose girl is this?” Esis repeated.

“I suppose she was separated from her parents in the confusion,” a father said.

“Well, someone take her. I can’t carry her. I need to leave now.” Esis felt the child’s arm tighten around her neck.

Rabbi convinced the child to come to her, but only after bribing her with candy. The girl sheepishly waved goodbye to Esis. Running to safety, the families thanked Esis for her heroic rescue.

“I may have saved you from the flames, but only Presti can save you from the fire.” Esis whispered under her breath.

***

As if waking from a restful night, Presti gradually gained awareness of her surroundings. The gold lines painted on the ebony walls appeared more luminous than usual. The apex of the Sanctum appeared too narrow, as if something had changed. Nevertheless, the Purity Stone faithfully hovered seven feet above her, perfect in consistency.

Presti hastily emptied the three vials of Elka sap onto the floor. The sap seeped into the floor’s cracks and then slithered up the walls. The sap collected at the apex, directly above the Purity Stone.

Presti cried, “Release!”

Rushing downward, the sap poured onto the Purity Stone, coating the entire sphere. Instantly, Presti’s body revived. Rubbing her hands, she felt silk instead of charred flesh. Her eyes, which once were too dry for tears, now filled with cool liquid. Her heartbeat no longer raced with fear, now it raced with jubilation.

Desiring to linger in the Sanctum, she sunk to the floor and wrapped her arms around her knees. Breathing heavy sighs of relief, an ethereal presence throbbed inside her. She gently rocked back and forth, and for the first time, she whispered words of gratitude, “Thank you. Thank you. We’re safe. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” A gentle, yet authoritative voice resonated inside her.

Presti’s head cautiously lifted. Seeing no one before her, she whirled her body to see behind her. Again nothing. She stood erect and attempted to rationalize the voice away. Cautiously walking backwards, she headed toward the exit. Her back found the red door. Her fingers searched for the handle while her eyes remained alert.

“Are you leaving?” The man’s voice came again.

Presti found the handle, twisted it, fell backwards, and locked the door behind her. She entered the hallway. The dirt hallway twisted and morphed. Not able to look back, she pressed forward, following the ever-changing path. Running with these changes, she hoped she would reach surface alone.

***

Esis listened to the gentle rolling of a peaceful creek. The water only came to her knees. Her body, now healed, encouraged emotions of euphoria and pleasure. However, grief haunted her like a shadow. Lying on her back, she allowed the water to cover her body. Last, her face sunk under the rippling water. She didn’t take a breath before entering.

The earth pushed Presti onto the surface with great force. Falling on ashen ground, she collected herself before standing. Taking in her surroundings, she saw Westin Creek before her and the Elka fields farther to the east. She decided to run to the Elder’s Keep to warn them about the intrusive voice. Before departing, she saw a person resting in the water. This can’t be. The hallway can only send me to isolated locations. No one can see me return to the surface.

            Presti hid behind a tree. She peeked around its large trunk and saw Esis’s lifeless body. After trudging through the water, she lifted her dead friend’s head. Large droplets fell from Esis’s eyes, as if uncried tears still needed to fall. Pale-faced and unresponsive, Presti barely recognize her warrior friend. She pulled her toward the creek’s edge and screamed for help. Knowing no one could hear her, she attempted to revive her friend.

            Esis’s skin wasn’t burnt. The fire hadn’t burned her, but the water had consumed her. Presti looked at the water, only a few feet deep. She shook Esis’s body. Only two options— murder or suicide.

             The hallway would have surely collapsed by now, leaving no evidence of its ever being there. Presti carried her friend to the hill’s slope, away from the creek. Presti whispered a few heartfelt goodbyes and then ran toward the Center, hoping to see Esis’s family. Not knowing how she would break the news, her legs refused to reach full speed. On her journey to the Center, she passed various villagers who celebrated her victory.

            “The Purity Stone has protected us once again! We are indebted to you, Presti!”

            “We knew you would save us!”

            “I never doubted you for a moment. The Purity Stone will never allow us to perish!”

            A half-hearted smile flashed on her face as she continued toward the Center. Some of these villagers began following her, shouting more words of gratitude. Before she could see the Center, she heard music and laughter echoing off its cobblestone floor. Her arrival came with a boom of celebration. Even with the crowd closing in on her, Presti made a deliberate effort to find Esis’s parents.

            “They remained in their tent. They are still grieving Emiline’s death,” one gatekeeper said.

            “Will you please forgive me? I need to excuse myself. I need to speak with them.” Presti started toward the tent block.

            “Leave? Why this celebration is in your honor!” the gatekeeper said.

            “I am grateful. However, my best friend’s family is suffering, and I need to be with them.”

 Presti knew everyone would continue to insist she stay, so she didn’t give them the opportunity. Presti left for the tent block without further explanation.

***

            A tent, which once comfortably housed eight children, now made Oryan feel cramped. He listened to Mil unashamedly weep into her daughter Emiline’s blanket. He watched Ry sharpen his daughter Esis’s sword. Oryan remained motionless, his shoulders tight.

            “We haven’t seen our eldest daughter since we learned of Emiline’s passing.” Ry perceived Oryan’s uneasiness. “I don’t know when Esis will come home.”

            “I wanted to visit you as well, not just your daughter.”

Ry looked with pity on his inconsolable wife, but couldn’t bring himself to embrace her. The sound of her weeping and the slicing of metal against stone remained the only two sounds in the tent. Just as Oryan felt the need to break the silence, Ry spoke again.

            “Were the Elka vines badly burnt during the heat scare? Do we have anything left?”

            Oryan didn’t make eye contact with Ry, and his shoulders sagged. “We haven’t done a full inspection. The taskmaster wanted us to spend time with our families tonight. We have a full day’s work ahead of us tomorrow. We’ll know more then.”

            “Rumor says that Elka vines were already failing before tonight. That is why the heat elevated today.”

            Oryan hated rumors, especially true rumors.

            “Oh Ry, leave the boy alone. He’s gone through enough today without your questions!” Mil said.

            “My family’s safety is affected by the boy’s work. I think it is within my rights to ask a few questions.”

            “He’s only a harvester. Bother the taskmaster, if you’re concerned.” Mil raised her grief –stricken body and approached Oryan. She rested her palm on his cheek.

            “Thank you for your visit. We appreciate the company.”

            Oryan heard the tent’s flap open and saw Presti fall into the room. Oryan straightened his messy black curls and stood like a solider welcoming a queen. Ry’s smile broadened and he found the strength to touch his wife’s shoulder.

            “Presti, we have longed to see you! Is Esis with you?” Mil asked.

            “No.” Presti swallowed hard.

            “I know Esis is upset about Emiline’s passing, but she can’t seek solitude now. Her family needs her.” Ry’s voice grew in frustration.

            Oryan knew Presti well enough to know that she didn’t have good news.

            “Presti, what’s wrong?”

            “I found Esis by Westin Creek. Lifeless. I wish to take you to her body.”

            Mil and Ry didn’t react to the words. No expression came to their faces. Numb. Unable to process such a cold reality. Mil sank to the floor, but no cry came from her mouth and no tears escaped her eyes. Ry rushed toward the sword he had been sharpening. He clinched the hilt in his thick hand.

            “Take me to her body,” he demanded.

            “I can barely move. Go without me.” Mil said weakly.

            “Oryan, can stay with you.” Presti said.

            “No, Oryan must come with us.” Ry said as he grabbed more weapons.

            “Someone must remain with Mil,” Presti insisted.

            Ry grabbed Oryan’s shoulder. “They never found Emiline’s body. The Elders told us she drowned in Westin Creek, but they never recovered the body. They only gave us a few scraps of her clothing. I want to see Esis’s body for myself, and I need both of you to come with me. Westin Creek is robbing me of my children, and I want to know why.”