Chapter 9

Oryan’s rib continued to throb from the kick. Okal found a temporary resting place, hidden behind two large boulders. Filled with unease and confusion, Oryan’s first question came with anger.

“Where’s Presti?”

“She is with the Enhon. Safe and sound.”

“How can I trust you?”

Okal again transformed. His scrawny frame morphed into a muscular, flawless physique. His blonde hair shone like gold and his eyes were sapphires. Now his voice sounded authoritative and awe-inspiring.

 “Enhon has power to deliver your world. The time is soon.”

“Deliver our world? We don’t need deliverance. We have the Purity Stone. We are holy people. We are righteous. We don’t need deliverance.”

“You need deliverance. You were in a cell and someone kicked your rib. It hurts even now. This proves you need deliverance.”

“Our village is only experiencing a testing. Our harvesters need to work harder to get the sap for the Purity Stone. We don’t need deliverance. We need to be more faithful. We need to work harder!” Oryan hit his hand on the boulder.

“You are stubborn. If you come with me, I can take you to Presti.”

“Is she close?” Oryan looked around.

“She is beyond the Dark Path.”

“That’s impossible! She would never walk the path!”

“She didn’t walk the path of her own free will. Someone took her there, without her permission.” Okal said.

“How could anyone do that to her!”

“Enhon thought it best.”

“Who?”

“All will be revealed in good time. Patience.”

Okal continued forward, and Oryan followed with one motivator, seeing Presti. Okal kept his face forward and had a smile plastered on his face. However, Oryan kept looking over his shoulder, looking for soldiers. No one followed them.

“Why is no one following us?”

“You don’t trust me and my people do you?” Okal said.

“Your people?”

“Yes, the people beyond the path.”

“I don’t know what is beyond the path. I am not allowed beyond my village.”

Okal laughs.

“I’m serious. My people bar me from going beyond the path. The people beyond the path are evil and wicked.”

“No they aren’t. They are glorious. They are free and beautiful. Follow me and I will show you.”

“I can’t. You must leave without me.”

“Don’t you want to see Presti?”

“Yes, but not like this. I can’t walk the path. She wouldn’t want me to.”

“I think she loves you. I think she is very lonely right now and would desire your company.”

“Now you’re just tempting me.”

“I will not tempt you. I will leave you here. However, she will redeem your world. You will one day feel great shame. You should have followed me today.”

Okal disappeared and suddenly Oryan heard soldiers coming after him. He looked out across the vast field. He started running; not knowing if he could outrun them. He wasn’t aware of his surroundings, but honor kept his feet pounding on the sand.

***

Presti slapped the table. What else could she do? She was too angry. They pulled her into a world that wasn’t her own. She couldn’t handle the change. Everyone was telling her what to do. Telling her what not to do. She just wanted to find a world of her own.

“So why don’t you?”

Presti spun around to see Enhon. He looked at her with affection.

“Oh! I don’t know. Maybe because I am a prisoner here.”

Enhon walked over to a glass of wine sitting on a small table, and took a sip. Presti watched him with speculation. She couldn’t be sure of his intentions. Once he took a second sip, Presti came near him.

“Don’t pretend like this isn’t wrong. Forcing me to come here!”

“Presti, I need you.”

Enhon walked over to a chair and sat.

“You need me? Why?”

“Your world is on the brink of destruction. I need you because you are destined to free them from their bondage.”

“Bondage? Our world is perfect. It doesn’t need deliverance.” Presti’s shoulders slumped.

“I know you don’t believe that.”

“Our world is facing trials. We’re experiencing a testing. We aren’t dying.”

“Presti, your sacred sap no longer has the quality you need to continue the ritual.”

“Our harvesters will find a solution. They always do!”

Enhon exited the tent, asking Presti to follow him. Lingering for a moment, she envisioned Oryan. Slaving in the fields; working hard. He never showed weakness. Her world might be in peril, but her harvesters would find a way.

She took three steps forward, and then hesitated at the entrance. She didn’t know what laid beyond the entrance. Her legs wouldn’t move. Then she heard a familiar voice.

“Presti! Stop being stubborn! Come out!

It couldn’t be. Why did she hear Esis’s voice? What kind of dark magic would use her friend’s death as a temptation? She felt a single tear glide down her cheek. She refused to leave the tent, falling on the bed.

“I can convince her to come out,” Esis said. “I’ll go inside.”

Esis came inside the tent with a huge smile on her face. Presti inhaled and gasped. Esis stood before her, without any marks of death.

“You’re alive? Why are you here? I saw your dead body. I saw you lying in the water, lifeless.”

“Enhon saved me. He is our savoir,” Esis smiled.

“Liar! He isn’t our savoir! He’s a death wish. I saw you dead. You are an illusion.”

“Enhon’s kingdom is not like our village. It is far grander. Come out and see!’ Esis motioned toward the door.

“Never! You’re a ghost!’

Esis, the warrior, grabbed Presti’s arm and pulled her toward the entrance. Presti fought, but she was never as strong as Esis. Laughing, Esis forced Presti out onto the clearing.

“I am stronger than you.” Esis reminded her.

Presti, on her knees, looked up to see a glorious landscape. The white sand sparkled. Fields of wheat covered the ground. Children played on the hills. Mothers danced. Fathers laughed.