Chronicles of Unsu: Shattered
Everything has shattered upon the bloodied floor. There was a time when everything made so much sense. That the world had seemed so perfect. Though I realize now that as I edge closer to happiness, I am destined for it to shatter like glass upon the floor. Where each shard would be coated in the blood of my sins.
This has been the story of my life. Since the day I lost my parents, I have been struggling to make sense of things. My parents were my everything, and with them gone, I latched on to the one person I thought I could trust. Though in the end, he sent me away when things got too dicey for him to handle. Thus, I was sent along the path that would lead me here.
An old cell deep in the basement of this fortress awaiting my fate. Now, this wasn’t a direct path here as I was seven when I was sent away. No, first I found myself riding through the gateway of a fort carved into a mountain that would lead me to a valley. That I would end up living there for ten years of my life learning how to survive and master the magic within me. There I would make friends and enemies. There I would find purpose in serving the village.
After many struggles, I would become close to one such friend named Mingan. He was more than a friend in many ways, which only makes the pain of what happened greater. I would also become the apprentice to Dhaigham the great shaman of the valley and the one who desire would end with me rotting away in a cell. He was the one who gave me the purpose of seeing the greater good in sacrifice. Only for him to sacrifice me and all I cared for. Just to fulfill his own selfish goal that would bring about death upon all he built.
“Don’t ignore me, Nevarr.” A deep and aged voice filled my ears as I did my best to shift away from. Preferring to face the cold wall of my cell rather than look at the old man who called out to me. I had no desire to listen to him as I was more focused on dwelling over my situation and doing my best to figure out who it all went wrong.
Sadly, the old man had no plans to allow me my peace and once again tried to push me to talk. “Do I really deserve the silent treatment. It’s not like I did anything wrong.” The old man said, getting me to turn around to look at him finally. With a look of contempt upon my face at being disturbed.
He sat in the far corner covered in the darkness that would make it hard to make out his features. Though with my eyes and memories, I could tell he wore that stupid mask that covered most of his face. The greenish suit that looked like it once was something stylish but hasn’t aged well since he got it. He also had old wrinkly skin that you can be seen on his neck and hands.
“Are you finally going to say something for once or go back to ignoring me again.” He said as he took a few steps closer so that the dim light could make him a little more visible. The light was coming from a small barred window that was opposite the cell door.
I let out a sigh and looked at him with a frown. “I just needed time to get my thoughts together.” I sat up on my cot and placed my feet upon the floor. “You know to make sense of my situation,” I told the masked man who was currently my cellmate.
He placed his wrinkled hand under his masked chin and gave a knowing nod. “Makes sense, I guess. It’s always good to reflect on one’s past before they forge ahead. Though if you spend too long doing that, you may lose your chance to make a difference.”
Make a difference, yes how could I make a difference locked away in a cell. I shook my head before motioning to the locked cell door, hoping he would get the picture. “I highly doubt there is anything I can do that can get me out of the shit I find myself in,” I said with venom in my voice.
The masked man shook his head and waved his hands around. “Young lady just because you didn’t have the drive to make a run for it, doesn’t mean you are all out of options.” He said as he made his way around the room. His steps were so light that they made no sound. “You must always see the possibilities that lie before you. If you don’t, you may only find failure.”
I shivered as I began to recall the void. The darkness that called out to me and would have consumed me if the old man hadn’t reached out for me before it was too late. “You may be right about that. Though now you’re in a cell telling me to look on the brighter side.” I said as I stood up from my cot. “While you may have escaped a lonely fate, I am about to lose everything I worked for. Once I had acceptance and purpose. Now I’m here awaiting my trial.” I motioned as I spoke with the rage that simmered to the top.
“How is that my fault in any way. Now I am grateful for your help in escaping my fate. Know that it was because I helped you from your fate, that was worse than the one I was facing.” He motioned to the walls on either side of us. “This is nothing compared to the void. This is just a stopgap to something more, you’ll see.”
I clenched my fist as I walked up to him to look him right in the eyes. Those weird golden eyes that eerily shined with barely any light in the room. “If I could I would rip that stupid mask off and crush it with my bare hands,” I yelled out as I pointed the finger at the old man.
There was a bang on the door that caught my attention. My head turned as the voice of the guard came through. “Stop with the racket I’m trying to get some sleep here.”
I made my way to the door and hit it a few times just to spite the guard. “Should you really by sleeping on the job,” I said through the little window on the door. Using the guard to vent my growing frustration.
The masked man chuckled as he walked over near the door. “I’m not sure yelling at the guard is going to earn you any favors.” The masked man said as he leaned against the wall near the door. “I heard good behavior helps in these situations.”
I turn to look at him and grit my teeth in frustration. “How about you shut it with your opinions,” I said as I gave him a dirty look.
He nodded his hand and moved away from the wall. “Not another word from me, then I’ll just find another means to entertain myself.” He said as he made his way back to his dark corner.
The slide of the little window was opened as the guard peered inside. “You ok in there, don’t need you losing it before your trial. Need a good head before it starts rolling.” The guard said before starting to laugh. I frowned and made my way to the bed and sat down.
“Why are you lying about?” A rough woman’s voice said on the other side of the door. “That is not how you guard a prisoner and not how a sin hunter should handle their work.”
I turned to look toward the door from my cot as I could hear the groans of someone doing their best to get up. “I’m sorry commander Worcai, I won’t do it again.” The guard said, getting me to chuckle at the guard getting talked down to. You got to find enjoyment whenever you can.
“You better or you will end up cleaning up the shit from the stables for a whole year,” Worcai said before the sound of keys could be heard. I laid back in the bed as the door began to creak open. Doing my best to act like I wasn’t paying attention to what was going on outside. I glanced over to the masked man in his corner as he gave me a little wave to let me know he was still there.
“It seems your time is up.” The masked man said. I did my best not to acknowledge him as my Worcai made her way to the center of the room. I looked over to her seeing her wearing an armor that most of the sin hunters wore. Those hers had a few marks on it denoting her rank in the organization.
I also knew this woman as my aunt. A woman who went out of her way not to see me for years. A woman who would now march me in front of a council of shamans who would decide my fate.
“It’s time,” Worcai said as she took a moment to look me over to appraise the state, I was in. I highly doubt I looked well with my bandaged covering my right eye and the rags they gave me when they first tossed me down here. I could tell by her flexing nose that I was giving off an awful smell.
“I hope you had time to think of what you will say to the council,” Worcai said as I sat up. What could I say to the men and woman who would decide my fate? So far, they felt it best to lock me away for nearly a week.
I looked up at Worcai and frowned. “Is there anything I can say that would change my fate?” I asked just before standing up to my full height that was slightly shorter than Worcai.
She shrugged her shoulders as she shook her head side to side. “I’m not sure. Though I do know if you tell the truth, things will go easier.” She said, and I nodded my head. Knowing how lying would only make things worse.
“The truth will set you free.” The masked man said from his corner as he began to step from the shadows. Worcai didn’t even turn to acknowledge the man who was creeping up slowly behind her back.
I looked from him and back to Worcai before letting out a sigh. “Let’s get this over with,” I said as I moved past Worcai and out into the halls. As I looked back, I could see the masked man waving with his head slightly to the side. For a moment, I heard the cracking of his old bones as it seemed to have locked into place.
“I’ll see you soon.” The masked man said with his golden eyes seeming to glow from the eyeholes of the mask. “I’ll just wait right here for you.” His voice seemed to have a cracked just a bit as he finished. A shiver ran up my spine as I turned my head to not look at him no longer.
Once I was in the hallway, I couldn’t help smirking at the guard who was doing his best not to look at Worcai. “Hope you had a nice nap,” I said, getting the man to grit his teeth. “I’m sure it was good with all the snoring I could hear all day.” Worcai looked over to him with a frown that made the guard look away from us. The guard kept whatever he wanted to say to himself, as Worcai placed a hand on my back and pushed me down the hall. “Get going. No time to mess around with him when the council is waiting.” She said as she continued to push me on. We made our way through the dark halls, that were lit with dim light coming from the candle holders. The sound of our steps echoed down the hall as we kept a steady pace. I could feel a great force tightening its grip around my heart as we made our way. I was walking toward my fate and an unsure future. “I hope none of the guards have caused you any trouble while you were here,” Worcai asked as we made our way down the halls. “If anything happens you can tell me so I can reprimand any of the guards.” I had doubts that she would do that. As I haven’t seen her for over a week since I was brought in here. I just kept walking forward, doing my best to ignore the woman who was both my aunt and the one who arrested me. The younger sister of my father who had a falling out with him a few years after my birth. I’m sure the first time she ever saw me in person was with me standing over a dead body covered in blood. Not the right way to meet a family member. Though I guess it does give you an interesting topic for conversation. “I wish I visited you. Maybe then you wouldn’t be in this situation you find your self in.” She stated as we began to see the doors to the council room in the distance. I stopped moving forward as I clenched my fist tightly. “Why?” I asked as my blood began to boil just a bit. I’m sure for a moment the mark on my back glowed just a little through my ratty shirt. Worcai was quiet for a moment before she placed a hand on my shoulder. “I understand if you’re worried about what is about to happen, but I’m sure things will be.” She tried to speak her last sentence as I shrugged her hand off my shoulder. How dare she. How dare she act like she’s worried. That she actually cares. I turned to face Worcai as I gave her a heated glare. “Alright, is that what you were planning to say. That everything will be alright.” I said mockingly as my nails began to dig into my palms. I could feel my sharpening from the essence that started to flow into them. The piercing of skin that both hurt and soothed as my blood simmered from within. “I have been told that so many times, and each time they have been proven wrong. It will never get better, and it will not be alright. It never is.” I said as I turned to look away for the moment, seeing the familiar figure of my godfather as he told me everything will be alright. Worcai was left speechless and had nothing to say. I smirked as I relished the silence. Sadly this moment of silence was cut short as she let out the breath she was holding. “Your right, nothing ever does go right in this world.” Worcai’s words caused me to unclench my fist, allowing the blood from my palms to slide slowly down before dripping on the floor. “Defiantly not the situation we find ourselves in. To be honest, your rather fucked.” I stood still from her words, allowing Worcai to move closer so she could stand beside me and lean against the wall for support before continuing her speech. “There was a time that I had no plan ever to see you.” She folded her arms over her chest and looked away slightly. Was that a look of regret or shame. “Defiantly not after Kwahza’s death.” “Why’s that?” I asked as I moved next to her to lean against the wall. Looking at her downcast eyes, I could tell she was bothered by her own words. “You know, you kind of look like your father.” I smiled for a moment before she continued. “Too bad, you also have a bit of your mother in you. The woman who took him from me. My big bro.” Worcai said as she looked at me with hateful eyes that made me slide away from her. She quickly looked away and sighed. “Though when I saw you broken from the stress of whatever happened that night. All I saw is my niece and how she needed my help. Help I couldn’t give because I was too late to do anything that matters.” For a moment I didn’t know what to say. I could tell Worcai was in pain as she was conflicted. Now I began to regret my own words as I realized how torn she was between duty and family. How honor can weigh heavy upon a soul. “Sadly I was never there for you and may very well not be able to help you at all in the end.” She said as moved from the wall to look over toward the doors in the distance. A low growl released from my throat as I genuinely looked at the woman who stood before me. The woman who went out of her way to stay away from me. The woman who led me in chains out of Ol Raxia only to lock me away in some dungeon. How dare she act like she actually cares. There was a part of me that wanted to grab Worcai’s head and bash it against the wall until it was covered in her blood. Though I doubt that would improve my chances or even be successful as I eyed the arms of this mighty warrior. So instead I let a sigh out and turned away from her. “There’s no point. It is already too late, and I rather focus on what lies before me. Rather than what could have been and will never be.” Once again, I was met with silence. This time I continued my walk down the hall as she began to follow after me. We came to the large double doors that two-guards stood on each side of it. Through this door, my fate would be decided. “Ah, Worcai the council has been waiting for you.” One of the guards said as we made our way up to him and another guard. He reached for the handle of the door as Worcai gave the nod to the guard. “I hope we aren’t late,” Worcai said as the guard pulled the door open for us. He shook his head. “Not really, you should be just in time as they should be finishing with the previous witness.” He said just before I made my way through the door. As I entered the council room, I was filled with awe at the massive totems and statues placed along the path to the council that sat at the end of the room. Seven large seats surrounded the back wall with two of them empty. I knew one would have been Dhaigham’s, but with him dead, it was left open. The other is someone I don’t know who probably didn’t bother coming back to see my sentencing. In the far right of the room was a massive furnace that heated the room. Though it had a large man was standing next to it, holding a metal branding iron. In the center of the room was a small seat where a familiar figure sat. As I got closer, I began to hear the voice of Phelan, a rival for my place as Dhaigham’s apprentice. Someone who hated me from the very beginning when I set foot into the village ten years ago. “The half breed freak killed our master, after manipulating him to allow her to open a rift. Those damn creatures nearly wiped all of us out. I knew we couldn’t trust someone with tainted blood.” Phelan said as he waved his hands wildly. The bastard was doing everything he could to brand me the culprit. While I did have a hand in the events, it was out of service to Dhaigham not by me manipulating him in any way. How dare he say I would manage him or bring forth those creatures willingly.
“You’re lying,” I yelled out, causing everyone in the council room to look over to me. Worcai rushed from the doors, her steps getting louder as she got closer thanks to the echoing of the room. Her hand reached out and touched my shoulder as she put a little pressure to keep me from moving. I shrugged her hand off my shoulder and didn’t bother acknowledging her as I stepped closer to Phelan. “You had it in for me for years and would jump at the chance to defame me,” I yelled out as I got closer to my target. “You were there and knew that I did as Dhaigham asked of me.” Phelan turned his head to the side to get a glance at me. A smirk appeared upon his face before he turned to face the council. He motioned over to me as he spoke his words with venom. “You see this freak, she dares to dishonor this here council with her lack of respect for those who sit here. This is why we should never trust an outsider with tainted blood. Definitely not over a member of a respected clan like my own.” He placed his hand on his chest as he finished. One of the great shamans leaned forward in their chair a woman with a wild look about her. Her hair was unkempt, her face carried a few scars, and she wore a leather vest that had fur lining around the collar. Next to the woman was a bow that was leaning against her chair. Which was made out of wood and had carvings that seemed must be magical runes. As she spoke, I couldn’t help shivering as her rough voice was felt in my bones. “Even with her disrespect, of not waiting for her turn. She does bring up a good point.” Phelan let his head fall low as he did his best not to look the shaman in the eye. “What do you mean master Teigra?” Phelan asked with slight worry in his voice. The woman known as Teigra smiled, making sure to show off her teeth. I couldn’t help noticing the sharpness of them and how they glistened from the light. “So many have shown that they have a deep-seated hatred for this young woman. By giving claims of how horrible she has been since her stay in the village.” She motioned over to me with her hand. “Many of which do conflict with the letters we got from Dhaigham. Makes me wonder if everyone who showed up this day has a bone to pick with her. Or are you telling me that Dhaigham was lying to us, all this time.” Teigra took her time with her last few words as she eyed Phelan like he was prey. Teigra started tapping her sharp nails upon the arm of her chair. “I hope you are telling the truth, rather than pinning the blame on someone you all detest because of her heritage.” She glanced over to me before glaring at me with disdain. “Even if it is tainted by Presari blood.” I clenched my fist at Teigra’s words. Taking a step forward to argue only to feel Worcai’s hand on my shoulder. This time she gripped her hand tightly around my shoulder that caused me to hiss in pain. “Remain calm and don’t take actions that will make them take action against you.” She whispered in my ear, causing me to sigh and look off to the side. “Teigra, I know you love to apply a bit of pressure upon our witnesses just for the sport of it.” A large man who sat next to Teigra was leaning back in his chair looking over Phelan and me like we were unimportant. Made me wonder why he even bothered to watch over this case. “Now it is not such a time to have such fun. We need truth and only the truth, so our actions can be fair and uncorrupted.” The large man said before placing a fist under his hand to lean against. Teigra let out a slight growl as she eyed the large man. I could tell she was not happy with the man who would interrupt her fun. “You think I don’t want to know the truth. I just want to make sure the fear I’m smelling from the pup isn’t because he thinks he will be caught lying to us.” She said as she glanced over to Phelan, who seemed to have taken a few steps back from her look. “At least the birdie seems to have a spine to her even if she lacks tact.” She glanced over to me, and I frowned only to look to the side as her eyes bore through me. Another shaman spoke up sitting a few seats away from Teigra. The only other woman currently sitting on the council. She looked familiar, but I couldn’t place it. “He has already been through a lot after the death of his cousin and his uncle. No need to apply such pressure upon him like so.” A nicer sounding woman said as she looked over at the Teigra. Her words were causing me almost to have my legs crumble under me. She was Tala ov Flowza. Older sister of Maheegan Flowza and the aunt to Mingan. She was someone who had a secure connection to the one person I would have died for. Now I stand alone to be judged by her. I knew now that I was very likely fucked. Teigra leaned forward in her chair and looked over to Tala. “Really Tala, how biased can you be when the lead witness is you, damn nephew.” She said before glancing at Phelan. “He is part of your pack, isn’t he. Makes me wonder why you are even allowed to sit upon this judgment when you have so much to gain based on the decision.” What did she mean by that? How can their decision benefit Tala? Is it because it will protect Phelan from his cowardice ways, or will she gain the upper hand in some other way? “I’ll have you know that Phelan isn’t on trial,” Tala replied as she looked ready to get up out her chair. Teigra nodded her head and smiled before talking in the sweetest voice the fierce woman could ever muster. “Oh yes, but if he’s found to be lying, he will be punished accordingly of course.” The woman said as she looked Tala up and down. “Not even you can protect the blood of those who lie to the council my friend,” Teigra said, getting a growl from Tala who started to dig her nails in the arm of her chair. As I looked on, I couldn’t help feeling shocked by the people sitting in front of me. The men and woman of the council seemed pathetic. Bickering amongst themselves rather than getting to business. So different from Dhaigham and how he demanded order and went out of his way to always seem honorable. A staff was slammed on the floor, causing the two women to stop with their arguments. They both looked at the oldest member of the council who gripped his staff tightly. “There is no time to argue amongst our selves.” The aged voice of the man echoed in the room as he took his time speaking. “With the death of one of our own and the creatures that nearly broke free of the valley. We are put in a position that forces us to get to the bottom of these events and decide the fate of those who had a hand in what went down Only then can we put this affair behind us.” Tala bowed her head in respect or maybe acceptance of her fault in carrying her self. “I understand master Irfan, I will focus on what lies before us.” She said as calm as possible even though there was a hint of defeat in her voice. Like a kid told to sit in the corner of the hut. Teigra laid back in her chair as she folded her arms in front of her. I could have sworn I saw a pout from her before she quickly looked away. “Ok, I’ll do as you say, master Irfan.” “Good,” Irfan said before looking at Phelan. “You are done here, for now, young Phelan. We have only the accused to talk to and then this case can be decided. Do know that if we have to, we will speak to you again. Let us hope that won’t be necessary.” Phelan bowed before the council. “I thank you, great shamans, and hope you don’t hesitate to do your worse to the witch that took our master away.” He said as he slowly rose back up only glancing back at me at the last second. I clenched my fist tightly from Phelan’s words and eyed him as he turned to leave. When he saw me, he smirked and strolled over to me with a swagger in his step. “I hope you know that whatever story you tell will not save you as all the survivors have rallied behind condemning you for your crimes. You are dangerous and have no place in the village, valley, or any part of the alliance. I can’t wait to see you lead out of here broken without your magic.” I wanted to attack him and beat him down, but I knew better and simply clenched my teeth. Instead, Worcai moved in front of me to block him or me from taking any actions. I couldn’t see the look on her face, but I noticed Phelan taking a step back from over her shoulder. “The council is done with you, and if you don’t want to find your self in any trouble, it’s best to be scarce,” Worcai said as she folded her arms in front of her chest. She seemed a little taller for just a moment as she gave off an aura of intimidation that even caused me to lean my head down just a slight bit. Phelan put his hands up and chuckled though he did his best not to look Worcai in the eye. “No need to worry.” He said before looking over her shoulder at me. “If anyone is going to be hostile, it will be her.” He motioned over to me with a slight wave of his hand. “I have already said my piece and will enjoy when she gets what she deserves.” I wanted to say something back but was left speechless as I was already feeling doomed from the beginning of this farce. Of course, the shamans would side with him, he had family on the council. While the only family I have has gone out of her way not to see me. Only meeting me when she had to bring me to this fortress in chains. The calming voice of the last member of the council called forth. “Come to Nevarr ov Talion. It is time for you to state your truth, so this council can finally complete its duty. Will you be judged a traitor to her people, or will you be judged a servant of your shamans will? This will be decided here before us. Know that if you lie and we find out we will make you suffer.” Worcai turned around to face me and smiled. “Do your best, and this will all be over.” She said before moving out of my way. She motioned to the small chair sitting in front of the council. I made my way over to the chair and sat down to look up at the great shamans. Their chairs were raised higher than mine and forcing me to look up to them. As if they were majestic beings who you had to kneel before. “I thank you, honorable council members, for allowing me to speak in front of you,” I said making sure to bow my head before them. “I know that with recent events you may want to toss me aside, but I am grateful that you will at least listen to my side of the story.” The last member stood up from his chair and returned my bow. “My name is Derwan, and I’m sure you have overheard the rest of our names.” The last member said which I nodded in agreement. “Yes, sir,” I replied as calmly as possible. Derwan sat back down in his chair and smiled. “Good. Let’s get started then. You should start with why you were chosen to take part in this ritual that Dhaigham was trying to do that night.” Derwan asked as his eyes never left me not even to blink. I took a deep breath so that I could collect my thoughts on why I was chosen. I did question it at the time, but now I have a better understanding as there was no other way this ritual was possible without me. Anyone else would not have been able to activate the artifact, and so many would have still been alive if I hadn’t been chosen. I reached for my right eye and the bandage that covered it. Remembering the scar that was hidden under it. “I didn’t know at the time why he chose me,” I said as I glanced at the different shamans that looked down at me. “I thought it was because I proved myself worthy of being his apprentice. That all my hard work gained me the honor to take part in such a sacred task of serving my great shaman, my leader. Though now, I know better.” I grabbed at the bandages so I could rip them off, revealing my damaged eye and the injuries that laid under it. A jigsaw of scars that looked like the cracks in a mirror. My eye was carrying similar injuries, though seeming more glass-like than anything. My pupil had lost it’s darkened color and had faded to show that I had lost all ability to see from it. The shamans all seemed to have shifted in the chairs. They seemed disturbed by my eye, and for a moment, I think I saw worry upon some of their faces. “So you know then,” Hastin commented as he rubbed at his chin. “Did he tell you then, or did you find out the cause of the ritual.” “You have a gift Nevarr, something that can aid our people. Though you may pay a horrible price for its use.” The voice of Dhaigham echoed in my ears. As if he was standing across from me, sitting down with the fire between us. I rubbed at the bridge of my nose for a moment as I held my head low. I looked up at the council again and spoke. “He mentioned that I had a gift. Something that could help our people, though now I know it is more of a curse than anything.” Hastin nodded his head in agreement. “Interesting and what did this ritual entail?” Teigra asked as she leaned forward in her chair her hands clenching the arm as she dug her sharp nails ever so slightly across it. My eyes widened as the familiar figure of Dhaigham sat across from me. I wanted to react, but I knew better than to show even the slightest bit of reaction to these phantoms that haunted me still. “All you have to do is channel your gift through this artifact and place the artifact in the gateway.” He said as he held out a round object that I now know as the travelers key. “From there you can rest knowing you did your part,” Dhaigham said as the key faded from his hand as this would have been the moment I grabbed the key and began to look it over. I shook my head for a moment to get the cobwebs out of it. I then looked at Teigra and nodded my head. “I was to charge an artifact with the power I have and use it to open the gateway,” I told the council leaving out the name of the artifact that was said to me. “Then Dhaigham would retrieve something called a blood fungus from there.” Irfan leaned forward in his chair, gripping his staff tightly. I could see him seethe in anger. “Did you say Blood fungus. I hope I didn’t hear you right as that would be something too dangerous for even a great shaman would dabble in. Specifically with no logical reason to use such a damned thing.” He said while his eyes focused on me with a pressure that made me tremble. I knew he was the oldest of the shaman. He may also be the strongest in raw magical power. I nodded my head quickly as I did my best not to look into his eyes. “I’m sad to say it was blood fungus and was at the heart of what went wrong that night.” I clenched my fist tightly from memory, trying best not to let it overtake me. I did not want to face those phantoms again, not yet. Sadly my hopes to not focus on the horror of that night was dashed. “How about the fate of Mingan and Maheegan,” Tala asked, getting me to look up at her with a painful expression on my face. As I blinked, I found myself in the halls of an old ruin with a red sky peeking through the cracked roof. I could hear the roar and sounds of monstrous creatures further down the hallway. I could barely move and was only upright thanks to Mingan, holding me close with my arm draped over his shoulder. Maheegan had his sword gripped as tight as he could, as he looked down at the ground. Seeing his men lying upon the floor, who had died to buy time for others to make it out. Dhaigham was long gone running after the mysterious partner who had double-crossed us. Leaving us to fend for ourselves trying to get back through the gate. “How can this shit happen,” Maheegan said to no one as he looked back at Mingan and me. “All my men died for that fool’s desire to help the mysterious bastard who only ends up betraying us. How can Dhaigham have been fooled so easily.” “Does it even matter father. We need to get to the portal now. Nevarr is too weak to take on another attack of those creatures.” Mingan said, getting Maheegan to frown. Maheegan placed a hand on Mingan’s shoulder and nodded his head. “Your right. You have to go now. Once that door breaks I’m going to stand my ground. You, on the other hand, will have to run as quickly as possible.” “What do you mean father? I can’t leave you behind not like this.” Mingan said. The door burst open, and blood fungus-infected creatures broke through, and Maheegan quickly slashed through the first creature with little resistance. Twisting his body in the other direction to cut right through another. “Run now and take Nevarr through the gate. Once through close the gate behind you and don’t look back.” Maheegan yelled out before he cut down another of the blood fungus corrupted warriors. Many who were trained by him and followed his orders. I once again found myself back before the council with them looking at me with worried looks. “Are you ok?” Tala asked. I nodded my head. “Yes, I’m ok. Maheegan fought to give us a chance to escape so that I could close the gateway to keep the creatures from getting through.” I replied. “Which you failed at it seems?” Teigra said getting Tala to look at her with a frown before looking back at me. “Don’t mind her.” Tala motioned to Teigra before focusing back on me. “What was his fate?” Tala asked. “I believe he didn’t make it, but I’m not sure as I was going in and out,” I said as I looked down at the ground. “What of Mingan?” Tala asked. Once again, the surrounding began to fade away, and I found myself standing before the gateway. We had just got it activated again and was planning to go through when the door burst opened and an army of the blood fungus creatures moved to attack at us. Mingan pushed me toward the gateway and smiled before rushing toward the monsters with his sword gripped tightly in his hand. “I got this my little birdie. If I don’t make it, I want you to see the world and all its glory.” Mingan said just before he cut through one of the creatures only to attack another. He barely dodged one of the monsters trying to scratch out his side. I wanted to help, but I knew them was nothing I could do, so I made my way through the gate. To bad one creature got past him and rushed me. If it weren’t for that, I would have made it to the other side and maybe been able to close it, or at least rally the troops. Instead, as soon I found myself along the path of light, I was knocked off the glowing road into the void by the creature who looked down hungrily at me as I fell. I closed my eye and took a deep breath before opening it to find myself back in front of the council. “He fought to buy me just enough time to get through and close the gateway. Though in the end, I don’t know his fate.” I said somberly before looking away from Tala who had a painful expression on her face. “Interesting, Phelan made it sound like it was all your fault, but it sounds more like an effort of dabbling in the forbidden. Though this does not excuse you from your sins. It does point out that the ultimate failings are on one of our own.” Derwan said calmly. “I thank you for trusting me and listening to my side of events,” I said to them as I bowed my head. Hastin nodded his head in agreement before speaking. “Though I do wonder if you experienced any side effects from your exposure with the different forbidden magics that were at play. Specifically, your exposure to the other side as we can all see that there is no visible exposure to blood fungus.” Hastin started getting me worried about the man in the metal mask and the visions of the past that haunted me. Could they be symptoms of my exposure to the other side? The use of that cursed power. Or maybe my sense of reality is crumbling around me. I shook my head slowly. “Nothing as far as I know. Everything has been ok with me.” I told the council doing my best not to worry them. “Lying won’t get you far young lady,” Teigra said as she eyed me like I was some meal to her. “From what I heard from the guards, you seem to have a habit of talking to your self. That wouldn’t be because you’ve become shattered or anything.” I feared I was found out that they would judge me by the growing delusion that has begun to take hold of me since I been locked away. I needed to act and would need some kind of excuse to save myself. “Not at all, I just like to think out loud when things are stressful,” I said as I did my best to reassure them. “That’s good. It wouldn’t go well if you been tainted in any way. You probably should know, but that gift of yours isn’t natural. Which is the reason we worry.” Hastin stated. “What do you mean?” I asked, looking around the council for an answer. Irfan let out a sigh before tapping his staff on the ground. “You have a right to know,” Irfan said, getting the others to look at him with worry on there face. “Are you sure that’s the right thing to do?” Tala asked as she leaned over toward Irfan. “She needs to know,” Irfan replied before turning to face me. “You may not know this, but your parents died in a similar event. One that once again, you were at the heart of.” I gripped the arms of the chair tightly at being reminded of my parents passing. The secrets of their death have hovered over my life for many years. I looked up at Irfan and slowly asked my question. “What do you mean by that?” Tala looked away for a moment before leaning forward in her chair as she closed one hand into a fist while the other wrapped around it. “That the haven incident was caused by messing with an artifact known as the shattered eye. An artifact capable of opening rifts through reality.” Tala’s words caused me to reach up and touch at my damaged right eye slowly. “The ultimate Gateway key.” Derwan’s voice added, causing me to look up at them with a worried look on my face. My grip on the arms of the chair tightened as a surge of essence flowed through me, brought on my growing frustration. “Are you saying that the power of this artifact is inside of me. That this artifact had a hand in my parents’ death.” I yelled out as I stood up from my seat, tearing the arms of the chair right off before letting go and letting the broken wood fall to the ground. They looked on worried at my reaction and seemed just a little bit fearful of my raging emotions. Teigra ever the courageous smiled before speaking. “Yes. That is why you have always been considered a possible danger.” Teigra said as she motioned to the damaged chair arms that laid at me feat. I looked down for a moment and took a slow breath before looking back up at them. “If I was such a danger, why did you send me to Dhaigham?” I asked with a desire to know the truth. “Because you showed no sign of awakening that power. We thought your parents succeeded in sealing away the power.” Hastin stated as he shifted in his chair. “Which brings us to our verdict,” Irfan said, getting the others to focus on him. “Everyone who feels she’s not guilty for the incident, raise your hand.” Irfan raised his hand up slowly and was followed by Teigra, who didn’t hesitate to raise her hand. Tala clenched her fists tightly and seemed to be conflicted with the situation before finally raising a hand. Irfan stood up and nodded his head and smiled at me. “You are not guilty of the incident and will not be branded a traitor in that regard.” I couldn’t help letting go of the breath I was holding and finally smiled before standing from my seat. “I thank you council and will do my best in honoring the chance you have given me,” I said as I bowed before them. “I wouldn’t be thanking us so soon,” Hastin said as I rose from my bow. “There is still one more verdict to be decided.” “What verdict is that?” I asked as I eyed him carefully. “Are you a danger to all of the alliance, maybe even the world. It is up to us to decide if that cursed power that has reawakened needs to be dealt with.” He said as his words cut deep and caused my legs to weaken just a little that I had to sit down to regain my strength. “Yes, that is an important decision,” Derwan commented. “You may not have been the cause of the incident as you were following the orders of a shaman. In any normal situation, you will simply be tasked in serving the council to regain your honor for the taint Dhaigham’s decisions have caused. Sadly you are a carrier of a cursed power, a sinners power.” “What do you mean a sinners power?” I asked as I looked up at them. “You must understand. The council, our race, and all of the alliance have a strong stance against forbidden magic. What has awakened in you is forbidden, and all that is forbidden must be purged.” Teigra said. “But we are a fair people and will not kill the one who did not have a choice in their situation,” Tala said. “So it is our decision that was decided long before you even sat here this day. That you will have your magic sealed and be exiled from these lands for you to seek purpose without access to any magic that could reawaken that curse.” I didn’t know what happened. For a moment, everything became so ungodly silent, and for that moment, I was left utterly alone as I began to hear the shattering of glass. I knew then that everything I have done up to this point was pointless. To have my magic sealed away would be taking away all the work I have done to master my magic. All the pain I suffered under the villagers to gain their trust. All of it was shattered. I wanted to scream, but I was stronger than that. I knew there was nothing I could do. That even if I tried to fight my way out, it would all end the same. It was only the realization that the cursed power would potential be locked away, was I given some sense of understanding. It was the only way in the end.
Irfan made his way down the small set of stairs to stand in front of me as Worcai and two guards came up behind me. I didn’t resist as they grabbed my arms and pulled me up so I could stand. They turned me around, so my back was facing Irfan and pulled the back of my shirt up to expose my primal mark. The symbol of my pact with a primal spirit and the key to the use of my magic. “This will probably hurt a lot. So do try not to resist as it will only make it worse.” Irfan said as the hair on the back of my neck began to raise from him calling forth magical energy. For a moment, there was nothing then as his hand touched my back, I was filled with a sudden pain that engulfed my whole body. For a moment, I was standing at the ruins of a floating castle overlooking the void the screeching sound of a large bird from behind called out to me. As I turned around, I saw a large raven look down at me, and I could tell it was trying to tell me something. Then a bright light shinned behind it as chains shot out tearing into the wings of the raven. I could feel the chains tearing into my back as each stabbed into the bird. It was as it was being dragged away from me that I was pulled toward the void below. I screamed as I fell only to find myself falling forward on the floor as Irfan moved his hand from my back. I knew then that he had finished sealing my spirit away, and the draining of my strength was the loss of the magic that used to flow through me. I could barely move as one of the guards grabbed my left hand and raised it up high. I turned to look over to my left and saw a man coming with a branding iron. The mark of banishment. The symbol of those who have been cast out. A symbol shared amongst my people and the other beast clans. I looked on as they brought the branding iron to my hand. The smell of burning flesh reached my nose before another scream left my mouth. When my arm was let go a quickly held in front of my one working eye so I could look at the X shaped brand that was burned into my left hand. I was left broken upon the floor as the weight of everything began to consume me. The phantoms that haunted me began to take form. Mingan looked down at me sadly before walking away. Maheegan didn’t even glance at me as he put an arm around his son. Then Dhaigham simply shook his head in disappointment. Uttering one word, “Pathetic.” I felt strong arms flip me on my back and placed under my legs. The other braced my back as they lifted me up and carried me from the council room. I looked back, seeing more phantoms beginning to take form. Each was someone from my memory and some twisted by the fungus as I last remembered them. “I’m sorry.” The voice of Worcai made me turn away from the growing shattering of my mind to look up at her. “If only I were there for you. I know I can’t do anything to ease your pain, but I will get you safely across the border and make sure no one shall harm you along the way.” I closed my eyes and let myself drift into slumber. I didn’t stir as the guard opened my cell door. I didn’t react as she placed me in my cot and draped a cover over me. Even as the door closed, I stayed perfectly still. It wasn’t till I could feel the hair on the back of my neck that I knew the masked man had moved closer to me. With a light hand, he patted my shoulder. “I understand what happened must have been terrible. That still doesn’t mean you should give up. There is always another way to get what you want. And you have a deal that you must fulfill before you can ever be allowed to give up.” I knew as he retracted his hand that he would return to his dark corner. I also knew he was right. Now is not the time to give up. Even as my mind slowly shatters and everything I worked so long for fades. I can’t give up until I right what happened by finding the last one responsible for that night. Only then can I ever be free of my sins.
Once I was in the hallway, I couldn’t help smirking at the guard who was doing his best not to look at Worcai. “Hope you had a nice nap,” I said, getting the man to grit his teeth. “I’m sure it was good with all the snoring I could hear all day.” Worcai looked over to him with a frown that made the guard look away from us. The guard kept whatever he wanted to say to himself, as Worcai placed a hand on my back and pushed me down the hall. “Get going. No time to mess around with him when the council is waiting.” She said as she continued to push me on. We made our way through the dark halls, that were lit with dim light coming from the candle holders. The sound of our steps echoed down the hall as we kept a steady pace. I could feel a great force tightening its grip around my heart as we made our way. I was walking toward my fate and an unsure future. “I hope none of the guards have caused you any trouble while you were here,” Worcai asked as we made our way down the halls. “If anything happens you can tell me so I can reprimand any of the guards.” I had doubts that she would do that. As I haven’t seen her for over a week since I was brought in here. I just kept walking forward, doing my best to ignore the woman who was both my aunt and the one who arrested me. The younger sister of my father who had a falling out with him a few years after my birth. I’m sure the first time she ever saw me in person was with me standing over a dead body covered in blood. Not the right way to meet a family member. Though I guess it does give you an interesting topic for conversation. “I wish I visited you. Maybe then you wouldn’t be in this situation you find your self in.” She stated as we began to see the doors to the council room in the distance. I stopped moving forward as I clenched my fist tightly. “Why?” I asked as my blood began to boil just a bit. I’m sure for a moment the mark on my back glowed just a little through my ratty shirt. Worcai was quiet for a moment before she placed a hand on my shoulder. “I understand if you’re worried about what is about to happen, but I’m sure things will be.” She tried to speak her last sentence as I shrugged her hand off my shoulder. How dare she. How dare she act like she’s worried. That she actually cares. I turned to face Worcai as I gave her a heated glare. “Alright, is that what you were planning to say. That everything will be alright.” I said mockingly as my nails began to dig into my palms. I could feel my sharpening from the essence that started to flow into them. The piercing of skin that both hurt and soothed as my blood simmered from within. “I have been told that so many times, and each time they have been proven wrong. It will never get better, and it will not be alright. It never is.” I said as I turned to look away for the moment, seeing the familiar figure of my godfather as he told me everything will be alright. Worcai was left speechless and had nothing to say. I smirked as I relished the silence. Sadly this moment of silence was cut short as she let out the breath she was holding. “Your right, nothing ever does go right in this world.” Worcai’s words caused me to unclench my fist, allowing the blood from my palms to slide slowly down before dripping on the floor. “Defiantly not the situation we find ourselves in. To be honest, your rather fucked.” I stood still from her words, allowing Worcai to move closer so she could stand beside me and lean against the wall for support before continuing her speech. “There was a time that I had no plan ever to see you.” She folded her arms over her chest and looked away slightly. Was that a look of regret or shame. “Defiantly not after Kwahza’s death.” “Why’s that?” I asked as I moved next to her to lean against the wall. Looking at her downcast eyes, I could tell she was bothered by her own words. “You know, you kind of look like your father.” I smiled for a moment before she continued. “Too bad, you also have a bit of your mother in you. The woman who took him from me. My big bro.” Worcai said as she looked at me with hateful eyes that made me slide away from her. She quickly looked away and sighed. “Though when I saw you broken from the stress of whatever happened that night. All I saw is my niece and how she needed my help. Help I couldn’t give because I was too late to do anything that matters.” For a moment I didn’t know what to say. I could tell Worcai was in pain as she was conflicted. Now I began to regret my own words as I realized how torn she was between duty and family. How honor can weigh heavy upon a soul. “Sadly I was never there for you and may very well not be able to help you at all in the end.” She said as moved from the wall to look over toward the doors in the distance. A low growl released from my throat as I genuinely looked at the woman who stood before me. The woman who went out of her way to stay away from me. The woman who led me in chains out of Ol Raxia only to lock me away in some dungeon. How dare she act like she actually cares. There was a part of me that wanted to grab Worcai’s head and bash it against the wall until it was covered in her blood. Though I doubt that would improve my chances or even be successful as I eyed the arms of this mighty warrior. So instead I let a sigh out and turned away from her. “There’s no point. It is already too late, and I rather focus on what lies before me. Rather than what could have been and will never be.” Once again, I was met with silence. This time I continued my walk down the hall as she began to follow after me. We came to the large double doors that two-guards stood on each side of it. Through this door, my fate would be decided. “Ah, Worcai the council has been waiting for you.” One of the guards said as we made our way up to him and another guard. He reached for the handle of the door as Worcai gave the nod to the guard. “I hope we aren’t late,” Worcai said as the guard pulled the door open for us. He shook his head. “Not really, you should be just in time as they should be finishing with the previous witness.” He said just before I made my way through the door. As I entered the council room, I was filled with awe at the massive totems and statues placed along the path to the council that sat at the end of the room. Seven large seats surrounded the back wall with two of them empty. I knew one would have been Dhaigham’s, but with him dead, it was left open. The other is someone I don’t know who probably didn’t bother coming back to see my sentencing. In the far right of the room was a massive furnace that heated the room. Though it had a large man was standing next to it, holding a metal branding iron. In the center of the room was a small seat where a familiar figure sat. As I got closer, I began to hear the voice of Phelan, a rival for my place as Dhaigham’s apprentice. Someone who hated me from the very beginning when I set foot into the village ten years ago. “The half breed freak killed our master, after manipulating him to allow her to open a rift. Those damn creatures nearly wiped all of us out. I knew we couldn’t trust someone with tainted blood.” Phelan said as he waved his hands wildly. The bastard was doing everything he could to brand me the culprit. While I did have a hand in the events, it was out of service to Dhaigham not by me manipulating him in any way. How dare he say I would manage him or bring forth those creatures willingly.
“You’re lying,” I yelled out, causing everyone in the council room to look over to me. Worcai rushed from the doors, her steps getting louder as she got closer thanks to the echoing of the room. Her hand reached out and touched my shoulder as she put a little pressure to keep me from moving. I shrugged her hand off my shoulder and didn’t bother acknowledging her as I stepped closer to Phelan. “You had it in for me for years and would jump at the chance to defame me,” I yelled out as I got closer to my target. “You were there and knew that I did as Dhaigham asked of me.” Phelan turned his head to the side to get a glance at me. A smirk appeared upon his face before he turned to face the council. He motioned over to me as he spoke his words with venom. “You see this freak, she dares to dishonor this here council with her lack of respect for those who sit here. This is why we should never trust an outsider with tainted blood. Definitely not over a member of a respected clan like my own.” He placed his hand on his chest as he finished. One of the great shamans leaned forward in their chair a woman with a wild look about her. Her hair was unkempt, her face carried a few scars, and she wore a leather vest that had fur lining around the collar. Next to the woman was a bow that was leaning against her chair. Which was made out of wood and had carvings that seemed must be magical runes. As she spoke, I couldn’t help shivering as her rough voice was felt in my bones. “Even with her disrespect, of not waiting for her turn. She does bring up a good point.” Phelan let his head fall low as he did his best not to look the shaman in the eye. “What do you mean master Teigra?” Phelan asked with slight worry in his voice. The woman known as Teigra smiled, making sure to show off her teeth. I couldn’t help noticing the sharpness of them and how they glistened from the light. “So many have shown that they have a deep-seated hatred for this young woman. By giving claims of how horrible she has been since her stay in the village.” She motioned over to me with her hand. “Many of which do conflict with the letters we got from Dhaigham. Makes me wonder if everyone who showed up this day has a bone to pick with her. Or are you telling me that Dhaigham was lying to us, all this time.” Teigra took her time with her last few words as she eyed Phelan like he was prey. Teigra started tapping her sharp nails upon the arm of her chair. “I hope you are telling the truth, rather than pinning the blame on someone you all detest because of her heritage.” She glanced over to me before glaring at me with disdain. “Even if it is tainted by Presari blood.” I clenched my fist at Teigra’s words. Taking a step forward to argue only to feel Worcai’s hand on my shoulder. This time she gripped her hand tightly around my shoulder that caused me to hiss in pain. “Remain calm and don’t take actions that will make them take action against you.” She whispered in my ear, causing me to sigh and look off to the side. “Teigra, I know you love to apply a bit of pressure upon our witnesses just for the sport of it.” A large man who sat next to Teigra was leaning back in his chair looking over Phelan and me like we were unimportant. Made me wonder why he even bothered to watch over this case. “Now it is not such a time to have such fun. We need truth and only the truth, so our actions can be fair and uncorrupted.” The large man said before placing a fist under his hand to lean against. Teigra let out a slight growl as she eyed the large man. I could tell she was not happy with the man who would interrupt her fun. “You think I don’t want to know the truth. I just want to make sure the fear I’m smelling from the pup isn’t because he thinks he will be caught lying to us.” She said as she glanced over to Phelan, who seemed to have taken a few steps back from her look. “At least the birdie seems to have a spine to her even if she lacks tact.” She glanced over to me, and I frowned only to look to the side as her eyes bore through me. Another shaman spoke up sitting a few seats away from Teigra. The only other woman currently sitting on the council. She looked familiar, but I couldn’t place it. “He has already been through a lot after the death of his cousin and his uncle. No need to apply such pressure upon him like so.” A nicer sounding woman said as she looked over at the Teigra. Her words were causing me almost to have my legs crumble under me. She was Tala ov Flowza. Older sister of Maheegan Flowza and the aunt to Mingan. She was someone who had a secure connection to the one person I would have died for. Now I stand alone to be judged by her. I knew now that I was very likely fucked. Teigra leaned forward in her chair and looked over to Tala. “Really Tala, how biased can you be when the lead witness is you, damn nephew.” She said before glancing at Phelan. “He is part of your pack, isn’t he. Makes me wonder why you are even allowed to sit upon this judgment when you have so much to gain based on the decision.” What did she mean by that? How can their decision benefit Tala? Is it because it will protect Phelan from his cowardice ways, or will she gain the upper hand in some other way? “I’ll have you know that Phelan isn’t on trial,” Tala replied as she looked ready to get up out her chair. Teigra nodded her head and smiled before talking in the sweetest voice the fierce woman could ever muster. “Oh yes, but if he’s found to be lying, he will be punished accordingly of course.” The woman said as she looked Tala up and down. “Not even you can protect the blood of those who lie to the council my friend,” Teigra said, getting a growl from Tala who started to dig her nails in the arm of her chair. As I looked on, I couldn’t help feeling shocked by the people sitting in front of me. The men and woman of the council seemed pathetic. Bickering amongst themselves rather than getting to business. So different from Dhaigham and how he demanded order and went out of his way to always seem honorable. A staff was slammed on the floor, causing the two women to stop with their arguments. They both looked at the oldest member of the council who gripped his staff tightly. “There is no time to argue amongst our selves.” The aged voice of the man echoed in the room as he took his time speaking. “With the death of one of our own and the creatures that nearly broke free of the valley. We are put in a position that forces us to get to the bottom of these events and decide the fate of those who had a hand in what went down Only then can we put this affair behind us.” Tala bowed her head in respect or maybe acceptance of her fault in carrying her self. “I understand master Irfan, I will focus on what lies before us.” She said as calm as possible even though there was a hint of defeat in her voice. Like a kid told to sit in the corner of the hut. Teigra laid back in her chair as she folded her arms in front of her. I could have sworn I saw a pout from her before she quickly looked away. “Ok, I’ll do as you say, master Irfan.” “Good,” Irfan said before looking at Phelan. “You are done here, for now, young Phelan. We have only the accused to talk to and then this case can be decided. Do know that if we have to, we will speak to you again. Let us hope that won’t be necessary.” Phelan bowed before the council. “I thank you, great shamans, and hope you don’t hesitate to do your worse to the witch that took our master away.” He said as he slowly rose back up only glancing back at me at the last second. I clenched my fist tightly from Phelan’s words and eyed him as he turned to leave. When he saw me, he smirked and strolled over to me with a swagger in his step. “I hope you know that whatever story you tell will not save you as all the survivors have rallied behind condemning you for your crimes. You are dangerous and have no place in the village, valley, or any part of the alliance. I can’t wait to see you lead out of here broken without your magic.” I wanted to attack him and beat him down, but I knew better and simply clenched my teeth. Instead, Worcai moved in front of me to block him or me from taking any actions. I couldn’t see the look on her face, but I noticed Phelan taking a step back from over her shoulder. “The council is done with you, and if you don’t want to find your self in any trouble, it’s best to be scarce,” Worcai said as she folded her arms in front of her chest. She seemed a little taller for just a moment as she gave off an aura of intimidation that even caused me to lean my head down just a slight bit. Phelan put his hands up and chuckled though he did his best not to look Worcai in the eye. “No need to worry.” He said before looking over her shoulder at me. “If anyone is going to be hostile, it will be her.” He motioned over to me with a slight wave of his hand. “I have already said my piece and will enjoy when she gets what she deserves.” I wanted to say something back but was left speechless as I was already feeling doomed from the beginning of this farce. Of course, the shamans would side with him, he had family on the council. While the only family I have has gone out of her way not to see me. Only meeting me when she had to bring me to this fortress in chains. The calming voice of the last member of the council called forth. “Come to Nevarr ov Talion. It is time for you to state your truth, so this council can finally complete its duty. Will you be judged a traitor to her people, or will you be judged a servant of your shamans will? This will be decided here before us. Know that if you lie and we find out we will make you suffer.” Worcai turned around to face me and smiled. “Do your best, and this will all be over.” She said before moving out of my way. She motioned to the small chair sitting in front of the council. I made my way over to the chair and sat down to look up at the great shamans. Their chairs were raised higher than mine and forcing me to look up to them. As if they were majestic beings who you had to kneel before. “I thank you, honorable council members, for allowing me to speak in front of you,” I said making sure to bow my head before them. “I know that with recent events you may want to toss me aside, but I am grateful that you will at least listen to my side of the story.” The last member stood up from his chair and returned my bow. “My name is Derwan, and I’m sure you have overheard the rest of our names.” The last member said which I nodded in agreement. “Yes, sir,” I replied as calmly as possible. Derwan sat back down in his chair and smiled. “Good. Let’s get started then. You should start with why you were chosen to take part in this ritual that Dhaigham was trying to do that night.” Derwan asked as his eyes never left me not even to blink. I took a deep breath so that I could collect my thoughts on why I was chosen. I did question it at the time, but now I have a better understanding as there was no other way this ritual was possible without me. Anyone else would not have been able to activate the artifact, and so many would have still been alive if I hadn’t been chosen. I reached for my right eye and the bandage that covered it. Remembering the scar that was hidden under it. “I didn’t know at the time why he chose me,” I said as I glanced at the different shamans that looked down at me. “I thought it was because I proved myself worthy of being his apprentice. That all my hard work gained me the honor to take part in such a sacred task of serving my great shaman, my leader. Though now, I know better.” I grabbed at the bandages so I could rip them off, revealing my damaged eye and the injuries that laid under it. A jigsaw of scars that looked like the cracks in a mirror. My eye was carrying similar injuries, though seeming more glass-like than anything. My pupil had lost it’s darkened color and had faded to show that I had lost all ability to see from it. The shamans all seemed to have shifted in the chairs. They seemed disturbed by my eye, and for a moment, I think I saw worry upon some of their faces. “So you know then,” Hastin commented as he rubbed at his chin. “Did he tell you then, or did you find out the cause of the ritual.” “You have a gift Nevarr, something that can aid our people. Though you may pay a horrible price for its use.” The voice of Dhaigham echoed in my ears. As if he was standing across from me, sitting down with the fire between us. I rubbed at the bridge of my nose for a moment as I held my head low. I looked up at the council again and spoke. “He mentioned that I had a gift. Something that could help our people, though now I know it is more of a curse than anything.” Hastin nodded his head in agreement. “Interesting and what did this ritual entail?” Teigra asked as she leaned forward in her chair her hands clenching the arm as she dug her sharp nails ever so slightly across it. My eyes widened as the familiar figure of Dhaigham sat across from me. I wanted to react, but I knew better than to show even the slightest bit of reaction to these phantoms that haunted me still. “All you have to do is channel your gift through this artifact and place the artifact in the gateway.” He said as he held out a round object that I now know as the travelers key. “From there you can rest knowing you did your part,” Dhaigham said as the key faded from his hand as this would have been the moment I grabbed the key and began to look it over. I shook my head for a moment to get the cobwebs out of it. I then looked at Teigra and nodded my head. “I was to charge an artifact with the power I have and use it to open the gateway,” I told the council leaving out the name of the artifact that was said to me. “Then Dhaigham would retrieve something called a blood fungus from there.” Irfan leaned forward in his chair, gripping his staff tightly. I could see him seethe in anger. “Did you say Blood fungus. I hope I didn’t hear you right as that would be something too dangerous for even a great shaman would dabble in. Specifically with no logical reason to use such a damned thing.” He said while his eyes focused on me with a pressure that made me tremble. I knew he was the oldest of the shaman. He may also be the strongest in raw magical power. I nodded my head quickly as I did my best not to look into his eyes. “I’m sad to say it was blood fungus and was at the heart of what went wrong that night.” I clenched my fist tightly from memory, trying best not to let it overtake me. I did not want to face those phantoms again, not yet. Sadly my hopes to not focus on the horror of that night was dashed. “How about the fate of Mingan and Maheegan,” Tala asked, getting me to look up at her with a painful expression on my face. As I blinked, I found myself in the halls of an old ruin with a red sky peeking through the cracked roof. I could hear the roar and sounds of monstrous creatures further down the hallway. I could barely move and was only upright thanks to Mingan, holding me close with my arm draped over his shoulder. Maheegan had his sword gripped as tight as he could, as he looked down at the ground. Seeing his men lying upon the floor, who had died to buy time for others to make it out. Dhaigham was long gone running after the mysterious partner who had double-crossed us. Leaving us to fend for ourselves trying to get back through the gate. “How can this shit happen,” Maheegan said to no one as he looked back at Mingan and me. “All my men died for that fool’s desire to help the mysterious bastard who only ends up betraying us. How can Dhaigham have been fooled so easily.” “Does it even matter father. We need to get to the portal now. Nevarr is too weak to take on another attack of those creatures.” Mingan said, getting Maheegan to frown. Maheegan placed a hand on Mingan’s shoulder and nodded his head. “Your right. You have to go now. Once that door breaks I’m going to stand my ground. You, on the other hand, will have to run as quickly as possible.” “What do you mean father? I can’t leave you behind not like this.” Mingan said. The door burst open, and blood fungus-infected creatures broke through, and Maheegan quickly slashed through the first creature with little resistance. Twisting his body in the other direction to cut right through another. “Run now and take Nevarr through the gate. Once through close the gate behind you and don’t look back.” Maheegan yelled out before he cut down another of the blood fungus corrupted warriors. Many who were trained by him and followed his orders. I once again found myself back before the council with them looking at me with worried looks. “Are you ok?” Tala asked. I nodded my head. “Yes, I’m ok. Maheegan fought to give us a chance to escape so that I could close the gateway to keep the creatures from getting through.” I replied. “Which you failed at it seems?” Teigra said getting Tala to look at her with a frown before looking back at me. “Don’t mind her.” Tala motioned to Teigra before focusing back on me. “What was his fate?” Tala asked. “I believe he didn’t make it, but I’m not sure as I was going in and out,” I said as I looked down at the ground. “What of Mingan?” Tala asked. Once again, the surrounding began to fade away, and I found myself standing before the gateway. We had just got it activated again and was planning to go through when the door burst opened and an army of the blood fungus creatures moved to attack at us. Mingan pushed me toward the gateway and smiled before rushing toward the monsters with his sword gripped tightly in his hand. “I got this my little birdie. If I don’t make it, I want you to see the world and all its glory.” Mingan said just before he cut through one of the creatures only to attack another. He barely dodged one of the monsters trying to scratch out his side. I wanted to help, but I knew them was nothing I could do, so I made my way through the gate. To bad one creature got past him and rushed me. If it weren’t for that, I would have made it to the other side and maybe been able to close it, or at least rally the troops. Instead, as soon I found myself along the path of light, I was knocked off the glowing road into the void by the creature who looked down hungrily at me as I fell. I closed my eye and took a deep breath before opening it to find myself back in front of the council. “He fought to buy me just enough time to get through and close the gateway. Though in the end, I don’t know his fate.” I said somberly before looking away from Tala who had a painful expression on her face. “Interesting, Phelan made it sound like it was all your fault, but it sounds more like an effort of dabbling in the forbidden. Though this does not excuse you from your sins. It does point out that the ultimate failings are on one of our own.” Derwan said calmly. “I thank you for trusting me and listening to my side of events,” I said to them as I bowed my head. Hastin nodded his head in agreement before speaking. “Though I do wonder if you experienced any side effects from your exposure with the different forbidden magics that were at play. Specifically, your exposure to the other side as we can all see that there is no visible exposure to blood fungus.” Hastin started getting me worried about the man in the metal mask and the visions of the past that haunted me. Could they be symptoms of my exposure to the other side? The use of that cursed power. Or maybe my sense of reality is crumbling around me. I shook my head slowly. “Nothing as far as I know. Everything has been ok with me.” I told the council doing my best not to worry them. “Lying won’t get you far young lady,” Teigra said as she eyed me like I was some meal to her. “From what I heard from the guards, you seem to have a habit of talking to your self. That wouldn’t be because you’ve become shattered or anything.” I feared I was found out that they would judge me by the growing delusion that has begun to take hold of me since I been locked away. I needed to act and would need some kind of excuse to save myself. “Not at all, I just like to think out loud when things are stressful,” I said as I did my best to reassure them. “That’s good. It wouldn’t go well if you been tainted in any way. You probably should know, but that gift of yours isn’t natural. Which is the reason we worry.” Hastin stated. “What do you mean?” I asked, looking around the council for an answer. Irfan let out a sigh before tapping his staff on the ground. “You have a right to know,” Irfan said, getting the others to look at him with worry on there face. “Are you sure that’s the right thing to do?” Tala asked as she leaned over toward Irfan. “She needs to know,” Irfan replied before turning to face me. “You may not know this, but your parents died in a similar event. One that once again, you were at the heart of.” I gripped the arms of the chair tightly at being reminded of my parents passing. The secrets of their death have hovered over my life for many years. I looked up at Irfan and slowly asked my question. “What do you mean by that?” Tala looked away for a moment before leaning forward in her chair as she closed one hand into a fist while the other wrapped around it. “That the haven incident was caused by messing with an artifact known as the shattered eye. An artifact capable of opening rifts through reality.” Tala’s words caused me to reach up and touch at my damaged right eye slowly. “The ultimate Gateway key.” Derwan’s voice added, causing me to look up at them with a worried look on my face. My grip on the arms of the chair tightened as a surge of essence flowed through me, brought on my growing frustration. “Are you saying that the power of this artifact is inside of me. That this artifact had a hand in my parents’ death.” I yelled out as I stood up from my seat, tearing the arms of the chair right off before letting go and letting the broken wood fall to the ground. They looked on worried at my reaction and seemed just a little bit fearful of my raging emotions. Teigra ever the courageous smiled before speaking. “Yes. That is why you have always been considered a possible danger.” Teigra said as she motioned to the damaged chair arms that laid at me feat. I looked down for a moment and took a slow breath before looking back up at them. “If I was such a danger, why did you send me to Dhaigham?” I asked with a desire to know the truth. “Because you showed no sign of awakening that power. We thought your parents succeeded in sealing away the power.” Hastin stated as he shifted in his chair. “Which brings us to our verdict,” Irfan said, getting the others to focus on him. “Everyone who feels she’s not guilty for the incident, raise your hand.” Irfan raised his hand up slowly and was followed by Teigra, who didn’t hesitate to raise her hand. Tala clenched her fists tightly and seemed to be conflicted with the situation before finally raising a hand. Irfan stood up and nodded his head and smiled at me. “You are not guilty of the incident and will not be branded a traitor in that regard.” I couldn’t help letting go of the breath I was holding and finally smiled before standing from my seat. “I thank you council and will do my best in honoring the chance you have given me,” I said as I bowed before them. “I wouldn’t be thanking us so soon,” Hastin said as I rose from my bow. “There is still one more verdict to be decided.” “What verdict is that?” I asked as I eyed him carefully. “Are you a danger to all of the alliance, maybe even the world. It is up to us to decide if that cursed power that has reawakened needs to be dealt with.” He said as his words cut deep and caused my legs to weaken just a little that I had to sit down to regain my strength. “Yes, that is an important decision,” Derwan commented. “You may not have been the cause of the incident as you were following the orders of a shaman. In any normal situation, you will simply be tasked in serving the council to regain your honor for the taint Dhaigham’s decisions have caused. Sadly you are a carrier of a cursed power, a sinners power.” “What do you mean a sinners power?” I asked as I looked up at them. “You must understand. The council, our race, and all of the alliance have a strong stance against forbidden magic. What has awakened in you is forbidden, and all that is forbidden must be purged.” Teigra said. “But we are a fair people and will not kill the one who did not have a choice in their situation,” Tala said. “So it is our decision that was decided long before you even sat here this day. That you will have your magic sealed and be exiled from these lands for you to seek purpose without access to any magic that could reawaken that curse.” I didn’t know what happened. For a moment, everything became so ungodly silent, and for that moment, I was left utterly alone as I began to hear the shattering of glass. I knew then that everything I have done up to this point was pointless. To have my magic sealed away would be taking away all the work I have done to master my magic. All the pain I suffered under the villagers to gain their trust. All of it was shattered. I wanted to scream, but I was stronger than that. I knew there was nothing I could do. That even if I tried to fight my way out, it would all end the same. It was only the realization that the cursed power would potential be locked away, was I given some sense of understanding. It was the only way in the end.
Irfan made his way down the small set of stairs to stand in front of me as Worcai and two guards came up behind me. I didn’t resist as they grabbed my arms and pulled me up so I could stand. They turned me around, so my back was facing Irfan and pulled the back of my shirt up to expose my primal mark. The symbol of my pact with a primal spirit and the key to the use of my magic. “This will probably hurt a lot. So do try not to resist as it will only make it worse.” Irfan said as the hair on the back of my neck began to raise from him calling forth magical energy. For a moment, there was nothing then as his hand touched my back, I was filled with a sudden pain that engulfed my whole body. For a moment, I was standing at the ruins of a floating castle overlooking the void the screeching sound of a large bird from behind called out to me. As I turned around, I saw a large raven look down at me, and I could tell it was trying to tell me something. Then a bright light shinned behind it as chains shot out tearing into the wings of the raven. I could feel the chains tearing into my back as each stabbed into the bird. It was as it was being dragged away from me that I was pulled toward the void below. I screamed as I fell only to find myself falling forward on the floor as Irfan moved his hand from my back. I knew then that he had finished sealing my spirit away, and the draining of my strength was the loss of the magic that used to flow through me. I could barely move as one of the guards grabbed my left hand and raised it up high. I turned to look over to my left and saw a man coming with a branding iron. The mark of banishment. The symbol of those who have been cast out. A symbol shared amongst my people and the other beast clans. I looked on as they brought the branding iron to my hand. The smell of burning flesh reached my nose before another scream left my mouth. When my arm was let go a quickly held in front of my one working eye so I could look at the X shaped brand that was burned into my left hand. I was left broken upon the floor as the weight of everything began to consume me. The phantoms that haunted me began to take form. Mingan looked down at me sadly before walking away. Maheegan didn’t even glance at me as he put an arm around his son. Then Dhaigham simply shook his head in disappointment. Uttering one word, “Pathetic.” I felt strong arms flip me on my back and placed under my legs. The other braced my back as they lifted me up and carried me from the council room. I looked back, seeing more phantoms beginning to take form. Each was someone from my memory and some twisted by the fungus as I last remembered them. “I’m sorry.” The voice of Worcai made me turn away from the growing shattering of my mind to look up at her. “If only I were there for you. I know I can’t do anything to ease your pain, but I will get you safely across the border and make sure no one shall harm you along the way.” I closed my eyes and let myself drift into slumber. I didn’t stir as the guard opened my cell door. I didn’t react as she placed me in my cot and draped a cover over me. Even as the door closed, I stayed perfectly still. It wasn’t till I could feel the hair on the back of my neck that I knew the masked man had moved closer to me. With a light hand, he patted my shoulder. “I understand what happened must have been terrible. That still doesn’t mean you should give up. There is always another way to get what you want. And you have a deal that you must fulfill before you can ever be allowed to give up.” I knew as he retracted his hand that he would return to his dark corner. I also knew he was right. Now is not the time to give up. Even as my mind slowly shatters and everything I worked so long for fades. I can’t give up until I right what happened by finding the last one responsible for that night. Only then can I ever be free of my sins.
Comments