Encounters on Green Isle
In this gripping episode, Ulu tries to overcome his grief at the loss of his son while Tzalaii is washed up to shore after the storm on the same green isle where Ulu is…
Warriors of Transcendence, Part 19
Ulu had intended to travel to the White Desert, but his plans had gone awry. He found himself in the middle of Green Isle. He had lost his senses, impulsively desiring to pursue his beloved son, to follow in Sage’s footsteps towards the Towered City. But his inner integrity overcame his longing, and he forced himself to escape by retreating in the opposite direction.
“Give yourself some time. Do not be afraid. Sage will return to you,” he repeated, as he traveled farther and farther away from the Green Lowlands and towards the sea. “You must leave this place, so that you may return later, wiser and stronger, to confront your enemy.”
Two Transparent Ones met him on the shore. Their presence strengthened his decision and assured him that he was traveling in the right direction for the moment. They sailed with him in a small boat, arriving at Green Isle, from whence they departed silently. Ulu was left alone on the sandy beach.
He knew that the Transparent Ones would be there for him again.
Watching over you, aware of your travails, we accompany you, he thought as the Transparent Ones waved farewell sailing into the distance in their small boat.
In the past, this type of affection would have touched his heart deeply, but now his emotions were stunted by his grief. He gathered his strength and began to explore the green, luxuriant island.
Amidst the harmonious beauty of the island, the grass, trees and flowers seemed to murmur songs of delight. But Ulu did not notice that aspect of his surroundings. He kicked the stones in his path, headed towards an area of plush grass and sat down, heavily.
“I asked You if I should take him,” he uttered.
His words were as heavy in his mouth as boulders. He had to use every ounce of strength to voice them.
“I could not leave him in the village… I did what I thought was right… What will become of him now?” Inundated with feelings of misery, he felt as if his will to live had been taken from him.
I cannot do anything while Sage is in enemy hands, he wanted to say, but could not utter the words. He looked ahead helplessly. The waves crashed upon the shore in constant motion.
“I cannot go on. I cannot act. I would be better off dead,” he concluded.
Something cracked in his heart. He forced himself to pause and examine his pronouncements before pouring out his heart, fully.
“Sage! If you have been poisoned by Khivia’s pernicious whispers…if your pure aspirations have been obliterated by the messengers of the Emperors…”
Ulu began to sob and cry out in pain, as he plummeted deeper and deeper into the obscurity of his anguish.
And the Transcendor listened.
* * *
At this moment, Tzalaii found himself on an unfamiliar beach on a green and lush island. Green Isle! He had drifted for many days from the familiar shores of his village. The morning breeze caressed his face, smelling of the island’s vegetation. He was near starvation, after his long storm-tossed sea voyage. The trees were remarkably fresh and vigorous; their movements in the wind poetic. The rich soil was visible through the overgrowth of vegetation and between the great trees whose peaks reached toward the sky. Fragrant, delicious fruit grew abundantly. After nourishing himself with the fruit, Tzalaii leaned back against one of the trees, and looked towards the beach attempting to assess his situation.
People, forces, and events had been set in motion after he had removed the stone from the outer wall, but Tzalaii was unaware of these events. He wondered what he was to do here, not even knowing how he had arrived. He wondered if any of his fellow- villagers had ever been here in the past. And he wondered about his sister, left behind in the village. What would become of her?
Some days passed and Tzalaii grew stronger. He had access to food and water and the island was pleasant, but he felt alone, restless and uneasy. One evening, at sunset, he noticed a man on the beach. His slow pace was confident and serene, his garb as simple as that worn by the villagers. At the same time Ulu, too, became aware of Tzalaii’s presence.
I am not alone, thought Ulu. But silence, devoid of thoughts, descended upon him, and from within it he felt that he must remain in place until called upon to proceed. Sage was under the protection of the Transcendor. Ulu’s messenger- the Master of Transcendence- knew everything. Ulu, on the other hand, knew nothing. But it was not his task to know everything. Some thoughts mustn’t be contemplated.
Even from a distance, it was obvious to Ulu that the young and dreamy villager in the distance was not a threat. When Ulu reached him and extended his hand in peace, he recognized the boy as Tzalaii- the adventurous orphan from his village. As a Warrior of Transcendence, he knew he must conceal his surprise. Surely their meeting was no coincidence. He must pay close attention to everything. The boy did not recognize Ulu even though they were from the same village. Ulu always tried to appear simple and inconspicuous, giving no reason for others to notice him or remember his features.
“Welcome, my friend of the villages,” Ulu began with calming words.
Tzalaii excitedly began asking questions: “I didn’t know there were people here! I thought I would remain here on my own forever! Is there a way out? Are you the only one here? Are there others?”
“Let us sit,” offered Ulu, pointing towards the sand. “So many questions cannot be answered while standing.”
And so, Tzalaii related his memories of the storm, and his mysterious survival, carefully omitting any mention of the blue stone. Ulu explained his presence as accidental and offered Tzalaii his friendship. The boy felt safe with his new friend and trusted him fully. He proudly removed the golden cloth from his knapsack and with childish excitement, began telling Ulu about his discovery. Ulu examined the cloth. During his training in the Chamber of Changing Colors he had learned that this type of cloth had been worn only by Descendants of the Ancient Progeny. He turned it over and stroked it. The rough surface of the material accentuated the etchings. Hidden maps of the Time Tunnels were always etched on the royal capes of the Descendants of the Ancient Progeny. Ulu casually returned the cloth to its owner, trying not to betray his intense interest in it. In time he might need this map, and it was good to know that the boy with the gleaming eyes held this precious and critical guide.
In the heart of the island, at that very moment, Sihara sat across from her Transparent Master as he spoke. He had secluded himself in his room for many hours, bent over his books, and gazing at the red stone. Now, it seemed, he understood its significance. He invited Sihara to listen to his assessment.
“It seems to me” he began hesitantly, “that I have reached a conclusion. The Transparent Ones sent this valuable stone to me because of the secret information it contains. Until now, the villagers chose to ignore the evil spirit threatening the earth. They preferred to believe that no harm would come to them, and they mistakenly insisted that the soldiers of the Tower will not arrive on the Shore of Kings Sea. However, the battles have already begun. Shadows are being cast in all places, and the dispatchers augment their forces each day. Even if the Transparent Ones are victorious in many battles, others shall be flung into the Abyss, and the land shall blacken with Shadows.”
Sihara trembled as she listened to his words. Are men the creators of the Shadows? She wondered. Why would humans want to create their own enemies? And what was this ‘Abyss’ mentioned by the Transparent Master?
She gazed at the rock perched on the center of the table in the cabin and noticed a glimmer of light emanating from it.
The old man continued: “If the secret of the stone is revealed, everyone in the land will rebel. Old and young, adults and children, everyone will be outraged- possibly changing the outcome of the war. The Emperors know this, and consequently will do everything in their power to retrieve it. You must avoid them.”
“Do you know the secret of the stone?” questioned Sihara, looking pale.
“I think so…” he hesitated, “I think so.”
Silence hovered over the cabin and the trees outside were motionless.
“The Descendants of the Emperors did something dreadful; something that will cast eternal shame on every Emperor and every soldier in his army.”
“This stone,” he pointed to it as if it were alive, “is no stone at all”…
Sihara was stunned.
The sound of rustling, cracking branches was heard from outside. Sihara turned her head to the door. A sudden cold light entered the warm cabin, the light of torches held aloft by furious warriors, white flames embroidered on their clothing. They noisily crashed into the interior of the cabin like a sudden storm and then fell curiously silent. They stood proudly, stiffly, as if composed of metal. The tallest one pointed to the glimmering stone in the center of the cabin as two others seized it, concealing it in a small wooden box. Sihara froze in place, not knowing what to do. She glanced briefly at her Transparent Master, but he was gone.
“Seize her!” barked one of the warriors.
Within moments she was shackled and her mouth was taped. Two warriors carried her, as if she were a small branch.
At the same time, an entire brigade from the Lead Level was moving quickly towards the beach, planning to camp before proceeding at dawn. Silently and methodically, the warriors maneuvered through the trees, like large human beasts.
* * *
On the other side of the island, Tzalaii and Ulu were still sitting together and talking, as the Transparent Master searched for help. He had been told by the Transparent Ones that a Warrior of Transcendence on the island was in need of aid. Stealthily, he made his way to the beach, searching. Maybe together they could rescue the girl. A small flame stopped him in his tracks. Within seconds it had transformed itself into a dancing, furious pillar of fire. Another flame appeared and yet another. Within minutes, he was surrounded by brightly colored flames, hands of fire reaching out from within. Did they think he was human and could be frightened by their flames? He wondered. The encounter with the Shadows was never pleasant, but as far as he could remember he had never been defeated by a Shadow of any kind.
Ulu and Tzalaii were not too far from where the Transparent Master stood. The swirling flames were visible to them as well.
“Stay here!” ordered Ulu authoritatively.
Tzalaii had not heard him use this tone of voice before. Ulu ran towards the Transparent Master and was immediately spotted by the Shadows. Some of them continued circling around the Transparent Master while others turned towards Ulu. They whirled around in circles, causing their flames to appear thin and blue. As they neared Ulu they scorched all manner of branches and twigs, weeds and thorns in their path. They illuminated the night with their mysterious light, which was visible all the way to the shore. Tzalaii, who had found shelter in the high branches of a tree, shuddered in fear.
Ulu stood in place, suffering from the heat…his throat dry. His movements became heavier and he felt his strength being sucked away by the Shadows. He took a deep breath, focused on his inner self and ignored the swirling threat. Oddly, the Transparent Master remained motionless.
Does he not have the ability to help me? wondered Ulu. He must be capable of helping me!
To be continued.
***
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