A single canoe and its passengers floated quietly down the mountain river as the forest burned behind them. The sun had already set, but the glow of Mount Movs burning remains lit the sky a dark red.
Emma, Duncan, and Aqila sat on one end of the canoe, staring at the small boy who sat huddled as usual at the other end of the canoe. Yara sat in the middle with a frown.
Wait, Yara twisted her lips. You dont rember anything?
The small boy nodded reluctantly, Mm.
Not even your na? Yara asked.
Uh uh, he said.
Damn, and here I thought youd be a wealth of knowledge, Yara sighed. What do you rember?
Um, waking up this morning? he shrugged.
And how did that happen?
The boy closed his eyes, ...It was dark, I couldnt move, I think I was sleeping? Then there was this really loud sound, like the earth itself was screaming out in pain I opened my eyes and saw fire and molten rock.
Mount Movs eruption, Aqila whispered. Were you on the volcano when it erupted?
Maybe? The small boy shrugged.
No, thats not possible, Yara said. The eruption tore everything apart in a league-wide radius, nothing could have survived a direct blast. But maybe you were quite near? Anyone else would have died even from that distance, but you survived, probably incurring a lot of damage in the process. It would explain the mory loss.
That makes sense, the small boy nodded.
Does that an hes from the dark side of the mountains? Aqila narrowed her eyes. Hes a monster from the Western Forest!? Hes dangerous!
Ugh, can you stop with all of that nonsense, Yara rolled her eyes. If the kid wanted us dead I doubt there is anything we could have done to stop him. Isnt that right, kid?
I guess? the small boy cocked his head to the side.
If you were so strong, why didnt you kill that monster from the start? Aqila asked, anger dripping from her voice.
...I dont know Better to be underestimated, than to be feared? Or sothing? I dont rember how the saying goes, the small boy admitted.
Dont worry about it. Yara leaned forward with a grin, What I really want to know is what are you? You're probably really old, right? Definitely from the Sundering Age or maybe even from the Age of Titans? Yara shook her head, I know the latter is doubtful, but one can hope, right?
How is he old? He looks younger than , Emma frowned.
Shapeshifters can mask ones true appearance and so live longer than others, Yara said. But I dont know anyone who can shapeshift like this kid though.
Hey, whats that? the small boy pointed up.
A flock of butterflies slowly descended around them. Their black and purple wings grazed the water before they flew up and back down in a spiraling pattern around the canoe.
Butterflies! Emma said happily.
A rare variant of owl butterfly to be precise. Theyre native to the Duality Mountains, Yara said matter-of-factly.
Ive never seen so many at once, Duncan muttered.
They must be fleeing the fires, Aqila said.
Theyre beautiful, the small boy said in awe.
You think so? Yara smiled thoughtfully.
I think theyre beautiful too! Oh, my nas Emma by the way.
Aqila cleared her throat, ...Right, we havent properly introduced ourselves. Im Aqila, this is Emma and her big brother Duncan.
Nice to et you all, Yara nodded with a grin.
The small boy smiled, Nice to et you, Im, uh I dont rember my na
Hm, well that wont do, Yara placed a finger to her lips. How about Caligo?
Caligo? the small boy said tentatively.
Yeah, after the butterfly, Yara pointed at the butterflies flitting around them. How about we call you Caligo? Until you rember your own na that is.
Caligo Caligo, the small boy mumbled. What do you think, Lin-lu?
A small white fox poked her head out from his ragged cloak and squeaked in approval.
The mountain goddess!? Aqila whispered in shock. Shes alive!?
Youre just full of surprises, arent you kid? Yara laughed.
Huh? Goddess? Caligo blinked.
Lin-lu squeaked a mournful sound.
Ah, I see, Caligo nodded. She says that she isnt the mountain goddess. That was her mother.
Her mother? Yara asked.
Caligo rubbed Lin-lus head affectionately, ...After I woke up this morning, I walked through the mountains, looking for anybody I found Lin-lu crying next to her mothers body. It seems Vanara had killed her.
Vanara?
The one you called a dark god, Caligo said. He introduced himself, several tis really. Were none of you listening?
All I heard was a lot of roaring and snarling, Yara sighed. I really wish I had been able to understand Vanara. Maybe he wouldnt have had to die.
No, I would certainly have killed him, Caligo said calmly. He killed Lin-lus mother. Shes just a cub, but she saw her mother fall. Vanara had to die. A life for a life.
No hesitation, huh? Yara said wryly.
Are you the goddess protector now? Aqila asked.
I am her friend? That is what she calls , Caligo said. Lin-lu is still too young to look after herself. So I took her with . We found a ruined village. There were a lot of bodies, most were mangled, but I found the body of a boy that was relatively unscathed. I copied his form to blend in and kept making my way through the mountains. One of your kind found and led to the river.
And the rest is history, Yara nodded. So, what do you really look like, if you dont mind asking?
I huh I actually dont know, Caligo admitted. I dont even rember how to transform back. I guess only Lin-lu really knows What do I look like, Lin-lu?
The little fox trembled and buried her face in his chest.
Is that good or bad? Caligo wrinkled his brow.
Now Im even more curious, Yara smiled mischievously.
Where are we going? Caligo suddenly asked. Lin-lu wishes to know.
...I want to introduce you to so people, but before that, Im taking the children to the Azure Realm, to a village on a small island, Yara said. A sea guardian is said to live there and I think I have a pretty good idea of who it is.
And mommy and daddy will be there? Emma asked hopefully.
Aqila bit her lip.
Um, no, sorry kid, Yara said bluntly. They are all d-
They arent there yet, Emma, Aqila interrupted. They are a bit late, but before I left, the soothsayers told that if they are a little late theyll just et up with us at the island.
Oh but I want to see them now, Emmas lip trembled.
Well see them soon, Emma, Duncan smiled weakly. He shared a silent glance with Aqila and swallowed hard. ...Well get through this, Emma, I promise.
Lin-lu squeaked a small noise in Caligos ear.
A sea guardian, I see, Caligo murmured. This sea guardian is said to be wise?
Sothing like that, Yara shrugged.
Do you think this mighty guardian will be able to help regain my mories? Caligo asked.
Its worth a try, Yara smiled.
Okay then, to the Azure Realm it is, Caligo nodded. Question. What is the Azure Realm?
You dont even rember the Azure Realm? Yara frowned. Its one of the ten Null Realms.
Null Realms? Caligo mumbled.
Lin-lu squeaked.
Were in the Violet Realm? Fascinating, Caligo patted the foxs head. He glanced up at Yara, Well, Im looking forward to seeing this Azure Realm, Miss? Actually, I dont think I know your na. What is your na, Miss?
Yara smiled, You can call
~~~
...Holo Lady Holo
Holo blinked and shook her head, Hm? Gregor?
Are you alright, my lady? Lord Sientia asked worriedly.
Im fine, just thinking about the past, she smiled reminiscently.
Was it a good mory?
I dont know Its a very old mory. Things were so different back then, Holo sighed. I was so young, so eager to prove myself, so unconcerned about the consequences of my actions I was so stupid.
Dont be too hard on yourself, my lady. We all do foolish things in search of knowledge.
She smiled sadly, Oh, Gregor, your scars may be visible, but we all carry the weight of our mistakes.
He ran his hand across the burns on his cheek and shrugged, I do not regret sneaking into your citys library, even if I was injured. He smiled, I got to et you and believe when I say, you changed everything, my lady.
A true scholar to the end, Holo smirked. Ill need that dedication soon enough. She looked out at Shadow Lake, the silver moon reflecting off its black waters.
...House Thorn has been growing more curious and impatient, they wish to know of my findings in the sunken temple, Lord Sientia muttered. But not to worry, I havent told Lady Thorn anything regarding the true nature of our findings.
And how exactly have your findings been progressing?
I have been making excellent progress with the temples engravings and murals, as you requested, my lady. Soon Ill have decoded all the upper floors.
Have you managed to open the innermost chamber yet?
...Not yet, but I have my best people working on it. Im confident well have it open soon.
We must hurry. Im afraid we are running out of ti, Holo said grimly.
Because of the war brewing in Dusk Valley? Lord Sientia asked worriedly.
Holo shook her head, No. I think this war is just a distraction, a ploy at sothing larger. I dont know what yet, but I fear Caligo will go to any lengths to achieve his goals. The Ebon Realm may not recover from this
Lord Sientia furrowed his brow, Surely the other ebon gods would intervene and stop the Monster in the Dark?
You dont understand, Holo said bitterly. The gods underestimate Caligo and he likes it that way. But Ive seen what that monster can do, the destruction he leaves in his wake. And now there are whispers of these so-called Unildyr creatures Gregor, we need to reach the temples innermost chamber.
Lord Sientia licked his lips nervously, If I may be so bold, what exactly is in the chamber, my lady?
Holo stared out at the half-sunken stone structure protruding from the lake, ...The temple was built in the Age of mory, a ti when people strove to rember what was forgotten at the Sundering and the age that followed. The people that built this temple were particularly more dedicated to history than most and it is said their greatest lessons were recorded in the innermost chamber. In other words, answers, Gregor, that is what lies in the innermost chamber. Hopefully, the right answers. And we need answers, now more than ever.
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