Part 13 (1/2)

The change in the water was not what the badger expected. Sure, the lake went dark from the absence of light, but something marvelous happened. Portions of the surface began to glow with angelic, soft-blue lights and then dissipated as they returned to the depths. It was not long before a combination of illuminations glided through the water at a rapid pace. As the number of beings increased, so did their brilliance. Eventually, enough beings were swimming that they lit the surface of the lake and the beach with a heavenly aura.

Now, fellow soul ... allow me to tell you about the Ultorians. As a race, they looked somewhat transparent. Their internal organs were visible while beneath the water. Their bodies were shaped like humans, but with giant wings that allowed them to glide through the water. As their numbers increased, so did the intensity of the glow that radiated from their bodies. But when they came ash.o.r.e, these incredible beings took on a new form.

Gage watched the water stir not far off sh.o.r.e. A single figure emerged and worked its way toward him. The Ultorians form changed with each step it took on dry land. His wings retracted within the confines of his back, leaving no biological sign that they ever existed. His skin began to radiate with a tremendous heat as it turned into a prism of color. Steam rose into the bite of the night as the water on his body evaporated.

Gage kept his eyes fixed on the Ultorian as he walked across the pebbles that were laying on the beach. With each step, a trail of bright-white, gelatinous goo squished out of the back of the stranger's heels, staining the small stones and the surrounding sand.

The badger listened as the creature tried to communicate in a language he could not understand. The phonetics of his speech sounded like a series of clicks, some longer than others, but all high-pitched and somewhat painful to his ears. ”I'm sorry. I don't understand,” Gage reasoned, bowing in case the being standing before him was of a royal bloodline.

The Ultorian began to heave as if he was about to vomit. The colorful being did this again and again before Gage understood that this was the creature's way of laughing at him.

Gage's smile lacked conviction. ”You're not royalty, are you? I'm not sure if you can understand me, but I seek a home. Can you help?”

The Ultorian turned and lifted his hand in the direction of the water. Ultrasonic waves resonated from his palm and disturbed the surface. It was not long before another, smaller Ultorian emerged and rushed across the beach to stand beside him. This being's face was more childlike, his colors not as bright as his predecessor's, and he failed to leave a gooey trail as he approached.

After an awkward silence, the smaller Ultorian spoke. ”My name is Syse. This is my friend, Swill. Who are you?”

”Oh good,” Gage exhaled and then took a relaxed breath. ”You can understand me.”

”I do, but you've ignored my question. Who are you?”

”My name is Gage. I seek refuge.”

”Are you goswig?”

”I am. I've lived in service to Marcus Id for many seasons.”

Syse shook his head. ”You'll need to speak with King Ultor. Considering your circ.u.mstances, I cannot authorize asylum.”

”Is it because I was created and not born of a natural mother?”

”No. How you were born is of no consequence. I cannot say anything further. You shall speak with our king. Only he can give you the permission you seek.”

Swill began to speak in a series of high pitched clicks. Syse turned to face the water, giving the attention Swill's mannerisms commanded. Swill's speech sharpened, and the speed in which the clicking sounds escaped his mouth increased.

Without explanation, Syse rushed into the water and dove beneath the surface. Swill stomped his foot. Goo squirted from the back of his heel and landed next to Gage's paw. The Ultorian sent another wave of ultrasonic pulses toward the water to deliver an afterthought.

After a moment of silence, Swill turned and lifted the badger off the ground. He began to walk down the beach and into the water. As the lake deepened, Gage squirmed, ”Ummm, Swill? Swill? I can't breathe under water. Swill! SWILL!”

Meanwhile, the Outskirts of the City of Marcus Kiayasis Methelborn set the necessary ingredients on the table. Ever since he could remember, he had helped his mother create the same magical elixir every 20 Peaks.

On this Peak, as always, Gwen was being difficult. Refusing to drink her potion had become common place, and Kiayasis, just like he always did, he remained loving and understanding.

”Yes, Mother, I know you're unhappy. Why must you fight me so?”

A shallow voice responded from the shadows across the room of the rundown home. ”I hate myself. I don't want to live.”

”You don't mean that, Mother. You're just depressed. You'll feel better in a few moments.”

”I'll never feel better. I'm hideous. I'm disgusting. Everyone hates me. They look at me like an outcast.” She shouted in the Elven language. ”Aman delootha aman Thango ya.s.san tampla!”

Kiayasis frowned. ”Stop that. You know you're not cursed.”

”They all hate me!” A cup filled with water flew out of the shadows and broke against the wall. The water doused the sconce and the room went dark.

Kiayasis lifted his hand and allowed his magic to fill his palm with the light that was necessary to replace the wick. Once lit, he allowed his magic to dissipate. He watched the flame flicker as he lowered the gla.s.s around it. ”No one thinks ill of you, Mother. Now stop throwing a fit, and drink your elixir.”

Kiayasis siphoned the liquid from the kettle above the fire and then put the necessary dose into a small vial. All Gwen needed to do was swallow the liquid and the scars covering the majority of her body would melt away.

Now, fellow soul ... for as long as the potion lasted, Gwen was stunning. Her long, brunette hair, brown eyes, olive skin, and gentle curves turned every male elf's head. But as the potion lost its effect, Gwen hid her appearance for 3 Peaks until her body could withstand another dose. During this period of moments, Gwen was a miserable reminder of an experiment gone wrong.

At 12 seasons old, Gwen snuck into her father's laboratory and began to play with magic she didn't understand. Before anyone could stop her, she had concocted a deadly combination of components that exploded, destroying the lab and nearly taking her life. Her instinct was the only thing that saved her. She saw the reaction of the components and dove for cover. Her father's large, wooden worktable saved her from the devastation, but not before the intense heat left her with a lasting reminder of that Peak. Gwen was forced to deal with the knowledge that her face, not to mention most of her body, would be grotesque and monstrous looking for the rest of her existence.

Kiayasis, on that Peak was 120 seasons old and had strong features. His eyes were blue, his hair was straight, flowing, long, and black, and he stood over two paces tall. He was well-built, and was almost as strong as his father. He was also charismatic and charming, and he lived at the center of Marcus' city, but returned home to the outskirts to let his mother know that she was loved during her moments of struggle.

Gwen's home was in shambles. She, like many other elves that lived on the outskirts of Marcus, was considered one of the city's rejected. A large wall separated Gwen's community from a higher cla.s.s of elf that lived inside the walls-those who had the ability to harness stronger power of the dark arts.

Only elves of a pure bloodline were allowed to reside within Marcus' walls, but blood alone was not enough to gain residency. Along with the ability to command the dark arts, an elf had to possess substantial wealth. Many of the elves living near Gwen, although of a pure bloodline, were without magical abilities, and they were lived in poverty. As a result, they were treated as irritations and given jobs that were considered less than desirable.

Gwen never married. She tried to find a companion, but each relations.h.i.+p ended because of the depression she experienced when the potion wore off. Her longest relations.h.i.+p was just under a season, a union that produced the joy of her life-Kiayasis.

Her baby's father, Boyafed, was a powerful man. Boyafed was the leader of the Order, and lived in the temple that circled the Dark Chancellor's tower-palace that sat atop a hill at the center of the city of Marcus.

Like Kiayasis, Boyafed was charismatic, charming, strong, and handsome. These were just a few of his many delicious traits that Gwen fell in love with.

Boyafed's love was the best season of Gwen's life, but her happiness was short-lived. Boyafed realized how taxing it was going to be to live with Gwen, and dealing with her ongoing depression was not a task that he cared to undertake. He took Gwen outside the city walls and left her with enough coin to pay for the home she lived in. This was Boyafed's way of ensuring that she had a safe place to give birth and raise their child. Although Boyafed did not remain an active part of Gwen's life, he did remain active in his son's and visited often.

Kiayasis, despite his mother's inability to use magic, benefited from Boyafed's biological contribution. As a result, Kiayasis commanded strong magic of his own. For the last 20 seasons, he had lived near his father, training, and praying to the G.o.d of Death, Hosseff, to become a dark paladin.

”Mother, drink your elixir. You'll feel beautiful again. I hate seeing you like this.”

Gwen kept her head lowered and remained huddled in the corner.

”Mother, stop sulking. Let me help you up.” Kiayasis leaned down, and as he had done on many occasions, lifted Gwen and carried her to a chair that sat near the kitchen table. As he lowered her onto it, the old wood creaked beneath her thin frame.

”Open your mouth and drink. You know it will make you feel better. Please don't make me force it down your throat.”

Gwen lifted her head as Kiayasis poured the elixir into her mouth. It only took a moment for the magic to take effect. Her skin cleared, and the scars peeled away and fell onto the floor. Once again, Gwen was beautiful.

Kiayasis smiled. ”See? You look wonderful.” As he always did, he lifted a mirror to ensure she could see the benefit.

And as always, Gwen acted surprised after the transformation. ”I'm pretty. I'm beautiful. Do you think I'm beautiful, Kiayasis?”

”You have always been beautiful to me, Mother.”

”Ohhhh, my boy, you're so good to me. You can never leave me. I need you, Kiayasis. Your father is keeping you from me, and I don't think I can stand another Peak without you.”

”I miss you, too, Mother. My training is almost at an end. I've enjoyed getting to know my father on a deeper level.”

”But I can't be without you any longer.” Gwen pulled away and turned her back to Kiayasis.