My legs dangled freely over the precipice, the armor clicking quietly together with each backward swing. The deep abyss fascinated me as colors swirled in mesmerizing patterns through the mist. A baby sand crab scuttled over my hand as I rested it on the hilt of my large sword. I found the silent emptiness calming after the clamor of training. With a sigh, I shifted forward to rest my elbows on my knees.
“Gotchya!” Malikk’s voice shouted as he pulled my shoulders back. His deep chuckle echoed softly through the canyon in response to my arms flailing at my sides. I crossed them over my chest and nudged Malikk’s elbow as he sat next to me. His full armor covered his strong muscles and midnight blue hair. Air hissed when he punched the button to release his helmet. His cobalt eyes sparkled merrily at me and I could still see the sweat glistening on his face from his training workout. A wide smile brightened his face and I grinned back at him. I pulled my helmet and my sword closer to my side and gazed back out over the mysterious fog. Malikk settled back on his elbows and admired the orange haze of clouds in the sky. Comfortable in each other’s company, we sat still and let the whirlwind of busy days fade behind us.
“Ayora?” Malikk asked, breaking the silence.
“Yeah?”
“How long do you think we’ll be here this time?”
I exhaled slowly, running my hand down my long, brown braid. Fingering the feathered clasp at the end, I glanced sideways at him. The mirth had left his easy expression and was replaced by poorly concealed concern. Malikk turned to look at me and plucked at the keepsake that held my braid together. His smile appeared softly once more at the memory behind the small token. Visions of our childhood surfaced before me.
A tall, slender Malikk stood at the edge of a river on a very wet, very blue planet. On this particular day, rain turned the world grey. Washed out shadows wavered in the downpour, details blending together and creating layered shades of dark, enigmatic masses. Hushing leaves undulated in the gusting winds, a soft harmony to the rush of water. I had tucked my feet under the blanket as I curled against a tree trunk. My gaze was fixed on the shapeless landscape and I hardly took notice of the three drops of water that had been sliding slowly down my neck. Malikk was meandering along, picking up interesting rocks and examining every nook and cranny he could find, not minding the cold water at all. Stooping over longer than usual, he carefully scoured one particular area, soon kneeling down to pick at the ground. Moments later, he was taking long, nimble strides in my direction.
Excitement was evident on his face as he showed me a small handful of tiny, white bones. He scooted under the blanket next to me and regaled me with stories about the furry creature that had once belonged to the little pile of bones. Inevitably, he found himself bed ridden a few days later after such long exposure to the cold rain. However, I spent a lot of time exploring outside and bringing interesting objects to his bedroom for him to admire. When he finally was well, he had taken me back to our favorite tree by the river and ceremoniously presented me with the hair clasp made of the bones he had found as well as feathers and other little pieces of nature I had brought him while he was sick. That particular afternoon, we promised our friendship would be unwavering, lasting us until forever might end.
Here we were, still friends, sitting together on a planet that was dry and gaseous. To see the landscape was like looking through a piece of amber; everything seemed orange and the colors fooled us into thinking the planet was hot. In reality, most of the heat was blocked by the ever-present layer of clouds a few miles above the surface. The swirling pool of gases that churned beneath our feet was filled with color. I tossed a small rock into the pit and watched the disturbance of the veil until the vibrant colors smoothed over the dark hole made by the rock.
“You’re worried about Layanna, aren’t you?” Malikk sighed deeply in response. I reached over and placed my hand affectionately on his shoulder. “I’m sure you will see her soon. I believe we are only here for a few more days of training before we return home.”
“Even then I may not see her. The war has gotten so serious there and we haven’t had contact for so long.”
“You’re just worrying about something you can’t change. Layanna knew when she married you that you would have to leave, but she loved you anyway. That is one thing I know for sure.” I gestured at his shoulder, saying, “Besides, who wouldn’t want to be married to a lieutenant?”
At that, Malikk swooped his arm towards me and pulled me away from the edge. He pinned me to the ground and locked his eyes on mine. “That’s your fault, remember?” I kicked at his stomach armor to push him away, recalling his heroic rescue of me one of the last times I was on a mission. In reality, he had always moved easily through the ranks. I, on the other hand, remained reluctant to be promoted, preferring to build confidence in a specific skill set before moving on to something new. Malikk had both the skills and the confidence, spurring his trainers to recommend him for promotion at regular intervals. We continued our harmless scuffle, grinning widely at each other and carrying on in such a way as when we had been very young together.
“Stop acting like children!” someone barked across the sandy expanse. I tried to push myself up on my elbow. I was flat on my stomach, Malikk’s knee pressing against the armor on my back. His chuckle resonated above me as he removed the pressure. I turned over and thrashed one last time before he offered me a hand. Pulling myself back up, I turned to face the person approaching us. Gilder, his slight frame gliding forward, reached us as I returned with my sword and our helmets. He seemed to slink towards me as he asked with a sneer on his face, “Ayora, when are you going to get yourself a husband? This juvenile behavior is unseemly for an unmarried woman like you.”
My back tensed involuntarily and I felt my jaw muscles clench, but I kept the reaction from reaching my eyes. Malikk took a half step forward and placed his hand at my elbow. “Now Gilder, do you think I’d ever let just anyone take my precious Ayora away from me so easily?” Gilder shrank in front of Malikk’s sturdy frame and glanced quickly between the two of us. He sniffed haughtily and I saw his nose twitch before he told us that Central Base was waiting to meet with Malikk. Malikk nodded in a dismissive gesture to Gilder and took his helmet from me as the willowy frame slithered away from us.
“Thank you Malikk. I don’t know what I would ever do without you.” Malikk smiled down at me as he led the way towards CB. I was both blessed and cursed with vivid memory, and as we walked I couldn’t help but recall the unpleasant experience which Gilder had brought to mind. Seeming to replay as if happening right in front of me, I could see the face of the man that I had almost called my husband. Malikk had been married for a year already and during that time I had been dating Rosh. Even the thought of his name sent chills through me. We had been happy enough, frequently enjoying one another’s company while military training was still light. Being in the same squad wasn’t enough for Rosh. He pursued me until he finally won his first date with me. Those first few months seemed to blend together in a whirlwind of adventure.
Eleven months later, Rosh asked me to marry him. I was so pleased that this tall, sandy-haired gentleman wanted to spend his life with me. My answer was yes. Just two weeks before the wedding, his true character was revealed. Rosh started becoming aggressive towards me. His behavior was startling and at first I dismissed it as nerves due to the upcoming ceremony. However, Rosh’s abrasive manners soon turned to violence. For many days, I was scared and embarrassed, hiding the facts and wondering what I had done to cause him to change so much. Malikk noticed my altered personality and questioned me about it. I explained it away as pre-marriage jitters, but Malikk remained concerned.
It was only two days before the wedding when Rosh made an unthinkable move. He tried to assault me and I was doing my best to defend myself from him. Rosh had wrestled me to the floor and was trying to pull at my shirt when there was a knock at the door. My mouth was covered as Rosh tried to quiet me, his body pressing me to the ground. He waited in heavy silence as I tried to writhe out from beneath him. Believing he was safe again, Rosh resumed his attempts. Just then, the door to my bedroom burst open and Malikk threw himself in a flying tackle over Rosh. The struggle ended swiftly with Rosh unconscious on the floor. Malikk picked up my shaking frame, wrapped me in a blanket, and strode out of the house with me.
After that, I had stayed with Malikk and Layanna for a week while I recovered from the experience. Besides a few bruises and some shaken trust, I was doing well. I shivered again at the memory and Malikk gave me a knowing look as I trotted along next to him. He ruffled my hair and offered a warm smile, reassuring me that he was nearby and the present was all the mattered now. His towering figure beside me was comforting and I stepped a little closer, grabbing at his belt and holding on like a small toddler.
As we reached Central Base, I released my hold on him and we marched inside in unison, helmets tucked under our left arms. We saluted our commander and he acknowledged Malikk’s presence while finishing some paperwork. I hovered behind Malikk’s elbow and noticed Gilder peering over his desk at me, wondering what I was doing in the office when it was Malikk who had received the summons. The general was not surprised by my attendance as he was accustomed to witnessing the bond between the two of us. He did, however, motion that I wait outside the door for a few moments. Gilder was smiling smugly until the general informed him that he was dismissed for the time being and I was to return in a few minutes. Brushing past my shoulder, I had to hide my smile as I heard Gilder grunt when he bumped into my armor. I saluted once more and then excused myself, standing at attention outside.
Moments later, the general called my name. I walked in to see a rather drained Malikk sitting in a seat across from the general. Forgetting formalities, I hurried over to Malikk’s side and knelt next to him. Malikk peered blankly at me for a moment before his face dropped into despair. I put my arms around his waist as the general softly explained the situation. Our hometown, the place where Malikk had settled with Layanna, had been attacked by enemy forces. The severity of the situation struck me and I squeezed Malikk harder. He had grasped my braid and I could tell that his fist was curling around it even tighter. A second later he sat up straight, determination returning the color to his face.
“Sir, you said I may dispatch immediately to return to my wife. I request that Ayora accompanies me.”
Gilder had been walking by at that point and poked his head into the room, responding in his nasally voice, “Of course not! She hasn’t finished her training and she is far less capable than the other troops in this camp.” The general’s burning disapproval caused the weasel-shaped face to disappear immediately.
“Yes she may,” the older man answered after a withering glare at the closed door, “but you understand that she is under your care and her safety is your responsibility. If anything happens to her, it is your duty to see that she is sufficiently replaced. It’s dangerous down there now.” He rubbed his thinning grey hair, knowing very well that I would be in good care. “Also,” he added, “this will be taking the place of your shore leave. You both understand this, correct?” We answered in the affirmative and made plans for departure.
Three days later, we broke through the atmosphere and returned to our home planet. To our surprise, we landed easily near our childhood town and made our way for Layanna’s house, watching each other’s backs for any sign of the enemy. The ground was littered with debris and burnt remains and dismay clawed at my throat. As we moved farther, there were varying degrees of damage, as if the enemy had started selecting random structures to destroy. The spaces between the destruction grew bigger and my pulse throbbed with fear and hope.
We rounded a few more corners until we reached our secluded childhood street. The buildings were far between here and set back into the grove of trees. Malikk picked up his pace, trying to pay attention while adrenaline urged him onward. I covered his back, checking our surroundings for any movement. The earlier houses had all seemed evacuated, so it was possible we might not find Layanna here at all. I heard Malikk grunt over the earpiece before whispering, “Layanna!”
I twirled to chase after him. He was dodging headfirst into his house. When I rounded the last tree, I saw the house was charred and crumbling. My body grew cold and numb while I tried to make sure the house was safe to enter. I could hear Malikk moving around inside the house, his footsteps thudding oddly on the burnt floorboards. He came back downstairs and his helmet mask was open. The fear in his eyes was evident and I opened my mask momentarily to allow him to see my face as well. He turned away and continued searching the house. I stepped outside to study the perimeter. I made my way first to the south side of the house, scanning systematically among the scattered furniture for any sign of Layanna’s presence.
Malikk stomped off the porch and headed desperately in the opposite direction. I was certain he hadn’t searched the house thoroughly enough, but I was not about to mention that to him right now. My stomach dropped as an anguished wail reached my ears. I raced back around the house to find Malikk on his knees. His body was hunched over a small, broken frame. Layanna’s silky brown hair pooled around her head and Malikk ran the wavy locks through his hand, caressing her face and sobbing her name. He drooped over the empty shell, cradling it to his shaking body.
In a flash I saw myself a few years ago, a small teenager crumpled over the grave of my parents, and Malikk standing protectively behind me. His tender care for me had caused my tears to flow freely, moistening the freshly piled dirt that kept my parents away from me forever. Now, all I could do was stand near Malikk and cry quietly once more as I listened to the grief that wrenched his heart. I don’t know how long I stood behind him, trying to provide silent support as he lamented his tremendous loss. He was now sitting back on his heels, his hands muffling the heartbroken sobs. Slowly, I moved towards him, uncertainty flooding my movements but instinct overriding my hesitation. I touched his shoulder as I came up behind him. In response, he leaned into me, so I lowered myself next to him and we huddled together, mourning the death of his beautiful wife and my lovely friend.
The weight of his sorrow was tangible as I watched him stroke his wife’s face one last time. He stood and his eyes held pain and love while he glanced at the peaceful look that graced her face even in the midst of the ruins. He turned away and walked slowly down the leaf-covered walkway. I too admired her serene expression before dashing into the house. I dragged out a heavy, intricately embroidered quilt and pulled it over her slender body. I marked the spot above her head with a few heavy stones and finished pulling the cover over her exquisite features.
Tears still rolled down Malikk’s face as I fell into step with him. I put my arm around his back and he did the same to me. My head leaned against his arm and I couldn’t decide which one of us I was trying to comfort. Our return to camp was surrounded by a profound stillness for the duration of the flight. At night I could see Malikk’s softly outlined figure on the bunk across from mine. He remained motionless, but I could hear his uneven breathing as he struggled to find peace. The last evening before our return, I was lying in the darkness, listening to the pulsing hum of the engines, when I heard Malikk stir. I opened my eyes to look at him and saw him stand. I raised my head and was surprised when Malikk joined me on my bunk. He curled up next to me, nestling his head against mine and seeming so vulnerable that I could not help but respond by putting my hand on his cold cheek. That night, I stroked his arm softly as he drifted into a restless slumber. It was the closest he had been to sleep since the day we left our home planet behind.
I woke up the next morning with dried out eyes. Our craft hovered in orbit above the orange planet, awaiting instructions. Malikk was still leaning into me, seeming to draw a small measure of strength from my nearness. I patted his arm lightly and soothed his brow as he opened his eyes. He looked at me with such a mixture of emotions that I wasn’t able to sort any out besides the knowledge that he appreciated my company. He released a heavy sigh as he rolled out of the bed and landed deftly on his feet. Squaring his shoulders, he exhaled once more before moving with purposeful steps towards the consol. I joined him at the controls and tried to help him act as if everything were normal. However, the bags under his eyes and the strain in his face told me clearly that he was still far from recovering.
Later that day, we met with the general once more. He had given us the privacy of time, allowing us to return our belongings and avoid questions for a while. Upon Malikk’s entrance into the room, it was evident by the drawn look on our commander’s face that he understood the situation. Still, he made us sit and talk with him, reliving details that we would rather have forgotten. After our discussion, he informed us that shortly after our departure, a second craft had arrived with more information concerning the conditions of the attack. It turned out that Malikk’s fearless partner had been on the outskirts of the ambush, among the first attacked when the enemy swept through the neighborhood. Thanks to her quick thinking and upstanding valor, the rest of the town was able to prepare a response and it greatly reduced the casualties of the battle. The citizens were now evacuated to a refugee camp where she is being honored with posthumous recognition of her bravery and courage as well as being mourned for her tragic death.
Malikk wept anew and I with him. This time the tears were bittersweet as we envisioned the spirited beauty sacrificing her chance of escape in order to warn the others in town. In a way, it helped us cope with the loss and we began to understand the look of serenity we had seen on her face. The wound was still raw, however, and Malikk’s body sagged with the reminder of her passing. The general, seeing that Malikk was in no condition to engage in any sort of military action and knowing I was not only mourning as well but was the best option to console him, offered us a temporary discharge. We gratefully accepted the time to heal and packed up our belongings. Our journey took us to an empty, secluded planet covered in lush, rolling hills, verdant trees, whispering rivers, and fresh, cool air. With little effort, I discovered an abandoned castle as I maneuvered us over valleys. It rested on the flat top of a hill, surrounded by even larger hills, with a great vantage point over a nearby lake.
Believing that a place needing some renovation would be a good distraction for the two of us, I landed immediately. Malikk looked impassive as he sat next to me at the controls, but I did see his eyes wander over the elaborate contours of the old structure. Roaming through the castle together seemed to be enough of a distraction for the time. The entrance was grand. The roof yawned far above us and beautiful wooden beams stretched across the ceiling. On either side of us was a massive staircase, each meeting at the top and leading down three separate hallways. In front was another opening, beckoning us to enter into the rest of the fortress. As we moved forward, we found dusty furniture piled under the open staircases and a door on each side. The door on the left groaned loudly as Malikk lifted the handle and tugged it open. It was obsidian dark inside and led down an inky black stairwell. “Probably a cellar,” Malikk muttered, and I nodded in agreement, determined to explore down there as soon as possible.
The door under the other staircase creaked softly and opened to a bright room. Shelves lined the walls and books lined each shelf. Large, comfy furniture sat in three areas around the room, two sets by the tall windows and one set in front of a cozy fireplace. Dust layered the furniture here as well and it was obvious that the castle had been abandoned for quite some time. We moved back into the entrance and turned our steps towards the arching hallway between the stairs. Moving through, we encountered a sizable hub, its openness exaggerated by the tall ceiling height that seemed popular in this home. On the left was a sitting room, windows lining one of the walls and heavy curtains hanging patiently at regular intervals. The center led to another window-lined room, the dining room. A heavy table sat in the middle. It was made of the same solid wood that comprised the structural beams as well as the stair railings and doors. The last room on the right was the kitchen. A door led into the dining room, but the kitchen was more closed off than the other two rooms. It still had sizable windows, enough to make the room feel cheery, but these windows were nowhere near as expansive as the other windows we had seen.
Heading upstairs, we explored each of the three hallways. They were all short hallways branching off into a number of bedrooms. At the end of each hall was an office area filled with stark furniture that conveyed an atmosphere of serious concentration. The bedroom chambers each had their own bathroom attached, but the rooms located in the back left corner of the castle was by far the largest room, crowding into the office space in order to wrap around both walls of the castle. Its view was breathtaking. Shadows played over the hills and we could see the expanse of the lake as it wound its way around the contoured land.
Malikk sighed and rested his hand on the back of my arm. I looked into his crisp blue eyes and read his thoughts. He was preoccupied with his late wife. We both knew that she would have gushed over a place so beautiful. For a while we just stood at the corner where the windows met, drinking in the sights and letting the fading sunlight bathe us with its soothing rays. Malikk put his arm over my shoulders and I leaned against his side, providing him with a support that went beyond words. Before long, night settled on the hills and I was pleased to see that this particular planet had two lovely grey orbs hanging in the sky. We spent the night in the ship’s bunks because the beds in the castle were still buried in dust.
Waking up the next morning, I found Malikk staring at the ceiling. It was hard for me to see him becoming so devoid of emotion. His eyes no longer sparked with boyish charm; instead, they seemed vacant and his face was haggard. I saw the helplessness that lurked behind his tough exterior and I yearned for the return of the Malikk I had known so long. I dragged my feet out of bed and rubbed my tired eyes. I was weary and drained, struggling to find a balance between helping my best friend find comfort and trying to heal my own raw emotions.
Malikk turned his head at my movement and I attempted a smile. His return smile stopped before reaching his eyes. It was merely an acknowledgement of my efforts, but I appreciated that he responded at all. I released a great rush of air, pumping my arms to get my blood moving. We had a lot of work ahead of us. The day was spent tidying up the largest bedroom. Throwing open a window, Malikk and I leaned out and shook the heavy comforter that covered the bed. Whirling dust made me sneeze and I nearly dropped the blanket as a result. Normally, that would have set Malikk to laughing, but he barely reacted. I let Malikk beat the dust out of the rest of the bedding, hoping that the action of wailing on something would help him release some of his emotions.
I took to vacuuming the floors. It felt a little odd to have such an eclectic mix of old architecture and newer technology, but it was now common for people to choose to combine the luxuries of the modern world with the charm of years far gone. I thought of the armor stored in one of the ship’s cargo boxes. The metallic grey exterior complimented the sheen of our powered down energy swords and harkened back to the days of gallant knights and ambitious questing. There was also the other set, consisting of white plates that looked both noble and imposing. Malikk often completed the look by wearing his cloak and the result was impressive. He would stand tall and square, ready to conquer the day. I smiled to myself at the thought. Now he was wearing civilian clothing, but even then his appearance was stirring. The blue outfit was reminiscent of elaborate Renaissance designs, as was my own outfit. However, the well chosen shade highlighted the cobalt color of his eyes and helped bring out the blue tinge in his dark hair. Never did a day go by that I would not feel impressed by his commanding presence and fortunate that I knew him.
Once we finished in the large room, we took a break for lunch. Malikk seemed a little better, but he was still far from happy. Taking our lunch outside, I commented quietly on our surroundings. Politely nodding, Malikk absently picked at his food and I soon fell to silence as I worried about him. His jaw clenched and his look hardened as he surveyed some distant memory on the horizon. The ache in my heart grew as I thought back to Malikk’s breakdown. Ever since we had left Central Base for the last time, Malikk had not once wept. He had concealed his hurt and was operating on automatic. The recollection of that day made me grieve anew and I tucked my head to hide the tears. It was too much though, and Malikk turned when I sniffed sharply. For a brief second, I saw the old Malikk surface. His kind touch brought my eyes to his and I was relieved to see even a shadow of the Malikk I once knew.
His shoulders dropped a little and he stroked my hair. “I’m sorry Ayora. I know it must be hard for you too. Thank you for being here.” I smiled through the tears before wiping them off on my sleeve. We packed up the last pieces of our picnic and returned to the kitchen, that area being our next obstacle to overcome. I made us work late into the night, hoping that it would exhaust him enough to put him to sleep. When it finally came time for us to go to bed, I walked Malikk upstairs to the clean bedroom. He tried to argue with me about having the giant bed all to himself but I turned down his protests. His heart wasn’t really into arguing, so I tucked him under the covers and went out to the small ship.
The emptiness of the bunkroom was profound, but I settled on the mattress and tried to console myself with its familiarity. I was on the brink of sleep when I heard the door hiss open. Tension coiled inside of me and I moved quietly for the small dagger at the head of the bed. I heard Malikk’s voice whisper, “Ayora? It’s me.” I sat up on the edge of my bunk. His sturdy frame filled the room until he sat down next to me. He leaned back against the cool metal wall and sighed. I reclined as well, waiting. Soon, I heard him take a shaky breath. “I miss her so much,” he said through his teeth. His hand found mine and he squeezed it tight.
His body heaved as a torrent of his suffering racked his body. I pulled his head to my shoulder and let the flood of tears flow freely. Petting his hair, I listened as he released the emotions he had pent up inside. We talked a little that evening, reliving memories and trying to banish guilt and regrets. Most of the time was spent in silence though as he slowly found the balance between hanging on and letting go. At one point, I walked back with Malikk to his room where I tucked the soft blankets around him and prepared to leave. He called my name when I was halfway to the door and I turned to see him sitting up and looking at me with such trusting vulnerability in his eyes that I changed my mind about leaving to sit next to him at the edge of the bed.
I woke up to the sun pouring through the open windows. Rubbing my neck, I looked around the room. Rays of light illuminated the dust that still drifted through the air. On my right, Malikk still slept peacefully on his pile of pillows. I figured I drifted off at some point during the night, leaning against the headboard while I still held Malikk’s hand. He stirred next to me and I looked down. His eyes were clear and he smiled, a real smile that caused tears to spring to my eyes. He sat up and pulled me into a warm hug, running his hand down my knotted hair.
Over the next few weeks, I saw remarkable improvement in his disposition. His appetite grew and he was sleeping through the nights. Often, Malikk would creep about the house and attempt to scare me as I rounded corners. It did a lot of good for me to see him cheering up again. There were occasional moments when I would come across him staring off into the distance, but he would hear me and turn, greeting me with a wide grin. We soon returned to our old antics; he would be reading in his bed and I would come running in and jump at him or he would stop in the middle of doing something and chase me down the hill, tossing me into the lake at the bottom.
We continued doing our forms in the morning, marching up to the tops of the hills and practicing sword motions while the sun rose from the misty valleys to greet us. Our health improved as we breathed the crystalline air and we thrived off of the planet’s splendor. The two magnificent moons that orbited in the night sky were a wonder to behold from our bedroom windows. Many nights I had fallen asleep in my window seat as I drank in the evening’s majesty only to wake in my luxurious bed the next morning. Malikk never mentioned it, but I was pleased to know that he was taking care of me again. One day, while enjoying a picnic on a neighboring hill, I glanced over at Malikk and narrowed my eyes at him as he regarded me. His look was serious, as if contemplating me for the first time. My brow furrowed in uncertainty at his scrutiny. In a flash, Malikk leapt towards me and we were rolling rapidly down the hill. In all the commotion, I was unable to throw my arms up to protect my face. However, Malikk had encircled me in a protective embrace as we tumbled down the hill together. At the very bottom, Malikk released me and momentum carried me a few feet further. Finally coming to a stop, I looked at Malikk with wide eyes as I was surrounded by his hearty laughter. He flopped over to me and surrounded me in a giant hug. I felt a buzz of delight ignite at my core and we remained at the foot of the hill, laughing and treasuring the moment.
Two months later, while Malikk was busy working on the garden outside, I wandered out of the library and remembered the door that led to the dark stairway. My curiosity was piqued once more, so I pulled the door open and searched for a light. To my surprise, I could not find a switch. I ran to my room and grabbed a lightstick, checking outside the window to see if Malikk was still outside. His arms were covered in rich soil while he battled cantankerous weeds, so I continued on my way.
The door complained loudly as I opened it and I left it ajar for safety before I descended the stairs. I stuck the glowing rod in the bootstrap at the side of my ankle, freeing my hands so I could grasp both railings as I moved along. The air smelled of damp stone and my knuckles felt moisture as they brushed along the walls. Dancing eerily in front of me while I advanced into the mysterious depths of the castle, the green light illuminated only a small area in front of me. If I looked over my shoulder, I knew I would no longer see the top of the stairs except for the small sliver of light at its entrance. My heel kicked a small stone down the steps, alerting me to the cavernous dimensions of whatever waited below. The cool air tickled my skin and my hair prickled in response. Nearing the bottom of the steps, I was gazing up at the towering ceiling when my foot slipped on a slick stone. My hands clenched at the railing, and while I didn’t fall, it was too late. The damage was done.
I sat on the cold steps and nursed my ankle. It was swelling and hurt to touch. I grimaced at the floor and pulled myself up using the railings. With care, I hopped down the last few steps, determined to see the room after making it this far. Before proceeding however, I tried to call up the stairs to Malikk for help. Three failed attempts later, I gave up, choosing to use what time I had to explore the spacious chamber. I turned back to face the room and was stunned by what I saw before me.
I was thrown back into my past again. It was just months before I had lost my parents and we were celebrating my recent promotion into Malikk’s grade level. Malikk and I were huddled into thick sleeping bags outside while our parents said goodbye in the house. As a special treat, we were permitted to camp in my backyard that evening. We were as excited as one should be on such occasions and we spent hours talking about how amazing the next school year would be. I could still recall the dark tree branches towering overhead while the stars winked through the mask of clouds in the sky. Eventually we drifted off, the night air cooling our faces while the thermal sleeping bags kept us warm.
The image of tree limbs gracefully arching over me morphed into reaching columns and the blinking starlight became candles flickering overhead. I was small and insignificant inside what felt like a stone tomb. Vacant eyes bored wickedly down upon me as I looked into the faces of morbid statues at the foot of each column. Each figure held at waist level the hilt of some elaborate sword, the stone polished and glinting with wicked intent. In the darkness behind the pillars danced lurking shadows that jumped with the flare of the candles above. At the back of the room, a group of figures advanced, shrouded in malevolent intent. I was trapped in a horrifying nightmare, unable to move from where I stood, where no one could hear me. Malikk’s hand on my shoulder had delivered me from the dream and my parents were rushing out to comfort me. I was surrounded by their loving presence and was soon sleeping easily once more.
However, I knew that this time no parents would come speeding to my side. Malikk was somewhere outside and did not know I was down here. My ankle throbbed in pain and the green glow spilled light on the immense columns before me. Over my head hung dusty candelabras, rocking slowly. My eyes settled on the expressionless faces of a row of statues that seemed to be waiting for me. Reaching my ears was the rumbling sound of heavy stones dragging along the floor. Chills swept through me, crawling along my spine and entwining icy fear around my muscles. My breathing grew short and fast as the candles above leapt to life and I could make out the dark outline of the mysterious forms before me.
These figures did not remain shrouded as they had in my childhood nightmare. They approached menacingly, their faces quickly gaining detail. Each expression was unpleasant and my resolve plummeted upon recognition of the leering face of Rosh. The small group of bandits stood before me as I tried to limp back towards the stairs. “Do you remember me?” Rosh’s voice hissed as one man darted behind me and cut off my escape.
“How… how did you find me?” I asked haltingly, choking on my panic. His teeth glinted in his unpleasant grin as he answered, “Oh, didn’t Gilder tell you he knew me? We go back quite a ways actually.” The mention of Gilder made my blood boil and helped me to regain my senses. I widened my stance and readied my body for action, careful not to place pressure on my injured foot. Rosh chortled at my actions and took a step closer. The other four men, with the exception of the one behind me, remained lined up behind Rosh. He was not near enough for me to effectively strike him without sacrificing my balance, so I waited anxiously where I stood.
“You know, it was surprisingly easy to get in here. I never would have expected you to leave the front door so unguarded. I guess not much has changed since we last saw each other, has it?” He reached forward to touch my hair but I swiped is hand away before he could touch me. His expression darkened for a brief moment before he continued his story. “All I had to do was stroll in the front door at night. I knew well enough to wait until you were separated from that fool Malikk though, so I was quite pleased when I discovered this little chamber. It’s quite charming, isn’t it?”
My stomach coiled in anger at his insult towards Malikk, but I remained silent under his scrutiny. “I was certain you would come down here to explore if I waited long enough. It was the only room left that remained untouched, so of course I could tell you hadn’t been down here yet, but… here you are. Alone.” He took another step closer and my fist flew through the air. It sailed squarely upon his jaw and sent him reeling backwards. I heard the man behind me advancing, so I threw my elbow back into his ribs. It wasn’t enough however, and he soon had me locked in his grip. Flailing, I tried to kick myself loose of him, not caring if I landed hard on the floor. I screamed in frustration and his hand was quickly over my mouth. Rosh tried to advance towards me, but I kept throwing my feet at him, inhibiting his approach. Two more men were coming to subdue me when my name floated down the stairs.
I tried screaming with my mouth shut until one of the men struck me in the stomach hard enough to make me double over. Rosh growled through his teeth, scowling at the winding stairs behind me. He signaled to two of the men to go upstairs. The other two aided Rosh in dragging me farther into the room. I continued to thrash in an attempt to slow them down. It worked only a little as I was hauled into the darkness at the back of the room. I saw a large door that looked much like the rest of the stone wall except for a few markings on some of the bricks. Panic swept through me once more and renewed my vigor. I managed to free my legs from their imprisonment and I threw my weight downward as my feet plummeted to the floor. Pain shot through my body as I slammed on the cold stones. My ankle protested sharply, but I rolled to the side and pushed myself forward with my good foot. I was dashing along behind the columns and halfway back to the stairs when I was tackled.
Pain washed through me again as I landed under the weight of the assailant. I could tell from the familiar, slightly citrus scent that it was Rosh. He was dragging me up just as Malikk came flying into the room. In an instant, I felt the cool edge of a dagger pressing upon my neck as I hung dangerously in Rosh’s clutch. Malikk stopped short, his eyes wide with dread. My own eyes watered at the sight, unconcerned for my own safety. I tried to swallow past the thought of Malikk’s fear and felt the blade pierce my skin. The small trail of blood trickled sinisterly down my neck. Rosh moved the blade ever so slightly. Involuntarily, I tried pulling my head back but I was already pressed close to Rosh’s body as I dangled in his crushing embrace. My breathing was shallow as I watched the color drain from Malikk’s face.
“Leave.” Rosh snarled over my head. Malikk remained frozen in place as he tried to decide what to do. “Leave now, or I will make you leave permanently,” he barked as the last two men approached Malikk from either side. “No!” My protest was barely more than a grunt as I tried to avoid the sharp edge of the dagger against the side of my neck. I could feel Rosh thumbing the button that would ignite the small blade in a rush of energy that would swiftly put an end to my short life. Malikk was unmoving, his gaze locked with mine as I mentally pleaded for him to go. The accomplices pushed Malikk to his knees before us and one whipped out a small sword. The statues watched impassively from either side of the room as Rosh issued one last warning. “NO!” I screamed as I twisted my body sideways. I heard the hum of the blade near my ear as Rosh pressed the button. “Ayora!” Malikk yelled, lunging forward towards Rosh. I crumpled at his feet as Malikk threw him to the ground, swiftly sending the glowing blade into Rosh’s stomach. The other two men ran towards me, but Malikk, roaring ferociously, took them out in a large swipe of his arm and knocked them onto the ground. Their heads hit the solid floor and I saw the life fade from their eyes.
Malikk hovered over me, repeating my name in a hushed and husky voice. I turned, ignoring the acute twinge of pain in my neck. Malikk rolled me towards him and I saw an angry red slice running across his white and gold tunic, beginning at his side below his rib cage and reaching up to the opposite shoulder. His breathing was ragged as he cradled my small body and held me close to him. The look on his face fell even more as he felt the warm life source spilling slowly from the side of my head. I smiled at him with uneasiness in my eyes as I placed my hand on his own wound. Coughing, he tried to smile through his tears at me as well. “I’m sorry,” I managed to whisper to him. Malikk held me gently, his hand running through my hair as he shook his head.
“I love you.”
I was overwhelmed by that simple phrase, but he spoke it with such conviction, I knew it transcended our years of friendship. “I’m sorry I never realized it earlier, but I love you.” I beamed at him, touching his kind face and smoothing his dark brows. In a frail voice, I said back to him, “I love you too.” His salty tears fell on my temple as he shifted to lie down next to me. My head rested on his strong arm and we drank in each other’s features, reading the affection we shared. I held his hand as my vision ebbed, his beautiful eyes the last thing I remembered before I faded into soft darkness.
The old general stopped short at the scene that met his eyes. The two men upstairs were in custody, but he could tell as he walked into the oddly lit room that there would be no need for reinforcements down here. Two more men were sprawled across the floor with obvious head wounds. Another man, not far away, looked rather gruesome with a blade still glowing blue in his torso. The last bodies he saw made his heart plummet to the floor. Blanketed in soft green light, he saw the forms of Malikk and Ayora curled next to each other, holding hands with their heads bent together. Malikk seemed to shelter the small frame of Ayora’s body while Ayora appeared to be pouring her strength into Malikk’s still figure. Bowing his head, the general pulled off his hat, wiped his wrist quickly across his eyes, and left the room, orange lights flickering behind him as he pulled himself up the stairs.
