Overlordian (Day 91)

Much to Terakiel's consternation, the chill in the air grew colder as the day wore on. The sun was sinking behind the horizon, lessening their visibility. Although the temperature was certainly a concern, the visibility wasn't much of an issue anymore. All they had to do was keep following the river. Terakiel wondered if they would be following until their untimely deaths. The source of this river could well be countless miles away, much further than either of them were prepared to travel. He tried to quash such thoughts because it was the only thing they had now. He felt a pang of guilt for bringing Aisen along on this journey, even if it had been unintentional.

For reasons that he couldn't put into words, Terakiel now believed Aisen's story. He hadn't been planning on coming to Lakara--and why would he? It was an endless expanse of trees and little else. The First Priests had chosen their location well for solitude. Very few made their way to Tombolin and by the same token very few made their way out. Some of its citizens came to think of it as more of a prison than a sanctuary. Terakiel's brother Deklath had been one such man. He had been determined to set out, and although he had assured his friends and family he would one day return, privately he had admitted he might not ever come back.

The young man struggled to maintain his pace as the dull ache in his legs returned. It was unclear how long they'd been walking, but the constant travel over the course of his short journey had taken its toll on him. Deklath had likely had more success on his journey, but the interminable vastness of Lakara was intimidating. He couldn't help but wonder if his brother had even made it, but he quickly dismissed such thoughts. Deklath was extraordinarily resourceful, and unlike Terakiel, he'd made ample preparation for the journey. He could have lived on his own in the Lakara Wood for months--possibly even indefinitely.

How much longer will we last? Although Terakiel knew little about his new companion, he was reasonably certain he was not as resourceful as his brother. The vile-tasting berries he carried were curiously nourishing, but they weren't going to last forever. Soon they would have to hunt and do so without the necessary tools. After much trial and error Terakiel had managed to catch a rabbit for sustenance when he'd made camp in the clearing, but it had been a very time consuming process. The energy he'd burned hunting the rabbit was likely more than the energy restored by eating it--not to mention the ordeal he'd gone through creating the fire which he'd rather forget.

You could make things so much easier for youself. Aisen had said this before being silenced. He knew what Terakiel was, even if he had no idea himself. He had sensed how standoffish Terakiel was about the topic and had thus declined to comment further. It was actually very kind of him, he noted. Terakiel's access to that terrifying power was what brought Aisen there--or so he thought. Perhaps there were other factors at play? There was no way of knowing. The simplest answer was that Terakiel was responsible and he was regretful of that.

"Aisen, I--"

The blonde man seemed surprised to be addressed by name. "Yes, Terakiel?"

"I am. . .deeply sorry that I have brought you here. It was not my intention, but that does not excuse my actions."

Aisen's expression softened. He looked almost sympathetic. "It was my assumption that your summons was accidental. These things do happen."

These things happen? Their discussion earlier about the safety of the planar stones came to mind. How often did these stones deposit men in unexpected places? If this kind of thing happened on occasion then why were they ever even used? Terakiel simply could not wrap his mind around it. The stones were not guaranteed to lead you to your expected destination and also required you to traverse the terrifying Exod. He couldn't imagine himself ever partaking of their use if he had any say in the matter.

Aisen, perhaps sensing Terakiel's confusion, attemped to clarify. "The planar stones are used frequently for travel, mind you. It is not often that you don't reach your intended destination, but when it does happen, it is not difficult to get back to where you intended. Usually."

"But this stone. . .I--"

"It wasn't your fault," Aisen interjected. "It is clear you have not been taught to focus your energy. You do not even know of the Strand."

Of course, Terakiel didn't want to talk about that, but he appreciated Aisen's attitude. If he'd been in a similar situation he would not have been so kind. Although his journey had been directionless before, he felt like he now had a goal. He had unwittingly sentenced an innocent human being to his same fate. It was his responsibility to make sure that Aisen returned to his home. He had not even the faintest idea of how he might accomplish this, but he would not let himself give up on trying.

He kept quiet about his intentions, but he made a silent pact to himself to remain as optimistic as possible for the future. Though their prospects of finding civilization seemed slim, Aisen never seemed to let his positive attitude waver. It was clear that both men were fearful, but Terakiel, at least, would stay strong in the face of adversity. If things became so dire that there was no other way, he might even resort to extreme measures.

Before Terakiel could ruminate in his thoughts even further, it became clear that their path was coming to an end, at least as far as the river was concerned. Just beyond the horizon he could see the mouth of a dark cave. The river was flowing into it but there seemed to be enough space on either side to keep going. The mountains still loomed on either side of them, their treacherous rocks leeching any desire to take an alternate path.

The two men shared a meaningful look. They were left with essentially two options--turning back or delving into a mysterious cavern. If they turned back, they could find a safe section of the river to cross and continue on their journey more safely. The cave, however, might just be a tunnel that leads to the other side of the mountain. There was no way they would know for sure unless they took the chance. Still, visibility would be extremely low in the cave, which just so happened to be filled with water.

"What do you think we should do?" asked Aisen.

"It would be safer to turn back, but. . ."

"Yes, that is what I thought." He continued along the river without even breaking his pace.

It was clear both men were drawn to the mystery of the cave but how would they explore it in total darkness? Terakiel recalled his experience with making a fire before the planar stone in the forest clearing. It had solved his problems but simultaneously made him feel like dying. Such a fire would light their way through the cave, but he was not remotely sure he could bring himself to do it. If given enough time, the choice might be taken out of his hands--already he could feel the terrible hunger returning, just as he had felt in the valley.

Cold dread enveloped his stomach as they navigated the increasingly rocky terrain near the cave's mouth. Every time he stopped to consider harnessing that terrible energy, he felt sick. At the same time, it was like he needed it to sustain himself. It was something entirely separate from the need for food or water. It was even more severe in certain ways--and every time he used it, it became worse.

Was he being tested by some mysterious force? He had never held any sort of belief for divine entities, but he felt as if the energies suffusing his person were the result of a terrible curse from on high. He had been made to commit a terrible evil--no. Perhaps his own feelings had been amplified, but he had not done anything that he did not want to do, no matter how suppressed those feelings might be. He would have never acted on those feelings under normal circumstances, but the cold reality of the situation was that he had. He had done it and there was nothing he could do to take it back.

Perhaps the energy was not a force of evil after all. The uncomfortable truth might just be that he was the evil's source. It had an intoxicating effect on him that blurred his judgment--that much was obvious. If he'd had more willpower or had been a more righteous person, he could have surely stopped himself from doing what he did.

Terakiel was unsure why he continued to torture himself by going over the events of that terrible day endlessly. He was so conflicted about willfully releasing the energy inside him. If Aisen's words were any indication, such powers were commonplace where he came from--or at least not considered taboo. Was it something you could learn, or was it something you were born with? He wanted to know, but at the same time felt very uncomfortable discussing it. No matter which route the conversation took, it would eventually lead to the terrible thing that he had done.

The mouth of the cave was coming into clearer focus--and it was dark. Very dark. Terakiel knew he had the potential to light the way--he was reasonably certain he knew how to do so. He felt hunger's teeth gnashing away at him, demanding that he release his energies. What would be the harm? He was miles upon miles away from civlization, and Aisen seemed to understand the nature of the energies Terakiel had access to. He'd managed to start a fire in the clearing without harming himself or setting fire to the wood--could he not do it again?

In this particular case, Terakiel did not have access to kindling to ignite. The mountainous terrain surrounding them was virtually barren of trees so that was little help. If he were to bring a fire to life with this. . .energy, what would keep it going? Admittedly, he had little understanding of how the fire behaved--it was certainly different from natural fire. He recalled the kindling from the clearing and how it had not been consumed. Perhaps that particular form of fire required no fuel?

The shirtless man took a deep breath of the cold evening air, sputtering as his lungs filled. Being lost in thought was the only thing saving him from succumbing to the cold and shivering terribly. He had decided now that he was going to make an attempt to. . .create fire. Though he'd done so only a day or so before, the thought of it seemed ridiculous. It went against everything he knew about the laws of reality. In the end, it didn't matter what he believed. He'd seen what strange and terrible things he was capable of with his own eyes.

He was extremely nervous about what he was about to do. He had never attempted to call forth his. . .powers when he wasn't emotionally distraught--and now that he thought about it, this probably would not be the first time. His anxiety was overwhelming. He always seemed to have a better idea of how to call forth his powers when he had little control over himself. It was strange--it was as if he had to surrender to it for it to work properly. Unfortunately, he had once surrendered at the worst possible time. He was determined never to make that mistake again.

"Aisen, this cave is very dark. . ."

"Yes. Shall we turn back?" His question didn't seem terribly genuine. Terakiel got the impression that he knew what he was going through. His carefully blank expression may not have been as unreadable as he imagined.

"No, I do not think so. If you'll give me just a moment, I will. . . Stay here for a moment, please."

Aisen nodded slowly and crouched down by the river, ostensibly to rest his tired legs. He was taking a drink from the water's edge as Terakiel walked into the mouth of the cave. The entrance loomed far above him. The day's fading light barely illuminated the entrance, but just several steps in, he was engulfed in total blackness. He was reminded momentarily of the Black World, the Exod. If he strained his ears, he could just barely make out the sound of howling wind--but he was sure it was just his imagination.

Instead of forcefully dismissing the cold, sickly hunger eating away at him, he acknowledged it. He welcomed it. He felt the cold enveloping him and his anxiety surged--but he quashed it and allowed himself to surrender to it. The cold evening air mingled with the cold in his body and he longed for the warmth of fire. It was so dark in the cave that he could no longer be sure he was in the real world. He could not feel the damp, rocky ground beneath him nor the chill air bringing goosebumps to life on his forearms.

He was floating in blank space--had he somehow found his way to the Exod? It had been on his mind so frequently--is that how his power worked? Maybe he had focused so intently on that strange realm that he had transported himself there without the aid of the planar stone. Others required the stone to travel but since he had access to. . .the Strand, he could--no, he could not let his mind wander. He had no basis for any of this information because he truly had no idea how his strange abilities worked. What he did know was that he needed the welcoming warmth and light of fire and so did his companion.

Aisen was his responsibility now. He could not allow himself to drift off into some strange, starless void. With considerable concentration, Terakiel was able to make himself cognizant of the ground beneath his feet, of the walls around him. He could hear the trickle of the river beside him, the smell of it now more concentrated in the closer confines of the cave. He was still on the mortal plane, even though he could scarcely see anything more than a foot away from him. His hunger surged as he brought his hands together with a loud clap.

With a loud roar, a tongue of flame leapt from the space between his palms, casting light onto the cavern's walls. The area suddenly came alive into startling focus as the whirling ball of flame fell from his outstretched hands onto the damp ground. Terakiel gasped, worried that the water might extinguish the flame--but he needn't have worried. The bizarre fire gave off heat and light, but seemed immune to natural forces interacting with it. He had just touched it. Although it had been very hot it had not burned his hands. It was directly at his feet now, warming his body considerably.

"Well done."

Startled, Terakiel whirled around to see Aisen. Of course. He'd likely seen the flash of light and had come to investigate. Though no taller than Terakiel himself, he seemed imposing somehow in the light of the fire. The light cast shadows on his face that revealed a sternness that he'd not noticed before. He wondered what occupation the man had had in Sidea or wherever he now hailed. It was possible he was young enough to be strictly in the employ of his parents, but he knew nothing of the man's culture.

"Th-thank you. I did not want to injure you, so I--"

"I understand. I appreciate your concern. It can be dangerous to commune with the Strand when you have so little experience, so I understand the risk you have taken."

"I--yes, of course."

Before Terakiel could protest, Aisen reached down to the flame dancing at his feet and held it in his bare hands. 

"What are you--?!"

"Do not be concerned. It is eldritch fire--it would not harm me unless you intended it to do so. Believe me or do not, but I do trust you."

"Yes, I--I trust you as well." The words felt foreign coming out of his mouth. Why should he trust this man? They'd known each other a day and were only bound by the strange happenings at the planar stone. Granted, they were bound by their mutual goal to survive, but there was more to it than that. There was something about this man that exuded trustworthiness. He felt naive to accept that feeling, but it was liberating to take the risk as well. He was ultimately glad the man was there, regardless of how it had happened.

"Excellent! It is important that traveling companions trust each other. We may come to face terrible dangers in the following days--I'll need you to assist me. I will do the same."

The brisk way that Aisen seemed to take charge in an uncertain situation was actually very encouraging, although he did experience a minor amount of jealousy. He could never inspire that kind of confidence in anyone--that had always been more his brother's style.

"I don't know how long this flame will last," confessed Terakiel. "Perhaps we should make use of it while we can. When it comes down to it, I suppose I will be able to. . . conjure another."

"Do not press yourself too hard. We could stop here for awhile if you'd prefer."

"No. Let us carry on. Take care, however, the ground is damp."

Aisen continued to carry the flame as if it were a children's toy. He evidently had a lot of experience with such things, even if he was not capable of accessing the Strand. Terakiel was still completely unfamiliar with it. What he was doing must surely involve the Strand in some way, but he could not begin to extrapolate on how. Perhaps one day he could find someone who could teach him how to harness these energies properly--and to avoid harming others in the process. He had more hope now that this might come to pass than ever before, even as they descended into a dark cavern toward an unknown destination.