Eclipse: the Beginning

On the edge of the capitol, Seraph landed sluggishly. Celestial failed to realize his struggle, but Samuel looked up with a tired expression. The young god fell silent with an expression of angst painted on his face. The soldier wandered ahead, checking for Wind forces nearby. She looked back at the two, grumbling at the intimate sight.

“What in Aurora are you two doing, standing around so awkwardly?”

“Something’s wrong with Seraph.” Samuel felt anemic. It was as if a draining force washed over him. He could feel Seraph was the originator, but what was the matter?

“Oh, good gods!” Celestial strode up to the Wind god to look him in the eye. “Stop touching then!”

“I should … shouldn’t I?” The young god wrapped his arms about his waist. His face contorted with sudden pain, “I … I need to … to sit ….”

“Seraph, what’s wrong? If Samuel cannot help you, I am your only other resource. I need to know what is happening.”

“Lost track of … time!” He knelt down grunting as the pain spiked. “I didn’t … realize … a month had passed!” A moan hummed behind his lips as he tried breathing through his nose.

“What happens in a month?” Samuel asked, bewildered. His head felt fuzzy, but he feared for his friend more. Was this another aspect of Aurora he needed to learn?

“You arrived twenty-seven days ago, Samuel. Just stay over there while I help Seraph. Do not come near him, do you understand me? I don’t need the both of you like this,” she said in a stern voice. Whatever this was, Seraph seemed used to it. Samuel was most likely not.

“All right.” The teenager hugged himself as he took a step back.

“Seraph,” she whispered, kneeling down to his level, “tell me. I don’t understand what’s doing this to you.”

“Red … day….”

“What?” the Light gaped. Had he just said “Red Day”? That was impossible. Seraph was a …. She swallowed a lump in her throat, telling herself that she did not want to fathom the details of what this meant right now. She had to keep this quiet from Samuel. The Red Day was a personal matter.

“I can only help with the pain then. The rest is up to you. Tell me what I can do, Seraph.”

At first, Seraph seemed to ignore the Light. He was sweating as he growled from misery. The pain was swelling through his abdomen. How could he be so careless? It was only a matter of time before the pain crippled him, and …. He shook his head, trying to focus. Squeezing his dark eyes shut, he whispered in a low voice,

“There is … a root.”

“What root?” Celestial asked, pressing for an answer. She did not want Samuel to lecture her on badgering again.

“Zin … giber …!” a whimper escaped as the Wind coiled into a ball.

“Zingiber root,” the soldier said as she helped the young god to lean against a building. “I’ll find you some, but don’t go flying off on the wind. Samuel’s protection is our priority. Send him to the plains with Cherub if you must.” Seraph nodded in agreement. “Samuel, watch Seraph, but do not touch him. Believe me when I say it is for the best.”

“What about you?” the Nomad gaped after her. She could not leave them like this. This was not part of the plan. He reached a hand out to her as she made her way toward the market after donning Seraph’s cloak. “Where are you going?”

“There is a remedy that might ease his pain. I’ll find it,” she replied, pulling the hood over her white hair. “I will return as soon as I do.”

She left in a hurry, leaving Samuel behind with Seraph. The young man turned back when he heard Seraph moan. If only there was something he could do, then his anxiety might relax. He bit his lip as the Wind coiled tighter. He looked so alone, so frightened. A despair encroached upon his chest. He reached out mentally, trying to touch Seraph’s emotions, but when his own hand touched the Wind’s hair, he realized far too late that it had drawn him in.

“Samuel!”

“I …” the teenager grimaced as a stabbing sensation struck his abdomen. Was this the pain Seraph was experiencing? “I’m … right here.” His hand stroked Seraph’s hair. He was unsure if it were to distract the god, himself, or both. He just knew that when he had felt pain like this, he would think of Mother’s touch.

“I’m right here, mate. Celestial will be here … any minute, you’ll see.”

The Wind did not push Samuel away. The tighter he coiled, the less he noticed the pain. As much as he wanted the young man not to touch him, the contact was a comfort. He felt terrible for botching another rescue, but Samuel’s presence forced him to release the self-loathing.

“Samuel … you … you … should … not ….”

“Sorry … I couldn’t just stand by,” his weakening voice trembled. This was a pain he had never known before, and somehow, Seraph experienced this regularly. The least he could do was bare the pain right now.

“Celestial can … blame me ….”

The soldier went to the shopping district of the capitol. It looked different in the daylight rather than at sunset. The booth merchants told her of Levi, an herbal trader who sold near the entrance to the city. That was back the way she had come, but she knew there was no way around it. Why was finding some stupid root so difficult?

“Wait, you there!” Celestial paused at the male voice. “You with the hood!”

It was clear he was talking to her now. Looking over her shoulder, she saw a Wind soldier in the store she was about to leave. Curses! Had she blown her cover so soon? She was still wearing her treasured blade over her shoulder, as if she could wield it. Drawing it in a shop like this did not seem the best course of action. She made a note of the distance to the exit, just in case things went sour.

“Did you say zingiber root?”

The Light kept her face covered as she nodded in reply. She told herself to play along for right now. No need to make an unnecessary scene.

“I’m familiar with the trader who sells it. He brings herbs and herbal remedies from the fertile grounds in the far west. I saw Levi just this morning setting out his wares, if you’d like me to show you the way.”

She noticed how pleasant his tone was. He did not sound too young, but naïve enough to reach out to a stranger. She considered taking his offer. Seraph’s body was getting worse with each passing moment. The root supposedly helped, but she knew it would take some time to set in its effects. Taking a deep breath through her nostrils, she spoke in a soft voice, trying to mask her stern one.

“I would appreciate the help. Thank you.”

“This way,” the soldier said with a smile. He flushed at the sound of her voice. She sounded attractive.

To Celestial, it was awkward seeing such a pleasant expression on a soldier. She followed behind him as they walked through the shopping district. As she observed the soldier, she wondered if the whole army was this way. Remembering the soldiers who had taken Seraph to the viceroy the last time she had been in the city, she could not fathom how they could snap back into formation as they had when she stormed the mansion. Perhaps the army had not fallen completely into ruin. They might just need proper motivation to unite. Serving under Bog, the Light understood where apathy might settle in, leading to the sloppy presentation she had seen.

“Reserve!”

The soldier paused, turning to look for the voice.

“Yes, Head?”

“What are you doing here? Aren’t you on watch in the shopping district today, David?” The superior jogged over to them. He eyed Celestial a moment before looking back at her escort.

“I am. This woman was looking for Levi, the herbalist. I was going to return once I showed her where he was selling today. The viceroy passed an ordinance yesterday that said he couldn’t sell on the main road into the city anymore. He’s a little out of the way now.”

“And who might you be?” the Wind soldier looked at Celestial. She had done her best to conceal her obvious features. However, the Head noticed something that made him suspicious. A stray lock of white hair had fallen beside her face. “Take back the hood.”

“I have sensitive eyes, sir,” she said in her soft voice. How she wanted to swing at this man. She recognized his voice now. He was the soldier who had touched Seraph the night they took him to the mansion. It took a great deal of effort to control her voice, but she managed. “Is there something you would like to ask?”

“Yes, take back your hood.” The Wind pulled back the hood himself, making the Light hiss as the Sun blinded her for a moment. She could see why Seraph liked dark hoods now. They shielded the eyes well. “You …?”

“Back off!” she dropped the act. There was little point now. She was glad she did not have to continue playing the role anyway. How could Seraph do it so easily?

“Captain Celestial, you’ve come back for the viceroy! Haven’t you?” The Head soldier pulled his pole from his back.

“I have no time to waste on you! Out of my way, Wind!” Celestial knew Lord Zion’s sword was still too much for her. She could not draw it fast enough to counter a pole strike, but it might make a worthy distraction for her. Brushing Seraph’s cloak aside, she revealed the blade to both soldiers. “I said out of my way!”

“Zion’s Arm …. You still have it?” the Head gaped in shock. How had she gotten it back from the king’s grasp?

“Move!” She rushed him while the sight still stunned him, throwing him off his feet. Running as fast as she could, the Light turned down an alley before doubling back to try looking for the trader on her own.

“David! Alert the others! The city might be under attack!”

The reserve nodded as he headed back for his post. Holding his fingers to his lips, he gave a loud whistle that carried to the next soldier nearby. That soldier mimicked the same whistle, carrying on the alert. Before even a minute had passed, the capitol was ringing. When Caleb heard the sound inside the walls of the mansion’s estate, he gaped.

“Reserves!” Of all the times for an attack alert to sound, he hoped Yonah had someone with him to protect the regent.

“The city is on alert! One group enter the city and protect the citizens! Sound another signal for reinforcements if needed!”

“Sir!”

A group of ten leaped over the wall surrounding the mansion, using enchanted wind magic to assist. In groups of two, they separated to find the original source of the alert. It did not take long for a pair to locate David’s superior, heading for the main entrance to the west. He was searching for Celestial, but staying close to his original location as best he could.

“It was Celestial, the former Heaven Captain,” he informed the two reserves. “She bares the sword of Lord Zion still. It must be another attempt on the viceroy. Search the city until you find that Light!”

Seraph opened his eyes as the sound flowed to his ears. He heard a voice drift on a breeze behind the whistles – it was as clear as if it were beside him. This was bad. They had discovered Celestial. He should have known this would happen. Her appearance was difficult to hide, and she was not one to hide her identity. Seraph glanced at Samuel, leaning against the wall with him. He had convinced the Nomad to at least release his touch, finding the closeness was enough of a comfort. The god reached for Cherub, pushing the staff toward the young man.

“Samuel,” his voice was low and forced as the pain gripped him, “take Cherub … and go … back to … the plains.”

“I’m not leaving you,” Samuel said in a weak voice. His empathy was leaving the pain at a dull ache, but it was still draining all the same. “Celestial wanted us to wait … remember?”

“If you don’t,” Seraph grunted in protest. He had tried to raise his tone, but it hurt too much. “If you don’t, Wind soldiers … will take us both.”

“Celestial will be here soon, mate.” The teenager sighed as he felt Seraph’s anxiety creeping over him. He had to be strong; Seraph needed his encouragement. It was all he was good for right now, in his condition. He could not let the Wind down. “I know she’ll be here soon … so just wait a bit longer.”

“How can … you be so … certain?” Seraph ground his teeth as a spoke. There had been a spike in pain. He was pushing himself to just hold the conversation.

“I can feel it.”

The two continued to sit on the ground, waiting in silence. Seraph had only questioned the youth a few times since they had met each other. Never had he seen the other look as at peace with his decision as he did now. A tired smile rested on his face. His eyes were closed, perhaps trying to overcome the empathy through focus. How could he be so calm? Did he believe in the soldier that much, or was this a side of the mystic he was that would lead Celestial and him to fulfilling the prophecy?

The Wind thought about all the strange things Samuel had done. He remembered how open his mind was to accepting him. It was deeper than just embracing him as a man. He had understood the misery he suffered. Not even Raphael had done that. Was it just empathy, or was there more to it? How could someone experience past pain as if it were happening now? Was it something to do with the magic of spirit? What kind of magic was that? Alma had said Samuel had training to pursue upon his return. Maybe that would be the time for answers.

“She’s here now,” Samuel’s voice pulled him back. The Nomad’s smile widened with relief. Glancing up, Seraph heard feet running from behind them. Turning to see who was about to discover them, he saw Celestial rush around the corner. She looked frantic.

“We have to leave! Now!”

“We cannot,” Samuel said placidly.

“Wind is alerting all its troops in the city! We cannot hope to overcome them all, Samuel!”

“I know that.” The teen struggled to push himself up off the ground. He was exhausted now.

“They will capture Seraph for sure if we remain! Is that what you want?! We have already barely escaped twice!”

“Then we will be captured,” He looked up at the soldier as she gawked back at him. She silenced. Seraph looked up at the young man’s face. He was serious. “I will not separate us willingly. If they capture us, at least … we will be in the mansion for some time. That is my decision. I feel this was meant to happen. Forgive me, Celestial.”

The three remained silent, waiting for the Wind soldiers to discover them. They did not resist. Begrudgingly, they handed over their weapons. Celestial had returned Seraph’s cloak to him, helping him walk until they reached the mansion. The captors bound their wrists behind them. Samuel took the lead. Celestial glared at the back of his head while Seraph stumbled behind her into the courtyard. Caleb listened to the Head who had discovered Celestial as he reported the incident.

“Your persistence concerns me, Captain Celestial,” Caleb said when he addressed them. “Tell me why you returned. What are you after?”

“Ask the runt,” she grunted. A surrender was humiliating enough, but to admit that this was part of a plan was embarrassing beyond reason. Just when she was respecting the youth, he pulled a stunt like this. If they made it out of this, she was going to strangle him.

“You mean the boy?”

“My name is Samuel.”

Caleb glanced at the young man. The first thing he noticed were his eyes. He had never seen eyes like a blade’s before. They looked through him somehow. How bold of him. The name was western. Was he a native Wind? His features said otherwise. Just as he was about to question the boy, the third member collapsed with a cry of pain.

“What’s the matter with her?” the warden demanded. Why had they not treated a suffering captive, a woman no less?

Celestial ground her teeth. Sweat was pouring down Seraph’s face. She had heard some women experienced severe pain on their Red Day, but she never imagined anything to this degree. If only she had not ruined their chance to get that root, Seraph might have some relief.

“Warden!” a reserve knelt beside Seraph to see what the trouble was. “She’s bleeding! We found her sitting against a wall, but I had no idea she was this injured!”

“It’s her Red Day,” Celestial spoke up at last. “I was on my way to purchase some zingiber root to dull the pain. That was all I was after.”

Caleb narrowed his eyes in concern. There was no need to force a woman to suffer further. He had sisters and a mother, so they well acquainted him with the debilitating effects of the Red Day. In the few moments he considered his next action. The soldier looked at both Celestial and Samuel. There was something in the boy’s gaze that made him feel a sting of guilt.

“Take the woman somewhere more private. Bring some boiled zingiber and fresh clothes as well. I will interrogate them once we have ensured she is no longer suffering.” Turning from the courtyard, he left the next in command to carry out the instructions. He needed to see Regent Willow. How unfortunate that everything had to happen so quickly. Viceroy Bog had chosen an inopportune moment to vanish on him, on top of everything else.

“What of Celestial and myself?” Samuel asked, looking about. The youth had no intention of letting them get separated. He might not be feeling his best, but he promised himself not to see anyone else he cared about get hurt. “I don’t want my friend to be alone through this. Please?”

“I am the next in command,” a female soldier spoke up. “We will escort the captain and you to a holding cell until your companion is feeling better. Come this way.”

Samuel was hardly thrilled at the thought of Seraph being taken away, but he had been watching the soldiers. They were not cruel. He believed he saw goodness in them. The young man was thankful he had stopped Seraph from attacking them the last time they were here. He believed it had saved them some harsher treatment.

“But Rebecca,” the head who had found Celestial exclaimed as he stepped forward, “this is the Captain of the Heavenly Guard! We shouldn’t take any chances with them! They could be after Viceroy Bog again!”

“Cain,” the main groaned with an irritated look. “As a man, I don’t expect you to understand the pain that woman is experiencing right now. If you know what’s good for you, keep your tone in check. It’s humiliating enough, being exposed this way. Don’t add insults on top of your ignorance. Help her stand and follow my instruction.”

Cain flinched at the order. Rebecca outranked him by one position. He had to comply, but that did not mean he liked it. The moaning woman was taller than he, and she looked familiar. Something was not right here, but he would grasp the situation soon enough. He still had to get her up and walking, though. How annoying ….

While the three were escorted from the courtyard, Samuel stole a glance behind him to see how his friends were holding up. Celestial hung her head low, brimming with humiliation, but Samuel sensed it was not out of anger. Was that disappointment in his chest? He owed her a big favor for going along with this plan. No doubt she wanted to stomp all over him for making her look foolish.

Seraph felt far away. Was he lost in pain or dysphoria? The soldiers were calling him a woman, and he had to play along with it. That had to be a heavy pill to swallow. If they called him a man, he might not receive the care he needed, but if they pretended he was a woman, they could find themselves in worse trouble for any misunderstanding. Broken trust was difficult to mend. The Nomad wanted to believe the soldiers of Wind were victims here, so they needed to maintain good standing in their already suspicious eyes. They needed a rescue as much as Grandmother Wingie. He just hoped he could pull it off.

The main stopped suddenly, making Samuel bump into her. He stumbled backward. How careless of him to not look where he was walking. Her felt a spike of anxiety from the soldier though. When he looked around her to see what had caused the halt, his own dread washed over him. There was a face Samuel had not wanted to see for a good while, if ever. The blue-gray eyes of the Great Mage fell upon him.

“Oh buggery,” he whimpered, hiding behind the soldier again.

“Lord Mage,” Rebecca said once her shock faded, “forgive this incident. We were transporting these rebels to a holding cell. Warden Caleb wishes to interrogate them once they recover. We did not intend to disturb you with this.” She bowed at the waist.

Namas was silent, standing in their path. He was unsure if he felt perplexed or amazed. What were the chances that Celestial and her two rescuers would walk right up to him in Bog’s mansion? Considering all that was transpiring, the mage felt there was more merit to his suspicions than ever. Raising a finger, he pointed at the mysterious boy, hiding behind the Wind main. Did he think that panicked expression would go unnoticed?

“I would have a word with the youth.”

“What?!” Celestial exclaimed. No, this was a bad idea. She knew Namas and his methods. It was too great a hope to think he could have forgotten their last encounter at her trial. That meant he wanted to strike at the weakest link he perceived. Samuel could not go with him.

“What are you after, Namas?! The child knows nothing! The whelp is only a page to us, in training no less! Leave him alone!”

“Celestial, you never change,” Namas said in an exhausted tone. “If he knew nothing of worth to me, why invest yourself in his welfare? Are Rhea and Wisteria no longer your concern? How cruel to give up on them so soon after our arraignment. You did fulfill your portion, so there is no reason to retract my end. I suppose you need something to protect to hold any self-worth. His majesty will be most grieved to know the true extent of your betrayal.”

Samuel looked back at her. She looked paler than ever. Her lips hung open as if trying to respond. He felt helplessness from her. Just what kind of deal had they made to silence her this way? The Light he knew would have fought tooth and nail to have her way, but he thought for a moment that she might weep at Namas’ words.

“For a moment there,” the mage added, placing a hand on his hip, “you resembled your father, standing before me.”

“Enough!”

Everyone looked at Samuel. His voice carried such weight in that one word. The tone of voice demanded their attention. The youth’s presence impressed the Great Mage. Few could compel him to shift his concentration.

“Stop badgering her. You’re nothing but a vulture, pecking at her wounds. What kind of man exploits someone’s personal scars? If you have business with me, then have it with me. Celestial is correct in that I will be of little help to you, so cease your hazing and get to the point.”

Silence fell. Samuel felt embarrassed and infuriated. He would not let a bully push his friends around even if they were not the closest of companions. They had told him more than once that he could protect what he wished, and his companions were at the top of that list. Mage or no mage, Namas needed to back off.

“We will have words, boy. I will take him off your hands for a time, main. Someone can fetch him when my interrogation is complete.”

“Yes, Lord Namas.”

“N … No!” Seraph grunted. It must have taken a lot of his strength to do so. Tears were falling down his cheeks as he grunted in pain. Celestial turned to make sure he was all right. His tan complexion was paling. He needed relief now.

“S … Sam!”

“Don’t waste your strength, mate,” Samuel breathed. His eyes never left the mage. “This man will not harm me.” The statement made Namas feel his nose twitch. What did this child know of what he would or would not do?

“Celestial, please do what you can.”

“Samuel,” the captain said, turning her focus back to the young man, “you said you wanted us to stay together. Why are you changing your mind? Don’t you know who this person is?”

“Celes.” She quieted at Samuel’s voice. The silver gaze looked back at her. He was fighting back the empathy in his eyes, but his smile conveyed the calm he felt. Despite the pain he was sharing with Seraph, his smile was warm. “Stay together. I’m sure you will find me when the time is right. I have faith in my guardians.”

Celestial gaped back in silence. He had called her “Celes” again. She hated being called that, yet it was comforting to hear it from the Nomad’s lips. How did he know it would have such an effect?

“Come then, boy,” Namas’ voice broke through her thoughts as he motioned Samuel toward the mansion, leading him back the way he had come. Seraph’s moaning forced the Light to look away at last. She felt ashamed, lost, and defeated all at once.