Eclipse: the Beginning

He flew off before she could respond. The soldier stared after him for a moment before the enchanted staff nudged her in the side. The Light winced at the jab. Why was she stuck babysitting again? He was always moody or incapacitated when he got dumped on her. Curses. She turned on her heel as she headed deeper into the labyrinth.

“Come on, twig!” she snapped at the staff. It nudged her in the back, harder than before. The Light growled in irritation. That one would bruise for sure.

Samuel held onto Cherub with his arms wrapped around the staff as tight as he could. He looked exhausted. Celestial wondered if it were from his weeping or her emotional state aggravating his powers. She turned away, trying not to think on it.

They made plenty of headway in the labyrinth. Celestial tried not to make many turns, but sometimes she just could not avoid it. She always turned left, hoping it would make things easier for the Wind god to track. The grassy walls about them all looked the same to her. The soldier worried they were running in circles. Why would Western Wind create a place like this?

“Celestial …”

Samuel’s voice sounded far away. Celestial did not respond. She did not want to worry. She wanted to regain her composure, and it would not help anyone if she panicked.

“Celestial …”

“What?” she snapped back at him, wishing she had not when the word left her lips.

“I can’t … keep my … eyes open …. They’re so … heavy ….”

“Stay awake, whelp! Hold onto that staff or you will fall off! Stay awake! Do you hear me?!”

“But … my chest is … so heavy …. Can’t we … rest for … just a … moment …? Please…?”

“No! Seraph told us to press on until he found us! No exceptions!” Samuel’s strained voice brought up an old memory. She had no time for reflection, but the tired pleas haunted her all the same. The soldier shook her head to try to clear her thoughts, but they were still there.

“Celes …” the seventeen-year-old’s voice failed as he tried to protest.

The Light soldier looked back to see him slide sideways off Cherub. The staff was hovering just above her shoulders, so a fall from that high would undoubtedly hurt. Instinctively, the Light reached to catch him as he slumped off. His weight forced her to stumble, but once she realized they were touching, she fell to the grass. As they skidded across the ground, the soldier pushed him as far as her arms could reach. She realized it was too late, though.

“Curse you …! What have you done to me, alien?!” She covered her face as tears fell down to her white hair. The sky above was barely visible through her fingers. It was as blue as the sea. “I hate how much it hurts … to feel ….” She let the tears fall as she grunted into her grass stained palms, lying on her back beside the unconscious youth.

“What will you choose, child?”

“Celes …! Don’t do it!”

“Please, my lord, punish us rather than the child! I beg of you – spare our daughter!”

“You know the truth, Celestial. What will you do with that knowledge?”

“Will you really spare them, sire?”

“No …! Celes … don’t let him … use you! Precious…!”

“I will.”

“Celestial! You needn’t carry us on your shoulders, love!”

“I’ll do it ….”

“Celes, no …!”

“What a selfless child you reared, Wisteria. Wise and strong, just as her parents.”

“Celestial, no!”

“Curse you … Namas!”

“Guards, take the child to the academy.”

“Mommy! Daddy!”

Samuel gasped as he awoke with a start. As he sat up from the ground, he sucked in as much air as his lungs could hold. The fear in his chest reminded him of the dream. There was no visual imagery, only voices. He did not recognize them, except perhaps Namas, after someone named him. He had experienced several emotions: anger, terror, desperation, spite, and sorrow. Why would he experience such an emotional dream? Was it part of his empathy? Had he lived a memory of Celestial’s?

Samuel glanced around him. Cherub was beside him on the ground. He must have fallen off. On his other side, Celestial was lying on her back. She was much calmer now than before he had collapsed. He must have overloaded from the empathy. Her eyes were closed. As he reached out to brush loose hairs from her face, the youth froze, remembering his promise. He turned his palm over to look at his hand.

“I really am nothing but trouble, aren’t I?” he muttered bitterly.

“I wouldn’t say that.”

Samuel yipped at the sound of Seraph’s voice.

“Calm down. I’ve been watching over you two as you slept. You look sweet lying side by side.” The Wind controlled his voice’s volume, so the soldier could rest. He crouched behind them, watching from a short distance away.

“How long have you been here?”

“The soldiers were easier to deal with when I surprised them,” the Wind replied. “Doubt they even saw me before I blew them deeper into the labyrinth. I didn’t want to hurt them if I didn’t have to. That’s our goal, right?”

“Yes,” Samuel said with a soft smile. He did not want the land to suffer any more than it had. “Oh, you wouldn’t happen to know what happened to Celestial and me, would you? This doesn’t bode well with us both unconscious.”

“I found you like this, actually. Celestial was lying next to you. She looked tired, so I offered to watch while you both rested. I’ve been sitting over here ever since. You probably know more than I do.”

“I see ….” Samuel glanced skyward. The soldier was sleeping then. She usually was awake whenever he stirred in the morning, so this was the first time he had ever seen her sleep. Again, she was lovely without the stern expression on her visage. The young man thought about her mother being an Angel. He smiled sadly, catching Seraph’s attention.

“What is it, Samuel? Something seems to be bothering you.”

“Oh, it’s nothing really,” the teenager replied. “I was just thinking she must take after her mother, being an Angel and all.”

“An … Angel?” Seraph gaped back at them. “Are you saying she’s an Angel?”

“She said her mother was one. I don’t believe she mentioned her father, though. Is there something wrong?”

“What’s a female Angel doing in the military? That’s unheard of,” Seraph raked a hand through his long, loose locks. “She should be in the Temple ….”

“Why is that so unnatural?” Samuel asked the Wind, curious what the issue was. “Can a woman not serve her homeland?”

“They’re healers, Samuel. Raphael told me that Heaven regards Angels as sacred. Only the men can fight and wield light magic offensively. I’ve never seen her use magic, so I thought she was an immortal.”

The Wind looked at the slumbering soldier. She was a beautiful woman. He realized why Lord Zion’s sword was giving her so much trouble now. Her body was not as physically tone as he originally thought. Slender wrists led to calloused palms. She must have slaved away to earn her title, and now it probably looked like wasted effort. No wonder she was always so cold to them. She had lost everything when Samuel came to Aurora.

“Oh,” Samuel’s voice stirred the young god from gawking. “I didn’t realize how shocking that was.”

“I wonder how she became Captain of the Guard,” Seraph mused out loud.

“Maybe … maybe she was trying to protect someone.”

The cries from that haunting dream echoed in his mind. He did not want to volunteer anything on Celestial’s past. He would keep his silence until she was ready to talk about it. It was the least he could do for her, but it would be difficult not to express his empathy, knowing she had suffered such an ordeal.

Celestial furrowed her brow as she stirred, squinting against the bright sky. She could feel eyes on her. A stern expression rested on her visage as she opened her eyes at last.

“Have you nothing better to do than stare at a person asleep?”

“I … I was … I was keeping watch like I said I would!” Seraph was nervous. A bright red face looked away, trying to hide behind the black locks.

“And your excuse, boy?”

“I just … wanted to know what you looked like sleeping,” Samuel replied. As brave as the statement was, he still feared the repercussions.

“My traveling companions are such perverts,” she said coldly, sitting upright. Both young men shrunk back from her as she crossed her arms in judgment. “What should we do now? Are we off course?”

“Are you referring to Lord Zion’s castle?”

She nodded in response to Samuel’s question.

“I believe we need Seraph’s guidance on that one. What did you discover earlier, mate? You never got to tell us before we parted.”

“Well ….” the Wind lowered his gaze as he thought back to earlier. He closed his eyes, holding his emotions in check. Samuel’s tears had reflected his spirit. He had never heard such sorrow in his life. It was too close to the pain he had experienced after his mother’s death.

“Seraph,” Samuel said in a gentle voice, “did you find anything that might lead us to the castle?” He could tell the Wind was distracted. He hoped he could help him focus by talking to him.

“There is a voice on the wind, mixed in with the song.”

“How does that tell us anything?” Celestial asked bluntly. She pulled her treasured sword into her lap from beside her. Looking in Seraph’s direction, she sighed, “I don’t intend to discourage you, but I cannot advance on vague directions.”

“No, he’s given us specific instructions.”

Both Aurorans stared at the Nomad. He was wearing a bright grin on those thin lips. Where had he gained such confidence suddenly? What did he know?

“Are you going to tell us what they are, Samuel? I am ever so curious about this plan you have brewing in your scalp.”

Celestial’s cynical remark slid right off the teenager. He winked in response, making her actually curious now.

“Seraph, you said you heard the song on the wind, correct?”

“Yes. Why does that matter?” Seraph’s sadness faded into confusion.

“Weren’t you able to discern the soldiers’ direction by voices you’ve picked up on the wind?”

“Oh … Oh, yes, I see what you mean now.”

“Do either of you feel like translating your lover’s language?” They gawked at her, embarrassed by the insinuation. The Light grinned, knowing that she had interrupted the odd telepathic connection. “Now then, would you explain what you mean?”

“Well ….” Samuel swallowed the bundle of nerves in his throat. Celestial was enjoying the reactions to her teasing. He could feel it. “While they don’t disclose the castle’s location, the voices are calling out on the wind. It’s as if they want Lord Zion or someone like him to find them. Seraph can hear their distress call, so he can lead us to them, acting as a compass of sorts.”

“What’s a compass?” the Wind blinked as he asked. “Is it something else from your world?”

“You don’t even have compasses in Aurora?!” Samuel fell backwards as he let the revelation set in. Now that he thought about it, he had never seen Seraph or Celestial use any tools to guide them on this journey. He propped up on his elbows to look back at them. His critical eyes worried about the answer he was asking.

“How do you know what direction you’re facing in Aurora?”

“I suppose your world works differently,” Celestial replied in a bored tone. “All Aurorans can sense their homeland. Seraph, for example, can feel the direction Western Wind is in. I can feel Heaven, even now. All elements return to their place.”

“But what if you aren’t headed toward your homeland?” Samuel clarified the question further. He wanted to grasp this concept, so he needed more details. “I can’t sense anything. How would I know where I’m going?”

“The simplest means are the Sun and the flow of water.”

“How do you mean?”

“King Zemnas raises the Sun from the fiery sea of Southern Flame, and it burns through the day until it comes to Northern Water to rest for the night.”

“The Sun goes from south to north here?” Samuel would need time to let go of basic principles on Earth. It was clear Aurora had little in common with his previous home. “Which way does water flow? West to east?”

“No ….” Seraph eyed his friend, worried about how he was receiving all of this. “Remember, all elements return to their place. Water flows to the north. No matter where you are, once liquid touches a surface freed of containment, it’ll run north. If the surface is flat, it doesn’t work as quickly.”

The Wind’s patience matched his smile. Seraph was an honest spirit. It must have been liberating to stop pretending he was someone he was not. Even if his chest was impossible to hide, his smile would be just as hard to take away. It gave the teenager a boost of confidence, knowing he had helped the Wind god to reach this point. Perhaps he could do something for Celestial. Would that not be grand?

“I should be able to find my way as long as I know where north is, right? That’s exactly how a compass works!” He laughed lightly for a moment. Seraph joined in, finding the irony amusing. Celestial just sighed, waiting for them to come to their senses. “Back to what I was saying earlier. Seraph will follow the voices on the wind and lead us to the castle. That’s the plan.”

“So you say,” the soldier said flatly. “However, how can you be sure these voices we cannot hear,” she turned her face toward Seraph, “are coming from the castle? How can we be certain they aren’t coming from somewhere else?”

“Celestial …” Seraph gaped back at her. Was she trying to accuse him of something? “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I have not forgotten what happened in the ceremonial court, Seraph. How do we know you won’t become a tool of wind to steer us astray? You unleashed a fit I’ve only seen once before in Heaven.”

“Enough!” Samuel cried as he stood up, “Celestial, Seraph wants to restore Aurora just as much as you do! I know we have to be mindful of what happened in Heaven, but I will not have distrust form a rift between us! Seraph deserves better than your scrutiny when he is trying so hard to grasp his power! You said so yourself that he did!”

“I only asked a simple question,” she looked up at the spurred Nomad. “Nothing more.”

Seraph glanced between the Nomad and Light. He was a mixture of emotions. Celestial’s words cut him. He wanted to hide from her empty gaze. How could he know if the Wind would use him to hurt someone like he had tried back in Heaven? Samuel was defending him though. The youth referred to them as a unit, and he wanted to unite as one would. A small smile spread on his lips, for despite his guilt, he enjoyed feeling like an equal.

“Samuel ….” The Wind reached a hand toward the young man, “It’s all right. Trust is earned. I’m sure Celestial just needs more time. This quest hasn’t been easy for any of us, so we should be patient with one another.”

“Yes, I suppose you’re right.” Samuel hung his head as he slumped back to the ground. It was unlike him to snap like that. The Nomad hoped he was not showing favoritism. He wanted them all to get along. They did not have to be chums, but he wanted to avoid his experiences on Earth. “Forgive me, Celestial. You as well, Seraph.”

“Why me?”

“I lost my temper and I lashed out at you, Celestial. It wasn’t right. You shouldn’t have had to witness that, Seraph. It’s a sign of poor leadership to use intimidation. That’s why I ask both of you to forgive me.” He bowed from the waist, hiding his face behind his pale, blonde locks, as he nearly touched his face to the grass.

“Samuel, there is nothing to forgive. I should thank you for defending me.” The Wind glanced at the Light, hoping she would be as gentle with her words.

“If you continue to punish yourself, you’ll die young,” she grunted.

“Celestial,” Seraph gawked in her direction. Was she even trying to express consideration?

“I’ll remember that.” Samuel lifted his head to smile at the soldier. He could feel in his chest what she had meant. That was enough for him. “Well, shall we go?”

“We have rested long enough.”

“Well,” the teenager smiled at the bored soldier, “Seraph, would you lead us to these voices? Even if it isn’t Lord Zion’s castle, we should help whoever is calling. Don’t you think?”

“I’ll have to listen for them frequently, but I can.” Seraph stood with a sigh. The sooner Celestial got moving, the sooner her mood would even out. “Our next destination should be interesting. I can’t wait to see where this takes us.”

“Then let’s get to it!” Samuel’s laugh made his companions feel warm. The youth had a way of encouraging them with such subtle gestures. They wondered if that was a Spirit Sage trait, but those musings would have to wait for the Wingies.

After several more days, the three emerged from the labyrinth. Even with Seraph guiding from above, the group found that the winding paths were constructed well. Celestial looked relieved once when they found an exit. Samuel ran out excitedly, cheering at the liberation. Seraph glanced behind them at the grassy hills.

The Wind wondered if he could ever return. He was a fugitive from the Sun god, just as he hoped his father was somewhere in Aurora. They were on a dangerous quest from Destiny, and he still had no idea what would be required to complete it. It did not seem likely that he would run through the family vineyard for some time.

“What’s the matter, mate? You look like you forgot something,” Samuel said in a labored voice. All that running about had winded him, but he still wore a bright smile on his face.

“I was just thinking. It’s nothing. Don’t mind me,” the giant replied. He rubbed the back of his neck as he turned to look at his companions. He tried to smile, but the thoughts running through his mind could only produce a smirk.

“Do not plan to die, then.”

“What?” Seraph gaped back at Celestial. “What do you mean?”

“If you desire to return to your home,” she said, walking forward, “do not plan on dying before you do.”

“Oh.” The Wind was at a loss for words. His eyes followed the Light. Was that what she was doing? Was that why she wanted to complete their goal so quickly? He wondered what she had to rush home to in Heaven.

“I don’t plan on any of us dying, so neither of you should,” Samuel pointed at them, waving his finger between them. “I just want to stop the pain plaguing Aurora. People shouldn’t have to die to ease suffering. That’s how I feel, anyway. I don’t want to start a war or overthrow the crown. I just want to take care of the core problem. Things should fall into place after that, right?”

Seraph and Celestial stared back at the young man as he walked away. He turned his head to glance at them behind him as he walked. While he wore a hopeful smile, he seemed to understand the difficult task ahead of them. He had so much assurance to stand and defend a world he had never known, and at the same time, a deeply rooted humbleness guided him. It was enough balance to make them hope Samuel could fulfill the prophecy.

“Ah!” They both closed their eyes as the Nomad tripped over a small rock. If he was Aurora’s savior, he still had a long way to go. “Ha ha … I guess I should face that way, shouldn’t I?”

“Just where are we now?” Celestial asked as she walked past the teenager. She saw no reason to rub salt in the wound over clumsiness. “This isn’t the Ancient Forest.”

“No, it isn’t,” the Wind replied, pausing beside Samuel, so the youth would not have to trail behind them. He gave a soft smile in reassurance, and Samuel gave a grateful one in return. “Based on the plains up ahead, we must have left the western pass of the labyrinth.”

“How many passes are there? I thought labyrinths trapped people inside.”

“There are four passes into the labyrinth,” Seraph replied. Samuel was trying to learn, so he would do his best to teach. “The one we entered through before was the southern pass. There are exits to the north and east, but this is my first time going through one other than the south.”

“Where were you searching for your father?” Celestial asked. She felt like talking again. Now seemed like a good time to raise the question.

“Well, I had been looking at records in the regent cities of Western Wind. No one knows where citizens found guilty of treason go, so I tried to find a trail. It would have satisfied me to find any clue, but there don’t seem to be any records from before the regents were put into power. I guess, with so little established, it was easy for Bog to shape our province however he wanted.”

Samuel could feel Seraph’s anger simmering in his chest. As a Wind, it spurred him more to think of Viceroy Bog. The youth could only imagine the country Raphael had described to him before the fall of their guardian. If Samuel held any personal reasons for undertaking this quest, it would be to free Wind from that viceroy. He had witnessed the trouble Bog had caused, and he wanted the children of Western Wind, like Yamin, to live in a better world than this. Though, he feared the rest of Aurora needed just as much help. What else would he find?