Echoes of a Shattered Age (20 page)

Kita trotted down the path but seemed to move faster than he intended. In an instant, he was in front her, and stumbled to a stop. The others where there as well, Kenyatta, Akemi and Kenjiro, with only Sensei Akutagawa missing. As if she had read his thoughts, Taliah explained that Sensei wished to remain behind to watch over the group.
Watch over the group?
he thought.

“This may feel like a dream,” Taliah continued, “but it is not. The fact that you are all here together is proof enough.” Everyone looked at each other and at their surroundings. Everything about the place was heavenly.

“You stand before the Tower of Balance. These surrounding lands,” she swept her hand out to encompass the vast fields, “are a representation of the purity of this place of those who created the tower. Only the best is wished for us while we inhabit this world, and the Gods take every step in assuring that we are able to learn what we are here to learn and experience all that we must, but at the same time, not directly interfering unless absolutely necessary.”

“It would take too much time to explain everything, and time is what we have little of.”

On their hike to the tower, they came upon a slender figure waiting in the middle of the path. So peaceful was the presence of the woman—for once they drew nearer they saw that it was indeed a woman—that none of the warriors felt the need to be on their guard.

“Nothing will harm us here,” Taliah said, again as though she had read their minds. Our true selves, our spirits, are in the presence of Takashaniel. In the realm of light, nothing evil can exist.”

“Who is that?” Akemi asked pointing up the winding path.

“Her name is Mira,” Taliah answered. “She is the student of the guardian of Takashaniel.”

“Try saying that three times,” Kenyatta whispered to Kita, who sniggered.

Mira walked to the group and met all of their gazes with a smile. Kenjiro, composed as always, gave a polite bow. The other two men, however, smiled back with boyish grins, and Taliah and Akemi both rolled their eyes.

The young woman gave a graceful bow and introduced herself. “I am Mira and I welcome you to Takashaniel. My teacher has been awaiting your arrival and has much to discuss with you. If you would follow me?”

She led the group to the base of the tower where they entered, and the group marveled at the sights around and above. Words could not describe the magnificent colors that radiated from every part of Takashaniel. Even the smallest corners of the tower emitted pure light energy. The inside of the tower was transparent. Every floor or set of stairs or wall was see-through, and made of pure iridescent light energy. Some walls, although made of the same light energy, were solid. Mira explained that privacy was only a thought away and if one did not want to be seen for any reason they need only to think of a solid wall and it would appear.

She led them onto a platform of colorful light that was as thin as paper but felt as sturdy as normal ground. She said and did nothing, but the platform began a slow ascension. “I thought I would choose a slower speed so that you can see everything.” She smiled innocently as the four companions’ heads turned in every direction as they took in the remarkable surroundings.

“So you are the four my teacher speaks of,” she said. “He says that you will be the deciding factor in the future of this world. I admire your fortitude, in the face of the burden you all share.”

“We all share the burden in different ways,” Kita responded. “You do your work here in this tower that we have come to know as the most important factor in the balance of the world.”

“Yes, but ultimately it is
people
who stand and hold the strands together in this web of life that we are a part of. People such as you, are why the tower can stand.”

“And also why the tower is necessary,” Kenjiro added in a bit of a sour note.

Mira dropped her gaze. “Yes, that’s true as well. But despite our many faults as a species, there is always hope. She smiled.

Akemi and Taliah rolled their eyes again as they let out a sigh of disgust at the men, smiling idiotically. “I hope they don’t taint the place with their lust and get us thrown out.

Taliah giggled. “He would just throw them out, not us.”

Beaming, Mira turned her attention to the next floor coming up. The platform stopped and the group stepped into the room. Just as the other rooms, the walls were transparent, giving it a feeling of vastness.

What appeared to be a man with marble-gray and black skin stood at the far wall, looking out at the sweeping landscape.

Mira led them into the room and bowed. “Teacher, they have arrived.”

“Thank you, Mira,” the man replied. The serenity of his voice matched perfectly, the tranquility of Takashaniel. “If you wish, you may remain with us.”

“I have some matters to attend,” she said, “but I will return.” The teacher gave her a nod and she left the room.

Kenyatta shook his head in disbelief, watching through the floor as she descended to the bottom level of the tower.

“My name is Iel,” the strange colored man said. “And I offer greetings and gratitude to you for coming.”

Taliah bowed in response, and the others followed suit. “It is we who are honored to visit you and behold the grace of the tower,” she replied.

Iel smiled, and Akemi thought she noticed his gray and black color shift ever so slightly with his smile.

“There is much to discuss and not much time,” the guardian of Takashaniel said. “I hope I do not appear rude, but we must speak at once.”

“We understand,” Taliah assured him.

Not long into their talk, Mira returned with a clear iridescent tray with seven glasses of the same fashion. She offered a glass to each of them, then to Iel, taking the remaining glass for herself.

Kita took a sip and was instantly invigorated. He looked around the group and noticed the same response. Whatever the drink was, he wanted more.

“As you already know,” Iel began, “the Drek has aligned himself with the Quentranzi demon, Arritezmeshezbreandokabriza, or Kabriza, as you know it. Together they have raised an army of fiends from the dark realm and set them on a path directly here.” At a look of uneasiness from the group, the Ilanyan continued.

“In the past, there was an attempt against the tower by a mage who had foolish plans of subjugating an entire civilization and establishing a new order of magic wielders under his rule. Although he was quite accomplished in the practice of dark magic, he could not get by the tower’s first defense, which is its invisibility to human eyes. You see, Takashaniel cannot be seen by humans, only nature, and some beings of this world can see it. The majority of humans are too infantile in their evolution to be in tune with the tower.”

“Unfortunately, denizens of the dark world can see the tower simply because they exist on a different plane than our world. Although they are evil, they still perceive more than humans are capable of, which is why they are able to see the tower. What keeps them from attacking, however, is that most demons cannot get close enough without being destroyed.”

Kenyatta noticed Iel’s color darken. Did his complexion reflect his mood?

“Quentranzi,” the guardian continued, “can penetrate the protective ward. Other demons cannot enter because they cannot wield magic. Quentranzi, however, can wield magic better than the most powerful mage.”

Kenyatta frowned. “Back in the forest when we fought some of those shadow demon-things, it looked like they were using magic to me.”

“Demons, by nature, have many innate abilities that are beyond many species of the prime material plane, our world. Magic does not number among those abilities for the average fiend.”

Taliah leaned forward, interlacing her fingers. “If I am not mistaken, not more than one Quentranzi can exist in this world at one time.”

Iel nodded. “According to humans’ summoning abilities, yes. But the Drek could summon more than a score of Quentranzi to this world. The simple fact that he was able to summon one of the most powerful of them all is testament enough.”

Iel looked over the group. “I cannot emphasize enough, the importance that you use caution when dealing with this evil. Quentranzi are the smartest of all known demons, and some are especially adept at peering into one’s mind and toying with whatever they find there. You will be tested to your limits.”

For a while everyone sat in silence, absorbing the Ilanyan’s words until he spoke again. “I understand that you have encountered a number of Kalistyi and one Ren.” The group nodded.

“Then you have an idea of what to expect.” The four warriors glanced uneasily at each other. A nervous smile crept across Kenyatta’s face. Kenjiro looked tense, and Kita merely closed his eyes and shook his head in resolution. Akemi sat virtually unmoved concentrating on the Ilanyan’s every word.

Iel regarded the ninja and her brother. “The two of you already have magically charged weapons, but you will need more.” He turned his attention to Kenyatta and Kita. “You will need to have your weapons charged for the first time. I am sending Mira to assist Miss Taliah in the task.”

Some time passed as Iel discussed his plans, and the group detailed their experiences leading up to their meeting in the woods outside Toyotomi. As the group stood to take their leave, a small and incredibly beautiful woman entered the room with a tray to collect the glasses. She wore a cloak that hung to her ankles, with a hood that hung at her back. Her curly shoulder-length hair was a dark sandy-brown color that seemed to glow.

Kenyatta discreetly eyed her as she passed. There was something peculiar about her. She had smooth yet angular features, a slightly pointed chin and a petite nose. Her eyebrows came to sharp points at the tips and at the top, giving her facial features a sleek appearance. Much like her hair, her golden brown skin shimmered in the soft light. She was like nothing he had ever seen before, tiny, almost fragile, but with a hint of some inner strength.

After the unusual girl—or small woman, for he could not tell—had collected the glasses, she turned to leave. Even her stride was unusual, as if she glided rather than walked. As she moved away, a few locks of her hair fell behind her ear and Kenyatta noticed that it came to a point at the tip. He dismissed the sight, thinking the strangeness of this tower and its inhabitants were getting to him.

A sharp poke in the ribs jarred him from his admiration, and he turned to see his sister staring at him with narrowed eyes. Behind her, Kita’s shoulders trembled with repressed laughter.

Kenyatta smiled timidly and jabbed a thumb in the departing woman’s direction, about to explain, then decided better of it.

“These sacks are filled with water from Takashaniel in this dimension,” Iel said, handing one to each of them. “Although they are physically smaller than those you carry now, they hold three times as much liquid. A few sips will renew your energy, but your body will feel as if you’ve had a full night of sleep. I do caution that this will not replace solid food, and anything in excess is unwise. Allow your bodies to recharge naturally, but use this drink to help speed your physical bodies’ return here.”

The Ilanyan moved to stand before the group, taking each under his gaze. “There is more that I would tell you, but we’ve not the time. I must send you back with well wishes and know that I will be watching your progress. When we meet again in the physical plane, it will be as allies against the darkness. From this day forward you will always be able to sense where the tower is and be able to see it with your eyes. I must tell you, however, that only you can see and enter the tower. Anyone else, whether they are with you or not, will be unable to see or enter it. You must not attempt to bring any other human here.”

The Ilanyan closed his eyes and pointed a finger at each of the warriors. All four leaned backward, startled. A rush of information surged into their minds in an instant.

“I have mentally implanted the path of your destination. You now know the way to reach Takashaniel in the physical world. The dark horde has already begun their march here, and you must meet them between here and the Drek’s fortress.”

After shaking off the shock, the companions followed Iel onto the platform and began their descent back to the first floor.

“I have looked inside each of you and I see many of the same qualities.” He looked at each of them in turn. “Strength, courage, passion, indomitable spirit and,” he smiled, “wisdom. Though in time, you will acquire more of the latter.”

The platform stopped on the first floor and Iel escorted them to the front of the tower. “There is nothing more that I can do to assist you but to wish you well. Remember that you are not alone in this fight, and you have all that you need to see you through what lies ahead.” He curled the small finger and the one next to it inward, toward the palm of his hand, and smiled. “Inyana,” he said. “Power of light be with you.”

As soon as they stepped out of the tower, everyone awoke with a start, realizing they were back at the campsite. Kenjiro lay still for a moment. He felt as if he had fallen, or rather, been slammed back into his body. He looked around and saw that everyone else seemed to have had the same jarring experience.

They looked around, surprised to be at the campsite after such a vivid experience. It was a few hours before daylight and the air was cool and still. Taliah and—to their surprise—Mira had already begun preparations for their work with the weapons. Mira looked over at the group with that innocent smile that made the men grin like simpletons.

“Would you bring your weapons here please? We are ready for them.”

One by one, the four warriors placed their weapons on the ground. The two women placed each weapon in a specific position and then sat facing each other on either side of the circle they had drawn.

Sensei Akutagawa was finishing breakfast when Akemi came to sit beside him. “I hope you’ll enjoy this.” He gave her a sly smile. “This is the last real meal you will have for a while.”

Akemi smiled back at her youthful old teacher. Aside from the salt and pepper hair gray hair, he looked much the same as when she was a child.