Eclipse: the Beginning

“Samuel said you could go,” Seraph mumbled, not looking at the soldier as he spoke. “If you don’t hurry … well … you might not be able to go back after this.”

“I cannot do that, Seraph.”

“Why?” He bit his tongue. His tone made him sound charmed or bewitched. She would growl at him for sure.

“I don’t run away from my responsibilities, that’s why.”

“But what about your responsibilities as captain? Didn’t that general say you worked your whole life just to attain that dream?”

“My responsibility to Aurora weighs greater than Heaven,” she replied in a heavy tone of voice. It was burdened with sadness, but it also held conviction. There was no room to argue as she shivered slightly. “I made my choice the same day you did. As a soldier, I understand a mission’s importance. As a person … I know the weight of sacrifice.”

“Celestial ….” Seraph quieted, turning his head westward. His dilated eyes gaped from the shade of his hair.

Samuel glanced up at him. The emotions of shock and excitement filled his chest. Had the Wind just experienced an epiphany?

“Seraph? What ….”

“Shh!” the Wind god quieted the Nomad.

The dark daze glanced back at the Light soldiers. Watching them leave across the lake in a boat, heading toward the south, Seraph waited for them to be a safe distance away. Once they were out of sight, the god scooped Samuel up in his arm, holding him at his side. At the same moment, Cherub swooped the Light up by her midsection, causing her to wrap her arms around the staff to not fall mid-air. She was too stunned to complain. Seraph took to the sky, soaring high and fast.

“Seraph!” Samuel called over the sound of rushing wind once his wits returned. “What in the name of all reason are you doing?”

“I second that question!” Celestial yelled from where she draped over Cherub. Her right arm clung for dear life as her left hand gripped her precious sword’s hilt. It did not help that she had no time to recover from her clash with her guardian or her spell. “I should cut you into firewood, you menacing twig!” The staff jerked, producing a feminine cry from the Light.

“I figured it out!” Seraph called back with a light laugh. His voice seemed unaffected as Samuel and Celestial strained their voices to be heard. Was this another aspect of being a Wind god?

“Figured what out?” Celestial asked with a whimper in her voice. Now that she was so high above the ground, her fright lingered on her face.

“The voices! I figured out why they get strong when I soar higher!”

“What’s the answer then?” Samuel called back. He was falling into Seraph’s excitement, but he was unsure it was due to his empathy this time.

“They’re coming from above! They’re somewhere up here!”

“In the sky?” Celestial gaped back at the Wind. “How is that even possible?”

“I don’t know, but we’ll find out!” Seraph’s laugh sounded like a child. Samuel knew this could be the key to his personal quest. He laughed right along with his friend, sharing the celebration Seraph was experiencing.

“You’re both dim! You know that?” the soldier cried out. She was doing her best not to look down, but dangling from the staff limited her line of sight. The ground was racing by them. It almost made her lose her stomach. She had never moved so fast in all her life. The Light watched as the plains shifted into the mountains of the border. She would have enjoyed this experience if she felt more secure with her present position. Looking up ahead, the soldier noticed a rapidly approaching obstacle. “Seraph! Please tell me you don’t plan on running into Mt. Aion!”

“Mount what?”

“Mt. Aion!” Seraph replied in a pleased voice. “We just might! Ha ha ha!”

“Gods! Put me down now!” Celestial wailed as the Wind god laughed on.

Samuel gaped at the ground below. Looking up ahead, squinting against the gusts striking his face, he saw the mountain fast approaching. It was huge! While there were other, grayed and spiked mountains behind it, this grassy one rose into the atmosphere. Distracted by his awe, the Nomad forgot they were flying straight for the landmass.

“Just what was this mountain made for?”

“What do you mean, Samuel?” Seraph asked, pausing his laughter.

“I mean, Western Wind is mostly plains and hills! The mountains of the labyrinth are dwarves next to this range! What is a mountain, so large that it touches the sky, doing in this province?”

“That … I don’t know,” Seraph replied with confusion. He had always heard Raphael speak with pride about it, but the immortal could never recall why. “I just know the song is coming from this direction. Just a little higher, I think.”

“Higher?” Celestial cried. “It’s already getting hard to breathe! What if it gets much worse? Are you trying to make me faint?”

“No … they’re higher up, though,” Seraph’s shy nature was coming back. The Wind realized his excitement was not shared equally, and the others were showing signs of exhaustion. He wished he could hide behind Samuel right now. His nervous expression was clear as daybreak.

“I guess even in Aurora the air gets thinner the closer one comes to space!”

“Space? What nonsense are you going on about now?!”

“Celestial,” Samuel said just loud enough to hear over the wind, “if you work yourself up more you’ll let go of Cherub! I don’t think you want to fall thousands of meters to the earth!”

The Light silenced and clung tighter to the staff. The trio rose higher, just as Seraph had said. Samuel blinked when his ears popped. It had been a while since he had felt that sensation. As the mountain grew closer, they swallowed nerves in their throats. Mt. Aion was a monstrous presence.

“No one has ever scaled to the peak of Mt. Aion before …” the Light spoke wearily, “Its height and steep slope bested even the most skilled of climbers from Eastern Earth! Are you sure the singing is coming from here, Seraph?”

“I’m not sure it’s Mt. Aion, but the song is from this direction.” Seraph sounded as if he doubted himself now. Samuel’s chest filled with uncertainty, confirming that. “Maybe they’re from the other side?”

“You said they were coming from above, though,” Samuel commented, trying to remind the Wind of his earlier confidence.

There was no reply. Samuel and Celestial were feeling light-headed. Seraph could see the peak of the mountain. Would they make it? Just how high were they? Celestial clung tighter still to the staff, grateful that it was no longer teasing her. Seraph slowed down, making Samuel glance around to see why.

“Seraph … what is that?”

“It looks like an entrance,” the young god replied in a confused tone of voice.

“What is a cave doing up here?” The soldier sounded tired. Both young men feared it was only a matter of time before she lost consciousness. They had to land.

“We’re about to find out,” Seraph replied with more confidence in his voice. “Put her down in there, Cherub.”

The staff obeyed, soaring ahead of them. Cherub set the Light down on the earthen floor gingerly. The moment she felt ground beneath her, Celestial’s grip slacked, dropping Lord Zion’s blade behind her. Cherub rolled out of her arms, making her slump to the side and onto the flat side of her sword. Seraph landed beside her, letting Samuel down as well.

“Is she all right?” Samuel knelt beside the Light to see if she was awake. Her eyes were closed. He leaned down to listen for breathing. “She’s out like a light … literally.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” Seraph blinked. He glanced into the cave, staring hard for a while. “Cherub!”

A gust shot out from the dark. Samuel grabbed onto Celestial, trying to brace them inside the entrance. Seraph reached forward with his staff. The wind spiraled in a cone around Cherub’s tip. The Wind god grunted as he tried to counter with his own wind. Whoever the caster was, they had strong feelings behind their magic.

Gods wield magic differently than immortals and mystics. You are part of the wind.

“Instead of fighting it,” Seraph coached himself as he recalled his mentor’s words, “I should embrace it.”

Samuel felt a warmth in his chest. Looking up at his friend, he saw a smile on his face. Grasping Cherub with both hands, Seraph turned the staff in a blocking stance. The wind shifted, coiling around Cherub. Samuel recalled the same happening earlier before Seraph engaged the Light soldiers. Before he knew it, the winds died down to a gentle breeze.

“That was close,” the Wind said with a light sigh. The same joyful emotions from earlier had settled in again. “Who’s aiming wind magic at me though? Don’t be shy.”

“Be gone!” A youthful voice cried out from further in the cave just before a young man leapt out to strike Seraph with a staff.

“Watch out!”

“There you are!” The god blocked, pushing the attacker back. “Do you treat all of your guests so kindly? What did I do to earn a shove like that?”

“Silence!” the assailant yelled back, leaping up to try a blow to the head. “You should not be here!”

“Seraph,” Samuel felt his chest grow heavy. The outburst was no doubt to blame. As Seraph clashed with the stranger, the Nomad took the time to observe him. He looked to be about Seraph’s age, although smaller. His wrap garments suggested he was a Western Wind, and the staff he wielded looked similar to Cherub. What was going on? “Seraph, he’s a Wind … don’t harm him”

“Easy for you to say,” Seraph muttered as he met another strike with a block. It was easy enough to defend, but it would get dull very soon. “He’s not swinging at you.”

“I will end this soon enough!” Another downward strike met Cherub. This time a burst of wind sprang from the attacker’s staff. Seraph almost lost his footing from surprise, but he used the wind to brace himself just in time to parry once more.

“Bazak! Wait!” Samuel glanced deeper into the cave at the new voice. “I thought I told you to wait for me!”

“Not now, Boaz!” the one named Bazak growled as he tried to hold Seraph’s large build down. His quick strikes were effective against the god, but he was outmatched on strength.

“Bazak,” a motherly voice called, “why did you attack? You have no idea who they are!”

“Any being who enters the Mouth of Aion is a threat to us!” Bazak cried, jumping backward. “I promised Father I would never let anyone threaten us again!” Thrusting his right hand, palm outward, he sent a gust of wind that made a loud screech. Samuel had heard nothing like it, but it was reminiscent to a horror film scream.

“Bazak, no!” A second young man came running up behind Bazak, taking him from under his arms. Gripping tightly, he pulled the young Wind user back, making the shriek die off. “Calm yourself, or your wind will backlash!”

“Let go of me! I’m trying to protect you, Boaz!”

“Your fear will blind you as it has others if you let it rule you, brother! Please!”

As the siblings bickered between themselves, Seraph took control of Bazak’s wind, calming it. The two gaped back at him, impressed at the feat, but their fear of what was to come next was clear. A woman walked out slowly. Her green eyes gaped at Seraph as she gripped the wall of the cave. Samuel could feel a strong sense of awe coming from all three, but he felt hers was strongest.

“You …” she whispered, as if she feared to speak louder, “You were the wind I heard, the wind itself. At last, you found us.”

“What are you talking about, Lady Alma?” Bazak asked, glancing over his brother’s shoulder.

“If you had waited, you would have heard her revelation, you wild beast.” Boaz had a hint of irritation mixed with his concern. Samuel got the feeling that jumping to conclusions was nothing new from the youth.

“Wind,” Celestial muttered in her sleep. “what did you … do this time?” The Wind god gasped awkwardly in humiliation. Even in slumber, she was condescending and blunt.

“I beg your pardon for the intrusion,” Samuel spoke up. His chest still felt heavy, and he was feeling dizzier by the moment. With his two friends unable to focus though, the torch was his to carry to speak for them. He could only hope his attempt did not make things worse. “We came here following a cry of distress on the wind. We mean you no harm, I assure you.”

“Then you weren’t attacking the castle?” Bazak asked in a small voice. He felt foolish for acting so impulsively.

“Castle?” Seraph tilted his head in confusion. “What castle? This is Mt. Aion, isn’t it?”

“That is correct, travelers,” Alma replied with a tired smile. “This is the Mountain of Aion. However, it is also an ancient castle and fortress.”

“You mean … Lord Zion’s castle … is this mountain?” Samuel’s head was spinning as the thought sunk in.

“If that’s true,” Seraph said with a gasp, “then you must be the hiding Wingies! Raphael was right!”

“Raphael?” Alma paused her thought, pointing at Celestial’s hand. “Is that … what I think it is?”

The Wingies took notice of Lord Zion’s sword, lying next to the Light. Boaz and Bazak stared in disbelief at the weapon. Celestial continued to rest in Samuel’s embrace. She looked like a beautiful guardian, still clinging to the leather strap. Seraph’s cheeks flushed pink. Even the brothers looked bashful as they watched her sleep.

“Bazak, Boaz, please help these travelers down into the castle,” Alma said when her voice returned to her. “I fear they are not accustomed to the height.”

“I can carry Celestial!” Seraph volunteered rather quickly. Samuel just smiled at how jumpy the Wind was when he spoke of their companion. “Samuel could use some help, though.”

“I apologize,” the Wingie said in a small voice, “what name did you just say?” Her eyes looked surprised. Samuel thought he felt a sense of nostalgia, but it was one of happiness for once. A smile spread on his lips. It was pleasant to feel such emotions in his chest.

“I’m Samuel …. Does that name have some meaning to you, Madam Wingie?”

“Oh, I see,” she smiled, bashful from the ‘madam’ title. “I only thought it was a beautiful name. It was my father’s. Please come this way. You all appear weary from your travels. We have seen no one from the outside world in years, so I pray our hospitality has not dulled.”

“I would say it has endured well,” Seraph said as he picked up the Light. He smiled shyly as he took her from Samuel’s arms. “You have already been too kind. My friends should recover their strength once we get to lower ground.”

The Wingies led the trio down a spiral stairwell, carved out of the mountain’s earth. The torches lit the way for them as there were no windows. Boaz helped the Nomad to walk as he staggered down the passageway. The young man marveled at the structure’s design. The tunnel appeared to be a natural part of the mountain rather than dug out.

The stairs led to a room of doorways leaving the mountain tunnel. Poles, staves, spears and javelins adorned the walls between each exit and the three tunnel entrances. Samuel guessed this was a watchtower, or at least, it allowed for traffic flow of wind users. Why had Seraph not come through here?

The ten men in the room glanced at them as they entered. It was clear Lady Alma had not exaggerated when she said they were not used to guests. The tension that Samuel felt was not of fear, though. In fact, the looks on their faces were the same as the Wind soldiers back at the viceroy’s mansion. Glancing at the sword that Celestial still held onto in her sleep, Samuel finally understood how much of a treasure Lord Zion’s blade was. As the small group walked across the floor, each of the Wingies bowed at the waist.

“Why do they bow …?” Samuel asked Boaz.

“Do you not know who owns the blade your comrade holds?” Boaz asked in return. He looked at the Nomad as if he had failed an oral quiz.

“Well, yes …. It’s the Arm of Zion, the Wind god. Is it the weapon they honor by bowing then?” Samuel frowned at his wheezing. He felt asthmatic.

“Not really,” Boaz said in a tone of bliss. “They bow to the last remanence of our guardian. Lord Zion always carried his beloved familiar. I have heard tales that Lord Zion could speak to his blade, carrying conversation and merriment. It encourages us to see that the news of its destruction was false.”

“So, rather than closure, it brings you hope … strengthening your surety that he will return.”

“Ah, so you are intuitive. I would take pleasure in divining you.” The Wingie smiled at the young man as he gaped back in confusion. Boaz let out a laugh of amusement as they kept walking.

From behind them, Bazak made a scowl that Samuel recognized before he even looked at it. The hurt lined with jealousy was a familiar face remembered from Earth. He had a sense that he was to blame for those feelings as well. He felt guilty as they continued their way down another torch lit, tunneled stairwell into the mountain.

The tunnel they entered was longer than the last one. Inside the mountain, Samuel’s woozy sensation ebbed away the deeper they descended. He was not sure if this was due to the altitude or the effects of the mountain. Try as he might, the young Nomad could not toss his scientific knowledge aside. Magic or no, it would take time to remold his thinking.

“Here we are,” the Wingie woman said cheerfully. “Welcome to Mt. Aion, the refuge of the Wingies.”

As they all paused outside the exit, Seraph and Samuel gaped in awe. It looked like a larger tunnel, but something felt familiar about the place. Boaz glanced at them both, smiling at their reactions. Seraph looked down at the Light soldier, rocking her gingerly.

“Celestial,” the Wind whispered to her, “Celestial … you have to see this.”

The Light blinked wearily. She tried to shift her weight, but this turned into an unintentional grope at Seraph’s chest. The opaque eyes shot open to gape up at Seraph’s blank visage, staring down at her. Samuel glanced over at the sudden mood changes. He too gaped at the scene, seeing the soldier’s hand still pressed on the god’s left breast.

“Good to see you’re awake,” Seraph’s voice was soft and high. When the Wingies noticed, Celestial rammed her fist into the Wind’s jaw. He dropped to his knees instantly. “What … was that for?”

“Sorry!” she gasped in shock as the Wind’s hold on her trembled. “Reflex! I’ll work on it!”

“Must you always strike first, Celestial?” Samuel groaned, rubbing his own cheek. He would never forget that wake-up call. “He only wanted to show you the inside of Lord Zion’s castle.”