Daughter of Dusk
Chapter Thirteen: Courage

The man with gray eyes blinks with disbelief before giving me a smug smirk. The gesture doesn’t suit him, the lopsided smile highlighting the asymmetry of his face.

Mychal speaks up, “Luna, it’s okay, really.”

I turn, frowning at him. “How is this okay?”

“And who are you?” The man speaks again, and I face him once more.

“I – that doesn’t matter. Why – why are you saying such awful things?”

“Because they’re Fire Wielders. I’d be careful hanging out with their kind if I were you, girl.”

“I think I can look after myself. I can’t see how being a Fire Wielder justifies all this.”

“Then you don’t know anything.” The man rolls his eyes before he looks over my shoulder to Blaire and Mychal. He moves to pass me, but before I can decide to, I block his path.

His gray eyes narrow. “Move.”

My hands vibrate as fear radiates through me, but I hold my ground. “No.”

Part of me is shocked at my brazen courage; I could never speak to my family this way, but something about this world . . . I feel safe speaking my mind here, even with the intensity. I can stand up for myself and my new friends here, without having to worry about Father or anyone else.

“Protecting Fire Wielders?” he sneers. “What has Kera come to? You know they could burn you alive, right? What makes you think you can trust them?”

My jaw drops at his words. “I’ll have you know – what’s your name?”

“Finn,” he snaps.

“Well, Finn, I’ll have you know that Mychal and Blaire have been nothing but kind to me. They don’t deserve to be treated in such a fashion.”

Finn scoffs. “Who are you to say what I can and can’t do?”

“Someone who has seen far too much hate in my life. I think we’d all like it if you keep your comments to yourself.” My tone remains surprisingly firm.

He scrunches his face, turns on his heel and walks out of the training centre.

I take a breath, scratching the back of my neck as I turn towards Mychal, Blaire and Teagan, all of them staring at me wide-eyed.

For a fraction of a moment, chills crawl up my arms as I imagine what Father would say in a situation like this, but they disappear as I focus on the salty ocean air. A reminder of the ocean close by, of something that only exists in this world of light.

I need to determine how to get this side of me out more often. Where has it been hiding?

“What?” I avert my gaze.

“That was amazing,” Blaire breathes.

“Oh, please,” I say shyly, holding my elbows. “It was nothing. I wasn’t about to listen to him speak to you as he did.”

“But still.” Mychal runs a hand through his hair. “Thank you. It means a lot.”

Of course – I was only able to speak out because I was defending others. Not myself.

Even so, I really am able to speak my mind here. More than that, it’s welcomed.

“It’s no trouble. Truly.” I frown at them as I contemplate the interaction. “But . . . why would he say such things to you both in the first place?”

Their faces fall in unison, but Mychal answers. “It’s a bit hard to explain. There are attitudes that Fire Wielders are dangerous. It’s something all of us experience in one way or another.”

“But it honestly makes no sense,” Blaire continues before I can interject. “I mean, everything that’s recorded about Ignis – the God of Fire that gave us our fire powers in the first place – says that he was super gentle and soft-spoken. Not violent at all. But people only see what they want to see. There isn’t much that we can really do about it.”

“There has to be something!” I say before I’m aware of it. “I mean, surely something can be done to at least help things. Perhaps if there was a way to open the minds of others, maybe some of those feelings would fade over time.”

Mychal grins at me. “Maybe. I like the way you think.”

“It’s just an idea,” I say sheepishly, before I look up, seeing the time on a small clock on the other side of the room.

God, is it 5 o’clock? I have to get back; I’ve been gone too long already.

I turn back to Blaire, Mychal, and Teagan. “I can’t thank all of you enough for looking upon me and my lineage with such kindness.” I look down. “But . . . unfortunately, I need to be heading back to Zala.”

“Already?” Blaire nearly shouts. “I thought you said you didn’t want to be a part of Zala anymore.”

I bite my lip. “I don’t. But this amulet belongs to my friend, and I said I’d return it before coming here for good.”Not to mention I don’t think I could just leave Soren after promising I’d see him again.“But I hope to be back soon. I should probably head back to the beaches, though. That’s the safest place for me to travel back, without so many people around.”

“I can walk you there, if you’d like,” Teagan suddenly offers, her face showing just a hint of a smile.

I nod in return. “Okay.”

“Well, when you come back, we’re usually around the main square. Don’t be a stranger, got it?” Blaire teases, placing a hand on my shoulder.

I laugh. “I won’t. But thank you again for everything. I hope to see you all again soon.”

We head outside and into the plaza, and Mychal puts an arm around Blaire’s waist as they wave goodbye.

“How long have those two been together?” I ask, attempting to make conversation with this quiet girl as we make our way through the square.

“Only for a few months, but I think there’s something there. We’ll see how it plays out.”

I replace myself thinking of Soren. How are things going to play out with him?

What would he think of all this?

My heart flutters. I can’t wait to tell him everything about this place. I’ll go see him when I get back.

“Hmm, I still can’t figure out your energy,” she says as we come up to the trees that precede the beaches. “There’s Shadow there, yes, but there’s something odd about you.”

Her tone is blunt, but I can sense a genuine curiosity within her. I don’t think she’s intending to be rude.

“Hmm, I’m honestly not sure.” I look down. “I’m the only Shadow Wielder that I know of that can heal, as well. Perhaps that has something to do with it.”

Her eyes light up. “Now that you say that . . . I wonder if there’s a chance you wield Aether.”

I frown. “What’s that?”

“It’s like a middle ground between Shadow and Light.”

“Okay.” I blink at her. “And . . .?”

“It’s only really spoken of in myth. There’s no record of anyone ever wielding it. But there is a prophecy of sorts attached to it.”

I have to stop my mind from going a mile a minute. “What sort of prophecy?”

“Something about how a wielder of Aether would have the ability to thrive in both the Darkness and the Light. But I believe healing was mentioned in there too.”

“Oh.” I look down at my hands. “How does someone get Aether powers in the first place?”

“I’m not sure.” She stops walking. “But I do know a place that might have an answer. Do you have time for a small diversion?”

“I suppose.” If there really is something on Kera Father was trying to hide from me, maybe this place is it.

“It’s not too far. Follow my lead.”

When the path diverges into two, we take one that leads further into the trees. I still can’t fathom just how green everything is here, how sweet the air is from flowers lining the path, mixing with the salt of the ocean. But it’s not long before we come up to an enormous clearing. It’s filled with four elaborate stone statues – ones to represent the Gods of the Elements, I’d wager – and numerous stone pillars that frame the area, protecting it, in a way. Light filters through the trees, filling the area with a magical, almost holy kind of light.

“This is The Sanctuary. It’s a place where our oldest history is recorded, but is also where people come to pray to the Gods of the Elements, and just soak in the good energy.” Teagan closes her eyes with a small smile.

“I see,” I say as I look around in awe. I think back to my readings on the Gods of the Elements – Aer, Aqua, Ignis, and Terra. They all hold representations of their element in one hand, like they’re reaching out to me. Aer – the man furthest to the left – looks almost intimidating, with his serious gaze and strong hands. Aqua looks much more like a child than I would have imagined, with youthful features and her waterfall-like hair behind her in a ponytail. Terra holds a flower in her hand, with her hair up in elaborate braids intertwined with flowers, and roots connecting her body to the ground. And Ignis . . .Blaire was right. His depiction cradles a flame made of stone in his hand, protecting it from the outside world, far from the violence that people seem to think Fire Wielders are capable of.

I can’t help but think of our own Shadow Goddess, Umbra. I know Father has a room in the Manor to pray to her memory, but I’ve never been allowed inside. Only the ruler of Zala is allowed to go to a place that sacred. So, Nox and Melinoe haven’t been allowed in there either, I don’t think. It’s almost jarring that a place like this would be so freely available to the residents of the island, but I welcome the change. It’s nice that people can so easily replace a connection to the power that gave them elemental abilities so long ago; I wish I felt the same about my own powers.

I’ve never discovered a depiction of Umbra quite like this in my library; she’s mostly described as a mysterious hooded figure, but if she died to create Zala, I suppose it’d make sense no one would have a concrete idea of what she’d look like.

I bring myself back to reality. “Where is the record of the prophecy?”

Teagan opens her eyes and guides me to a stone pillar with writing on it. It almost reminds me of the carvings on Soren’s house, but not as elaborate.

I narrow my eyes at the etched words and slowly make out sentences.

In the echoes of the Great War of Darkness, it is prophesied that the two opposing worlds of Enas and Zala would one day come together again. But not in the form of war.

One day, Darkness and Light will come together to form Aether. A wielder of Aether will have abilities unlike any other, including the power to heal the sick and injured. This person will be named the Son or Daughter of Dusk: a destined ruler over the Darkness and the Light.

I have to read the words several times to even comprehend them. But as I process the etched stone, only two thoughts come to mind.

Does Father know about this prophecy? Is this the thing he didn’t want me to replace?

“You seem uneasy,” Teagan says, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I shake my head. “Yes, sorry. It’s just a lot to take in. I don’t even know if this applies to me, outside the healing part. I’m not sure how it could. I don’t know how any part of me could suggest Enas and Zala coming together. My mother was apparently a traitor, that’s all I know about her, but she and my father are both from Zala. How else could they have met?”

“Hmm.” Teagan thinks for a moment. “Blaire and I help out in the Archival Library sometimes. It’s where all of Kera’s records and documents are, as well as different interpretations and specifics of what the prophecy could mean. If the answers are anywhere, it’s there. Is it okay if I do some digging while you’re gone?”

This place has an Archival Library? How interesting. “Yes, of course. Perhaps there will be an explanation as to why I look familiar to you all as well.”

“Hmm. I’m sure there will be something there in Kera’s records that could explain it.” She pauses. “I can’t speak for Blaire, but for me, there’s something about your energy . . .I’ve felt nuances of it before. But I can’t pinpoint it exactly.”

“Oh,” I say before my thoughts link together. “Forgive me, I’ve never met anyone with Earth powers before. I can read energy sometimes, but how does it work for you?”

She looks over at the stone statue of Terra. “Well, think about it. Earth Wielders by nature are the most grounded of all the elemental skill sets. Terra is always portrayed with roots in the ground, connecting her very self to the energy of all living things, like she is here. When Terra blessed us with her Earth powers, part of that grounded connection to life’s energy got transferred to us. And what are the most nuanced and fascinating of living things but people?”

“Interesting,” I think aloud as I look to the statues.

“Mmhmm. That groundedness also allows us to stay upright in the wind. And as someone who has an Air Wielder sister, I can confirm it is a trait that has been beneficial more than once,” she says with just a hint of a smirk. “But each skill set has its strengths and weaknesses.”

“How so?”

“Well, Fire Wielders like Blaire and Mychal are resistant to heat and can’t get burned. But then they’re both cold all the time as a result. It’s a double-edged sword. Water Wielders can breathe underwater and are stronger in the rain, but their power gets weaker the further inland they are. Air Wielders are the least grounded and are incredibly vulnerable to things like smoke, but with enough practice, some can master flight. Earth Wielders can create natural resources, which is why everyone has a roof over their head. But we’re more vulnerable to burns than anyone else, and the energy reading sometimes causes us to get overstimulated. Everything has its balance.”

“I had no idea it was like that.”

“Mmhmm.” Silence falls over us before she speaks again. “Did you replace everything you were looking for here?”

“Yes, I believe so. Thank you.”

We walk back to the main path, and before I know it, we’re soon at the treeline that precedes the beaches with the ever-so-strange mauve sand that leads into the roaring ocean. Its waves have calmed since earlier, but they have a presence I don’t think I’d ever be able to ignore.

“Well, here we are. I trust I’ll see you again soon?”

“Yes, of course. And thank you all again for being so kind to me, despite being from Zala.”

She shrugs. “I don’t get the sense you were out here to hurt anyone. We weren’t going to be mean to you for no reason. Especially Blaire. I don’t think that girl has a mean bone in her body.”

I chuckle. “I know, but . . . thank you all the same.”

“Don’t mention it. When you’re here again, just come to the Archival Library. It’s in the main square, big building with a mural attached to it. Can’t miss it. There’s probably a 90% chance we’ll be there.”

“Okay.” I pause. “Well, thank you again for walking me back.”

She gives me a small smile. “I’ll leave you to it then. See you when I see you.”

And with that, she’s gone.

What a strange girl.

I turn towards the ocean, getting a strong sense of déjà vu in the process. Where the sun was previously high in the sky, glittering on the water, now it’s hanging low, hovering over the water. The colours of the sky have changed slightly, with hues of orange present on the horizon. But I don’t think the sun is close enough to the horizon for this to be a true sunset.

A part of me yearns to stay, to see the sun disappear behind the ocean waves, but the more logical side of me proves to be victorious.

I have to get going. I’ve been gone far too long already.

Besides, I have so much to tell Soren I could burst.

I decide to take in the beauty of a sunset another time. I know I’ll be back here soon.

Aside from the confrontation I broke up earlier, everything here is so peaceful. From the beach to the city to The Sanctuary and everything in between. And Blaire and the others are so wonderful. I can’t believe I got lucky enough to meet them on my first trip here. And I’m excited to practice my powers too. Maybe I’ll actually have a fighting chance against Nox and Melinoe, should it come down to that.

With the uneven purple sand under my feet, I muster up my strength to make a portal back to Zala. To my surprise, it’s no more difficult to manifest than it was back in my own realm.

Perhaps I do wield Aether as Teagan said. I wonder why I’ve never come across the term before in the library. But I suppose if the prophecy originated in Enas, and no one else has that powerset, it’d be difficult to write about beyond speculations. But me? A destined ruler over Darkness and Light? I don’t think so. Ruling is Father’s legacy. I want no part in that.

I sigh. Perhaps Teagan read me wrong. Even if the prophecy explains my healing powers, how can I know it’s even accurate? Prophets don’t know everything. They’re predicting the distant future based on the whims of the stars. How could they know the fate of the world? Of me?

I catch movement out of the corner of my eye, breaking my thoughts. But as I narrow my eyes on the nearby treeline, I catch a pair of golden yellow eyes amongst the branches, attached to what I am fairly certain is a small bird. It’s a tiny little thing, with a heart-shaped face and soft-looking, whiteish-brown plumage.

It looks at me curiously, tilting its head to the side, and I can’t help but feel drawn to this gentle-looking creature. Something about its yellow eyes envelops me in mystery, as though it has a secret, one that it’s desperate to tell me.

But before I can approach, it disappears into the trees.

Hmm, what a shy creature. I wonder if I’ll see it again.

Without another thought on the matter, I turn back to the portal and step through, back to a place I have never called home.