Haze of Dusk (A trilogy) (4 page)

Morgan and I watch Jorsay go to school with a few friends, the sun
s rises beautifully, but hotter than any other day. The world is slowly being taken over by the suns. It has been months since nature elves force rain, with such heat; it’s almost becoming impossible for them. The poor grass, the isolated trees abandon by need.  I read scriptures claiming before the arrival of the second sun two hundred years ago, Duolic weather was always windy, and out there was something called seasons, where the weather would change every few months, depending what area one lives. There was spring, a time when it constantly rain, and winter, a time when frozen water would drop from the sky, whitening our homes, our land. Thinking of such beauty gives me chills throughout my body. Did that wonderful life truly exists?

A while
after Jorsay’s absence Srogeri arrives. He limps as he walks, but his loyal staff is indeed his friend, supporting plenty of his weight. Years ago, battling in the cynical war, an arclaw pierced its mouth on his knee getting to the bone. He was injured for two days, making the healing process impossible to repair the broken. There are some things in life not even magic can facilitate.

Morgan opens
the door. Srogeri doesn’t gleam a smile. He looks grumpy, which is usual when he’s around Morgan. He stares at me in dismay, and enters the house. We walk to the wood frame, red and brown stripe couches, and assist him to the family’s sofa. Morgan sits on a chair across him. I stand next to her, nervously pressing my lips together. We’re going to place a blast on Srogeri's head. I hope he doesn’t explode.

Morgan approved the idea. It took an entire day and extreme aggression of my part, but it worked. Now we need his approval, because although Morgan is my
step mother, it is Srogeri who my father left as my taker, this means since Papa’s death, he has made all decisions based on me. I guess Papa knew I needed someone unbreakable to control me, not sweet Morgan whose only concern is our wellbeing.

Morgan
begs me to leave. She thinks if she speaks with Srogeri by herself it’ll be easier to convince him. I trust her, so I agree and leave the house. I wait for the outcome outside sitting on the soil. But waiting, I fall heavy into an anxious world.
What if she doesn’t convince him? Then I swear I will run away. I won’t give a damn about anything.
  I nibble my nails leaving it to the crypt top. And when I have no more nails to eat, I pace back and forth without a stop. The squeaky sound of the door wiggles me entirely. I twirl meeting with Srogeri who’s finally out. My heart plunges to the ground instantaneously. His expression says it all, he rejected.

He walks towards me. Behind him stands a pale Morgan, both seem tense, as if an argument occurred. I can tell by the energy that encircles our quarter. “Is that it, is that your decision?” He asks in disappointment. I press my lips together and rush a nod. He scoffs. “All these years protecting you for this, do you not value your life?”

“Yes, but I value my bro
ther’s life more. He is younger. I am older. He has more to learn. Anyhow, why have you train me all these years for? It must be for a reason… this is the reason, it’s for me to go, and take his place.” I assure.  He groans, stressfully rubbing his head.
Yes, I can easily give him a headache.
“Your plan is impossible. The portal that takes you to Doomsvell disrupts any magic. You’re going to be under a spell. They will know right away,” I smile. I like that tone, it sounds like approval. “You are the
great
Wizard for a reason right. I know you know how to get me in,” he scoffs, impress by my big mouth.

“Y
our father will be disappointed. This is not part of your future. There are other plans for you, Judyala.” I narrow my eyes possessed by his statement.

“What plan
s?”  I ask mystify. He sighs, and shakes his head.

“If you decide
this, very well, I can’t stop you. Nevertheless, I have a suggestion. You have the Siren stone, right?” I frown. Did he just mention the stone? Oh heavens the stone, that hasn't been mentioned to me in seven years. “Your father
did
give it to you?” He insists because of my silence. I partly smile—my chest squeezes my heart; shrinking my life away. I beg you don’t ask me to show it to you.

“Well you know the Siren stone power it’s excessive. Nothing can hurt the carrier. Life will protect you. You will be invulnerable. All I ask is for you to think this through. Why not give your brother the stone, he will be protected. It is your decision, Judyala. I will no longer stop you.” Srogeri’s words leave me chilling. He turns away and cripples to his carriage without saying farewell. I exhale sharply. Every time that stone is mentioned my heart accelerates. If I knew before giving it to him that stone makes humans invulnerable, I would’ve never lent it. Instead, I would’ve given it to my sick brother who really needs it. No wonder he never returned it, he knew of its greatness. That piece of shit liar. How I hate him for deceiving me—he promised to come and get me, but he didn’t even do so after becoming Khysso the undying, one of the most powerful sorcerers in Doomsvell. But I no longer worry, because I’m heading your way, and I want it back.

I’m
ready to face a different world. Morgan and Srogeri accepted my decision, but even if they rejected my idea, I would’ve left no matter what. I’m relieved to know there’s no need to force myself into Doomsvell.  My most difficult action was lying to Jorsay. It caused me a bottomless pain.  When I told him I was chosen to go to Doomsvell, he nonchalantly chuckled. Like me, he’s not the type to show weakness, and like Papa, he is strong. Although he didn’t demonstrate pain, I know my leave saddened him for he showed anger, apparently because he wasn't the one chosen. If he only knew it was him and not me the one chosen, he’ll never forgive me, especially since we share the same dream, to leave Duolic. Now I take his dream away to fulfill mine. What a selfish act…whatever, he’s young and I’m older, thus I get my dreams first.

A black carriage parks
in front of the house— led by two cockatrices, a dangerous dragon-like creature with two legs, a head similar to a rooster, and a long snake tail that can crush anything that senses a risk. The cockatrices are creatures the arclaws fear, for that reason they’re used to fight against the arclaws. Their tail is their deadly weapon, but they also conjure fire from their mouths. It’s my first time seeing one in person other than books. Morgan glances out the window. Tears rush down her eyes.

“Oh
heavens, they’re here.” She sobs, her sight on me. I inhale deeply.

“I’m ready.” I profoundly inhale, and shut my eyes. I concentrate on my brother’s form. A strip of his hair twirled
around my hair makes the change easier. Thoroughly, I breathe in and out, repeating a spell in my head that helps me gather the energy I need to become him. I’m already wearing his clothing—my face and body are my strict concentration. My body is tingling; it’s how I know I’m converting into him. The vibration in my body knocks in my ears. I’m overcome by my power. It is as if lightning flows inside my blood vessels, yet it doesn’t hurt, but stirs me. I want more. It’s addicting. The loose boy-outfit I'm wearing adjusts to me. I know I’ve stretched. The sensation stops. It’s how I know I’ve become Jorsay. I force my eyes open. Breathing heavily I gape at my hands, dumbfounded by the outcome.

For a fifteen-year old, Jorsay’s hands are a lot bigger than mine. Well, he is a boy, and we are only three years apart. I’m glad nature's magic law doesn’t affect transformation spells
. “And Srogeri…he…he's not coming?” My voice is masculine. It is strange to speak and hear a voice that’s not mine. “I’m sorry sweetheart, I guess he's bothered by it, and won’t forgive your decision.” I sigh in despair. At least I said farewell to Jorsay a few hours ago, before I gave him the sleeping tea.  He can’t see me go with his body, he’ll kill me. I take my cases. Although now a young boy, my strength is still the same, fragile and pathetic.

“Remember, before entering Doomsvell’s portal drink the potion Srogeri gave
me to give to you.” I nod. That potion will stop the entrance portal to Doomsvell from disturbing my powers. I take in a lungful of air, and walk out the house. Outside, standing near the carriage I see a familiar man. Daze by his appearance, I almost drop my belongings. “Srogeri…I thought…I thought I wasn’t going to say good-bye to you.” I say sentimentally. He chuckles. “You are not,” I scowl. “Starting today I’m one of Doomsvell second year collector, meaning you will see plenty of me…young boy.” I scoff. I’m not surprise by his act.  He has been by my side forever. I feel it in me; he isn’t ever going to let me go. He’s in fact my guardian angel. I glimpse at Morgan who bawls like a small child, but no longer of misery but happiness. Knowing Srogeri is with me is recognizing my protection. 

“Now, let us go…Doomsv
ell awaits us.” I jiggle my head. I enter the carriage and wave farewell to my old life, yet… anticipating a new one.

-
3
-

Beyond Ordinary

The
cockatrices ride the pathway without discontinuing. They are strictly ordered to drive us to Doomsvell, and there without any restraint they will take us. Envisioning the danger that lies ahead, the moment we leave the magic barriers, and enter the howling ground of the creatures, the cockatrices wing jerks open, gently escalating but bringing turbulence to the carriage.

I peek
out the window—we’re high in the air, the clouds near us. The moon illuminates the night. I’m thrilled by my soon change of life. The view of the sky from the top is mesmerizing. The first time I saw such fairness from above was when I rode with Khysso. And that memory is tainted by his lies.  I glimpse at Srogeri and I share my exhilaration with him, but he’s not the type who easily becomes impressed. He isn’t animated by the view or by the perfect sky. His concern is only one—my major responsibility; staying alive. The first word that comes out of me he quickly turns it into a conversation of my survival skills. As he speaks of his distress, I wish we weren't the only ones in the carriage.
This old man drives me insane.

“The way you are acting right this instant is identifying a woman,
act like a boy, and act like Jorsay. Stop being overexcited about foolishness or you will give your secret away,” he insults, stealing my pride.  Fine, I am a girl. What I’m I supposed to do. Unlike him, and Jorsay, I like to get excited. I don’t need to act cold for people to think I'm interesting.  Yes, maybe I would taint a bit of Jorsay’s reputation, still, is not like he knows about it.

“About…boys…
” he continues his lectures, raising my nerves. The word
boy
instantly preoccupies me.
Srogeri is talking to me about boys… this is going way out of hand. That’s Morgan’s dearest subject.
Srogeri has trouble expressing his feelings, but manages to state boys are dirty, and I need to prevent bathing with them, or prevent having any type of chemistry that has zilch to do with my assignment. It’s odd to converse about boys with him, so I try to avoid the conversation by taking my head out of the small aperture, to sight the view a bit more, only this time I look below. My eyes almost burst out of my face when I notice there are thousands of arclaws beneath us clutched like ants. I know it’s them—they fiercely urge. Their terrifying howling identifies their kind. I pull back inside, staring but not seeing. I’m dimwitted. It’s when
reality
hits me knocking my brains out. Can I really face them? Because truth is, I’ve never encountered one.  Will I be able to react normal? I’m glad Doomsvell trains us before sending us to fight. 
For sixty days we are coached. Then, on the day of the haze we are sent to battle until we empty the chosen field. For those days, warriors eat whatever, killing as many arclaws as possible.

Srogeri can be a boring man. Severely harsh at some point, but he surely is a great lecturer, and because of the knowledge he has mutually granted me, I believe to be intellectually equipped.

 
It was in the beginning of my second school years when I learned Doomsvell is a castle in the main quarter of Snegnio. Snegnio is the capital of the south taking charge of all the townships in the south area, in which are a total of thirty two districts, including Duolic, my home town. Most of the people in Snegnio are humans and wizards.
However, many elves have resided to the south through the years, for their homes on the north have been taken over by the arclaws. Doomsvell only collects residents from Snegnio—three other war castles like Doomsvell in which are located in the west, east, and north—represented by the same leaders are responsible of collecting residents from their towns. The castle in the north is in the main capital, and it’s called Ashcevi. It has been said it’s shaped like a crescent, and is built by an unbreakable magic. The fighters within Ashcevi are regularly elf race, or a combination of their kinds.

The war castle in the west is called Mostress. It is more of a dark tower, with hundreds of floors, made of unbrea
kable stones. Its immense size is because the residents are usually of giant races: ogres, cyclops, orcs, yetis, and fomorians are forced into the war by the giants, who are terribly feared. Their influences are their immensity, and their large weapons. It’s surprising the leaders can control the giants; no one knows how they do it, for years it’s been an unachievable task, until now.