Date: Sun, 7 Mar 2021 22:35:32 +0400
From: Nell Bas <helledon12@gmail.com>
Subject: the last feres/the feri war 9

Happy reading!

			       The Feri War
				 Chapter 9


'Is this a healing or a cult ritual?' Connor whispered as we ascended a
torch-lit narrowly carved staircase into the rocks below the Mathyel
citadel. I inwardly cringed because right in front of us, were the leaders
and not to forget that behind us the resident's women was following
closely. Wren punched him lightly.

'Enough, Connor.'

'A bit of both,' Maya whispered back. 'I actually don't see the
difference. Healing for us involve divine intervention. Now keep quiet.'

I was sceptical about the whole thing too but unlike Connor, I kept it to
myself.

Our destination was a cavern large enough to hold an Olympic size tennis
court, but of course, it was uneven on all sides. The ceiling was high. At
least as tall as twelve men forming a human ladder. In the middle was a
pool of murky waters. Perhaps the most prominent feature of this place,
which gave out an awe moment, is the bioluminescent walls and ceiling. That
explains the absence of torches there.

I heard Keene telling Connor that each tiny glow was a tiny worm that lives
in the crevices of the whole cavern. I suppose he would know since he comes
from Koff, a witch town known for its caves.

My companions and I stayed close to the leaders while the other women
surrounded the pool.  When everyone was in place Mother Gina spoke.

'For generations we the disciples of the Goddess has sworn to serve her in
this life and beyond. Do we still honour that oath?'

'We do,' they all said in unison.

'In the name of the Goddess, we swore to protect the weak and provide for
the poor. Do we still honour that oath?'

Once again they chanted. 'We do.'

'As disciples, we promise to fulfil The Goddess' wishes. Do we still honour
that oath?'

'We do.'

'If so, do we as the disciples of the Goddess, on our lives implore her to
help and cure His Majesty of his affliction?'

'We do.'

She turned to. 'Your Majesty, we are but servants of the Goddess. Only she
has the power to grant you your wish.' She waved a hand towards the
pool. 'She will test you. If she deemed you worthy, she will help
you. Drink this.'

She handed me a goblet with a brownish liquid inside. Assuming it was
brown, I couldn't tell.

'Something wrong?' Mother Gina asked. I grew embarrassed when I noticed
everyone watching me.  As if she sensed my apprehension, she added, 'no
need to worry. It's just a mild tea with some azurite in it.'

It didn't alarm any of my friends so I drunk it.

'Now step into the water, close your eyes and wait for her call.'

The whole situation creeped me out. I looked at Wren and Keene. They both
nodded. I knew they have my back if anything suspicious happens.

Inhaling deeply, I untied my robe and stepped in the cold water naked.
Goosebumps broke all over my skin. However, I didn't pause for a second as
I went deeper into the pool.

All eyes were on me. Connor had a worried face, but Maya was there to offer
her support. She grabbed his hands. That startled him, although, he didn't
pull away. Wren encouraging face was the last thing I saw before I plunged
into the deep end.

Closing my eyes, I relaxed my body and let myself float on to the surface
on my back with sprawled limbs.

Cold. I felt really cold.

I don't know what kind of tea that was, but I was familiar with the onset
feeling of getting high. I've been stoned before. With my neighbour-best
friend Alex in the human realm, but my point is I think they drugged me.

My eyes were closed yet I was seeing so many colours. A sudden chill
sensation ran up my spine to my brain causing me to feel extremely
relaxed. Tempted, I opened my eyes. I cringed. Too bright. I raised my left
hand to my face and it was odd how it arrived where I want it to a few
microseconds late. I felt a giggle bubbling to the surface but I didn't
actually giggle. Well, at least I thought I didn't.

People were making noises. I know they were speaking yet I didn't hear or
care. I just closed my eyes again and basked in the feeling of euphoria.

When I thought things wouldn't be weirder, I heard a groan in my head. I
immediately thought of the stone statue in the courtyard above. And just
like that, I was standing in front of the fountain.

The groan again.

It was dark so I couldn't see anything but the fountain. 'Is anyone there?
Hello?!'

No one answered, except the water lit up with a bright light. I took a
peek. It was one of the white stone at the bottom. Against my better
judgment, I fished it out and held it in my hand.

That was when I felt it, the pull of teleportation.

I honestly didn't know if it was the stone or not, but it all became
blindingly bright again. And as my eyes became accustomed to it, I found
myself standing in a gazebo-like structure in breath-taking views of a
garden.

'Hello, you must the current Feres King.'

I turned towards the speaker to find a stunning woman in a sky blue long
tunic fastened with a belt underneath her breasts. Her hair was knee-length
and had flower woven into it like garlands.

"Who the hell is she?" I thought to myself. And I knew the moment she
smiled that she was telepathic.

'I am Mara,' she said simply.

'As in the Goddess Mara?'

'Yes. Exactly that,' said another woman materializing right next to
her. The newcomer was equally stunning as the first woman and dressed in
the same fashion. Her dress was moss-green though.  'And, I am Rhea.'

Flabbergasted, I stared at them both.

Men! It must be some serious stuff they gave me, otherwise, nothing could
explain the hallucinations. I inwardly grinned. I have to get Wren to try
some of it.

The women laughed. I like the sound of their laughter. It was unique with
an echo-like quality.

'I assure you, Your Majesty, you're not hallucinating. The drug you took
made it easier for us to connect with you and the stone allowed us to
teleport you here.'

I came to Mathyel to be cured, not to meet with their deities. What do they
want?

'Nothing. We want for nothing,' Rhea said.

'No. We want something of you,' Mara said.

And there you go. Nobody does anything for free.

Rhea chuckled. 'You're right. Nobody does anything for free. But what we're
asking is nothing like that. We just want a promise from you.'

I eyed her suspiciously. 'What is it that you want me to promise?'

'Tell him Mara,' Rhea said.

Mara turned her back to us and walked towards the end of the structure and
looked beyond the garden.

'Rhea and I are of an ancient race of immortals called celestials. We've
been around for millennia, some of us since the very beginning.'

'No wonder they call you gods.'

'Yes. That and because of our abilities. Rhea is tied to the earth and I
dreams and prophecies.'

'We were once many but now we are the only ones left,' Rhea said.

Wow! Ok. I had many questions but I couldn't decide which one to ask
first. It took me a few seconds to choose one. 'What happened to the
others?'

'As I said, we are immortals, we can't die, at least not in the way you
know death. Your people now are in slumber, so are ours. Except, ours are
in eternal slumber. They will not wake until the end of this world, so we
could reset it anew.'

I was so bewildered that I didn't know what to say. My brain on drugs was
refusing to think properly.  Did I just laugh?

'Go back to the promise thing. I want to know.'

'Wait. Let me,' Rhea said approaching me.

With two fingers, she jabbed me in the stomach, chest and forehead in quick
succession. It wasn't painful but it cleared my mind straight
away. 'Better?' She asked.

Wow. I need to learn that trick. It could be useful.

She sniggered.

Mara came back and stood next to us. 'Here's the thing,' she said. 'Rhea
and I will enter our eternal slumber soon and there will be no one to look
after our disciples when we're gone. Promise us that you and your kind will
come to their aid should they need help in the future.'

They both stared at me intently.

The promise won't be a hard one since I already consider them family. They
went out of their way to help me when I needed it and I will do the same
for them in a heartbeat.

'I promise that I will.'

They both smiled.

Rhea put her hand against my chest. She closed her eyes as if she was
feeling my core. 'I see the problem. The dark energy wants in but your core
is fighting it.'

'Why?'

'It's because you are perceiving it as bad, that's why.'

'It is not?'

Mara huffed. 'You have been looking at the whole situation wrong. This war
is not as it seems either.

'Let me enlighten you. The Northenders and the Feri were once one
race. Upon a disagreement, the Northenders left to settle in the human
realm. Feri cannot live without feri energy for a long period.  With time
the nature of their core change to adapt. Overwhelm by humans that have
grown more confident and powerful with their science, the Northenders
decided to return home.

'The Feri welcomed them back at first but it was apparent that they have
changed. Soon the Northenders began to sicken from the change of
environment again. The Feri tried to help but to no avail. In trying to
find a solution one Northender attempt to merge a dead Feri's core to his
own. It was the perfect solution but he went about it all wrong. When he
failed. He concluded that the feri must be alive for the transfer. He
abducted and started experimenting on live subjects. He was discovered and
a war began between the two factions. The Feri were losing because they
couldn't manage stress. In their world, they've never needed to fight and
when they were confronted they've always had the superior advantage because
of their powers. So, they turned the Northenders' servants against them. By
changing the Targs nature, they became the perfect weapons against their
masters. Alas, the feri couldn't adapt to a life of war so they started
dying from stress. Slumber became the solution and you know the rest.'

'So the Northenders are not bad?'

'Everyone can be good and bad, Your Majesty. And to pin then all as bad
will be presumptuous,' Rhea said. 'But regardless, they are a dying
race. Only a handful of them is left now.'

'What?!' What is the point of this war then?

'The Northenders have long given up on the war when the Feri banished them
to the Northlands.  Their last attempt for peace died with Helledon when he
tried to convince your father on their behalf.'

'Wait! I'm confused. Helledon is the good guy?'

The goddesses shared a glance. 'Initially yes. But his anger for what your
father did to him is now fuelling his rage and vengeance. It's his war
now.'

That explains Helledon's words in the vision my father showed me when he
thought his circle brother had betrayed him.

'How do I defeat him?'

Mara pinched the bridge of her nose before responding. 'That I cannot tell
you. Although, if you want a prophecy I can give you your stone.'

Getting a stone made it worst for my father and his circle, and even more
for Wren's father. 'No thank you. I'd rather not.'

'Perfectly understandable.' Mara said. 'Although, I will give you three
words; wing, can, and sand.  They will come of use in the days ahead.'

'Wing, can and sand,' I repeated. What is it with old people and their
riddles.

'Rhea do it,' Mara said. I knew she was referring to my core problem.

Once again, she placed her hand on my chest. 'Azurite is the key. Merge it
with the dark energy and now let your core absorb it.'

I closed my eyes and felt my core. Rhea was right. My core has created a
shield around itself to keep the dark energy at bay. Exhaustingly, I lower
the shield and let the dark energy in. My core changed colour from a bright
yellow to a soothing purple.

'There. It is done.'

My renewed core was full of energy. It was as if I was stoned again. And
quite frankly, it felt even better than being stone. I can't wait to try my
powers.

'Take it easy, your Majesty. Speaking of power. I also entrusted you with
one of mine. Use it wisely,' Rhea said with a genuine smile.

Before I could express my gratitude, Mara flicked me on the forehead and I
fell unconscious. I woke up in the pool with the promise I've made to them
on my tongue.

..............

End of chapter 9