Chapter 3 –
The remaining two elemental guardians appeared a short distance from Solona’s original resting place, and then turned west to travel in the direction of Ward. They knew it was unlikely that Valko would return to his place of birth, therefore choosing it as a temporary safe haven while they made contact with Nero.
They turned their heads away immediately upon walking in the door to the Tower of Hotaru. A skinless skull lay beside a headless, rotting skeleton that rested against the staircase to the upper level.
“He did not deserve that fate,” Akio whispered solemnly and shook his head. “Not a soul who died at Valko’s hands deserved it.”
Solona calmly turned her new ruby red eyes to Akio. “I am sure the God of Souls has granted him a merciful eternity with his wife and children as he chose to remember them. You must not focus on revenge. Our focus must be for the greater good.”
Akio could only nod. He knew she was right, but there were no words to describe his suffering at the betrayal of his daughter. The idea of the union between Devi and Valko, as he heard it told by the bards, was sickening. She and Valko had consummated their union before they were even betrothed! There were those who argued that without a ceremony, because no gifts were exchanged, and no vows made before the public, she did not deserve the title and their union was not final. Regardless, Valko had ordered the paperwork for their union to be written and signed to make it official. By law, they were husband and wife, king and queen of Ainsley. For Akio, revenge seemed like the only answer, although it was not the true path.
They ascended, in unison, the steps to the platform where the High Priest had delivered prayers, and moved beyond that to the hearth where the fire of Hotaru once burned. Erika, the physical form Solona unwillingly borrowed, crumbled lifelessly to the floor as she travelled to the soul realm with Akio at her side.
A blinding and pure white light surrounded them. A smoky gray silhouette of a man of average height, wearing a hooded cloak that concealed his features, stood before them. He was apparently awaiting their consultation. “You did well,” he said in young man’s voice.
Akio and Solona bowed together. “We are rid of Hotaru,” Solona stated, “but there is another evil power in Ainsley.”
“Valko,” said the Great Mage.
Akio pleaded, “Nero, he killed my wife and stole my daughter from me.”
“There is much more than that at work, my friend,” Nero quickly retorted. “Valko is threatening the peace that I worked for millennia to ensure. He has intricately worked his own generals into the powerful cities of the world and turned their men into brainwashed warriors. It will not be long before he orders the death of his own brothers.”
Solona narrowed her eyes into a glare. Her ethereal form was much fiercer than that of Erika’s soft appearance. “He must be dealt with immediately.” She closed her fist tightly.
“We must also take into consideration that they will be working to retrieve their lost companion,” Akio pointed out.
Scowling, she asked, “Why would Valko take time away from world domination to save one woman?”
Akio was silent and looked to Nero for an answer.
“You did not have the advantage of watching the bond between the companions grow. Erika is Devi’s best friend and mentor, the reason she and Valko are unionized. Mason will not speak it, but he is tortured by her absence. To keep the Djimon together he must save her. It is Mason’s only focus. Although,” Nero paused to judge their reactions, “they have an ulterior motive. Mason is helping to strengthen Valko’s soul, not only so that he may defeat Solona,” he gestured at her and then to himself, “but so he may destroy me. If he does that, there is no one who can defeat him.”
“What about Ensio, your ancestor?” Akio asked.
They could not clearly see his expression, but Nero’s tone was angry. “Ensio is the reason such corruption in this world exists! He would rather see Valko destroy me. If that happens, one day Valko will challenge Ensio for control of the realm of souls and it could mean the end of both realms.”
“Then we must challenge him now, before he becomes stronger,” Solona said eagerly.
Nero nodded. “For a month now he has come face to face with the death of his mother and has failed to pass her each time. Once he overcomes that, it will be mere days before he is ready to face me. I will judge his power. In the meantime, Akio, I am returning your body to you. I need you to warn the leaders of Okena and Gaius of Valko’s plans.”
Solona spoke up. “Am I to remain as an invader in this poor woman’s body?”
“Erika is innocent, just a tool of Valko’s evil. For now, her soul is safest accompanying you on this mission. It is not an easy magic to keep a living soul in this realm.”
She frowned, but nodded. “I understand.”
Akio and Solona faded from the soul realm to the realm of the living. She returned to Erika and Akio eagerly made a home in his old body.
“It feels good to be back,” Akio exclaimed with a smile. He held out his arms to balance the unfamiliar weight of a physical form.
“We must hurry to Okena, before we are too late,” Solona said, rushing out the door of the temple.
Kilena Shrelack 