Call of Descent
Chapter Twenty-Two

Malikstood up from the table, his face clouded with so many emotions Reniko couldn’tdecide what he was feeling. The news was like a revelation to her. It made somuch sense to her that a religion had sprung up from the death of the leadersof this planet, but for Malik, it was like the only world he knew had justexploded and he was left with the aftermath. Anger, fear, doubt, betrayal,confusion, denial; he felt all of these in brief passes. Reniko got to her feetand quickly went to Malik’s side. As she reached out to touch him, give himsome sort of comfort, the spell of emotions that had grabbed hold of him brokeand only one was left, anger.

“Don’ttouch me! Leave me alone. This can’t be true.” He pushed Reniko’s comfortingarms aside roughly and ran out the door, leaving Reniko alone with the hologramstill in the Levanith Shyma’s form.

Renikowatched him go, ashamed that she could not help Malik through this.

“Youaccept this?” the hologram asked. Her voice was melodious and soothing, like amother speaking with her child.

Renikojust nodded, feeling sober and distracted.

“Whycan he not?” the hologram asked.

“Becauseeverything he believed his entire life was a lie.”

“Shouldhe not be glad to know the truth?”

“Thetruth is well enough, but it has destroyed everything he ever knew. Now he hasto try and rebuild.”

“Wedo not understand the workings of emotions. Feeling is not part of ourprogramming. When new data replaces old data they are more accurate, nothingmore.”

“Somepeople love their lies too much to want the truth. They would rather live in aworld that is false than have to face the truth. But Malik’s not like that. Ijust don’t think he was expecting this much truth all at once. To replace out thatnot only is he a descendent from Earth, but that his goddess is mortal and longdead, that was too much.”

“Areyou like that? Do you wish truth no matter the consequences or do you wish tokeep your lies?”

“Idon’t know. I guess it would depend on the truth.”

“Doyou wish us to tell you his location?”

“No,that’s fine. He needs to be alone right now. I on the other hand need to talkto Kruok.”

“Weadvise against that.”

“It’sbeen noted, but nonetheless I have to see her.” Reniko said grabbing Imako andstrapping it solidly to her back.

“Asyou wish. Please follow us.” The hologram led Reniko out of the room and down amaze of corridors where Reniko came face to face with Kruok suspended in around room similar to the one that she herself had been in. As Kruok hungsuspended in the air, Reniko remained on the ground. This amazed Reniko evenmore, for they seemed to be able to control gravity differently withindifferent parts of the same room.

WhenKruok saw Reniko she sneered in contempt.

“Earthling,you were mine. I won that fight, and yet here you stand free while I am trappedin this magic city.”

Renikonoted the bandages that were wrapped around the wounds that Kruok hadsustained. Her shoulder, where Penumbra had impaled her, bled slightly, thecrimson colour staining the ragged bandage.

“Iwould not lose again. I know your tricks now,” Reniko replied.

“Haveyou come to mock me? My life is forfeit because of you.”

“Inever made you hunt me. Don’t blame your misfortunes on me.”

“Whyhave you come here?”

“You’regoing to die here. This city will never let you leave.”

“Andyour point is?”

“Ifyour own people wish to kill you then why not help us. Help me replace my wayhome, help Malik free the humans.”

Kruoksneered. “Did you actually think I would ever help you?” She laughed. “Whywould I ever help free humans? They are my slaves whether I am an exile or not.They fear me and will do my bidding. I am a god amongst them. I’d rather diethan help your loathsome kind.”

“Idon’t know why I bothered trying,” Reniko grumbled and turned to leave. “I hopeyou enjoyed your life, Kruok, because it ends here.”

“Wait!”Kruok said as Reniko turned to the doorway. Reniko stopped and turned trying toconceal the hope she felt. Please show me that not all Rük are evil. Shewas sadly disappointed.

“Yousay you would never lose to me. If that is so, prove it. Prove that you canbest me. If I best you, you will leave this city with me, as my prisoner.”

“Idon’t need to prove anything to you.”

“Ifyou win I will join you.”

“Howcan I trust you?”

“Youwere willing to trust me the first time you asked me that question. What haschanged?”

Renikoclenched her fist weighing her options. What was different now than before?“How can I know you will set aside all the contempt you feel for humans? That’swhat has changed.”

“Youhave my word. I will follow you wherever you go, if you win.” Kruok said hervoice losing the malice that had laced it before.

“Sobe it,” Reniko said drawing Imako from her back and stepping farther into thespherical room. The hologram barred her path, however, the arms of Shymaoutstretched before her.

“Wewill not allow this,” she stated firmly.

“It’snot your choice. Lower her.”

“Wewill not concede. The Rük cannot be trusted.”

“Evenso, I will honour her wishes.”

“Wecannot risk it. If she wins, she will take you and the Rük will know ofReflaydun.”

“Shewill not win,” Reniko said staring into the face of Kruok who sneered at thecomment. “You can’t talk me out of this.” Her grip on Imako tightened and sheslashed violently at the hologram, which flickered and died.

“Wewill trust you with your word, Reniko, Levanith friend.” As the voice echoedaround the room Kruok was slowly dropped to the floor a few feet from whereReniko stood.

“Youwill regret this,” Kruok said taking up the two chakram that clung to the beltat her waist.

“Icould say the same for you,” Reniko said.

Aswas Reniko’s fashion, she let Kruok strike first, her round blades glancing offof Imako with the sharp sound of metal hitting metal. The force of the blow setReniko off balance, as did the deflection that Reniko had dealt Kruok. As bothparties regained their composure the fighting began anew. Reniko took up thedefensive while Kruok held the offensive, having the advantage of two weapons.

AsReniko deflected each blow, Kruok’s attacks became more and more aggressive.The blows coming harder and faster, Reniko’s blade flashed in a blur of steelas each chakram was stopped and thrust aside. Nevertheless, Reniko could seethe steady degradation in Kruok’s fighting style. She had seen it at Mistfalland nothing had changed since then. Kruok had no stamina. Her battles were wonwith pure force, quickly. It was efficient against most people of Vespen, butnot for those trained as Reniko was. Kruok had never stood a chance. In a fairfight, Reniko had the advantage, in speed, and most of all in stamina. As Kruokgrew weaker, Reniko grew stronger, and as the battle progressed Reniko knew itwas just a matter of time before the opening came. And it did, without fail.With the shorter reach of the chakram all Reniko had to do was gain enoughdistance between them so that Kruok had to extend her reach. Kruok realized herfatal mistake at the same time Reniko saw the opening. After an arduous battleit came to a sudden end as Kruok swung at Reniko’s midsection causing thecreature to lower her body right onto the point of Reniko sword. Kruok came toan abrupt halt as she realized that Imako lay poised for its final deathdealing blow. With the steel cold against her bare neck she cried out in rage.

“It’simpossible. No human can beat a Rük. No human can beat me.” Kruok sank to theground, Reniko’s sword following closely.

“Yethere it is done,” Reniko said suddenly realizing the truth about Kruok thathope had kept her blind to. Kruok would never join Reniko. She would never turnagainst her kind despite the fact that she was being hunted by her own people.Kruok had been so sure of victory and with nothing to lose had only said whatReniko had needed to hear so she would fight. She was Rük to the core andnothing Reniko said or did would change that. Imako shook slightly as Renikocame to a realization of her situation. Kruok noted the change and lookedReniko in the eye.

“Youknow what needs to be done. Do it,” Kruok spoke, the venom back in her voice.

Lookinginto the eyes of her opponent Reniko drew back Imako. Breath shaking slightlyshe held her position, sword raised high. I can’t.

“Doit!” Kruok shouted again her eyes fierce with bitterness and anger. And Renikodid, swift, without thinking, a downward stroke straight through, severing headfrom body and silencing the hatred and rage. She dropped her sword as the bodybefore her, stained with the crimson red that pulsed life, collapsed lifelessto the floor, the chakram sliding from the limp hands. Reniko’s own form fellto the floor as she stood gazing at what she had done. Tears slid down her faceand a single cry escaped her lips as she watched the crimson liquid poolingbefore her. Eyes lost in the wake of her actions she noticed nothing elsearound her. Instead she only saw things that no other eyes could behold.

Malikstood at the top of the tree encased tower, lost in his own sea of thoughts, aslost to the world as Reniko. He walked around the tree ignorant of the gardenthat surrounded him or the wind that swirled blossoms around him. His anger hadturned to sorrow, and his thoughts could not dispel it. Without the goddess,there was no prophecy, and without the prophecy, there was no hope. No one wascoming to save Vespen from the Rük. They were on their own. Even if all thehumans, Teoko and Le’a’to gathered together, we could never hope to defeat theRük. They are too strong, too many, and we are all untrained. It’s all fornothing.

“Why?Why have you done this to me? I have nothing, I’ve placed my trust in somethingthat never was, in a being that died so long ago,” he screamed to the air, toanything that would listen and received no response. “I have nothing, do youunderstand? Our lives are hopeless. My life is hopeless. This isn’t what Iwanted.” He slumped to the ground, sitting on an exposed root of the giant treethat towered far above him.

“Nothingis hopeless Malik,” Reniko said as she moved to join him on the root. Imako wassheathed hidden by the folds of her cloak; however, her eyes still remainedclouded by deeds done.

“Whatdo you know? Why do you even care? Go home Reniko. That’s what you came herefor.”

Reniko’sface creased with pain. “I know that you are going through something painful, Iknow that you’re my friend, and most of all I know that even without thegoddess, you got this far. Doesn’t that mean anything?”

“Iwish I had never come to the place.”

“Isn’tit better to know the truth? I know it’s hard, but now you can replace another wayto defeat the Rük without having to rely on the goddess. The strength you hadbefore is still there. Just because your first option is gone doesn’t mean thatyou are helpless to do anything. Malik, I believe in you. I believe in thepeople of Vespen. It doesn’t matter that you are on your own, what matters isthat you believe you can do it, that you have the same faith in yourself as youplaced in the goddess. There is always some way, Malik, don’t give up. It maynot be easy, but you don’t have to do it alone. Everyone is here to help you.I’m still here, Orric is here, Rimca, Pen… we are all here. That’s real. Whatwe have all accomplished is real. Finding out the goddess is mortal doesn’tchange what we have done. Don’t you understand?”

“Withoutthe prophecy Reniko, there is no hope for Vespen.”

“Maliklisten to me. There is hope, there always was. The Levanith, they fought theRük, they may have been destroyed because they opposed the Rük, but they leftbehind their knowledge in hopes that people like us would replace it and replace away to destroy them. We can do that, I know we can.”

“Doyou really think that a civilization that was destroyed could hold the key tothe Rük’s undoing?”

“Ido. They may have found it too late to save themselves, but I believe thatsomewhere on Vespen they have the knowledge we need to beat them. It may not bein Reflaydun, but there are other places. We just have to keep looking.Fharlasina and Tordaskar, the capital Sentralon as well, they are all placeswhere we can get one step closer to facing the Rük and defeating them.”

“Ijust need time. Can you give me some time?” Malik said searching Reniko’s eyesand stumbling upon her own grief. “Reniko what happened?”

“It’snothing.” Malik looked down at Reniko, her hands placed softly in her lap. Hewas surprised to see her dress soaked in blood, the scarlet colour nearlyhiding the stain.

“Reniko,you’re covered in blood. Are you hurt? What happened?”

“I’mfine. I went to see Kruok. I… I killed her.” Reniko lowered her head, mixedfeelings again filling her soul.

Maliksat silent, the stillness only broken as Reniko got up to leave.

“Ican give you time. Think about what I’ve said Malik. I can’t ease the pain youfeel, but don’t forget that life is not hopeless; it’s just a different path towalk. Just ask the hologram when you are ready to talk again. She’ll know whereI am.”

“Wasthat how you found me?”

Renikonodded and left. Malik watched and sighed as she disappeared from view lost inthe turmoil that she had set in motion.

“Nowyou have a choice to make,” Malik heard Orric say his deep voice echoingthrough the empty city. He turned, startled by the sudden presence of hislong-time friend.

“Howlong have you been here?” Malik asked.

“Sincebefore you came up. I talked with the city. It told me all I need to know. Youaren’t very observant when you are lost in thought. Better watch that,” Orricsaid stretching out his blue-black wings, blocking the sunlight and causing awash of blue light to cascade down on Malik.

“Sowhat choice do I have to make?” Malik said walking closer to Orric and slumpingdown near his head to talk.

“Tomove on and go with Reniko and replace a way to rid Vespen of the Rük, or wanderVespen lost in your misery.”

“Youmake it sound so easy.”

“You’rethe only one making it difficult.”

“Whyare you taking this so well?”

“BecauseI knew all along. There are still some of my kin that remember the Levanith intheir form. They are old and do not leave the Teoko dwelling place, but theyhave told us many things from that time.”

Malikstood up enraged. “You knew! You knew all along that the Levanith and thegoddess were the same being and you still let me go on believing. Why? Howcould you?”

“Wouldyou have believed me? You barely believe it now, when the city the Levanithleft behind has told you. Malik, you weren’t ready to know, you still aren’t.If I had told you so many years ago you would have been without hope. Youwouldn’t be helping the resistance. You wouldn’t have run into Reniko. None ofwhat we have accomplished would have been done. You would have stayed inTordaskar. You wouldn’t have even tried to help.”

“Whatdoes that mean? That you’ve been using me? I’m just a tool to you. All ushumans are, aren’t they.”

Orricsighed. “Calm your anger. Malik, listen to me. When I first met you, when myson was born, I saw something in you. That day we formed a connection. Did younever wonder about why I chose to come with you?”

“Ihave every day of my life.”

“TheTeoko that live in Tordaskar have a special gift not shared with the rest ofour kin. Growing up around humans we’ve come to have a sense. That day we met Isensed something great in you, something that made me realize that you couldaccomplish great things, and so you have time and time again. I couldn’t bearto destroy the spirit that you hold. The prophecy was your motivation and Icouldn’t take that away from you. It would have destroyed the person you were,the person you are. I only hope that you will forgive me for that which Iwithheld.” Orric closed his eyes and settle his wings back in place. Malik satto the ground again shaking his head.

“Somuch has changed.”

“Thatis life, Malik. I withheld that change for as long as I could, until you couldreplace something new to place your hope in.”

Maliklooked at his friend confused. “What do you mean?”

Orricshook his head and laughed as he lifted his body from the ground. “I think I’llgive you some time to think about what I have said.” Orric leapt off theground, his wings extending, sending a sharp gust of wind gusting upon Malik ashe took to the air leaving Malik once again alone with his own thoughts.

Suddenly as he watched Orric fly off into theafternoon sky he knew. It was Reniko. Orric had given him Reniko.