Call of Descent
Chapter Thirty-Seven

Sunlightwas shining on Reniko’s face when she awoke. Opening her eyes, she found ithard to focus. She realized that she was lying on her stomach and made to getup only to feel a strange tugging on the back of her hand. Glancing down at herhand, she saw an IV taped into her vein. Where am I? Was that all some sortof dream? Reniko glanced at the table next to her bed and saw only a singlearticle on the table, something she remembered losing a long time ago. She satup gently making sure not to dislodge the IV in her hand and reached out tograb the necklace. Holding it in her hand, she could hardly believe it wasreal. The necklace held the blue sword that Dertrik had given her so long ago.Reniko stared at it intensely, realizing suddenly that it was an exact replicaof the sword that Milla had given to her when she had left Savonly. Confused,Reniko closed her eyes, trying to sort out the thoughts in her brain.

Wasit all a dream? I’m on Earth after all, I must have been sick. I fell into thatwater in that cave. Dertrik must have saved me. But it all felt so real, Malik,Orric and Rimca, all a dream? Reniko heard the door to herroom open and she opened her eyes to stare at the figure standing in thedoorway, it was Dertrik.

“Dare?”Reniko whispered, “Dertrik, I had the strangest dream, it felt so real. Whathappened in that cave? Are my mum and dad here?”

Dertriklooked at her confused and a little worried, “Reniko, I know this is going tobe a little shocking to you. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you sooner.”

Thetone Dertrik had was consoling, gentle, and it was scaring the hell out ofReniko. Reniko shifted on the bed, confused, and suddenly felt the sunlightdisappear from her face. Turning to look at what was blocking the light, shewas met by a white wall of feathers. She touched them and her heart stopped.Hands shaky, she touched her back.

Dertrikstepped closer as he watched the realization unfold on Reniko’s face. “Renikothere is a lot you have to know.”

Renikolooked at Dertrik, her breath coming out in short gasps. “Dare, I have wings.”

“Yes,Reniko, I know, it’s alright.” Dertrik was sitting on Reniko’s bed now, areassuring comfort in this suddenly mixed up world.

“We’reon Vespen, right?” Reniko asked. Dertrik nodded his head.

“Thatpotion I drank did this to me,” Reniko stated not really focusing on Dertrikanymore but lost in her thoughts, shock taking hold of her.

“Reniko,listen to me. All that drug did was let a process happen that was supposed tohappen in your body a long time ago. This is who you have been all along, youjust can’t remember.” Dertrik said. Reniko was shaking violently now. Dertrikreached for her and held her tight.

“Forgiveme Reniko. I should have told you. You were supposed to be prepared for thischange; instead I was selfish, kept your past hidden from you, all because Iwas afraid to lose you, afraid to send you here to save a world. All I everwanted was for you to lead a normal life. I’m sorry.” Dertrik was crying, histears falling onto Reniko’s exposed shoulder.

“I’mLevanith,” Reniko whispered her mind filled with questions.

Thedoor opened once again and Reniko looked up to see Rimca standing there,Dertrik released his embrace of Reniko and looked to the Le’a’to.

“I’msure this is very confusing for you, Reniko, and I promise we’ll tell youeverything you want to know. But for now, rest, you’ve been through a lot,”Rimca said. Reniko watched Dertrik leave, his smile guilt ridden. Rimca closedthe door softly behind them and Reniko was left alone. Shaking and afraid, shefinally burst in to tears, sobbing softly as she realized that her life wassuddenly changed forever.

Renikoawoke again tear stained later that day. She knew she couldn’t withdraw forever,but despite that knowledge, she felt that every moment she put off talking withDertrik and Rimca was another moment she could pretend that nothing hadchanged. The wings on her back were a steady reminder that she could not dothat. With a heavy heart, she numbly rose to her feet and glanced at theclothing that had been laid out for her. She felt awkward standing. The wingswere an extra weight she wasn’t used to, like a backpack she couldn’t remove.Taking a deep breath, she began to stretch and stopped when she heard somethingcrash to the floor. However much her body had adjusted to the new appendages,her mind had not. Her wings spread the length of her body from the shoulderdown on either side of her, quite uncomfortable in the small space of the room.Unskilfully, she folded her wings back to her body. She suddenly had thefeeling that her experience with her new wings was much like that of people whohad lost the use of their legs, or arms. They had to learn the skill all overagain; she had to learn hers for the first time. I’m a child.

Pickingher way carefully to the chest her clothes were sitting on, she began todisrobe. The shirt she was wearing was makeshift. A white cloth tied around herneck and her waist, leaving her back exposed so her wings had free movement.When she looked at the clothing before her, she realized that it was a dresstailored in the same fashion, the back exposed. How long have I been asleep?She wondered, knowing that these clothes had to have been made especially forher since she had arrived here in Tordaskar. Slipping on the dusty rose dress,she tied it securely around her neck and clumsily lifted her wings so that shecould tie it at her waist. Fully clothed now, she finished grooming and madeher way to the door. Her hand hovered over the handle uncertainly as shehesitated. Do I want to know? She asked herself, knowing full well thateven if she didn’t, her life was beyond that; she needed to know now,regardless of what she felt. She opened the door and saw Ryne dozing on a chairto one side of the door.

“Hello,Ryne,” Reniko said touching him gently on his shoulder to wake him. He openedhis eyes groggily and smiled at Reniko.

“I’llget Dertrik,” he said as he shifted in his chair and began to stand.

“Ryne,are you related to Dertrik?” Reniko asked.

“Yes,I’m his nephew. I’m Skylar’s son. I thought for sure you knew that when we metin the dungeon.”

“Ithad been a long time since I saw Dare, I wasn’t sure.”

“I’msorry I didn’t tell you. Dertrik said that if you came while he was gone that Ishould wait. He felt it was his responsibility to make up for the mistakes hehad made on Earth.”

“Idon’t know what happened, but I’m sure that you did what you could.”

“You’rebeing very calm about this,” Ryne said.

Renikotried to smile but there was no life in it. “What else can I do? What’s done isdone.” Footsteps coming down the hallway broke up their conversation. Dertrikcame down toward them, his face showing the same heaviness that Reniko wasfeeling.

“Areyou ready?” Dertrik asked.

“Notreally, but I guess I need to know how this is at all possible.”

“It’snot a short story, Renny,” Dertrik said linking his arm in hers and leading herdown the hallway to some unknown destination.

“Ididn’t expect it to be.”

“Reniko,do you remember anything of the Prophecy that Milla told you?” Dertrik asked.

Renikolooked at him puzzled, “How do you know Milla?”

“Skylarand his daughter Kaia are there now, we’ve been keeping in touch.”

“Yes,I remember. It said that at the darkest hour the Watcher would return and helpmake way for the return of the goddess,” Reniko looked curiously at Dertrik.“How does that have anything to do with me? Their religion is a lie, a Levanithwas their goddess.”

“Yes,Reniko, their religion is false, but the bases of the prophecy is where all ofthis begins.” Reniko remained silent waiting.

Dertrikcontinued, “A thousand years ago, the Rük came to Vespen, they had nothing butmalice in their hearts and the Levanith who were ruling this world had noweapons in which to combat them. The Levanith started a losing battle with theRük and they all knew it, so they began to take precautions.

“Oneof those precautions was you, Reniko. Your parents, the last King and Queen ofVespen, Shyla and Severis, masked your identity with a drug that made it sowhen you came of age your wings would not grow. And they sent you to Earth.”

“Dertrikthat was a thousand years ago. I’m only twenty-one.”

“Theydidn’t just send you to Earth, Renny, they suspended your body in a cryogenichibernation.”

Renikostopped walking and leaned against Dertrik her head spinning. “I remember, ohDertrik I remember.”

Shehad been seven at the time. There were alarms going off, people rushing by andher mother - her real mother - Shyla, had come running down the hall andgrabbed her hand.

“It’stime Shylaya,” Shyla said tears streaming down her face, “we can’t wait anylonger.”

“Mama,I don’t want to leave. I want to stay here with you and Papa,” Reniko had saidcrying as her mother ran with her down the hallway.

“Iknow Shylaya, but you’re our last hope, out shining light. Please be brave forme.”

“Iwill mama, I promise I will.” Shyla was crying as they entered the elevator.Once safely inside, the sound of fighting stopped and they were alone in thechamber going very far down, into the heart of the city.

“Shylaya,where you are going you will be safe. The people there will take care of youand when you are old enough you will come back here and save our people. I’msorry that I lay such a heavy burden on you, Wisp, but we are out of choices.”Her mother knelt down and hugged her tightly.

“I’mscared, mama,” Reniko whispered.

“Whenyou wake up this will all seem like a bad dream, I promise.” Their descentstopped and the door opened. Shyla grabbed Reniko’s hand and urged her forward.

“Shyss,is it ready?” Shyla asked. Reniko looked up into the eyes of a woman thatlooked remarkably like herself. However unlike her mother, she harboured nowings.

“Almost,I haven’t calibrated it completely. Shyla, I’m worried, we’ve never used it onsomeone so young before,” Shyss said looking into Reniko’s eyes, “I don’t wantto lose my granddaughter.”

Shylajoined Shyss at the console and began looking over her mother’s work. Renikowalked up beside them and looked at the information that was passing briefly onthe screen before them.

“Grammy,are you coming with me?” Reniko asked Shyss who stopped her work at the wordsof her granddaughter. She looked heartbroken.

“OhWisp, I wish I could, but your mama and papa need me to stay here and help. I’msure you’ll meet some very nice people when you wake up,” Shyss’s eyes now heldtears.

“Idon’t want to go, I don’t want to leave. I want to stay here with you. I canfight, I can.”

“Wisp,listen to me,” Shyla said grabbing her daughter in her arms, “the Rük aredestroying our home. I couldn’t bear to know that they destroyed you to. Whereyou are going, I know you’ll be safe. Be strong for all of us. I need you to bestrong.

“Shysspass me that syringe,” Shyla said pointing to the syringe on the counter nextto her. Shyss did as she was asked.

“Now,Shylaya, listen to me, I’m going to give you this syringe, it won’t hurt Ipromise.”

“Whatis it for?”

“Thisis going to hide who you are.”

“LikeGrammy?”

“Yes,Wisp, like Grammy.”

“I’llget my wings when I come back home right?”

“Yes,Shylaya.”

“Okay.”Reniko said preparing for the pressure on her neck. There was a slight stingand her mother pulled away the syringe, which was now empty.

Aloud explosion above shook the ground where the three of them stood. Shyss andShyma looked at one another.

“Thatexplosion was right above us,” Shyss said incredulously.

Shylatook a sphere out of her pocket; it was small, smaller than the one Reniko hadbeen given in Reflaydun.

“Linkwith Severis,” she shouted and the sphere responded by giving her a picture ofher husband. “Severis I think something hit the palace.

“Somethingdid. Are you and Shylaya alright?”

“Yes.What’s going on out there?”

“We’repreparing to blow the bridge. The Rük have bypassed the force field, we have noother choice.”

“Ilove you Sev,” Shyla said.

“Nowand always, Lyss. Now and always,” Severis said and the communication spherewent dark.

“It’snow or never, Shyla,” Shyss said.

Shylagrabbed Reniko’s hand and pulled her toward a large cylindrical structure. Shegently urged Reniko inside and when Reniko turned to look at her mother, hermother kissed her softly on the cheek and smiled sadly. “I love you, Wisp.” Shepushed a series of buttons on the front of the cylinder and a glass panel slidbetween Reniko and her mother. Reniko pounded on the glass screaming andcrying.

“Mama,no, I don’t want to do this anymore, mama please,” Reniko screamed. Shylalooked at her daughter and began crying.

“Initiatethe sequence,” she whispered.

Renikowas trying to hold back the panic when strange wires came out from the wallsand imbedded themselves into Reniko’s flesh. She gasped when she felt a coldliquid hit her blood stream and she felt tired. She slumped back against thesoft cushion that surrounded her; her last thoughts were of her mother.

Renikowoke from her reverie sitting on a bench in the garden that she had seenthrough the window of her bedroom.

“Areyou okay?” Dertrik asked.

“Isaw that before, that memory, in Reflaydun. But when I woke up, I couldn’tremember. The city must have known, why didn’t it tell me? Rimca knew, whydidn’t she tell me?”

“Theydidn’t tell you because they knew that something was wrong. They were neversupposed to tell you Reniko, I was. Rimca told me she saw you for what youreally were when she Sighted you in Mistfall. She couldn’t believe that you hadreturned and didn’t know. She didn’t say anything because she had to talk tothe high council in Corbasin before she could do anything. You were what theyhad been waiting for, for many life times. How could she tell you that?”

“Iguess Reflaydun came to the same conclusion,” Reniko supplied. “What happenedon Earth? You said before I went into that coma that you wanted me to have anormal life. How did you know who I was, Dare?”

“Thisis where the story gets a little more complicated.”

“I’mnot sure if that’s possible now.”

“Doyou remember your grandmother Shyss?” Dertrik asked.

“Ido. I remember that she had no wings. She also looked a lot like I do now.”

“WellShyss was Levanith, believe me. Her story is kind of central to my own, andit’s not very pleasant.

“Shysswas born seventeen years into the hundred years war between the Rük and theLevanith. She was the only daughter to the King, Sokumn, and the Queen, Shyma.She was heir to the throne until her parents came here to Tordaskar. She hadlived her first twenty years in Ire, until her parents decided that Tordaskarheld the more tactical advantage. When they moved here, Sokumn and Shyma made arrangementsto build an archive under the palace, a place where they could retain theknowledge of their people if the Rük ever won the war. Shyss met Orasic here,he was the crowned prince of Tordaskar and they fell in love.

“BothOrasic’s parents and Shyss’ forbade their love. Not that Levanith and humanrelationships were forbidden, but they were to the Levanith royal bloodline.Shyss and Orasic didn’t care that their love was forbidden and instead ran awaytogether to the floating city, Ire. There Sokumn and Shyma located them andbrought them back to Tordaskar, but not before Shyss came to be with child.

“Shyssknew that she had somewhat doomed her race by loving Orasic and when they cameback to Tordaskar, she had a heavy choice to make. Being the last of the royalline she knew she had to take a Levanith husband, but her love for Orasic wasstrong. Sokumn made a deal with his daughter. She was to produce a full bloodheir by the man of his choosing and she would be free to pursue her love forOrasic.”

“Drasticmeasures. I guess I understand. Their race was dying after all,” Reniko said.

“Yourrace Reniko,” Dertrik said.

“Myrace… Why couldn’t Shyma have another child?”

“Therewere complications at Shyss’ birth. She couldn’t give birth again.”

“Soshe did it? Went through with the deal with her father?”

“Yes.She gave birth to her twin half-blood sons, Kyler and Rinon and gave birth toanother child, your mother, Shyla. Her half-blood sons were purged of theirLevanith genes as was Shyss.”

“Thatseems are pretty harsh punishment, not to mention a little painful. She losther wings I gather?”

“Itwasn’t out of malice, Renny, it was out of concern. Half-blood human Levanithchildren have a shorter life span if their Levanith genes are left intact.There are complications, and sometimes they don’t survive the first year. Hersons were purged to protect their lives. Shyss was purged so she could safelypursue her love for Orasic. That way if they had any more children theywouldn’t have to worry about them dying. Half-blood children’s wings neverfully develop, not only can they not fly with their wings, but their health isalways unstable.”

“Shesacrificed a lot for this. I guess her parents must have loved her very much totry and give her what she wanted when their species was in so much danger,”Reniko said.

“Shedid sacrifice a lot for this, and she got nothing in return. When Shyss finallyhad leave to marry Orasic, Orasic had moved on. He married a full blood humanwith the consent of his parents. Shyss was left to go back to her own family,but by this time there was no way for her to go back to what she was.”

“That’sawful, why are you telling me all of this?” Reniko asked.

“Kylerand Rinon became guardians to Shyla, your mother, and their sons and daughterstraveled with you to Earth. They were called the Shidenen, Watchers. Myancestors have been watching over you since you left Vespen.”

“Dertrik,odd as this may sound, I think you just told me, that we’re cousins.”

“Thatwasn’t exactly the response I had thought to here,” Dertrik replied.

“It’sjust a lot to take in that’s all.”

“Itis. I’m sorry. My father and Skylar tried to tell me that I should tell youabout your lineage, about Vespen, but I wouldn’t hear them. I had everyintention of never telling you, of letting you live the rest of your life onEarth, but you found the wormhole and suddenly I had to tell you, I just nevergot the chance.”

“Despiteall of this, I’m glad I came here, and somewhat glad to know the truth. What Idon’t understand is how my wings grew? You said that Shyss’ could never growback, so why could mine?”

“Differentprocesses. Shyss’ genes were destroyed, yours were only masked. What yourmother gave to you didn’t destroy the genes, only stopped them from doing whatthey were there to do.”

“Dare,what I remember of my past is sketchy at best, but I do remember somethingpeculiar.”

“Thefact that your grandmother looked the same age as your mother,” Dertrik said.

Renikolooked at him trying to hide her shock, she felt after all she had heard thatshe shouldn’t be shocked anymore, but she still was. “That’s exactly it.”

“Reniko,you already know that the Le’a’to have longer life spans, and I figuretraveling with Orric you have figured out that they do to. What you probablyhaven’t guessed is that the lifespan of the Levanith surpassed them all.”

“Howlong?” Reniko asked.

Dertriktook a deep breath, let it out and spoke. “Thousands of years.”

Renikowas clutching her seat, thousands, not hundreds, thousands. She joinedDertrik in that deep breath.

“Doyou know where Malik is?” Reniko asked completely changing the subject. Ican’t deal with that right now.

“He’sprobably with Ryne.”

“Ryne?Really?”

“Rynepicked up Malik’s training.”

“Training…right. How long was I out of it?” Reniko asked.

“Alittle over a month.”

Amonth!

“Reniko,a warning. You’ve taken all of this a lot better than Malik has.”

Renikolooked at her old friend about to say something, but realized something else atthe same time. “Dertrik I’m Levanith –”

“Yes,Reniko, you are.”

I’mthe goddess from the prophecy. Reniko got up from the bench andbegan to wander out of the garden. Dertrik followed her.

“Thepractice grounds are outside the city, do you want me to take you there?” heasked.

Renikoshook her head. “I’ll replace them. Besides you’ll get to take me there soonenough.”

Dertriklooked at her with curiosity.

“Afterall, I think I’ll need more training,” Reniko said stretching out her wings,“and you are the one with the training manual after all. You did bring theRumeum’antra manual?”

Dertrikgrinned, “I did. I can’t believe you remembered, but I did. Those movesshouldn’t be too difficult now.”

Renikofrowned at him. “Not difficult if you know how to fly, however, I don’t havethat ability yet.” I can barely keep my wings folded to my body. Renikogave a small wave and headed toward the exit.

“Reniko,”Dertrik said causing Reniko to pause and turn. She barely caught the cloak asDertrik threw it at her.

“Youmight want to cover those up, unless you want a couple hundred citizenstreating you like a goddess.”

Renikotossed the cloak over her wings and clasped it shut. “Thanks Dertrik.”

“Don’ttake too long, we still have a lot to discuss. Especially with the King.”Reniko winced at the thought and left.

Ittook her an hour to weave her way through the city streets. She couldn’t helpbut notice how much the city had changed since she had been here a thousandyears ago. I guess complete destruction does that to a city. The guardsat the city gate let her through without challenge. Reniko could see themlooking at her cloak, and she knew that they knew what was underneath. She gavethem a small smile as she headed through the gate. Once outside the city walls,the forest was immediately present. She followed the striking sounds of bokkenuntil she found the training grounds. Ryne was on the field with Malik, bothwere perspiring heavily. Ryne was the first to see Reniko and he stopped theircombat at the sight of her standing outside their practice ring.

“Cameto have a go. I bet you are better than both of us put together, at leastthat’s what Dertrik always used to say,” Ryne said wiping his brow with atowel.

“Sadly,I think it best if I not,” Reniko said to Ryne and looked in Malik’s direction.He stood silent, his breathing the only motion he made.

“Iactually came to talk with Malik,” Reniko said looking at Malik but speaking toRyne.

Malikaverted his eyes and walked off the field in the opposite direction of whereReniko stood. Reniko looked at Ryne who just shrugged and walked toward theonly building in the clearing. Reniko ran after Malik.

“Malik,wait, please,” Reniko said catching up to him, grabbing his arm to stop hismovements. He didn’t resist but turned on her ferociously.

“Everyoneknew. Everyone knew but me,” he roughly pushed Reniko aside and walked back tothe practice grounds.

“Noteveryone. I didn’t,” Reniko said trying to push back the tears, “Maliknothing’s changed.”

Heturned once again to Reniko, his face stern. Reniko froze in place, terrifiedby this change in him. Malik advanced on her, and when he was inches from her,she felt the cloak tear from her shoulders and pool onto the ground.

“Everythinghas changed,” he said and walked away.

Renikostood there trembling. “You can’t mean that.” Tears were tumbling down herface. All I’ve done since I’ve come to this planet is cry.

Malikturned around, his face, too, was streaked with tears. “What do you expect fromme, Reniko? My faith was shattered and I fall in love with the only thing Ican’t have. I’ve fallen in love with a goddess.”

Hiswords hit Reniko like ice-cold water. Rimca. Rimca said those words to me.She said she wasn’t the only one to have fallen in love with something shecan’t have.

“I’mnot a goddess, Malik, it’s just me, Reniko.”

“Youare Levanith, Lyss,” he looked so torn, defeated; Reniko hated seeing him likethis.

“Whydoes that matter? It doesn’t matter. My body has changed, but I’m still who Ialways was. Malik, I know I never told you before but… Malik, I love you. Idon’t care that everyone says that it’s forbidden, that doesn’t matter to me itnever has. I love you, that's all that matters.”

Malikdropped the bokken he held and put his hand to his face. “Why does everythinghave to be so difficult with us?” Reniko walked cautiously over to him andplaced her hand comfortingly onto his arm. He looked up at her.

“Withall my heart, Reniko, I love you. But –” Reniko stopped him.

“Don’t,I couldn’t bear this. I couldn’t bear you leaving me. Everything I everbelieved to be true was a lie. I couldn’t take it if everything that I havebecome tore you from me as well. Don’t let them undo us, Malik, don’t let theirrules break us, please. Please just hold me, forget everything else and justhold me.” He did. He held her while she cried and they forgot the rest of theworld.