MERIKH: THE BLACK POWER

Episode 9: ISLES OF DEAD

Dry branches crunched beneath my feet as I walked through the Isles of Dead. I looked around myself for any hope of colour. It felt like all the colours from this realm was drained out along with the life.

The place was marked with outlines just like some black stoke outlines on an artist’s whiteboard. The last time I had been to Isles of dead there were too many dead spirits wandering here and there. Today everything felt silent as if no one exists in this realm. Rather it felt as if I am on some different part of this realm. I kept moving forward in a hope to see anyone.

What brought me here? That weird looking emblem? If I am here, will I meet…

No, I should not be thinking about that. Melantha has always instructed me to never interact with someone from different realm. And now she is a part of this realm. What at least I can see her from far.

I walked mindlessly between the outlines of dense trees in a desperate hope to see her. I took a turn around the tree and suddenly came to halt. Someone was standing in front of me. It was impossible to recognise her. She looked an exceptional colour in this white world. Her black hairs were dishevelled as if uncombed from the day she died. She eyes were unfocused and darker than Dejia’s nights.

She took a step forward and I involuntarily took a step back. She took another step followed by me moving backward. She kept on coming closer as I struggled to maintain a distance. Sweat dripped from my forehead as I wiped it away with unsteady hands. As I took back another step I stepped over something and lost my balance.

I tightly pressed my hand over my mouth, as my palm and knees scratched from the impact, so as not to make a sound.

No… I can’t speak. I shouldn’t interact with them. No…

I forcefully shut my eyes as the dead lady continued to approach me. I waited for any impact but there were none. I slowly opened my eyes and there was no one in front of me. I frowned and turned back. The lady walked straight on her way as if she never saw me.

I slowly stood up brushing off the dust from my clothes and stared at my palm.

Another wound that isn’t going to heal.

I sighed and moved forward to search a way to leave this place. I am never going to meet Celia here and maybe that’s better. I slowed down my pace and looked around cautiously before moving forward.

I walked there for a while and it felt like I am revolving in the same continuously. I stopped near a tree to catch my breath. I slid down against it and sat there hugging my knees.

A crunch came from beside me as if someone stepped on a dry twig. My heart skipped a beat and abruptly stood up turning around. There was no one. I looked around the tree but the place was empty.

Suddenly a low voice echoed near my ears, cutting through the silence.

You came?

I turned around looking around desperately for the source of the voice. I could hear my heart beating heavily like some musical instrument. The voice was masculine with a weird innocence sounding like a melody as if it doesn’t belong here.

Are you Stella?

I pressed myself against the tree. Don't answer. Don't interact. Melantha's voice was clear in my head even here. Are the dead speaking to me? Who is this? Who is Stella?

Are you a real living immortal?

The voice came again, quieter this time.

Stella?

“Stop it.” I forced each syllable to come out. “Just stop it.”

The words were out before I could stop them. The voice stopped. And I realised what I did but it was probably too late. I put my hand on my mouth not believing that I broke such an important rule.

I interacted with someone from a different realm.

I took a step back and turned away and walked as fast as I could as if I was running away from the unknown.

My steps came to a halt as I reached near a familiar lake.

Ailin lake. A lake that is common in all realms. In Cosima it is one of the most beautiful sights. The soft hum of the lake symbolised the goodness and innocence of the world. The lake is widely known known for its unique flowers which are not found anywhere else. These flowers have the ability to heal any wound.

Though here both the lake and flowers have lost its colour but I am pretty sure the flowers are still impactful.

I crouched down and extended my hand plugging one of the flowers. Sitting on the edge, I rubbed the flower on my injured palm and knees. The wound disappeared as if it never existed. A smile crossed my face. I stared at my reflection dipping my legs into the water.

My reflection looked back at me the way reflections do here — slightly wrong, slightly delayed, as if the water was remembering me rather than showing me. She was staring at me with unfocused eyes just as the lady I met earlier. But soon her appearance started changing. It became dark, the way a room goes dark when a cloud passes over the sun. Subtle enough that I almost convinced myself I had imagined it. Then black streaks flowed down the face. Thin at first, spreading down its face like ink dropped in water.

I leaned forward without thinking. The reflection smiled back at me.

Before I could register what happen I felt a presence behind me. One moment I was sitting and in the next I was under the water as if someone pushed me though I felt a touch.

Calm down… I can’t drown…

I kept on repeating that to myself. Closing my eyes and stopping my breath I moved my hands and legs to find some support.

“Odessa.”

I opened my eyes abruptly hearing the familiar voice. Bubbles formed as I slightly open my mouth. I placed both of my hands on my mouth and slightly turned around.

She was there right in front of me. Celia was looking straight in my eyes. Her face had turned pale. The area under her eyes were so dark ass if she didn’t sleep for an eternity. Her eyes were emotionless. She looked like an epitaph of death.

“Sister,” Her voice which was once filled with softness and sweet was now too detached.

I slowly removed my hands and extended towards her.

“Cel—”

“Sister… DIE!!!!”

She lunged towards me like a predator to its prey. I froze in my place. Before she could me, a white light blinded the place. I squinted my eyes and looked up. A hand extended from the surface of the lake like a saviour.

A masculine hand with a weird ring whose symbol was familiar to me. Before realising I raised my hand to reach him desperately just like a dying person reaching for salvation. The moment I touched the hand, it felt so warm as if it would soon burn me with itself. Everything went silent and the outlines disappeared.

Before I open my eyes, the first thing I felt is warmth. After the cold of the Isles of death, it felt too violent. Then I heard some commotion around me. I could feel the warm mattress pressed beneath my weight and a soft pillow under my head. Few worried voice were filling the entire room

“She isn’t responding…”

“When will she wake…”

I slightly raised one of my fingers as if checking if I am still alive.

I am alright. I am here in my realm.

I slowly opened my eyes.

“She woke.” Kyren’s voice came from beside the bed. I heard some hurrying footsteps towards me.

As I opened my eyes completely, Jane, Kyren and Calix were already by my side.

“Damn Odessa. You literally killed us.” Calix widened his eyes dramatically.

“How long had I passed out?” I rose.

“Three days.” Jane said helping me to lean back against the pillow.

“What?” I raised my brows in surprise. “What had happened here?”

“The next day after you came out,” Kyren said calmly. “We didn’t find you in your room. We searched other places in the academy but you were nowhere to be found.”

“Guess what,” Calix jumped on the bed spreading his legs, “I was so sure that you have lost your mind and ran away.”

Jane hit him from behind.

I chuckled. “Don’t worry you are not getting rid of me so easily.”

“That’s great.” Calix sighed dreamily.

“When we didn’t find you anywhere,” Kyren continued. “Jane suggested us to look into Celia’s room. And you were actually there, lying unconscious.”

“I scared you all.” My voice was barely above a whisper.

“Yes, you did.” Jane sat beside me. “ And don’t you dare disappear again.”

“I will try.” I smiled weakly.

A silence spread between which was broke at the sound of a loud horn that echoed throughout the academy.

“What’s happening now?” Jane said, putting her hands over her ears.

“The teachers went to the citadel, maybe they returned.” I said looking out of the opened door.

“Is there for their welcome?” Calix followed my gaze out the door.

“No genius. It means all the students are being called to gather at a place.” I looked at him.

“It must be something very important.” Kyren stood up. “let’s go.”

Kyren and Calix went near the door. I came out of the bed. Before I could take a step forward Jane stopped me.

“You are not well. Just stay here.” Her voice was laced with concern.

I smiled. “I am absolutely fine. Besides everyone is being called. Let’s not break the Academy rules.”

She didn’t seem convinced. “Fine.” She sighed and moved forward.

My eyes fell on my bedside table. That weird emblem was kept on the table. Did they thought it was mine and placed it here?

The emblem was no more glowing and looked like some ordinary metal piece.

“Odessa… coming?”

I picked up the emblem and pocketed it before joining my friends.