A Curse of Anger and Lightning

Chapter 2: Eoaila

I was letting my mind drift – meditating, resting, emptying my mind from all my duties, only for the briefest of moments.

It felt like the weight of the continent below – Remeria itself, was being lifted from my neck.

I could see, even feel the physical world moving and changing beneath me. As if drifting within an ebb and flow of time and space, out of body, although not of mind.

The sun shone brightly, the light of Nei’il, father of the world, warmed the skins and fed the plants and trees.

A river sparkling like crystals, the tears of Fre’il the mother of the world, tickled the bed of grass it was laid upon, running its course lazily throughout the lands.

An old man on his deathbed, surrounded by his descendants, his hand held by a younger woman, his child perhaps. His face serene, his life feeling complete, fulfilled. A gentle moment in mortality– beautiful.

A scream.

Night had fallen, the silver rays of Nei’il’s moon barely shining, it was much too dark.

More screams, pain, suffering. The reality of mortality, as their lives hung by a most brittle thread.

My essence was lulled, a whisper, something deep in my gut, I followed the gentle murmur, unable to resist.

Life, someone was giving life. How painful it seemed, how terrifying, how cruel. To only be able to bring life in such wicked circumstances.

Suddenly, something felt sharp and powerful beneath the clouds and sky– something new, something I hadn’t sensed before.

New life? No– old. Something new that is also old. I searched for it.

As my gaze lingered, catching glimpses of mortal life making its way in the endless swaying of the great balance, I wished nothing but to find this new sharpness – this new power.

The murmurs, what were they saying? Where, where is it from?

I saw a void, a point in the darkness, sand and dust, a small boy…

Suddenly, I felt a strong presence enveloping me – pulling me.

Turn back from this projection at once, you have been summoned before the council. Immediately. I heard in my mind – a cold, commanding tone.

I surrendered and quickly let my essence return to my body – submitting to the pull. When I opened my eyes and looked at the crystal quadrant in the window of my tower chambers, I realized I had projected a bit too long. I suppose I was already late.

I quickly put on a basic pastel tunic showcasing my rank and faction on my shoulders and bolted out of my chambers. As I glided down the tower, wings fluttering, some Minas chased me, trying to get me to eat something.

‘’Lieutenant, Lieutenant Eoaila, wait! EOAILA!’’ one of them belted. ‘’WE MADE FRESH FRUITS AND PASTRIES’’

I stopped, who am I to say no to fresh fruit and pastries?

I stretched my neck out: “What kind of pastries?’’ They all giggled.

‘’We Mina’dar know exactly what our people like and dislike, honeyed berries and flakey melon cakes were made fresh this morning before you returned from guard duties Lieutenant, it would be best you eat them whilst they are fresh don’t you think?’’

‘’Thank you Hymna’’ I said mockingly as I gave her and the other Minas a deep bow. ‘’How could I ever fare without your delicious fruits and pastries?

More giggles.

‘’Unfortunately, I’m already late for a sudden council meeting and I have to stop by the Fountain’’ That didn't prevent me from grabbing all the contents of Hymna’s basket and shoving it in my mouth. Funny how Solum made us to feel no emotion, or exhaustion, or hunger and yet still enjoy food. Hymna gave me a slight tap on the wrist

‘’Don’t eat so fast, you’ll get a stomach ache’’ She winked at me.

‘’I am to fall to the sickness of frail Mortals now? I do not get stomach aches Hymna, stop your foolishness.”

She raised her brows and scoffed at me, giving me a motherly watch your tone look.

“And don’t let the Galleim’dar see you being so casual with me, you’ll be reprimanded again, you are a Mina’dar’’ I continued, challenging her mothering.

‘’But of course, Lieutenant Eoaila’’ She bowed and took a step back, still watching me with her big brown doe eyes. I rolled my own and turned around. ‘’I have to hurry to the Fountain before the council chops my wings off’’

∞

I continued my way down the tower, giving slight nods on the way to the Mina’dar bowing to me as I passed. Etiquette and hierarchy held much power here.

We were the chosen people of the Fountain – the chosen of Solum.

Ei’Ilnam.

Every Ei’ilnam had a Dar, everyone of us had a rank and everyone of us had rules to follow. As rigid and hollow as it was, our realm of Feol’daria remained the most beautiful and plentiful of places to live in.

We called it the Sky Tower – more like a sky continent. It was built and held up through Equilibrium itself and looked like four concentric circular lands turning within each other with the Fountain at its centre.

The four lands floated around each other effortlessly in space and stars, bound together by the power provided by the Fountain.

The first and most outer land was a thick forest with trees as old as the Fountain itself, many animals and beasts resided there, making it very difficult to navigate on foot.

The forest often glowed from within, their roots reaching all the way to the rich waters of the Fountain, all connected to each other and forming an intricate maze. It was humid and foggy most of the time, and when rain poured it was practically impossible to see anything– even with the vision of an Ei’ilnam.

It was a perfect natural defense – should we ever be attacked. Many training exercises had taken place there, to sharpen our tracking and survival skills.

I still remember spending restless nights in that forest, alone and determined to survive.

The second ring was mostly farming lands, fruit trees and streams of overspilled Fountain water. Many small villages spread across the land, homes of the Mina’dar, whose sole duty was to serve the other Dari.

They were the servants, caretakers, seamstresses, forgers, farmers and entertainers of Feol’daria. Much would not run as smoothly in this realm without them, and yet the other Dari often belittled them.

They were maternal, warm and affectionate, obedient and gentle for the most part. They knew every little thing that gave us pleasure and always made sure that our wishes were met.

Fresh Fruits and pastries.

The last two rings were great tower cities and homes to the higher Dari, Galleim and Leoaïem shared the third ring with all the shops, schools and markets, it was the liveliest of the rings with the highest concentration in population.

The Eium and Quan shared the innermost ring, closest to the Fountain at the centre of it all, these were elite groups and extremely secretive, there sat the great council of Feol’daria, where our elders and leaders chose the fate of the continent.

There was a great library there that held the records of everything since the beginning of Solum, some books were said to even have been written by Solum themselves. None was allowed inside the Library except the Quan and Eium. Naturally.

I looked up at the skies, it was always filled with stars and dark night up here, so our light was generated by an Equilibrium powered sphere that imitated the rays of light of the Father, Nei’il. I wondered how Nei’il’s real light would feel against my skin.

It was a blessing to be born as Ei’ilnam, to be born a guardian of the Equilibrium, to be a chosen of Solum, The One. Or so the Council says.

The continent of mortals seemed so filled with vivid life, regret and excitement, sometimes I could not contain my curiosity. I would let my spirit linger down so I could catch a glimpse of their lives.

More often than not I would be caught drifting by a Quan’dar and would be pulled back and scolded endlessly. Like this morning.

I sighed, it’s not like I wanted to live there, I just wanted to see. I knew there was more to me than guard duties and training. I wish I could fulfil my duty like the famed warriors of the great war of separation. My days were empty and void of anything meaningful. What was the point of being a Lieutenant if there was no war to be fought, no evil to be vanquished?

I made it to the bottom of my tower, the rays of the power sphere were dimming, indicating the time that had passed. Flying across the city buildings and towers and the weaving of pathways, I arrived at the innermost circle of the Quan’dar, lost in thought until a sharp, cold voice snapped me out of my drift.

‘’You’re late Lieutenant, again.’’

‘’Colonel Han’lan, apologies’’ I answered swiftly, bowing my head in respect.

‘’I presume you were wasting time again with those Mina’dar?” She sighed. “Really Lieutenant, I still do not understand why you befriend them so, they are beneath you after all’’ She stated flatly.

‘’Befriend them?’’ I chuckled sarcastically. ‘’I believe all Ei’ilnam deserve respect, for we all have a role to play whether great or small, it matters to fulfill our duty. No matter what that duty may be. I am grateful to have them tend to us so eagerly. You should open your mind, maybe they will also bring you honeyed fruits one day’’

She crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes as she stared at me and spat:

“Duty…who are you to speak of duty, Eoaila, whilst you drift away in the mortal realm to satisfy your greedy curiosity, we Galleim’dar work tirelessly and obey the laws of our council, maintaining ourselves to protect this realm should another war break out. Do not speak to me of duty, when you frivolously chat away with Mina’dar, honeyed fruit at your lips. You did not fight like I in the war of separation, you know nothing of duty and sacrifice.’’

‘’Please forgive me Colonel Han’lan, I spoke out of term” I bowed even lower. “I take great honour in being a member of the Dar of Galleim and an even greater honour in serving you’’

I lifted my eyes to look at her, she was an embodiment of power and regalness. She stood tall and wide, eyes green and silver with hair black as a night sky.

She had a strong square jaw and a long aquiline nose with a heart shaped mouth, her skin had a warm tanned tint.

Her armour, green and silver like her eyes, looked heavy, yet she moved around in it with ease, with her long white cape, marked with the sigil of our Dar fluttering behind her, it just showcased her high rank, physical strength and stamina even more.

Her wings hung low, almost hidden beneath her cape, but we could see the tips of the emerald green feathers trailing on the ground.

When deployed, they were as wide as she was tall. It was said that during the great war of separation, her wingspan could shadow a whole regiment.

She was greatly respected and admired across all the Dari, unanimously revered and feared. For she was not known for her gentle temperament.

As much as she pestered me with her haughty speeches, I know she did it to protect me and my position. She wanted me to be exemplary, unchanging, just and solid. Like her, so I could one day follow in her footsteps as the Colonel of the Dar of Gallleim.

‘’Flattery will get you nothing. Did you not think to wear formal attire before the council?’’ She asked, looking me up and down with disapproving eyes.

I looked down at my simple tunic, I looked like a fool.

‘’I was on my way to the fountain Colonel, I will regenerate and make my way to the council immediately, surely you could stall them for me?’’ I asked sheepishly.

She raised an eyebrow and gave me an incredulous stare. ‘’Stall… the council? Eoaila your incredibility is too often overshadowed by your dauntless audacity.’’ She gave a swift jerk of her chin in the direction of the fountain. ‘’Make it quick’’

I spared no time to think and rapidly flew towards the middle of the Sky Tower. The fountain was a grand bathhouse, Feol’ilnam, the tallest of all the towers in the realm; it was separated by levels with different chambers at each floor.

The water streamed from the bottom towards the top and it erupted in a shimmering waterfall climbing in the sky and stars. It was the pride and treasure of Feol’daria, the lifesource of our power and immortality.

An Ei’ilnam simply needed to touch the source to feel invigorated, refreshed and renewed. The Dar of Eium cared for it and guarded it fiercely, they were the keepers of knowledge and records. Some of the oldest Ei’ilnam were members of the Eium’dar, they held the history of the world in their hidden books and secrets. A bunch of scholars.

As I arrived at the entrance to the bottom of the bathhouse, a familiar voice welcomed me:

‘’Ahhhh Lieutenant Eoaila, what a lovely surprise’’

I raised a brow ‘’Surprise? Ran’ji it is of common accord that we meet everyday ’’

Ran’ji tilted his head and shrugged his shoulders : ‘’I thought you were summoned at the council, hence I did not think I would be seeing you this day’’

I pursed my lips, annoyed. ‘’Does everyone know about this council meeting?’’

‘’Only the ones that matter’’ He answered, enigmatically, a half smile on his lips.

I sighed, ‘’I have no time for your riddles Ran’ji, just take me to a bath, I wish to be alone’’

‘’Take you? What do you think I am? A Mina?’’ He took a step forward and hovered his gaze over all of me. ‘’You seem preoccupied Eoaila, maybe I could help you relieve some of the… pressure?’’

He slowly approached me, grabbing my chin between his long fingers and gently rubbing his thumb over my bottom lip.

Ran’ji was a member of the Eium’dar, more specifically the Eium’darsha, a branch of that faction with the sole duty to defend and protect the fountain, Feol’ilnam, its records and secrets from any danger or threat, including other Ei’ilnam.

They were highly skilled and trained from a young age to be fearless warriors and masters of subterfuge, ready to give up their lives for the sake of the Fountain and the gathering of information.

He was a captain, often leading recon missions across Feol’daria, gathering intel on everything being said and done in the other Dari.

He was tall and slender, with sculpted muscle anywhere the eyes could see, with high cheekbones and slanted eyes – yellow eyes with sparks of red floating within.

He was gorgeous.

His waist long dark brown hair was always braided at his temples with a brooch holding it at the back of his head. His ears, decorated with charms and rings, dangling down to his long beautiful neck.

His wings were often closed together, as if tightened at the top with a knot. They were beautiful, uniquely coloured just like his eyes, of yellow and red, they were long, sharp and slender, like a falcon’s wings.

We had known each other for as long as we lived, trained together before being bestowed our factions.

He was witty, vicarious and always had something sarcastic to say. We would sometimes indulge in the pleasures of the flesh, although feelings of love and affection were forbidden, we were, luckily, not forbidden to have i*********e.

I grabbed his hand and pushed it away, nudging my chin out of his seductive grasp. Heat building in my cheeks. Warily looking amidst for prying eyes.

‘’Don’t touch me. I have to hurry and bathe, Han’lan already scolded me for being late and the council is waiting’’

With disappointment written all over his face he signed dramatically.

‘’Best we not keep the fearsome Colonel Han’lan waiting then!’’

He summoned a low ranked Eium’dar and ordered them to take me to a bathhouse chamber. ‘’The best we have’’ He gloated, winking at me. I rolled my eyes. What a fool.

The little Eium’dar beckoned me to follow her as she entered the Fountain Tower.

‘’Rank Lieutenant, given name Eoaila, Dar of Galleim, you are to be in the 8th floor, chamber 19. Please follow me’’ she said meekly as she scribbled in her records.

Everything regarding the fountain was recorded in books, in case something were to happen, we could be aware at all times of who was present during any given incident, in whichever room. These books were locked with a powerful Equilibrium spell and only members of the Eium could access them.

‘’I need formal attire brought to me, I must meet with the council immediately after this’’ I said, trying to sneak a peek in her book.

She gave me a stern look and bluntly slapped the document closed, almost chopping my nose off, I reeled back, surprised by the sudden gust of wind. She held it close against her chest as she said dryly:

‘’Captain Ran’ji has already requested your armour, cape and helm be brought, someone will be there to tend to you when you are ready’’