The Afterworld Saga — 13

Chapter 13 — Reunion

Leida, I don’t think we have a choice.

I hope you know what you’re doing. I’m trusting you on this one.

“I accept the bargain,” Tamra said aloud, and the shadow stepped closer. She could feel its presence calling to her. The sensation intensified as the entity approached.

"Wait!" Roy objected. His hand was pulsing with light. "What if it's a trap? You're just going to trust this thing? My sister's in there."

Tamra felt the shadow smiling. She sighed, shook her head and turned to Roy. "Your sister understands."

Roy’s shoulders drooped and he grew sullen.

"So be it," said the shadow.

"So be it," said Tamra.

"Then embrace me, sister."

Although apprehension coursed through her, Tamra stepped forward with arms wide in reception. "I grant you my embrace, sister."

With that, Tamra and the shadow clasped one another. And it climbed into her.

The sensation of reuniting with her shadow was at once exalting and terrifying. She was dimly aware of Roy's panicked yells as pain and confusion swept over her. Even Leida's calls felt dim and far away, as if they drifted to her across a vast chasm.

The other consciousness moved against her own, enveloping her awareness in curtains of perception so alien and yet so familiar. It writhed against her, probing, burrowing, caressing, suffusing. It ebbed and flowed, a torrent of cognizance flowing into her own. The stream of consciousness.

And then they were one.

The next thing Tamra knew, Roy was kneeling over her, softly tapping her cheek.

"Leida, Leida? Are you all right? Wake up."

Tamra groaned.

What happened? Leida asked.

Tamra groaned again.

"Can you stand?" Roy asked her.

"Yes," she said at last. Roy helped her to her feet and supported her with a powerful arm. "I’m going to be fine. Everything’s fine now. I’m just...that took a lot out of me."

Maybe we should rest.

"Is Leida...?" Concern was thick in Roy's voice, even if he did try to conceal it. Tamra truly envied Leida for that.

Don’t worry about me!

“She’s well.”

What about you? What was that?

"That," said Tamra, "was the embrace."

Once the specter of Copernicus had finally retreated, Nicolaus composed himself and took stock of his inventory. It was all there: medicine, charms, his dagger snug in its sheath. His knapsack lay nearby containing a length of rope, two candles, a tinderbox, canteen, and sundries, along with three days' rations — if used sparingly. And then there was the body, ghastly in its pallor and stiff with rigor mortis. He couldn’t forget that.

The food and water probably wouldn’t be enough considering he didn’t know where in the Afterworld he was.

And time works differently here, he thought. For that matter, magic works differently here, he realized. He was unsure to what effect, but he could feel a change in the Aether.

He peered out into the distance, at the strange sky above a wasteland of pebbles, wondering how to proceed. Ultimately he resolved to perform a test before planning further. A simple will-O’-the-wisp he mused, and muttered the incantation. Just a glimmer of phantasmal light.

Except it wasn't.

As though the veils of heaven had parted to release a flood of stars, brilliant sparks danced and played before him.

Magic is stronger, he thought wryly.

It would require further analysis to determine in exactly what manner its workings were different, but for the time being he could be secure in the knowledge that his talents were bolstered. Or at least that one was: He sure could dazzle. The concern would be that rival sorcerers would be equally advantaged, which was a prospect he was not yet willing to bring himself to scrutinize.

Gazing out onto the horizon, he saw nothing but the uninterrupted swath of stones. There were no landmarks, no real methods of establishing his bearings. Even the light here was strange, ethereal and disorienting. He tore his attention away from the distance, turning instead to the corpse. Reaching down he placed a hand upon the necrotic flesh.

It twitched as if stirring from a deep slumber and he remembered how the body had moved and the hollow orbits had transfixed him right before he’d plunged into the abyss. Could those changes in the Aether animate the dead? Or, he thought dourly, could this be the Stigmata of the God of Death?

The body was twitching again. He needed to hurry. With his palm still pressed against the cold flesh he spoke the phychometric words. Feeling the subtle, vestigial bond that once tethered mind and body, he sought the Vessel’s presence. And he found it.

By Providence! She’s close.

Elation surged in him, though it was short lived. Drawing himself upright he stared out after the presence he knew was there. Then he bitterly struggled with the logistics. Close as she was, he would never catch up to her on foot — not laden as he was with his cadaverous burden.

So, I’ll have to go about it another way.

He was a little nervous. Apportation was a risky business under normal conditions, much more so when trying to account for variables he did not fully understand. But what else was there to do? He could think of no other option and prayed to Dimitri he didn’t materialize inside the earth.

With a deep breath he bent to lift the corpse. It was moving more frequently now, almost convulsing. He tried to ignore it as he focused on the Vessel’s presence and cast his spell .

“How are you feeling?" asked Roy.

"I told you, I’m fine; let’s concentrate on getting the Dark Heart." Tamra was unsure whether it was she or her shadow who authored the words.

"Any idea what all that’s going to involve?"

"I have enough of one,” she muttered. “Lead the way, Roy. You’re the key. The Heart beckons you." There was an unwonted harshness to her voice.

Roy grunted in response and quickened his pace.

Tamra, you seem…different.

I am different, Tamra thought back.

Are you sure this was such a good idea?

I’m more sure of it now than ever.

"What are we going to do for water?" Roy queried over his shoulder, interrupting their internal dialogue.

"I don't know. What are we going to do about weapons?"

But before Roy could answer, another burst of flames exploded a ways ahead of them. He could see two figures ejected from the portal, but these did not fall gracefully to the ground; they careened, tumbling and sliding across the spirit stones.

Seriously? This again? Leida’s thoughts intruded on Tamra’s beshadowed mind.

"I don’t know what this is, but we’re going to find out. Come on." Tamra charged off toward the incident. Roy followed suit.

As they neared the figures, one — wrapped in torn robes — was moaning, clutching his arm as he lay upon the ground. Yet the other scrambled jerkingly to her feet. She was slender and small.

Is that another one?

“No,” Tamra gasped. "That is my body."

Editor’s Note: I’m always excited to see what C. Allen Exline comes up with when he’s assigned to write. He’s written a few different chapters for us and they’ve been fantastic! Please be on the lookout for a clarifying newsletter.

The next writers for The Afterworld Saga are as follows:

Si — June 16; ch14

Rhiannon D’Averc — June 23 ; ch15

Raine D. — June 30 ; ch16

Tobi Amos-July 7 ; ch17

Ashley Khue Pham July 14 ; ch18

Leo Charles M. — July 21 Ch19