The Realms of Ethair (14 page)

Arturion knew the Guard intended to nab the
human once strong evidence pointed to Peter.

“It is still with your Order?”

“
We’re not exactly at the top of the
Galactic Federation’s list of priorities. They’re stricter in
following procedure than your lot; not the type to interfere with
world events if it doesn’t directly affect the equilibrium of the
entire universe.” The Commander shook his head. He had expected the
outcome but could not help hoping the Torres case would move the
intergalactic beings to action.

The Galactic Federation was evasive in
answering specifics of when and where they would pick up the drone.
They were noncommittal on the subject of providing aid with regards
to the investigation.

“Have you additional information from your
side?”

“
Kris - Karina mentioned something that
might help narrow down the number of suspects,” Arturion
replied.

“Go on.”

The inscription enclosing them faintly
glowed neon blue. It recorded Arturion’s narration of his
conversation with Karina.

“
I’ll have the Guard prioritize their
search on that year. We’ll need to check Section V of your
archives, as well. If there’s an existing file on Mrs. Torres, I
have a feeling it would explain a lot of things.” Reno retrieved
the disk. The simulation flickered and died, momentarily leaving
the room in darkness. Then, the disk’s borrowed light dispersed
outward, the interior of the office once again touched by natural
light.

The Gate Keepers’ archives consisted of
profiles of every human they have interacted with in their
journeys. Profiles were categorized in five sections, accordingly.
Section I contained data of people with inherent psychic abilities
but unaware of their gifts. Information on psychics who actively
used their talents was placed in Section II. The people who have
the symptoms of
ascension
were
in Section III. Section IV stored files of humans that Gate Keepers
had offered a choice to stay or leave the third dimension.
Sensitive data were stored in Section V. The last section was
accessible only to the Council of Elders and Commander of the Gate
Keepers. Leaders of other Orders would need Sola’s authorization to
enter it.

“Mrs. Torres’ file should be in Section II or
III.” Arturion frowned.

“
The Guards and I have gone through the
archives for a week. The last place we haven’t searched is Section
V. Either Mrs. Torres had been very good at eluding the Gate
Keepers in the period she offered New Age classes and seminars or
there’s a special reason her records are kept under lock and key.”
The Commander flipped a pentagon-shaped glass between his fingers.
It bore the Gate Keeper’s and Sola’s insignia – the key to Section
V.

“
Again
,”
Reno’s voice rang from the other side of the training
area.

The morning exercises immediately start
after the Dawn greeting. A series of slow fluid movements and
breathing techniques, the
Indariki
was designed for practitioners to maintain optimum balance
of the human body, mind and emotion. The purpose of the art has
changed through the years.

In the Clone Age, scientists experimented
on any living being on Earth to shape their ideal of a human body.
They eventually succeeded but they needed grounding to keep their
physical shape from separating from their essence. Indariki was
born with that objective in mind and more: to achieve perfection of
the human physique. When war broke out, it was adapted for combat
and endurance against physical and psychic assault. Later, as peace
returned to the land, it reverted to its original purpose; yet,
retained the forms for self-defense.

At present, the art form was introduced to
children at age three to promote growth and development and
continued until adulthood as part of regular school activities and
training. Indariki’s original forms were familiar to everyone in
Merleina. Slight variations of the original emerged to address the
demands of one’s chosen career.

Three days after Arturion’s last visit,
Karina met him outside his house. She had been embarrassed for
intruding in his home. Arturion, however, had explained that he had
not stepped foot in his mother’s home since her death. He believed
his mother Cara would be glad to see the house in use by the very
people she had spent her life helping in their
ascension
.

In loose cotton shirt and pants, Arturion
taught her the basics of Indariki. The movements, achingly slow and
repetitive combined with appropriate breathing methods, had her
perspiring after completing two
forms
. Kala cheerfully participated in the exercises claiming
that she needed the practice. By the end of their first session,
Karina’s clothes stuck to her like second skin while the two
Merleinans didn’t appear to tire from the regimen. Kala even seemed
to be glowing and had a spring to her step as she returned to the
house. Arturion watched her go, his expression bland.

Seconds had passed before he resumed
instructing Karina. He guided her under the shade of a nearby tree.
They sat cross-legged across each other. Arturion demonstrated to
her how to cycle and exchange male and female energies, the method
he had used when she had been bedridden. He claimed it was the
safest procedure. There were other ways but more intimate and
personal, which Arturion described briefly in a very businesslike
manner so as not to make her self-conscious of the idea. After all,
it was just another lesson.

On the third week, Karina met the famous
Black Guard Commander. He was an imposing figure at six foot three
and muscular compared to Arturion’s lean and sinewy form. Her first
impression of Reno as intimidating diminished when she was
introduced to him. He had drawn her fingers to his lips, which made
Kala and Arturion roll their eyes. Reno winked at Karina and
flashed a reckless grin. He had watched them practice that
morning.

She had been informed beforehand that
Arturion had to resume his Keeper duties. The high priestess and
her son had been able to appease the Elders’ displeasure for the
time being. Gate Keepers were known to be fond of their human
charges, checking on them occasionally. Arturion’s regular visits
would make the Council suspicious of his motives, friendly as it
may seem. But he would continue exchanging energies with her thrice
a week inside the house.

“
Why are the Elders so interested in me
when I’m just like any other human from the third dimension?”
Karina asked when she found herself alone with high priestess one
day.

“
There are a number of reasons, Karina.”
Sara hesitated. “Your
ascension
progresses at an alarming rate and without warning. Most of
the time, we are unsure of how to help you. Your extraordinary
friendship with the Devatas had not gone unnoticed, nor the bond
between you and your Keeper. You realize he is half-human.
Merleinans are not entirely impervious to beauty; being half-human,
even more so.” Karina had never received such a compliment before
and was flustered by it. It was impossible to see Arty falling
head-over-heels with her. Merleinan women she had seen so far were
generally pleasing to the eye. Moreover, she felt more of a burden
to him than anything since coming to Merleina. It wasn’t hard to
imagine he felt the same way about her.

“
We’re just f-friends,” she
stammered.

“I believe you. I have deep faith in my
adoptive grandson, as well. Nevertheless, I would advise you to
keep him at arms’ length. The consequences can be serious if you
tempt fate. Your physical body may suffer a burnout, which can lead
to mental instability, illness, or death.

“
You hold immense power over Arturion that
even he is not aware of. He will do everything to keep you safe. If
your life is put at risk because of him, the worst thing the Elders
can do is dismiss him from his Order. But the guilt would consume
him.”

“
I’m sure it won’t come to that.” The words
rang hollow to Karina. She could barely convince herself when she
could not discredit Sara’s misgivings.

She would keep the high priestess’ advice
in mind. She didn’t want Arturion to self-destruct if something bad
happened to her. Karina resolved to survive the
ascension
.

“
Again.” Reno waited for Karina to rise
from her most recent spill on the ground. For all his positive
assessment of her being a fast-learner and graceful for a human,
she felt out of her depth in self-defense.

In six weeks, she had mastered the
Indariki basics. Kala performed the art with her often. The Guard
Commander alternately joined his Order’s scheduled routine and
theirs. Coming straight from the Black Guards’ practice, Karina
could sometimes glimpse an aura of vitality and charisma exuding
from him. It was hard for her to picture him sneaking and snooping
around in the third dimension when his presence was difficult to
miss.

At the moment, Karina faced a tough and
relentless taskmaster. He had told her at the very beginning that
he would train her in the simplest and most effective forms of
self-defense. In turn, she would listen and follow his instructions
without complaint. Arturion had convinced his friend to teach her
in case there was a one-in-a-million chance Karina found herself
lost in the woods again.

Animals still dropped their gifts outside
the house at all hours. It was highly impossible there were
creatures still hostile to Karina. But, she had heard Kelor-dan
speaking to one of his courtiers about trespassers crossing the
borders without permission. She didn’t know what became of the
humans. The Forest Folk’s fondness for her did not extend to the
rest of humanity. She hoped the Devatas did not employ their
deadlier pranks to harmless travelers and prayed that the Sentries
were in no danger.

“Enjoying the view?” Reno raised a bushy brow
at her, his hands on his hips. She was still lying on her back and
wanted to stay in that position for a while longer.

Reno’s last attack had sent her landing flat
on the ground, the air forced out of her lungs in a whoosh.
Grunting, she returned to her feet. He looked at her from head to
toe. She could sense his Sight probing her for signs of injury.

“
You’re not hurt,” he said satisfactorily.
It was an understatement. Hurt meant being critically injured.
Karina could feel the aftereffects of their training. She had been
sporting more cuts and bruises ever since they started
Form
3
.

The easiest in self-defense was
Form
1
, hide your presence by
shrinking your aura’s size and running at the first sign of
danger;
Form
2
, counter the attack of
a known enemy, then escape;
Form 3
,
counter assault of unknown opponent and flee.

“Playtime’s over. Arturion’s here.” Reno
stared at the house. “A word before you run off to your Keeper,
Karina.”

“
Yes,
Guryo
,”
Karina replied, using the honorific for ‘teacher.’

“
Your aura is very fine. Psychic attacks
would simply pass through without affecting you, which is why I am
teaching you physical defensive movements. The size of your auric
field gives you the upper hand in
Form 3
. Use that advantage to identify who is and who is not your
enemy and locate him. I won’t be able to see you in the next two
days. I want you to practice that skill while I’m away.” Reno
floated a few inches from the ground. “You can start by locating
Arturion.”

“He’s in the living room.”

“Guess again.” The Commander grinned. “When I
return, we’ll play hide-and-seek. You should be able to pinpoint my
exact location by then.”

Teacher and student bowed to each other
and parted ways. Reno levitated over treetops towards his
headquarters in the south, his mind partially occupied with work
ahead of him. Karina was a good student and she was making progress
in the
Forms
. It was
astonishing to see her easily catch up in what took years of
training and discipline to master the styles of Indariki. He had
made the mistake of underestimating the Liyanna in a lot of
ways.

In teaching her, he learned more about
Karina’s potential. Time is what she really needed to harness her
gifts. Time she did not have. The woman was a ticking time bomb
just waiting to explode at any moment. If she lives after
ascension
, he
would offer her a place in his Order.

Meanwhile, Karina strode into the house
and found the living room empty. Arturion and Reno had
telepathically communicated with one another while she lay stunned
on the grass.

With
eyes closed, she allowed her other senses to take over. Her
keen ears picked up mundane sounds from outside and the frequency
of plants, insects, animals, inanimate objects. The sounds were
jumbled together. It was hard to discern which vibration belonged
to which flora and fauna. She had the same difficulty when she
tried to feel another presence in her aura. Everyone appeared to be
within the range of her auric field. It was easier to search the
rooms for Arturion. But, the minute she thought of him, Karina saw
a vision of him in the archives.
Possibly just my
imagination
, she
thought. Yet, there he was seated by the table, a corner of his
mouth curled into a smile.