Luminaari

Sen roused Bard with enthusiasm and a rushed energy.

“Bard. It’s clean! The lake is clean again!” she shouted in glee before he heard a splash. Bard was alert as she shouted again and hastily came over to him, gritting her teeth. “I forgot the lake hurts…” she said and Bard chuckled as he shifted to help her dry.

“Then it’s probably time I take part in the return ceremony so you can become purified,” Kihana said from the side. She held a few fruits in her arms and her tail was neatly curled around a cloth that Bard assumed held the sunstones.

“Thanks, for delaying it,” Bard said respectfully.

“Think nothing of it. I learned a lot from Elder Paradise as well and got to enjoy these days soaking in the sun before I gain my wings.” She stopped by Bards things and looked at Kai. “He really has grown since the last time you came to the city.”

Bard and Sen worked on packing with Kihana and getting their things across the lake in as dry a condition as possible. Kihana swam across while Bard had Kai jump in first.

“Bardon Jaystrum,” Elder Paradise said and Bard felt a shiver run up his spine.

“Bard?” Sen asked.

“Climb on Kai’s back. He’ll take you to shore. I’ll catch up in a bit,” Bard said calmly.

“Take this first, Sen,” Paradise said as a root shot up from the lake and a token was dropped in her hand.

“My token?” Sen asked and then jumped around.

“May the waters ever flow from good sources,” he said as she departed. Watching her leave on Kai’s back, Bard took a steadying breath.

“You wanted to say something to me?” Bard asked, bowing as he let his tokens slip down beside him. Paradise remained quiet and Bard waited, raising his head before his back and neck ached.

“You have selected a good Dryad to pledge your life to. A bit impatient, but that will come with time.” Bard unconsciously looked back towards Sen who was avoiding Kai as he shook off the water. “There is one thing I didn’t teach you, because you weren’t ready.”

Bard’s head whirled around to face Elder Paradise. What? Had more of them not taught him everything yet?

“A little bit of paradise comes from sacrifice. Sacrificing comforts and expectations, sacrificing plans and outcomes. If you want connections, you have to sacrifice comforts and loneliness. If you want community, you have to sacrifice a bit of your self centeredness. If you want a purpose, you have to sacrifice a bit of yourself. Purpose and paradise has never come about from shirking responsibility and growth. It has always come when we embrace it.” His words rang in Bard’s ears. He looked out at the city. Was that why Paradise had chosen to let the catfolk stay around him, and establish this place? “Take care of Sen and she will take care of you. May the light of the suns be ever in your favor.” Paradise said humbly before his words stopped altogether. Bard looked up at the tree and then bowed once before throwing himself into the lake. He swam back, but wondered what exactly Paradise meant by all that. The Elder was not usually so straightforward.

As Bard walked out of the lake, he noticed Sen staying on top of Kai as the catfolk began to approach. Kihana stayed by Kai. She flashed the fruit in her hand, distracting the merchants who chased after them when she rolled them down the stone path.

“Bard! Now!” Kihana said and Bard’s eyes grew wide before he hurriedly dashed to Kai and climbed on. Kihana also ran up Kai’s side as Kai sped off, splashing in the shallows as he skirted the crowd.

The catfolk were surprised and Bard enjoyed hearing them scream a bit as they were splashed or dismayed they had left. He then turned his sights to the sky when Sen pointed it out. Multiple Seraphos appeared above the temple. It was hard to look at them with the sun coming up over the spire of the temple. Kihana waved her hand high in the air and one flew over to them. Bard instantly recognized it was the Solarion, Kahdim. He flew over and then matched pace with Kai. Bard was feeling even more jealous of those wings.

“Are you ready Kihana?” Kahdim asked and Kihana shifted and faced him.

“Ready!” she shouted, jumping off Kai towards him. Kahdim caught her and she climbed around and onto his back. She seemed to say something to him and the Solarion moved a bit closer.

“I hear that Sen wishes to be purified. Is that correct?” Kahdim asked.

“Yes!” Sen growled. Bard snickered. She was definitely done with feeling pain from the holy water. He reconfirmed it and they headed towards the temple.

“Everything should be ready,” Kahdim said. Bard was impressed. Usually they did these in the afternoon. Perhaps it was due to Kihana knowing of Sen’s situation. But he wondered about all the children who would need to be purified as well. As they came closer, he saw several Catfolk families outside the temple, waiting. Bard wondered how they had coordinated all of this, when Kihana was trapped on the island with them.

As they came over, there was some cheering and Kihana stood up and waved her hands. More cheers erupted and she summersaulted down and was caught by Kahdim before he helped her maneuver to land next to Kai as he slowed before the crowd.

“Praise be to the Suns! Kihana seeks the light of the third sun, having succeeded in all her trials!” Kahdim shouted as he landed next to her. The catfolk shouted and cheered as well. Sen stayed next to Bard. Their voices suddenly died as the Dawnseer appeared and Kai lowered himself to the ground. Bard grabbed Sen’s hand and they bowed their heads. The sounds of the water and fluttering of the Seraphos above were all that was heard, not even the cries or sounds of children.

“The twelve shine behind you, before you and within you. Our sun, the sun of healing greets the returned child. Enter the temple and receive your wings. May the water of life flow where the light touches; may your spirit flourish as the oasis blooms,” the Dawnseer said. Bard covered Sen’s eyes as the sunstones glowed brightly. He felt her hands come up and he covered his own eyes.

When he could see again, he noticed Kihana was not there anymore. Sen was about to speak, but he signaled for her to be silent. After some time passed, a pillar of light descended on the temple and the catfolk gasped. Many pointed to the suns in the sky and Bard tried to look at them.

“The third sun. It has gone dark. The third sun has descended!” the Dawnseer shouted. The catfolk shouted in jubilation and Bard felt Sen grab his hand. He looked at her and then back at the temple. This wasn’t like the other time. After much time, the light ascended into the sky and within a few minutes someone flew out of the top of the temple.

Time seemed to slow as this Seraphos passed in front of them before stopping by Kahdim. Her wings were different than the Seraphos or Kahdim. She also had strips along her tail that glowed with a gold light.

“The sun of Healing has chosen his Luminaari!” the Dawnseer said. As she did so, a showering of water burst from the temple and gently fell on them. Bard watched Sen cast her gaze about in fascination. His eyes then turned to the Luminaari who glanced his way. She waved and Bard instantly realized this was Kihana. She looked so different. She reached up and a staff of light appeared in her hands. It solidified and carried a green orb that moved about, dangling from the suns shaped ornament at the top. She shouted a triumphant hurrah and the catfolk joined her.

Kai shifted back as the catfolk began to swarm around her. Bard had Kai move even further back, guessing what would happen next. The Seraphos from above dumped water on all the catfolk who continued in their celebration. Kahdim took off and returned with a bowl, coming over to Bard and Sen. He looked on politely and Bard sighed. He grabbed Sen’s hand and then nodded his permission. Kahdim then dumped the water on them both. He then had some Seraphos douse Kai’s face as well. As the others left Kahdim came closer.

“I realize you were already purified, Bard Jaystrum, but it is part of our tradition that all who witness the emergence of one of the transformed, receive another purification.

“I see,” Bard said. “Thank you for doing it.”

“My pleasure. May the light of healer guide you both on your journey. I would recommend a strategic retreat since the residents of the city will be too distracted in their celebrations this day,” Kahdim said with a respectful bow.

“My thanks. I believe we will take that advise then and be on our way. Tell Kihana it was wonderful to see this, and congratulations. I’m sure you can say it in a way that is more fitting than I,” Bard said with a slight bow. Kahdim nodded and Bard patted Kai so they could head to the oasis, restock their water supply and leave.

He only briefly had Sen touch the water to confirm to her that she was indeed purified now, before she helped. The residents all rode out towards the temple, eager to see their new Luminaari, which made traveling the other direction a bit hard, but when Kai growled, the merlants parted along with some of the catfolk. Kai bounded over and ran to the wall where it was easier to make it to the gate.

“Leaving? But the celebrations are just beginning!” the catfolk greeted them at the gate.

“We really must be on our way,” Bard said as he looked back at the catfolk who started to bring out the food and began cooking.

“Very well, but you are missing out,” the guard said. He signaled down the wall and the other guard signaled back. “May the suns watch over you on this blessed day,” he said as they passed.

Hey everyone! We are once again at the end of an Arc/Book. What are your thoughts? How is the story? Arc 6 is ready and will be up shortly. Fair warning, Arc 6 has some.... intense parts... I'll make sure to add warnings accordingly. :)

That said: Check out the artwork! I've got some art of the catfolk, including Kihana, and Jamil. Enjoy!

-Laurel R Call