Da Capo (II)

He later learned that they were lucky enough to have arrived on the final day of Tarpan. A ritual for conservationalists; in modern terms, a celebration. It brought the entire village together and made them pray to their forefathers. A similar one was held back at his village, Lamphi, but it wasn't as grandiose. Korou blamed it on the contrast of time. It flowed differently for each of them. Where one was basking on the edge of the Renaissance, the other was still gnawing at the foothills of the Iron Age. Or maybe antiquity?

His past as a scholar of history brought the analytical in him. He smiled wistfully and brought down the yum—bamboo—cup.

"We will be bringing an end to the Eschaton this time." Korou declared in a tranquil tone. His back pressed against the earthen wall. “And hopefully it helps with Demiurges.”

Four years ago, in his Master’s stead, Korou had taken helm of her Shamanic duties. Extermination of lesser Demiurges, moderating the protective pillared seals, delivering the Lamphi apothecary remedies, tilling the field with the spatial dissonance, and teaching the young ones: an introduction to magecraft. It would take a quarter of his year, including the travel on foot. But today it was all coming to an end. He had imagined this day for months, yet it seemed unreal.

"It's that time already," The village chief, Kamei Wuyakachui, a cross of a feline and an elf, caressed his whiskers. He was clad in ceremonial garb: a Vermillion Chuba. His hair, ash-blonde, was slicked back. "Headpriestess had acclaimed her protege, despite being prodigal, would take at least five decades to free us."

"Master always loved to tease me." Korou chuckled deeply. "But in hindsight, it was her way of saying, you have the brains, get to work."

"She was shit at communicating." Kamei cackled, brought up his chillum and inhaled.

"Me and her both."

"Seems you have gotten better." Kamei offered him the smoke.

Korou shook his head and continued.

"Hardly, I am still learning."

"I see."

"We will set out at dawn." Korou brought out the scroll. It was the permission, signed by the Lamphi village chief and the current headpriestess of the Pakhangba monastery. "It should take us a week to reach the end. And a day..." He paused, his lips curled into a scowl. "Maybe three to put Escathon to sleep."

"Take as much time as you want," Kamei accepted the scroll and tossed it aside. "We of Wuyakachui have that in abundance."

Korou smiled and stood up. The eve was yet to set in, and Atla, who had escaped from the Quaternity term of Zaüber, was ecstatic on narrating her first year in its intensity. She was also impatient. He glanced over the window with a sigh. He could see her peeking silhouette, fluttering silver locks, and the gold-lined collar of her Zaüber gown, specifically Küstenkind College.

"They will be gone for good this time?" asked Kamei, his tone hesitant, bringing Korou to an abrupt halt.

"The Demiurge," Kamei explained further. "After you remove the Eschaton, they won't bother us."

"In theory, yes," Korou replied. "But with the current state of the world, you never know where one of them might spawn."

Kamei, the chief, paused, his mouth over the chillam, inhaling another smoke. His elongated ears wiggled after a while.

Korou wondered if he was reminiscing about the old days with his Master.

"You and your master, both, lack tact." The village chief shot a wistful smile.

"What can we do?" Korou shrugged but smiled. "We are both scholars, cursed with the knowledge of discerning each variable. Never satisfied with emotional conclusion."

"I should have asked Atlanta."

"True." Korou gave a nod. He was sure his white haired childhood friend would have mumbled words of encouragement and invoked hope.

"But what I can assure you is, whether they stop or not, you will be protected, not only by us, but by your own."

Dusk came early for Wuyakachui; Korou sat in solidarity by the marbled columns of the ruined temple of Sophia. Its Acroterion barely holding, as the twilight rays shimmered down Antefix. He was bathed in it. Atla, afterwards, had slipped past him and joined the village festivities. He wasn't sure if it was to avert the lecture on eavesdropping or her free nature. In any case, he loved both.

Over his arm sat a pentagonal-winged carrier-Crownbill with a rucksack on its back. Its head rested over his shoulder as she gently rubbed his cheeks. Korou held the scroll that she had delivered.

It was a letter from his mother. Who, despite knowing of this quest, couldn't help but worry about his well-being. It made his chest fill with warmth. Her words, raw, exuded maternal care. His mother had asked about his well-being, diet, and health. There was no mention of the job he had to undertake, nor words of warning. And at the bottom was:

'Keep a calm mind, and you will be fine. Take a deep breath whenever you feel anxious.'

The Crownbill pecked on his shoulders. Korou shot it a glare, but passed on the seeds. She was hungry after the journey.

Before leaving, Korou scribbled a quick reply, reassuring her that he was indeed taking care of himself. And he will be fine. Also, to look after Baba, he would be the one most worried out of the two.

Atla jumped into the straw bed, her arms hugging its periphery as she rubbed her face on it. She had an ecstatic smile.

"Is the Erudite Zaüber lacking in beds?" Korou gave her a tease.

"No, they are heavenly." She grinned. "But this is real. I missed it."

"Welcome back," replied Korou after a pause. His fingers traced the fading map of the dungeon. It was an inverted pyramid. A nine-floor monstrosity.

"Took you long enough," Atla replied, her head buried in the cyan pillow.

"I wasn't the one who barged into my home without an Intimidation, not to mention, low-key kidnapped me..."

"Fine, fine, but in my defence, I barely have time." She tucked herself within the blanket. "And even this is a special case. There were revolts against the recent tax reforms, so the department has been closed for over a month."

"Makes sense." Korou gave her a nod. "I was surprised they allowed you to take leave during the Quaternity term."

"The professors would skin me alive, if not for the unrest." She replied ghastly. "But this was important, and things went in my favour."

Zaüber was the illustrious university that flaunted its mastery over magecraft. It was the best in the world. And Atlanta, despite her affinity towards being a warrior, was a student there. Korou, soon enough, would be one as well.

"Is it fun?" Korou was hesitant. In his head, there was a glorified tapestry of the erudite Zaüber. Timeless cobbled street, vaulted hallways, arches and passages dipped in amber. Nine colleges sprawling over the city, a true centre of scholarship, a study of magic.

"Terrifying." Atla giggled. "The readings are horrifying, language incomprehensible, assignments a study in numbers and assumptions... But, I like it."

"And the city?" Korou took a deep breath.

"Lovely, Gorgeous, breathtaking..." Atla was awe-struck. Her eyes sparkled with a childish innocence. "It is a celebration of magic, truly befitting its name."

"Zaüberstadt?" Korou deciphered the word in his mind. Zaüber in Teutonian-lon was 'magic' and Stadt a 'city'. "City of magic?"

Atla gave a furious nod. "You will love it."

"I am sure." He replied with a smile. "Can't wait to join you."

"You'd better, the Demiurge eradication won't happen with me in a singular effort."

"Neither with dual." He rolled the scroll and tucked it underneath his shoulder. "We need Iromi and Ibo too, maybe Laishram?"

Atla shot him a mischievous grin.

"I don't like that smile."

"That's the only one I got."