Mountains, Struggle and Omen

Chapter 23

Part 1 - Mountains

I jump between boulders up the incline. We’ve got far to go to the top. Smells of wet grass and fresh leaves reach my nose. There is a forest waiting on the other side of the mountain. I turn my head to the others, they are already tired, breathing heavily as they struggle through the rocky terrain. I try not to be disappointed, but at this pace we won’t be able to set up camp before nightfall.

“Come on, we have to keep moving,” I strictly tell them.

They all look up at me, with their earlier bravado gone. I want to encourage them, but I know that I have to be tough.

Standing on the peak, I see the thick forest hidden in the valley. Black, feathery flying creatures scatter from the green treetops. The trees have a mix of white and dark brown. The colors blend with the steep mountains surrounding them. Klen finally grabs on to the edge behind me, dragging himself up beside me.

“I thought I would die…” he says, taking deep breaths.

The others soon follow and collapse on the rocky ground. They are too exhausted to care about the astounding view. Felix sits up, crouched, looking at me.

“You’re not even breathing heavily. What kind of stamina do you have?” he asks me with a frown.

“It’s not about stamina. I know how to save my energy. We aren’t done yet, we're heading down,” I tell them, trying to sound like a good teacher, before I start skipping down the mountain.

I hear them sigh behind me.

They all collapse once again inside the forest. I’m actually pretty exhausted myself. It’s getting dark, the trees are blocking the last pink light of sunset. Croaks and chitters echo from all around us. Moss surrounds the stone and the tree’s bark. It covers the entire ground. I had found a little open patch, where a small stream runs down beside it. I crouch down and drink the ice-cold water. It tastes fresh and smells clean. I just want to make sure.

“Drink,” I tell the others who are still lying on the ground.

They drag themselves to the stream, dipping their faces in.

“That feels so nice!” Sigrid bursts out in relief.

“I thought it would never end,” Ivar says and chuckles.

“It hasn’t. We need a fire before it gets too dark, especially now that you’re all wet…” I lecture them.

Their happy mood dampens. Ivar looks embarrassed.

“Sorry, we weren’t thinking straight,” he tells me in a low voice.

Perhaps I’m being too harsh on them. I feel guilty, I know how hard that trip was. I’m just not used to being harsh on people.

“It’s okay, you did well. Good…job. I will help you with the fire tonight, starting tomorrow you are on your own,” I tell them to lift their spirits.

Klen puts his large hand on my shoulder and tells me:
“Thank you. And don’t worry, I know we all are going to give our best.”

He smiles at me kindly. I can’t help but smile back, nodding in response.

Their stomachs growl as we all lie on the cold ground around the fire. Temperatures have dropped substantially with the dark night. Even I shiver from the cold and from my empty stomach. This is a harsh first night, maybe too harsh—still, we don’t have the time to wait. Worrying about the village, about my friends, it keeps me awake. I sit up and stare into the fire. I think to myself; what if something happens while I'm gone?

Felix sits up from next to me. He has dark bags under his eyes, looking exhausted as he stares at me.

“Can’t sleep?” he asks me.

“No. Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you,” I respond.

“Who said that I was asleep?” he jokes with a smile.

We sit and stare at the fire together. The others seem to have fallen asleep. I can’t help but sigh from the anxiety in my chest.

“Don’t worry. The village has been there for a long time before you arrived, ” Felix tells me.

“You’re right. I can’t help but worry. I feel so powerless,” I open up to him.

He is easy to talk to. I can sense that he is a very sweet person—also, that he has sadness with him.

“We all do, that’s why we are here. I’m thankful to you for saving Astrid, Callum and their children. They are people who I grew up with. But you know what? It also made me feel powerless; that I wasn't capable of doing it myself. So hearing you, their saviour—say that you feel the same, I understand that you’re just another Avi. It gives me hope,” he tells me.

His words make me think of my friends, about what Dima told me after we fled from Haoul. I know that they are capable and I trust them deeply. I need to remember that I can count on them.

“Thank you, it means a lot,” I tell him with a smile on my face.

Part 2 - Struggle

“I’m starving,” Sigrid complains with the fire burnt to ashes the next morning.

They all look shattered, even Klen doesn’t say anything to cheer them up. I know what they need.

“Guys, it’s time to go hunting,” I tell them.

I make a spear and show them how to use it. Everyone gets to try it out. Klen and Felix quickly show signs of good technique. Ivar and Sigrid struggle to hit the target that I had carved into a white tree. We don’t have the time to wait for them to get better with our stomachs empty.

“Listen, you all will get a try each. Once we find the creature, I want the rest to stand back while the one with the spear approaches quietly. Got it?” I tell them.

“Yes!” They all respond.

“Klen, you’re first,” I say as I turn to him.

I watch Klen crouching through the bushes. The grounded creature has scales across its body, its tail drags through the dead leaves. A branch snaps under Klen’s foot. The creature freezes, not moving a single inch. He has good instincts, Klen knows he can’t get any closer. Hoisting his spear up, he jolts it with full force. Unfortunately, as he does, he rustles the bush around him, making the creature move. The spear lands right next to it…

“Damn! It was so close,” Klen says, closing his eyes in disappointment.

“It was. You need to be more aware of your body, Klen,” I lecture him.

He nods with a frown. I look at Felix.

“You’re next,” I tell him.

Each one of them misses… Moving too loudly or throwing the spear into oblivion. Half the day has passed and we haven't eaten anything since yesterday morning. I watch them sit on the ground with their heads down, no one says anything. I have to be hard on them, still this is too much. They won’t be able to improve at anything with this low energy.

I grab the spear that is stuck into the ground beside Ivar.

Back at camp, we grill the scaly animal above the fire. Everyone drools with impatience.

I hand out sticks with the brown-grilled meat. Ivar grabs the stick in silence with a pale expression.

I sigh as I watch them sit around the fire in disappointment.

“We're sorry, Iris,” Sigrid says with her fist clenched.

“It's only a matter of time. This is not enough to keep us all fed. You will have to try again,” I tell them.

I think they need to do this on their own. Otherwise they won’t feel the desperation that I felt when I first came to this world. I was right, as I see them perk up from my words, their faces filled with determination.

Felix sits completely still. If I didn’t know he was hiding in that bush, I never would have noticed him. His presence melts with nature around him. I know his exhaustion has reached its max, still his eyes are sternly locked on the creature. Slowly, he raises the spear. Leaves smoothly brush off, not making a sound. His arm is solid, his palm tightly gripping the spear. Only I notice the heat collecting around him, energy being absorbed through his markings. His muscles tense.
The throw is perfect and powerful. Piercing right through the creature, burying deep underneath it.

“Yes!” Felix lets out in celebration.

The rest jump on him and I watch their joy.

I go grab the spear, noticing how deep down it really went.

“You’re a genius!” Klen says while rubbing Felix’s head.

I walk up to him.

“You did it,” I tell him.

“Yes, finally. I thought we would starve to death,” Felix answers, laughing nervously.

“No, I mean—you used it,”

Everyone looks at me surprised, their eyes open wide.

“…What?” Felix says, dropping his jaw.

“I don’t understand, all I did was throw a spear,” Felix says as we are walking back to camp.

“I told you—I don’t understand it myself. Actually, I first noticed the power when I was throwing one too,” I explain, laughing awkwardly.

“Why does it matter, Felix? You should be happy,” Ivar tells him as he nudges his shoulder.

“But…” Felix responds, not finding the words.

“He is right, be proud,” Klen encourages him with a smile.

I notice Klen’s smile drops as he turns.

“Uah! That was so good! I had forgotten what it feels like to be full,” Ivar says with a laugh.

They seem happy, I am too. I didn’t think one of them would show signs of improvement so soon. It eases the tension I’ve felt, giving me confidence that I’m doing the right thing. I have also grown closer to them, close enough to notice that Klen isn't being himself. He stares into the forest, distant.

“Klen, what’s wrong?” I ask him.

The others look at Klen, I think they have noticed it too.

“What? Oh, nothing,” he says, snapping out of it.

“It’s fine, tell us,” Ivar says to him with a kind smile.

Klen looks at Felix, embarrassed.

“Sorry Felix. I can’t help it… I’m jealous. I guess somewhere deep down I thought I would be the first. I feel weak,” he tells him, showing his vulnerability.

“It’s fine. I didn’t even know how it happened. Honestly, I don’t know if I’m only happy about it,” Felix tells him.

“You’re not happy?” Sigrid asks him, looking doubtful.

“No, of course I am! That’s not what I mean. It’s just—when it happened I was so exhausted, the only thing on my mind was to kill that creature. It was almost—unsettling,” Felix says, trying to figure out his emotions.

I recognise what he means.

“It is unsettling,” I say, suddenly.

They all pause to look at me, awaiting an explanation.

“That’s something I should have told you earlier, I’m sorry… Our power stems from powerful emotions, in my experience it has been mostly painful ones. Hatred and anger—feelings of regret and the loss of loved ones,” I explain, seeing their emotions stir at my words.

Klen clenches his fist, his eyes filled with a sad anger.

“I lost everything when the slavers came to the village. My mother, my father—my younger brother… You guys are what saved me, I see you as my younger siblings. So that’s why Felix—I couldn’t handle you becoming someone that didn’t need my protection,” Klen tells us, looking at his dear friends.

Everyone smiles as they hold back their tears.

Felix rubs his eyes and answers:
“Then we are the same. After I lost my mother, you were the only ones left. So… let’s protect each other.”

Nodding instead of speaking, they all agree in silence. I understand now that they are people just like me, people who have lost what was dear to them. It gives me motivation, I want to show them that they can fight.

“We have a few hours of light left! So… next, we spar,” I tell them as I stand.

Part 3 - Omen

Felix slides underneath me. Jumping into the air, I avoid his kick.

“Too slow!” I tease him as I look down.

In the corner of my vision, I see a fist approaching from my side. Sigrid is flying toward me at full speed, her face filled with determination. I can’t help but smile at the surprise.
I grab her wrist, still in the air, and drag it past me while I push her off with my feet. She lands on the ground before me, right on her back.

“Ow!” she complains as she hits her head.

I flip over and land safely, turning around to look at her. She scowls at me while I smile.

Felix and Ivar come charging from both sides, they are quick as they approach. Ivar manages to catch me off guard while I am too focused on Felix. He tackles me to the ground. But as we land I get a hold of his arm; I twist it back and he loosens his grip. Using the opportunity, I slide to his back and have Ivar pinned in an armlock.

“Ok! Ok!” he pleads beneath me.

Next, Felix kicks for my head. His leg is slightly warm. He has good timing as he forces me to let go of Ivar. Catching his leg, its power makes me lose my breath. By instinct, my markings start to glow in response. With a hold of his leg, I throw him over me, slamming him to the ground.

“Hhhk!” he wheezes out on impact.

“Sorry Felix, I…” I try to apologise for being too harsh, but I get interrupted.

Klen’s knee drives towards me; it grazes by just inches away from my face. As soon as he lands he throws another kick as I lean back to dodge. His eyes are filled with fire, going at me at full strength. He punches and kicks with all his might. I can see his marking light up in his face, his speed and power increases with each attack. His fists graze by as I’m forced to back away. Suddenly, my back hits a tree. I’m not aware of my surroundings, overwhelmed by the ferocious assault. With one last punch, his fiery arm flies toward me. My body reacts to the danger, sparking my markings into a glow. I grab his fist with all my power, forcing it to stop.
With my back against the tree and Klen's fist in my hand, I look into his eyes surrounded by glow.

He drops his hand and faces me with a cheeky smile.

“You’ve gotten stronger,” I tell him, smiling back.

“You say that, but we still can’t beat you,” he says while the markings’ light fades and he crosses his arms.

They all gather behind Klen and look proud. They should be, they have gotten so much stronger in only a week. Now, their faces have the confidence of strength. Klen and Felix have shown that they can use the power, even if it’s only for a matter of seconds. Ivar and Sigrid will get there, they have already shown signs of connecting with the energy around them.

“You should be proud,” I smile at them.

“How much longer do you think we should stay?” Ivar asks me while we are heading back to camp.

“A couple more days maybe, I feel like you all are getting the feel,” I tell them.

We are so close. Soon they will be able to do it at the pace they’re improving. With such strong determination, perhaps they will be able to catch up to me.

“Don’t worry Ivar, I will be able to do it soon enough,” Klen tells him.

Klen is definitely the strongest of them all. Once he felt the sensation, the power came naturally to him. His big build is made for fighting, I believe that he can truly become strong.

“Never mind that now—let’s get ourselves something to eat,” Felix says.

Back at camp, they all get their spears. We’ve made one for each of them, since they are able to catch their own prey. Joy fills my heart as I see their confidence grow.

I open my mouth, I want to tell them how proud I am.

A stinging sensation stops me from speaking. My chest caves in from the sudden emotions. I can hear my heart pound in pain. That’s when I smell it. I turn around toward the mountain, with the smell of burnt wood reaching me. I go pale, my skin freezes with cold.

The others start to smell it too, they all stand and turn towards me.

“What is that?” Sigrid says with her voice shaking.

“I don’t know,” Felix says, swallowing in anxiety.

I know.

“It’s the village,” I mutter under my heavy breath.

I’m about to start sprinting, my body tells me to. I have to hurry, something is terribly wrong. As my body leans forward, I hear Klen call behind me.

“Iris!”

When I turn, my sheathed blade is flying toward me. I catch it in my hand and look at the others.

They all look at me with terror, their eyes filling with tears.

“Go!” Klen yells at me.

I run faster than I ever have. My feet crack the mountain's stone. Leaping up, I’m soon at the top. The smell is even stronger. My heart beating faster in pain. Tears fill my eyes, my stomach turning. Out of breath, the fire of my markings keeps me going. I run toward the village with all my might.

I stumble and fall. Puffing for air, I drag myself up. I’m almost there. The night is approaching, the pink light filling the sky. With the smell of fire getting stronger and stronger, I can’t think straight. I only see images in my head, my friends, the villagers and Stella.

Coming past the last line of forest at the mountain’s end, I see a cloud of smoke bursting out of the valley. My dry throat hurts with every breath. My head booms in pain, the fury making my heart beat out of my chest. Blood fills my mouth as I bite down. With my eyes locked in front, I see the village engulfed in flames. The fields are burning to ashes.