X1.2.8 - The Compass

  Several days later, Looria, the other researcher, returned from her field trip. Professor Z gave the travelers some supplies and some large, loose papers.

  "These are from the Birthpalace Blueprints, originally written for the Encyclopedia Infinita by the Great Library of Everything. These fetch for a lot among Jumpers, but you can have this one. I already made a copy for us. It will lead you to Simmering Waters, another community of Free People. They will have more information for you, more than we ever will in this desolate place."

  They thanked their hosts and the three mounted the large bird, heading towards the Exit.

  "So, you're going to the Palace, huh?” their guide screamed over the roar of the wind, as the Rainbow Tharn ran at the speed of a cheetah, evading dunes and rocks with nimble agility through the expanse. “You'll have to go through one very tiny, but very dangerous world first. Whatever you do, never, ever, under any circumstances—take these off while you're there." Looria lifted her fist, turned around and gave them some ear plugs. "When you get to the Palace, remember that it moves and changes all the time. One day, a wall might be in front of you, the next, it’s gone, revealing a new path to new rooms and doors. That’s why they call it the endless labyrinth," she yelled, as the travelers leaned in, trying to catch every word. "Don't get separated when you're there!"

  "Why?" they said in unison.

  "Because it’s the endless labyrinth, that’s why. You'll probably never find each other again—and another word of advice—don't trust everyone you meet, including Jumpers. Just because they are Free like us, doesn't mean they're good."

  The travelers camped for the night. As they sat around a fire, eating some succulent roasted vegetables, Rosso asked their guide about aura.

  "Aura is the life force within you. It is the soul in all things, so to speak. Everything has this life force, even mountains, winds and oceans. We tap into this energy through meditation. The more we meditate, the more it grows, and the more we can do with it. We repair it through eating well, sleeping well, taking care of ourselves, and so on. To use your aura, you must channel it in different ways to do different things. The best way to do so is to learn a Gift—”

  “You mean like shapeshifting? Nirvana did that when I met her,” Roa interrupted her.

  “Probably, although I am not familiar with that Gift. Anyway, you must first understand how to call it forth from within you. To hone and master any Gift, you must train by doing it, again and again, getting better at it each time, just like anything else in life. You must also visualize it, over and over, until you see it clearly in your mind's eye, so that you may manifest it outwards, into reality. So—" she sat on the ground, crossing her legs "Professor Z asked me to help you, so here's your first Gift—let's sit here and try to quiet our minds, and tap into our auras. I will teach you the only one I know—the Compass."

  Hours passed, but Roa's mind could not concentrate. He struggled with insecurities, curiosity, boredom and just about everything else that could pass through his busy head.

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  "The Compass is the easiest and most common Gift, and perhaps, the most useful. It takes what you want most in your heart and points you in the direction of the source of your deepest desire. It works, even if your goal is in another world."

  The boy's eyes lit up, hope rushing back, filling him with renewed energy and resolve.

  Days passed but nothing happened. They tried for hours, meditating every time they set up camp, as night fell repeatedly in the quiet desert. The words of their patient guide echoed in Roa’s mind.

  "Find your inner quiet, focus on what you truly want until you can see it, feel it—then, focus all that energy into your hand, and stick your thumb up, letting that energy flow out of it, at once."

  He tried repeatedly, as did Rosso, only to open his eyes to nothing, feeling ridiculous as he stared at his thumb sticking up like a lonely, extinguished candle in the dark. After a week of fruitless attempts, just before falling asleep one night, something flickered—a small, colorful flame. His eyes widened in surprise, his mouth falling open, as the strange fire danced and shifted, growing and shrinking, changing colors with every movement of his hand.

  "I want to go home to Eralay," he said, staring at the magical flame.

  The short-haired girl congratulated him, opening her eyes as she was laying down, about to snooze for the night.

  "Now, remember that it only points to the one thing you want most. Home—and your girl, may just happen to be in two separate places, so make sure you know what you want—what you really want in this life—or you might not end up where you think you are going."

  He sat in silence for several minutes, lost in thought, before finally nodding, his eyes steady with resolve.

  "My old life—it was not so good. We left for a reason. That was never home. I—don’t even think that was Earth, to be honest. So—I want to find Eralay. She’s my home."

  "Good. You got it," she smiled.

  Rosso on the other hand could not master the Gift, no matter how much he tried.

  "Don't get disheartened. It seems like your friend has had some practice before. You will get it eventually, everyone does. However, you must let go of any resistance inside, first."

  His shoulders slumped, and his gaze fell to the ground, as if the weight of the world had settled on him. His eyes, once bright with determination, now seemed dull, and his lips pressed together in a tight, weary line.

  "I wish I knew what happened to my father—if he left anything behind for me that day."

  "Well, there is a way, perhaps. Once you master the Compass, look for Doctor Katu with it. I have no idea where he went, but he was headed to the Palace last time he was seen around these parts. I am sure that if you want it enough, you will find him, and your answers—if he is still alive, of course," she said, turning around as she fell asleep.

  The large, eerie eye fixed on the desert, unblinking, as if mesmerized by the vast emptiness. Before them, the Exit loomed, a towering door in the middle of nowhere. Rosso stood rooted, his gaze flicking from the ground to the portal, then back again, his mind struggling to reconcile the reality before him.

  "Now, remember the two rules of jumping. Never look at it in the eye, and hold your breath,” Looria stuck two fingers to the sky.

  "Hold your breath?" said the boy from Earth, surprised.

  "Right. That way you have less of a chance to get nauseous on the other side."

  "Oh—well, I wish someone had told me this before."

  His friend remained paralyzed, sweat rolling down his face as he stood silent.

  "I—I’m not sure if I can go—through it."

  Roa placed his hand on his shoulder.

  "Trust in the process of life, my friend. Don't worry. I've done it a few times before. We’ll be alright.”

  They said their goodbyes to their guide, thanking her and the bird, who was now under her care.

  "Well—we get to see this Palace, finally, but first let's try to get through that small, dangerous world they warned us about," said the Sunflower, as Rosso nodded, his breath shallow, his chest rising and falling a little too fast.

  They stuck the plugs in their ears and walked toward the portal, their steps steady but cautious. Roa gave his friend a quick pat on the back to reassure him. However, as they crossed the threshold, something fell on the ground, rolling further away with each passing moment as the two disappeared into the next world. The wind blew fiercely, pushing it into the sand until it disappeared without a trace; an important component of their plan—Rosso's left earplug.

  X1.2 - The Desert.

  book in the series is divided into Acts, which then are further divided into Chapters.

  the Library of Everything's Encyclopedia Infinita.

  X1.3 - The Palace