25. Kal: The Swamp (III)

  “Kal, what’s wrong?” Azmira asked softly, cautiously approaching him.

  He ignored her, continuing to strike the tree in desperation. Then his gaze fell on the lyroca lying on the muddy ground. In a flash of anger, he grabbed the instrument by its neck, raising it high – clearly intending to smash it against the tree.

  “Kal, stop!” Azmira rushed forward, catching his arm mid-swing and preventing him from destroying his lyroca.

  “Let me go!” He shouted, trying to wrench his arm free, but Azmira held firm.

  “Kal, I don’t know what happened, but surely breaking your parents’ gift isn’t something you truly want.”

  At those words, images of Reiner and Elara flashed vividly through his mind, extinguishing his anger quickly. But the void left behind filled instantly with deep, overwhelming sorrow.

  He began to cry.

  All these years, he couldn’t remember his twin brother’s name. He’d convinced himself it didn’t matter as long as he lived this new life for the both of them. But Ukreus was right – Kal really was jealous of his brother. It didn’t mean that he didn’t love him with all his heart, but it was the truth. Perhaps somewhere deep inside, in this life, he was glad he wasn’t going to be in his shadow anymore.

  Ukreus also confirmed the truth Kal refused to face: his brother had died in that car crash. Worse yet, he’d paid some terrible price – something Kal couldn’t yet understand – just so Kal could be reborn into this seemingly perfect new life.

  Whatever the cost was, Kal knew it hadn’t been good – that much was clear from Ukreus.

  The weight of guilt crushed on Kal as he felt like he betrayed his brother. Forgetting about him after he looked out for him even in death.

  Azmira wrapped her arms around Kal gently from behind, whispering softly. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

  ***

  They exited the swamp together, Kal held tightly in Azmira’s arms, his face buried in her shoulder.

  “It’s okay, I can walk.” He said quietly when he noticed her visibly struggling to carry him.

  But Azmira stubbornly shook her head. “Oh no, it’s fine.”

  Kal’s emotional state didn’t even allow him to savor the closeness he now shared with her. All he felt was numbness and regret.

  After a few more minutes, Azmira finally stopped, breathing heavily. “Alright, let’s take a break here.”

  She gently lowered Kal to the ground as they reached a quiet meadow between the Varren’s fields and the Evermire Swamp. Evening had already fallen, the soft glow of the appearing moon shining on them.

  Azmira stepped back, stretching out her tired arms with a small wince, carefully massaging her thin forearms and wrists. After a moment, she sat down directly in front of him, adjusted her long hair, pulling it forward over her right shoulder.

  “Okay, Kal,” she began softly, looking at him with genuine concern, “I’ll skip the scolding part because this was partially my fault. But…can you please tell me what just happened back there? Why were you hitting that tree?”

  Kal’s mind was still reeling. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to talk about it, but at the same time, he desperately needed to. Maybe Azmira could help him find the answers he sought. Perhaps she could help him find Gartan.

  “That tree…” Kal said, immediately feeling foolish. “It talked to me. Mocked me.”

  “It talked to you?” Azmira echoed, her voice calm and free of judgement.

  Reassured by her sincere reaction, Kal continued. “He said his name was Ukreus, and that those voices in the swamp were souls of the people he’d killed.”

  Azmira’s expression turned thoughtful, her eyes distant as though she was searching for something in the depths of her memory. “Ukreus…where have I heard this name before?”

  “Wait, you believe me?” Kal asked, genuinely confused.

  Azmira nodded, a faint smile appearing on her lips. “Of course. Why would you lie about something like that?” She took a deep breath before continuing. “Besides, I’d sensed something otherworldly there…I don’t know who or what Ukreus is, but your story doesn’t seem too far-fetched.”

  Encouraged by her trust, Kal pressed on, cautiously adjusting the truth as he spoke. “He also said that someone named Gartan is the reason why I have magic despite being born into a non-mage family. Do you…do you know who he is?”

  “Gartan…” Azmira repeated slowly, visibly struggling to recall details. She growled in frustration, shaking her head. “Ugh, I wish we were at the academy right now. We could’ve searched the library. Surely there’d be something there about these two.”

  Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.

  “The academy?” Kal echoed.

  Azmira nodded excitedly. “The Ireveus Academy of Arcane Arts in Dalina. That’s where I studied and earned my license. The library there is the biggest in the world, and it’s said to contain every piece of knowledge ever recorded.”

  Kal’s excitement grew. He felt like he could finally uncover something meaningful about Gartan – and, perhaps, about his brother.

  “Can we go there?” He asked eagerly.

  But Azmira’s face soured at the suggestion. “I’m afraid it’s impossible, Kal. The academy’s library is strictly accessible only to students, staff, and alumni – or people in positions of power.”

  Kal immediately frowned, shaking his head in disbelief. Then, determination filled him. “Then I’ll become a student there.”

  Azmira laughed softly. “If you keep progressing the way you have been, I don’t see why you couldn’t be. But for now…you’ll have to grow older first. The academy only accepts mages above sixteen years old. Well…except for that one time…”

  Kal quickly connected the dots. “When did they take you in?”

  Azmira’s grin widened proudly. “Thirteen! Youngest ever accepted!”

  “Wow.” Kal said, increasingly impressed by her.

  “Keep practicing your Threads and weaving new ones, and you’ll break my record for sure.” Azmira encouraged warmly. “But until then, I promise I’ll check the library for you once I’m back in Dalina – after I finish helping your father.”

  Kal’s excitement faded as he suddenly remembered that soon, in about three months, Azmira would leave. And then, his life would return to normality. Just a few months ago, he had embraced his normal life – being able to experience a loving family on the quiet countryside. Back then, he had considered it a blessing. But now, after experiencing magic firsthand, after his encounter with Ukreus, Kal knew deep inside that a normal life would not be achievable this time around either. He needed answers, and he knew he had to work hard to find them no matter how long it took.

  A cool sensation on his cheek gently pulled him from his thoughts. Kal watched as Azmira carefully manipulated a small orb of water floating in mid-air, softly pressing it against his cheek. and then another one to his bruised knee. The touch was soothing and calming.

  “You have bruises.” She said softly. “The water can heal them. Do you know why?”

  “Because water can speed up the blood flow and help reduce inflammation under the skin?” Kal replied, guessing the answer.

  Azmira rolled her eyes, smirking. “Of course you knew that…”

  “I didn’t even notice this one…” Kal said quietly, realizing the bruise on his cheek must’ve come from Ukreus’ vine earlier.

  Azmira continued the healing for another minute before finally pulling back, allowing the water to dissolve gently into tiny droplets that vanished into the air.

  “Oh, look there!” She suddenly called out excitedly, pointing at the darkening sky, where a single star had just appeared. “It’s the Evening Star!”

  Kal looked up toward the sky, easily spotting it. It shone brightly, steadily shining through the fading purple and deep blue of twilight. Obviously, it wasn’t the first time he’d noticed it in this world, but he’d never stopped to consider what it might actually be.

  Back on Earth, his brother had explained it to him.

  He recalled how one night, they had parked their Cadillac Seville near the edge of the beach. Sitting comfortably on the hood of the car, they’d eaten junk food, laughing at silly jokes as the Evening Star had appeared.

  “That’s not actually a star.” His twin told him back then. “It’s actually Venus. They call it the Evening Star, but really, it’s just a planet reflecting the sunlight back at us.”

  But in this world, it couldn’t be Venus.

  Kal smiled faintly at the bittersweet memory, the ache in his heart tampered by gratitude and a promise.

  “Come here.” Azmira said gently, patting the grass beside her before lying back comfortably, her hands resting lightly on her stomach.

  Kal felt butterflies flutter nervously inside him as he lay down beside her, their shoulders gently touching.

  Then Azmira suddenly spoke. “First of all, Kal, your parents can never know you went into the swamp. If they do, they’ll kill me.” She snapped her head toward him, eyes widening pleadingly. “Please, don’t tell them!”

  The butterflies only fluttered harder as Kal gazed at her.

  ‘So close…’ He thought.

  “What swamp?” He joked back, feeling as smooth as ever.

  “That’s the spirit!” Azmira said, smiling in relief. “Thanks. So far, I’ve never finished a single quest without getting some sort of complaint. I really can’t afford more slip-ups, or the guild might actually kick me out…and then my father would – “ She sighed deeply, shaking her head. “I don’t even want to imagine.”

  “Why?” Kal wondered. “Is your father strict?”

  “Strict isn’t even the right word.” Azmira replied with a dry chuckle. “He’s one of the seven generals of Stulan’s army – which means he’s unnecessarily tough, even when it’s pointless. That’s why Mom divorced him.”

  “Your father’s a general?” Kal’s eyes widened in surprise. Terenhill was about as far as removed from politics and military affairs as possible, but by his Earthly standards, that still sounded incredibly impressive.

  “Yeah, it’s no big deal.” Azmira shrugged dismissively. “He’s just one of seven. He only acts like he’s the most important of them all. Spoiler alert: he isn’t.”

  Noticing the discomfort in her eyes and speech, Kal quickly changed the subject. “What’s the name of your guild?”

  Azmira smiled playfully. “Why? Planning to join us?”

  “M-maybe.” Kal replied, immediately feeling flustered.

  Azmira chuckled softly. “The ‘Wise Fox’. It’s named after our Guild Master, Anna Volpe. She’s a shapeshifter – with five Cognition Threads in Shapeshifting Magic. Her most popular form in Dalina is a massive talking fox. Many there refer to her as ‘Godsend’.”

  Kal’s eyes widened further at the revelation. There was so much about this world waiting to be explored, discovered, and understood. But he’d get there when the time was right. For now, he’d focus on uncovering the truth about his brother’s sacrifice – and about Gartan.

  “Will you come visit?” Kal asked after a long silence had stretched between them. “I mean, after you leave.”

  “Where did that come from?” Azmira replied, snapping her head toward him again. “I still have three more months here. That’s like…forever!”

  “Will you?” Kal repeated gently. He didn’t want her to leave at all.

  Azmira turned her gaze back to the stars and sighed. “I will. I still have to tell you whatever I find in the academy’s library, don’t I?”

  “You do.” Kal nodded.

  “Besides,” Azmira continued playfully. “I kind of like it here in the countryside. Once you get used to the constant smell of cattle and fertilizer, it’s actually not that bad!”

  Kal laughed softly, recalling his first few months in this world and how much he had initially hated those very same smells. “That’s true.”

  “God, why is it suddenly so itchy?” Azmira asked, sounding irritated. She scratched her back and arms intensely.

  Kal glanced at her as he replied. “The grass is full of grass mites and other small insects that tend to hide in tall grass, especially around sunset. It’s normal. They won’t hurt you, but they’ll definitely make you itch.”

  “WHAT?!” Azmira shouted, leaping instantly to her feet, scratching herself furiously all over, brushing down her clothes to rid herself of the tiny bugs.

  Another fantasy of hers was ruined…

  “Then why are you laying there so comfortably?!” She asked, almost accusingly, still scratching wildly.

  Kal merely shrugged, still thinking about all the things he must do to learn the truth about everything. “Eh, you get used to everything around these parts.”