Sekali, "The Sister City"
Chapter 12
The weeks turned into months, which transformed into years of loneliness. Over the next twenty years, Sekali became fierce and defiant of all enemies who opposed his people. By the third year after the fall of his love, he lost all will to speak, except for the needed communication of The Watch. With each and every watch, he became more and more reckless, charging into battle where a team would fear tread.
Still, Sekali could not find death.
One day Sekali was relieved of duty, while in the second day of The Watch. A lone Sardakk warrior handed him a scroll, which he opened and read. He was being summoned by his mystic master. His orders were to report to him immediately.
Soon he found himself in that same hallway with the burning torches that were lit by a magical fire. As he stared at one of the flames, his mind recalled Mahkaia running his hand through it after being denied exit from the city. Bitterly, his mind caught upon the words of his master that day. They had not been allowed to exit the city, for he had foreseen their death in such a venture. Then why had he not seen what was to become of Mahkaia not a few days later? Why? As if his thoughts had been verbally expressed, his master answered his concerns.
“I do not see all things, Sekali,” the whisper floated down through the torch-lit hallway. Instantly, Sekali saluted, but said nothing. “Sekali, at the peril of your own life you defend this people. But it is not enough. Within you, there must be instilled a deeper meaning of why you are alive, what your purpose is. Therefore, with my personal blessing, I send you into the Living World to be my eyes and ears. You will know when the time has come to return. When you do, bring me news of the outside world.
Sekali reeled in shocked. The realization of his reckless ways struck him to the core of his soul. A sudden desperation filled his entire being as he began to tremble. After a long period of silence, he sighed heavily.
“Master, I do not know the way,” he replied in a trembling voice.
“I am not sending you to your death, son of Sardakahn. I hope you trust my word, when I say, my heart aches at the pain you feel.” Tears began to stream his face as he desperately looked about the tunnel, as if he could somehow find a way out of this situation. But deep inside, he knew there was only one path, and that was through this unnexpected trial. Simply, there was nothing to be done, but submit to the will of the master. Closing his eyes, he placed a hand over his heart and bowed his head in silent submission.
“Sekali, I know your heart is pure. Therefore, I send you to the northern border of the Zurkel Mainland to begin collecting intelligence that will aid us in our future struggles.” Sekali lowered to one kneek, holding out his hands.
“Master, it would be a miracle to survive even a day’s travel through the wastes. Of course, I would do anything you ask of me, even dwell with strangers within the Living World. Forgive my foolishness. I beg your forgiveness for endangering our people. I know your reasons are just and true.” Sekali fell silent, hoping his master would show him mercy. In a calm, sentimental tone, his leige continued.
“I will send you by my way. You need not challenge the creatures of the wastes as you travel, for you would most likely perish in the attempt.”
There was a shimmer before Sekali as an energy filled the air in the form of a brilliantly lit portal. He peered within and noticed a large backpack laying upon a blanket of wide bladed grasses.
“Go, Sekali. Pass through and keep on straight, which is northwest. One day, you will return to me with information of the Living World. All you can offer by way of knowledge will be added to our strength. I feel change coming coming on. Be my eyes and ears. Go now, and return when you have significant information to benefit our people by.”
The portal began to shimmer. He knew it would soon collapse. Without thinking twice, Sekali nervously leapt into it, landing upon fertile soil, completly covered in a blanket of green grasses and other plantlife.
Quickly, he snatched up the backpack and shouldered it. As the portal shrank away to nothing, he found himself alone for the first time in his life, standing in a strange and foreign land of unparalleled beauty.
Back in the depths of the Monolith, a female’s voice was heard to say, “Do you think he will be alright?” The tone of her voice suggested the full course of her life weighed heavily upon aged shoulders.
“My dear, that will be his own choice. His love is gone. He has become a danger to his people, yet not intentionally. Unless he can somehow find meaning in his life, he can never return to Sardakahn. Simply, he is a great risk to the safety of our society.” The woman sighed heavily.
“There now, my dearest, Sekali is a survivor. But he needs this experience to heal; that much I do know -- if he can survive it.”