The Andurin

Ikrei P.O.V

We worked in tandem to build a circle with the Zurian sigil within it. I followed Teng’s orders in setting up the formation. As he was closer to awakening, I thought it would be the safest choice.

CRASH!

The bear outside kept smashing into the rocks at the cave’s entrance. We continued working on finishing up the meditation circle with orgon crystals placed in the intersection points of the sigil.

The bear kept his unmitigated charge at the entrance. The reverberating sounds were getting louder.

“It will hold for quarter of a day going by the size of those rocks. These rocks are now mineral orgon. Let’s work faster.” I reassured Teng.

“You sure know about a lot of things man.” Teng replied as he put the finishing touches on our work.

“Father taught me plenty. He had to, my mother was stronger than him. He had to always find the mind over muscle angle.”

Teng laughed heartily.

More sounds, growls and shaking. The bear did not let up.

“Prepare for meditation brother, he will tire after a while.” I told him.

I went ahead and decided to extract more crystals from the deeper part of the cave. The more crystals used in a sigil formation the better.

About half an hour later the ruckus stopped.

“Will he comeback with more beasts?” My friend inquired.

“Maybe, since he couldn’t break the rocks by himself, he might be willing to share his spoils. Musky bears are smarter than his bear beast kin. Then again, maybe not, another ruckus could bring Ragnars to snuff around.” I laid my thoughts openly.

Since we were pressed for time and the plan was risky we left some valuables hidden in the vicinity of our home, that included the Argon pamphlet.

I couldn’t remember everything precisely with all the commotion and tension build up so I decided to bet on my father’s teachings. After an hour of mining I had enough crystals for a high grade meditation circle. I setup the circle as my father had taught me since I was little.

The sigil of the Will of all wills.

Teng was already silently meditating the Zurian variant of the ancient arts. He looked peaceful.

I also sat within my circle and began meditating, not like the scripture in the Argon but as my father had taught me. At this point, we needed results regardless of peril. I focused my mind.

“Will of all wills heed my call, grant me freedom through the trial, by the fire within me may the price be paid.”

I could sense a small tingling all over, the crystals in the formation and the crystals of the cave were causing something. I could feel it.

“Lucky bear.” I thought.

I repeated the words and kept focusing, repeating the words inside my mind with the same rhythm. Over and over, until there was no other thought or sense of self.

The hours passed.

Hours later I opened up my eyes.

I saw Teng cutting off more crystals to place in his formation but this time he was doubling the amount of orgon tears.

“It’s been about six hours.” He told me.

I looked at him as I flexed my arm muscles a little. I noticed my orgon crystals had turned dark purple in color instead of the usual blue. I knew I had to do what Teng was doing so I began to also fetch more crystals.

“I also feel clearer and felt energy around me, and that’s a first.” I told my brother.

“It must be the cave, there are so many crystals that it would be impossible not to.” Said Teng

“Our luck is great, other hunters would kill us for this place.”

“It’s a miracle, the hand of God.” Teng said while cutting more crystals.

“Don’t let the Zurian God take my friend away, you bluish world energy something!” I replied.

“And don’t let the will within you make me your enemy.” He countered pointing at the sigil I had chosen for the formation.

I smiled and scratching my head, “I am just following pops at this point bro, I am just trying to survive.”

“Survive through trials of fire.” He answered.

“You know, they say someone’s hero might be someone else’s tyrant, right?” I said.

We both chuckled at our little exchange. We pursued our endeavor and started meditating again.

Hours passed again.

The pouches of water we had brought were being used sparingly.

“You are counting the gulps of water now, Ikrei?” Teng questioned.

“I have to my man; I am thirstier than ever but no close to breakthrough.”

“It’s been 14 hours. Got no way to put it clearly but I just feel more, I can feel things now.” He said.

“Well I used up all the crystals I had set apart for myself, I do feel something while meditating but cannot see beyond.” I said frustrated.

“Let’s do it the way the bear has done it,” Teng suggested.

“You mean to swallow some of the orgon?” I asked.

“Just enough to be the size of a few mana tears.”

“I could die of poisoning or worse, go insane and kill you while you aren’t looking.” I said worryingly.

“You were the one who said to break or to die, remember? Getting cold feet at the chance of self-torture?” Teng said as he started mining crystals with his blade.

I stood there silently, thinking.

I was scared.

So much for my courage, right?

I guess I am only as brave as my chances of success. Only when they are higher than the ones of total loss.

What a wimp.

“Alright, alright. If we are going to do this, then let us go for broke.” I told Teng.

We worked like mad men mining as many crystals as we could. Being mindful of a repeat scenario of the wall collapsing we left the big crystals untouched. I detailed my plan to array the cave in a bigger formation to amplify the effects.

I had seen my mother and father do it many times during my childhood. I was hoping the basic crystal array connecting the two sigil formations would work as intended.

Another six hours passed.

We were tired, hungry, thirsty, troubled and excited. Kids doing grown up stuff without supervision.

An incredible prank if there ever was one for teens like us. I just didn’t think it would be the killer kind.

We placed three crystals the size of teardrops in our water pouches ready to drink up.

“Here’s to a brighter tomorrow.” I said as I gulped down my rudely made alchemic concoction.

“God of Zur be with us.” Teng said as he gulped down his drink as well.

We began meditating once more.

After what seemed like several hours of focusing on the words my father taught me. They started to feel like a song. A song in and endless repetitive loop. I felt hot, too hot.

Poisoning, fever? Whatever it was I rejected the thought and pushed forward, solely focusing on the words and the day my father told me all these things.

One breath.

Ten breaths.

A hundred breaths.

Then a vision or a dream. I saw my father and my mother smiling back at me. It was so beautiful that I wished for an eternity in that moment. Together once more.

Then I saw myself but not myself. I couldn’t make sense of things. Places I didn’t recognize, screams, a white large tower and destruction. As if everything was never there.

“You will not remember this, but if you do all that awaits is suffering.”

I heard a voice through the vision.

“Knowledge is the father, understanding is the mother and wisdom is the son.”

People I have never met before, faces, places and times. All scattered and jumbled up, confusing.

“Nothing is eternal and everything is eternal.” The voice was heard again.

A coin, a simple silver coin with the engraving of the Will of wills from the Argon and a name on its edges on the other side, ERIEL.

I am awake. I can feel it.

“Yes! Yes! Yes!”

For a moment, I was elated.

“F O R G E T”

A voice like many waters and thunders resounded within me.

AAARGHHHH!!!

Pain, soaring pain that I couldn’t take.

AAARGHHHH!!!

I screamed again.

"Stop, stop, please no more."

AAARGHHHH!!!

“What is this?”

AAARGHHHH!!!

“What have I done?”

AAARGHHHH!!!

“Somebody help me.”

Gritting my teeth through the pain all I could remember was the coin. Not my father’s name nor my mother’s face. I could feel like I wasn't myself anymore. What’s going on?

AAARGHHHH!!!

“ERIEL!” I screamed at the top of my lungs with the last bit of strength.

Before I could scream again, I felt weak and all things faded to black.