Page 16 of One Last Promise
Swinging my axe again, I plunged it back into the stone above.To my horror, the surface above me started to crumble.“ALORA!”Raiden yelled as I began to slip.One moment I was falling down the rock face, and the next, Raiden had gripped my arm tightly, pulling me back up towards him with one arm.“Climb up my body.I’ll carry you the rest of the way.”
“No, it’s too much!”
“You almostfell.Get on my damn back and clip yourself in!”he ordered, giving me a firm stare.Reluctantly, I fastened myself to him.
An hour later, we cleared the wall.Standing up to take in the scenery in front of me, I gasped.I had never seen the sky this dark before.It was nearly dusk, but I could almost make out...stars.For the first time in my life, I was gazing atstars!After catching my breath, I took in a lush, tall, green mountain, surrounded by clear blue water.The most beautiful waterfalls cascaded off the cliffs to the left of it.If that wasn’t enough, the twilight sky above was full of colours.Vivid greens, deep purples, yellows with a hint of red, all danced in ribbons above us.The darkness of the night only enhanced its colours.
“What is this place?”I choked.This was one of the most beautiful places I had ever seen.
“The Mountain of Life,” Raiden muttered, moving to stand at my side.“The water comes in from The Sea of Napheros.It’s known to have healing powers and is a portal to another veil at certain times in the year, when the moon and our suns are in balance.”
“Why was I never told about this place?”
“There are many things and places you’ll learn about on this pilgrimage, Alora.This is a right of passage forallDylin.Males have their own trials to complete.They may be more brutal, but we take away the same lessons.Do you think anyone could even describe its beauty if we were allowed to talk about it?”
“It’s something that has to be seen with your own eyes.”It was beginning to make sense to me now.This wasn’t simply about getting to the sacred mountain.It was about learning the wonder of Afterlight Veil, seeing its beautyandpower.“I’ve never seen anything as beautiful as this.”
“On my trial, I stayed here for almost a week.When the sky gets a little darker, I can’t even explain it.”
“Can we stay for the night at least?”
“You want to witness the power of the darkness?”Raiden looked surprised, running his hand through his curly, dirty blond hair.
“How dark are we talking?”
“A little darker than our dusk back home.Full darkness doesn’t appear until we reach the sacred mountain.”
“I would like to stay here for a little while.”
“We can stay as long as you wish, Alora.Did you want to get closer to the waterfalls?”My beaming smile must have answered his question.
****
WE ENDED UP STAYINGnear the Mountain of Life for almost a week.It was a difficult place to leave.On our last night, I made sure to memorise every dance of the multicoloured sky above me.Raiden and I bathed in the warm water that cascaded from the waterfall.It was invigorating.The water seemed to restore my stressed body.Even my mind felt lighter as we sat around the fire, eating some fruit we had scavenged from the bottom of the mountain.
“What is it like to wield a light sword?”I asked, gazing at the weapon beside Raiden.
“The power that it channels in battle is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.”
“Do you think my father will consider allowing me to train with you when we return?”
“Can I be truthful with you?”
“Of course.Raiden, we’ve been through so much together.I want you to always be open with me.I consider you afriendnow.Nell, Noor, Luz and Fynn never have an issue being honest with me.”
“I agree with Xavier and your father.I do not think females should wield a light sword.”
“You don’t think we should be able to protect ourselves?”My tone was sharp.Raiden was so open minded, I hadn’t expected this reaction from him.
“It’s not about that!Female Dylin have some of the strongest light powers.Look at Noor.She can controlstorms.Luz can make lifegrow.Nell...well, her powers are endless.If we let you go into the front line of battle, we could lose everything.Your powers haven’t even manifested yet, but Uri has already seen that you will be the most powerful Dylin we have ever seen.”
“We don’t necessarily want to be on the front line.All we want is to be seen and train alongside you.We carry the power of the light, too.Why shouldn’t we be allowed to wield a light sword?”
“You need to take that up with your father.”
“You could show me a few moves...or at least allow me to hold it.”
“That’s not happening, Alora.Female Dylin do not wield a light sword.That is the law.I will not betray my king.Can we please change the subject?”
