Hauling the cast iron stove back to the caravan proved tedious, as the humans of the group had to work in tandem to carry the heavy contraption. Walking alongside the group, Rook perched atop her back, Lola did her best to avoid being caught underfoot.
Despite the strain of transporting the item, the group managed to arrive back at the caravan in the late afternoon. They were greeted by Betty and Uzhu who had busied themselves setting up an outdoor lunch for the group—a small table stocked with several plates of sandwiches, rolls, and a pot of tea.
The group left Doug to his own devices with the old stove, eager to indulge themselves in the much-needed meal. Lola found most of the sandwiches to be made with an inedible substance called "cucumber" and had a great deal of difficulty sating her hunger. Sam, Danny, and Emma seemed to share her issue.
Partway through the meal, Wesley and Carter exited the caravan to join them, bringing with them several plates of sausages and bread rolls. The Buhund proceeded to gorge herself upon the food items in overwhelming gratitude that something other than sandwiches made from vile-tasting gourds were available to eat.
Very little conversation took place as the group ate—everyone was exhausted from the morning’s activities. As the meal drew to a close, Doug reappeared from inside the front car, his clothes stained with soot and his brow glistening with sweat. The old Sage quickly commandeered whatever items had yet to be eaten by anyone else and began classlessly consuming a handful of sandwiches and rolls.
"Rose, at the very least, use a plate," Betty scolded. "We both know you weren’t raised in a barn."
Doug looked pained as he attempted to swallow a dangerously large bite of a roll. He cleared his throat, pounding on his chest momentarily to reopen his airway. "Beg your pardon," he choked. "Fixing that engine left me a touch ravenous."
Lola’s ears perked. "So it’s fixed?"
The grey-haired man took an obnoxiously loud gulp of tea. "We should be good to go. The iron from that old stove worked like a charm in filling in the lost parts of the engine."
The Buhund looked to her friends, a sense of relief in their eyes. "We should be able to reach Terra by morning if we leave soon," the old Sage added.
"We’ll go get ready to depart, then," Jakea remarked enthusiastically.
As the group turned to begin back into the caravan they found themselves stopped by the old Sage calling after them, "Hey, I didn’t say we were leaving right now," he fumed. "You kids could stand to learn some patience."
He locked his glance with Betty’s. "Miss Souci, we need to talk in private," he demanded.
His eyes quickly drifted over to both Amah and Uzhu. "High Spirit girls, you too."
The old Sage turned to walk away, motioning for the three to follow him. "Be a couple of dears and take care of the dishes for me, won’t ya?" Betty implored as they departed.
#
"What do you think they’re discussing?" Lola pondered out loud amidst the clatter of dishes in a wash basin.
Jakea and Aurora sat in the corner of the back car drying dishes as Venice and Wesley washed them. "Beats me," the carpenter replied. "Some Sagely business."
Carter reentered from the passageway leading to the center car of the caravan; Rook, Emma, and Sam in tow. "I’m not kidding," the rooster demanded. "Those psychotic birds can’t be trusted."
"Not that I’m unwilling to believe that pyrepies are dangerous, given my experience with them," Carter sighed. "But we need them to run the engine. I’m not helping you get rid of them."
"What did they say to you now?" the Buhund asked.
Rook grumbled under his breath. "Something very disgusting, rude, and completely unnerving that I can’t repeat in polite company," he replied.
Jakea carefully placed the dish she was drying atop a nearby stack of cleaned plates. "They’re confined to the boiler," she remarked. "Doug said they’re afraid to leave it, so they can’t really do anything from inside it. You should try ignoring them."
"Staying out of the front car might help," Aurora added.
Jakea nodded. "That’d be the right line of thinking," she agreed. "Carter, make yourself useful and put these plates away in the cupboard."
The retired captain rolled his eyes as he carefully picked up the stack of dishes with both hands.
"So, you’re all just ignoring my pleas for help?" the rooster seethed.
"They can’t leave the boiler and you’re back here … they’re not going to hurt you," Wesley growled back. "Is what they’re saying really so horrible?"
Rook let out a huff and turned from the group. "How I curse the fact that I’m the only one here who understands Avian," he lamented.
A tremor moved throughout the inside of the car, followed by a pulse of unseen energy. Shattering could be heard as Carter dropped the stack of plates in response. "Carter, you klutz!" Jakea scolded. "Those plates were my mother’s."
"Cut me some slack!" he protested as he scrambled to gather the shards of the broken dishes. "I wasn’t expecting an earthquake."
Sam let out a low whine followed by a loud bark as he kept his glance at the floor. "Sam says that wasn’t an earthquake," Lola translated.
"Then what was it?" Carter implored.
Venice got up from his seat and peered out the window. "It’s completely pitch-black outside," he pointed out. "Sunset isn’t for a few more hours."
"Maybe we should go out and see what’s going on?" Aurora suggested.
"Only if you’re eager to be eaten by a Bogba’el," Lola remarked. "I’m fine waiting here."
The gentle strum of a string instrument could be heard outside. Everyone in the car turned their glances to Aurora. "It’s not me," the young musician grumbled.
The sound continued and a distant voice began to sing.
Hearts of valor, we beg you heed our melody
Limited your lives may be, lend to us your bravery
"What was that?" Venice wondered as he threw open the back car’s exit.
Lola followed shortly behind him, peeking her head out the entryway. The world outside the caravan had changed—the ground had fallen away to form a pathway floating atop a bottomless abyss, swirls of stars and galaxies visible in the sky above. Violet fairy fires lined the edges of the path, which lead to a large, circular platform. In the center of it stood the source of the song: Uzhu.
The Festival Spirit gently strummed an instrument that appeared to be a plank of wood with three strings stretched across its long form. Her skin had returned to the bright porcelain color it’d appeared when they’d first met her. Lola felt herself drawn from the caravan’s steps and down the pathway as the spirit continued singing.
Do not stand still, do not give into hesitation
Upon your shoulders rests our very salvation
From her peripheral vision, she noticed the cats Sants and Talikha trot ahead past her. She glanced back to see the entire contents of the caravan following behind her before turning her sight back toward the platform.
The fairy fires visibly brightening as she passed them, the Buhund found herself drawn down by the song.
To keep Emptiness from taking hold
Commit to memory these words of old...
When Nightmares become real,
and Chaos spreads across our worlds
Our fate will never be sealed,
So long as this power you hold
No matter the sadness, despair or grief you feel
This worlds’ collective hope lives inside of you
Stand up! And don’t conceal-
The power shining through …
As they neared where the pathway met the platform, the song ended. Doug and Betty emerged from behind Uzhu on opposite sides. "The Rite shall begin," the grey-haired man declared.
"Where are we?" Lola inquired as she examined the surrounding space.
"This is a temporary space outside of the flow of time," Uzhu explained. "We have been granted use of it so that this ritual cannot be disturbed."
"What ritual?" Venice questioned.
"All will be explained in due time," Betty replied. "For now, we must make haste."
"The two worlds of Lumea, material and spiritual, will select our new Sages," Doug advised. "Now all of you step forward and see if the worlds deem you worthy."
"Sages?" Lola stuttered in shock. "What are you talking abou—"
Betty raised a hand to hush the Buhund. "In time, dog child. In time."
Doug tapped his foot impatiently as he motioned for the group to keep moving. Lola stepped forward onto the platform, carefully stepping off of the pathway. She heard a soft thud from behind her.
As she turned, she saw that the cat Talikha was being blocked from stepping onto the platform by a semi-transparent film. Venice, Aurora, and Wesley were able to follow her from the pathway but Carter appeared to be held by the same force. Sam and Rook stepped onto the platform shortly after, Danny and Emma blocked from entry. The smaller Parkahund scratched at the barrier, whining loudly as he struggled.
Sam silenced him with a loud but stern growl before turning back to the center of the floating circle of stone.
Jakea reluctantly made her way off of the pathway’s edge, unblocked by the unseen force holding the others.
"What is this stuff?" Carter demanded as he continued pushing against the semi-transparent barrier.
"Please stop playin’ with the barrier force," Betty scolded.
"Unfortunately, that barrier means the worlds have not selected you," Uzhu elaborated. "We still ask that you honor us by staying to witness the rite."
Carter lowered his hands from the barrier and pursed his lips as he met Lola’s eyes with a concerned glance.
"Let the forces of the two worlds elaborate upon their choices," Doug commented, as he drove his walking stick into the platform.
A flash of violet light cascaded from the center of the stone structure. Lola found a remnant of the same gleaming force had taken hold of her paws. As she looked to the rest of the group, the very same light could be seen around their feet. She let out a yelp as the glimmering energy dragged her from where she stood. Venice reached for her in vain as he was pulled in the opposite direction.
With intense speed it pulled her to the very edge of the platform, halting only a few meters short from tossing her over the edge. Even after stopping the force did not release her.
Many loud and annoyed yowls sounded from the other side of the structure, as Sants was dragged to the opposite edge. Rook was dragged to a point on the platform not far from Lola. Venice, Aurora, Wesley, Jakea, and Sam had been pulled to sections immediately surrounding the structure’s center.
The platform gave out a slight tremor as the sound of cracking echoed throughout the disconnected space. Its structure began to visibly break apart, the pieces slowly moving away from each other as they fractured. Two large pieces splintered from the edges, holding Lola and Sants respectively. A central ring followed, Rook perched along one of its edges. Five pieces broke off shortly after—Aurora, Venice, Jakea, Sam, and Wesley atop them. A final section remained in the center where Betty, Doug, and Uzhu still stood.
The grey-haired Sage looked around at the drifting fragments of the platform, studying them briefly. "I see," he murmured. "I suppose those choices do make sense."
"It’s not our place t’ judge," Betty remarked. "The worlds have decided. We’ll have to work with what they’ve given us."
The female Sage held her hand in the air. White light erupted from her fingertips, spiraling into a spherical mass above her. "It’s time you learn the history of our world," she declared. "A history that has been lost to the ages."
The lights spun into the shape of a planet, covered with deep blue seas and lush green continents. "Long before the Spirit Order was formed, the Spirits of Lumea did not call themselves Spirits," Betty explained.
"Following the primordial age, Lumea’s Spirits were revered as Gods," Doug continued. "This continued as human civilizations developed, but at a great price."
He held his walking stick up to the glowing image of the planet. Orange light extended from the staff’s tip, shaping into flames that proceeded to sweep over the illusion. As the fire died down, Lumea’s oceans appeared a sickly grey, and its land a deep, burnt brown. "Fifty thousand years ago the Dire Wars erupted due to the humans’ hubris over which Spirit was the correct God," he elaborated. "The wars ended in the Days of Devastation, in which a majority of the life on our planet was destroyed. To this day, the material plane of Lumea is still recovering from these terrible events."
The image of the war-torn Lumea faded, figures of blue light materializing in its place. "The Spirits, in fear that their power over the world would lead to its ultimate destruction, formed an order where none of them would ever be allowed so much control over the material world," Betty added. "Under the magic laws regarding ’the Power of a Name’ they gave up their original names, sealin’ them away through a magical oath. The names they use today are but fragments of what they were originally called. Only the Grand Spirits kept their names, under the condition that they never descend to Lumea’s material world."
The projection of the Spirits faded. "Since then, they’ve dedicated themselves to preserving balance in both worlds," Doug added. "That was until ten thousand years ago when Mikaboh diverged from the Order’s wishes."
The display faded. "In order to seal him away, the Spirit Order called upon eight material beings to help them. With their cooperation, the full force of the material and spiritual halves of Lumea were turned on Mikaboh, and he was trapped beneath the tectonic seal," the grey-haired man continued. "These individuals were known as the Worldly Sages."
"But aren’t you guys Sages?" Lola called loudly from her drifting platform.
Betty peered at the Buhund. "Both Mr. Rose and I are Regional Sages, cher. We serve to represent certain regions of the material world, but we do not represent the entire planet of Lumea. Since Mikaboh’s defeat ten millennia ago Sages have only been appointed by region."
"To be a Worldly Sage of Lumea means that you represent the physical realm of our entire planet," Doug elaborated. "Such a title comes with great, untold power. However, with it also comes great responsibility and obligation. The balance of our world is on your shoulders."
Eight multi-colored orbs of light materialized from the empty space below, rising above the platform fragments and circling them in a rapid motion. One of them left its orbit and descended to the central pieces of the structure before setting down in front of Venice and bursting into a small tower of flames. From the fire came the form of the High Spirit Agni whose focus was intently locked upon carpenter. "Venice D’Fiamma, child of Terra and Prithvi, I accept you as my link to the material world," the burning Spirit spoke. "The Spirit Order henceforth recognizes you as the Worldly Sage of Fire."
Venice fidgeted uneasily at the Spirit’s presence.
Another orb descended, directing itself to Jakea’s platform. As it touched down it erupted into a flurry of leaves that shaped themselves into the form of Medeina, swiftly filling in the oaken texture of the Forest Spirit’s skin. As she took form her eyes struggled open, her glance meeting the young woman’s. "Jakea Laveau, child of New Terre, I accept you as my link to the material world," she affirmed. "The Spirit Order henceforth recognizes you as the Worldly Sage of Wood."
Jakea bowed politely in acknowledgment of the Wood Spirit’s words.
A third light touched down in front of Aurora, a cascade of water crashing upward from it as it landed. The foaming liquid revealed the Sea Spirit Suhs as it subsided and ran off down the sides of the platform fragment. "Aurora Song, child of Prithvi, I accept you as my link to the material world," he announced. "The Spirit Order henceforth recognizes you as the Worldly Sage of Water."
The young musician locked gazes with Wesley, who appeared utterly perplexed by what was unfolding. Before he could open his mouth to make a remark an orb of light touched down in front of him, calling forth a cluster of sharp blades from the platform. As they compressed together into a spiky mass, they shattered into a flurry of silvery dust. Ogoun stood in its place. "Marion Wesley, child of Aerthica, I accept you as my link to the material world," the Steel Spirit spoke. "The Spirit Order henceforth recognizes you as the Worldly Sage of Metal."
Another orb descended onto Sam’s platform and exploded into a cloud of soil that reshaped itself into the form of Sarhu, the High Spirit of Earth. The wizened Spirit rolled his eyes at the sight of the raggedy Parkahund. "It would figure I end up paired with a dog," he groaned.
"Riner," Sam garbled in reply.
Sarhu knelt down and brought himself eye to eye with the dog, still balancing on his spear. "I’ll admit I deserved that insult, but I will not tolerate further ones," he advised.
The Parkahund let out a huff. "Fine, let us get this back on track," the Earth Spirit responded. "Hartstein Sam, child of Prithvi and Erde, I accept you as my link to the material world. The Spirit Order henceforth recognizes you as the Worldly Sage of Earth."
Sam let out a single, sharp bark in response. "Ruff!"
"What do you mean ’It’s about time?’" Sarhu inquired in vexation.
"Ruff. Ruff ruff rou, roaron," he elaborated.
Sarhu paused and shot a stern glance to Doug on the central platform fragment. "He truly does not respect you," the Spirit remarked.
Doug shook his head. "That might explain why he keeps lifting his leg on my furniture," he mumbled.
One of the three remaining orbs began circling the central ring, buzzing past Rook. It became a gust of wind that swirled around the platform, stopping in front of the rooster to take shape. When it solidified, it appeared to be an ogre-like man with green skin. His hair grew an unusual sheen of gold, while a leopard pelt hung from his shoulders. Under his arm, the being appeared to carry a white silk bag that seemed to be pulsating wildly in spite of his firm hold on it. Rook gave out a startled cluck at his appearance. "I am Fujh, the High Spirit of Winds and Air," he divulged with a slight bow to the bird. "I don’t believe we’ve been formally introduced, but my colleagues appear to be in a rush."
The wind Spirit cleared his throat. "Corvido Rook, child of Prithvi and grandson of the Raven, I accept you as my link to the material world. The Spirit Order henceforth recognizes you as the Worldly Sage of Air."
Two orbs of light still persisted circling the outer-most platform fragments. One of them passed overhead of Sants, crashing into the darkness behind him and revealing the form of a waning moon. A ray of silvery light shone down from it, inky shadows raising from the space behind it. From the wave of umbrage emerged the form of the Moon Spirit, Tsu. His deep, navy blue eyes peered down at the cat. "Argos Santana, child of Zamin, I accept you as my link to the material world," he declared.
"Argos Santana?" Lola interjected loudly. "That’s your full name?"
The tabby cat turned, casting an unconcerned gaze in her direction. "Mao," he replied.
"Please refrain from interrupting the ceremony!" Suhs boomed loudly from the platforms below.
Unfazed, Tsu paid no attention to the Buhund or the Sea Spirit as his focus remained locked upon the cat. "The Spirit Order henceforth recognizes you as the Worldly Sage of Darkness," he continued. "I give my warning that representing this element can come with some stigma, feline. However, neither Darkness and Light are objectively good or evil … evil simply prefers to hide in one over the other. As its representative, you will be charged with keeping it in balance with its opposing force."
The final orb passed by Lola, turning into a bright image of the sun behind her. It cast down a harsh beam of daylight, blinding the Buhund momentarily. When the light faded and she opened her eyes the shining figure of Amah—in her natural golden, High Spirit form—stood in front of her. Lola stood speechless at the sight of her for a brief moment. "You have your powers back?" she asked.
The sun Spirit smiled in spite of the morose look in her eyes and shook her head. "This is but a temporary reprieve from my punishment," she wearied. "Once I have played my part and the Rite of the Worldly Sages has been completed, I will return to the form of a regular human."
Her eyes appeared glassy; Lola could tell she was fighting back tears. "Hikaru Lola, child of Prithvi and hero of Lumea, I accept you as my link to the material world," Amah struggled. "The Spirit Order henceforth recognizes you as the Worldly Sage of Light."
Lola lowered her ears as Amah shifted to face the inner portion of the fractured platform. "As Worldly Sages you will be entrusted with some of the most powerful magics in our two worlds. With such power, however, comes great responsibility," she dictated. "The balance of our worlds, as well as their fate, is entirely in your hands. You mustn’t falter or fail in your duties … especially now when Mikaboh is once again free."
"When this rite ends, the power we grant you will not come all at once," the Sun spirit maintained. "Regardless of powerful or weak, one’s inner magic must always be nurtured to reach its fullest potential. In this ceremony we are simply tempering the power already inside you. It is you that must be able to manifest it.
"You will have Rose and Souci to mentor and guide you through this, but remember that in the end, it is up to you how powerful you become."
Amah turned back to Lola. "Now, doge-kind, let your heart become plain," she spoke softly.
The Buhund noticed a vibrant, golden glow flowing up from in front of her. As she glanced down, she realized there was a point of light emanating from over her heart. "What’s going on? What is this?" the dog demanded in a slight panic.
"It is simply your true heart … the very core of your spirit," Amah comforted. "There is no need to be afraid, Lola."
The sun Spirit raised her hands to above her. She erupted in a blinding golden aura. "I will now allow my power to flow into you," she elaborated. "A piece of my magic will remain in you, tempering the power already inside of you."
Amah’s aura began ebbing forth, streaming down gracefully as it connected with the light shining from the Buhund’s heart. Lola felt an intense warmth wash over her as it flowed into her, in spite of an inkling of unease. She glanced to the other platforms to witness the other Spirits present doing the same to their counterparts; each of them aglow in a different color. Red from Agni, green from Medeina, teal from Suhs, white from Ogoun, bronze from Sarhu, yellow from Fuhj, and blue from Tsu.
The canine turned back to see the energy had severed itself from Amah before it finished flowing into her chest. She could still feel the warmth of the energy circulating throughout her body even as the flow ceased.
The Sun Spirit still stood glowing in front of her as everyone turned to face the center of the ceremony, alerted by the sound of Uzhu’s instrument playing a rapid and discordant melody. Betty and Doug stood back-to-back with their walking sticks raised and their eyes closed. As the tempo of the melody increased, the Sages’ eyes flew open. "So be it," they spoke in unison. "It is done."
Both of them drove their staves into the platform beneath them with a resounding bang. The temporary space vanished at the sound and the group found themselves back in the grassy clearing. All of the present Spirits were nowhere to be found—aside from Amah and Uzhu who had both returned to their human forms. A low-hanging sun could be seen setting in the distance.
"We’re back?" Lola pondered. "What’s next?"
"What’s next is we get on the road," Betty remarked as she approached.
#
Piece by piece, star by star, the temporary space gradually began to fade away. Through a mirrored surface beneath the empty dimension, the remaining High Spirits watched as the Buhund and her friends entered the auto-caravan and departed from the Zemyanian meadow.
Footsteps sounded from behind them as they continued watching. Sarhu moved to look back, catching sight of a woman dressed in black robes and armor—Inah, the High Spirit of Death. "Why did you not tell them of what we discovered with the Bogba’el?" she inquired in disdain.
"Now is not the time," Sarhu replied. "We must focus on one thing at a time, and their awakening as the Worldly Sages is to take priority."
"They will need to know eventually," Inah beseeched.
Suhs looked up from the reflection below. "We will tell them when the time is right," he professed. "Hopefully all will be resolved when and if they are able to seal away Mikaboh."
The Death Spirit let out a heavy sigh. "And what will you tell them when you finally reveal that you’ve kept from them the truth about what has happened to their loved ones?"