Page 20

Kari

My stomach is dropping more by the second as we discuss this issue. I’ve been tasked with solving this, with somehow gaining thousands or millions of people’s attention and convincing them that I’m right. That’s not even possible! I mean, even our president can’t get every person in the nation on his side, and they have way more reach and funds than I do!

No one can make everyone like them or even listen to them, it’s just not the way things work. But if I could reach out and get enough people on my side, it would help; the trouble is creating that reach. I’m not sure how to do it within the time frame that seems to be dwindling all the time.

Fuck, what am I going to do? I have all the help I believe I can get. I’ve been trying, researching, and getting nowhere. Maybe I need to utilize my help better? Try another way forward? But what would that be? Where do I go, who do I go to? This isn’t a problem I can solve by storming in and saving people like with the Sautiition’s, diplomacy won’t work like with Tavionna. I need a completely new route, but I have no idea who or what my true target is. Right now, it’s just a feeling, a thought, a virus within the people, and there’s no magical antidote.

On top of this, I’m actively being sabotaged. There are multiple people out there that want to stop me, to prevent the changes I want to bring, and together, they have a much wider reach than I do. And if they’re all being led or forced by someone above them, that person is very powerful in this world. I’m a literal no one. How does someone as small as me stop someone as big as that? I have no reach, no funds, no major following, I’m just a tiny little dot against his vast empire.

Tavi opens her mouth to say something, her deep inhale beforehand grabbing my attention, when the door swings open, Kosiiba rushing toward me. He looks nervous, unsure, and he holds out a small envelope to me, my name written in curly script on the front. “It fell from the sky with your name on it. I don’t know what to do….”

I gaze up into his green eyes, sensing his concern and fear through our bond. My fingers gently grab the envelope, my body leaning back into Vahru’s arms. I stare at the script for a moment, trying to figure out if I recognize it, but how would I? I don’t know many people here, and we never write to each other! Shaking myself, I turn it over to open it when I pause, the seal capturing me completely. Kosiiba curses, Vahru tightens his grip on me, and I exhale, turning it to show Tavi.

“I was just about to warn you of that next, the Guardians mentioned a demon in your midst.” She pauses as she gives me a comforting smile. “I’m not leaving until this is solved, honey. I’m here to protect you.”

I nod my head and pop the seal, keeping it intact, as I pull out a folded paper. Other items flutter to the ground, but I ignore them as I open the paper and am dumbstruck. The same curly script is written in blood red ink. The words are what steal my breath as Vahru’s arms tighten even further. Kosiiba and Tavi grab the items off the floor as I struggle to process.

“Kari, you’re being watched disturbingly closely.” She leans forward and hands me a pile of photos, all showing me with those in the village, most of them containing Jeff at my side.

“I know.” I pause as my hands begin to shake, but I read the letter aloud for everyone. “I’ve been watching you very closely, close enough to know precisely what matters most to you. I’m done playing, human. If you don’t give up your foolish pursuit of harmony, I’ll take action. Give up and go home or suffer the consequences. Your choice. I’m willing to do whatever it takes, are you?”

My eyes drift to the photos, and I begin to see tiny arrows pointing at one person in particular from the edges of the photos. It’s written in pencil or something soft, done to be barely noticeable on purpose, but I see it in the sideways lighting from the window. I see the indention, the small scratches. They know exactly what matters most to me, everyone I love is in these photos with us!

Panting, I drop everything and take off out the front door, running barefoot along the dirt path to the village. I can hear Vahru and Kosiiba yelling my name, running after me, but they’re so distant over the roaring in my ears, the panting of my breath. I need to make sure everything is okay, I can’t do this.

As I round the final bend and see the central part of the village, I start screaming his name. People stop what they’re doing, staring at me, and I’m sure I look crazy as hell, but I don’t care. I keep running and enter the central part of the village, screaming like a psycho, when I finally see him. He steps into my path, arms open, and I plow into him, sobbing, as I cling to his shoulders and bury my face in his neck.

“Kari, what the hell is going on. Hey, are you crying? Breathe.”

Vahru and Kosiiba stumble to a stop behind me and sigh as Jeff simply rubs my back and lets me sob.

“Here, you need to see,” Vahru’s voice is low and calm, and I feel Jeff reach out for the letter. There’s a pause and a curse under his breath before he reaches out with both hands, and I feel him flip through the photos. After he hands them back, he squeezes me tight in understanding.

“Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to up security, we go nowhere alone, and if we can remain indoors or hidden, even within the barrier, we should. It’s the best thing for us. If this psycho is willing to take someone out, who knows what kind of weapons he’ll use. We need to be covered.”

I pull back and grab his cheeks, staring into his hazel eyes that feel like home. “You cannot die, do you hear me? If you leave me, I swear to the stars, Jeff, I will bring you back just to murder you myself for leaving. You. Cannot. Die.” Tears continue to drip down my cheeks steadily as I stare at him, begging him to stay with me. To stay safe.

He follows my gesture and grabs my cheeks back, pressing his forehead to mine. “I won’t. But you can’t go dying on me, either. We’re in this together, forever and always. We watch each other’s backs and fight our way home like always.”

I sigh and nod as we stay there a moment longer before letting go. As I turn, I notice the chief walking toward us across the village. I step around Vahru to meet him, about to bow or say something, when he holds out his hand. “Come, Kari. You need this.”

I look around at the others with me, and they agree to come with. I take the chief’s hand and let him lead us into the forest. Behind his home, there isn’t the river I love to sit by, but there is a clearing with a small altar to the Guardians. He’s left nuts and fruits, scrolls and pens, and I think it’s sweet that he works so hard to communicate with them and honor them.

He kneels, and I follow his lead, settling into the grass beside him. He closes his eyes and whispers a prayer to the Guardians, who quickly begin to gather round. Within moments, we’re all transported to that odd realm where the Guardians are large and speak our language. I give a polite nod to the pretty pink Guardian I often speak to, and she smiles back.

“Guardians of the Forest, Kari has received grave news and needs some guidance, some reassurance. Would you have anything for her in this time of need?” Criido speaks with reverence and love, his head bowed. He stays that way until a little Guardian settles on his shoulder, allowing him to lift his head.

“Kari, we’ve told you before that this is your destiny, this is what you’re meant to do. We’ve even said you would succeed if you were to stay the course. Are you walking away?” The Guardian is calm, her voice sweet as honey as she watches me, a small smile of intrigue on her face. She isn’t trying to taunt me or accuse me, just understand.

“I believe you about this being my path, I want to believe that we will succeed, but death threats are being made. I’m scared. I don’t want to lose anyone.” I speak from the heart, tears once more dripping down my face.

The Guardian floats closer to me than ever before, her wings settling as she sits on the ground with me. “No one ever said a journey like this was easy. There will be pain, fear, struggle, and, yes, some will get hurt, but that doesn’t mean that the cause isn’t worth it. You have destiny, fate, and luck on your side right now, Captain Kari. Knowing that you will win, even if there is a possibility of sacrifice, is it not worth it? Did George Washington give up knowing he would lose men in a battle for freedom? What about those who fought against their own family to end slavery? They felt the sacrifice, no matter how painful, was worth it because of the freedom and hope for the future that they would gain. Is the freedom of this world worth it to you to continue?”

My eyes flit back to Jeff, his eyes meeting mine, and I buckle into tears. There’s a long moment of silence as I sob, but I quickly pull myself together. “I don’t want to lose anyone, but I can’t let this world continue to suffer. It’s one or millions, and it isn’t fair, but it’s the right thing to do.”

The Guardian reaches out a hand and gently lays it on my shoulder. “Kari, I know it’s difficult and painful, but you have to remember the end goal here. You cannot let this demon continue to poison this world and turn it into something horrific. It’s up to you to find the strength and ingenuity to win this fight without loss. And I know you’ll succeed.”

I blink and the Guardians are gone, leaving me with the envelope in my hand. I stare down at the seal on it, my brain spinning. What is the truth of this world? Who is this demon? Fight without loss, but what about casualties? Casualties could lead to loss eventually. Her words only reassure so much and leave me with more questions than answers. What is really going on here?