Saharabi: Awaken the Veil

Mark of Salwing

"At the last count, Nia-Zara makes five. Born... void."

My knees buckled, and my heart hammered loudly in my ears. The heat on the sides of my face felt like blood trickling from burst eardrums. Sefu had just announced my name. Drowning in my thoughts, I wondered how this was possible. Fees Van Salwing usually had only four warriors, and they would fight until a leader emerged. So why did he say I made five? That's why the crowds continued waiting, why they wouldn't budge while I struggled to get out. Sefu hadn't delivered his famous "At the last count" yet, so they expected more.

I didn't notice when I tumbled to the ground or when the crowd finally parted ways for me. Did they know I was going into battle and chose to block my path? Where was this path when I attempted to return home? I pulled myself up and marched forward like one of the Verdari's little plant beings they used to tell stories about. What were they called again—puppets? I moved towards the platform like a puppet, shrunken down to the level of my current power, which was hardly there. That's right, I was born void; powerless, empty, with no gift. I wasn't Mubarik. So why was I involved? My lack of power wasn't noteworthy anymore, every person in Saharabi knew it, so why?

As I walked ahead, they all towered over me, making me feel small and insignificant in their presence. For me, there were no shouts, murmurs, or chants; just silence. I stood next to Adil, gazing out at the people who would soon witness our deaths. I wondered if they felt any guilt or shame because of this barbaric celebration. Even if the others weren't, there was no doubt I was an animal waiting to be slaughtered, and they knew it; a prey waiting for predators. I was Saharabi's anomaly.

Taking my place on the podium, I couldn't breathe; I felt like I was going to die, and no one seemed willing to help me. My sense of self was slipping away, my mouth dry, my hearing gone. Gradually, I began losing my sight, until a gentle hand clasped mine. It squeezed mine reassuringly, and suddenly, my vision transformed. There was a riverbank, with forest creatures congregating nearby, not too far from the river. It was a peaceful scene. Laughter echoed through the air as children played in the water. Perhaps my eardrums hadn't truly burst after all.

"Nia, are you okay?" I turned my head to locate the person asking me that question. It was Adil. "Take a breath," he urged. I did. His own nerves evident in the tightness of his grip. His eyes never left my face, a mixture of concern and pride reflecting in his gaze. "You can do this," he whispered, his voice steady but low enough for only me to hear. I let go of the breath I was holding all this time. It was an illusion, he made it probably to stop me from fainting.

His hands clenched into fists, his knuckles white as he silently willed for something I couldn't guess. Siya's face seemed to hold the same expression as Adil's. They were...angry? I couldn't understand what was going on but focusing my attention on them kept my head level. I didn't stop staring at them, afraid to look at the silent crowd that didn't speak up for me. Afraid to look at my siblings and the pain in their expressions. Pain. That was what they were feeling, Adil and Siya were trying to mask the pain. It was clear to me what the look in his eyes meant, what he willed for; that I wasn't here. But, alas I was.

Words I couldn't care about were said by people I didn't care about until Sanei. He addressed the crowd, leaving no room to oppose the current situation.

His words went along the lines of, "Change is necessary for growth. Five descendants stand before you today because of that growth. Most victors of Salwing rarely rule for more than eight to ten years. Many succumb to fatal injuries sustained in battle, injuries even the Shifaa can't heal. They appeared perfectly healthy on the outside, but inside, they were forever changed. Iku Fifọ; the fractured death. The victors who remain as well as the council have discussed and concluded that; to save the minds of future victors, a bigger challenge must be set."