King of Days: The Veiled Guardians

17. Order Regular of the Ancient

Karíto made his way to the forest where he had left the Orou. He hoped that the coin would somehow show him where the entrance to the tunnels was. As he was walking he heard a faint whisper, or was it wind? Karíto looked around to the trees, from the top to the bottom, but he saw nothing out of the ordinary. He felt an urge to bring forth the coin. He opened the button on his top pocket and reached for the coin. The moment his hand touched it his mind was flooded with movement. He saw as if he was moving at a rapid pace through the woods, weaving through and past trees. Until he came to one tree, which shone brightly in one spot. With that he was aware of his location again, unmoved from where he went before touching the coin. Without hesitation he followed where he had seen. Several minutes later he stopped in front of the tree. "Incredible!" he exclaimed. Pulling out the coin he saw a ray of light shine through the trees, it reflected off of the coin and landed on the tree. He walked forward, trying not to angle the coin differently. He came up next to the tree and pressed the coin against the bark where it was shining. He heard creaking and the rushing of wind as the door in the tree opened. He went to step in, but at that moment a person stepped out! Taken by surprise he jumped back.

It was a person in full black robes. "Welcome, they are waiting for you." said the figure. Karíto winced, they knew he was here all along, was this some kind of test? He made his way down the hall while the man followed him from a distance. As he walked he felt a rush of memories and concerns fill his mind. The further he walked the more anxious and upset he became. He felt that if he continued walking that the very ground or walls would surely devour him. He stopped several steps before the door. 'If I take one more step, I surely will die!' His head felt like it was about to explode. Karíto closed his eyes and took a deep breath, focusing on the original goal he thought. 'I only need to make one good step' He took one big step toward the door, even though he felt many emotions, he felt a deep inner peace. As the door opened, a light pierced the darkness and he saw the Orou standing around in full gear armed to the teeth. He stepped through the threshold, when the Orou saw him there was a collective sigh of relief.

One shouted out "quick, close the door!"

Karíto went to turn around to close the door. "No, don't look back," another yelled. "Just reach back and close it." Karíto felt a heavy weight surround him, slowly he reached back and grabbed the door. As he did so he heard a voice in his mind that was not his own. "No, don't listen" With his breath shaking he began to pull the door closed. As he pulled he heard a chorus of whines and screams, as if people were getting attacked. The door became heavier as the screams grew until there was a resounding "Booooooom!" The door was now closed, all sounds silenced. Karíto collapsed to the ground, exhaustion taking him over.

Two of the members ran to him. "Karíto, are you alright!?" They inquired as they helped him to his feet. They walked him over to a seat, while the others did not break their gaze on the door.

Karíto took a deep breath, looking from the men to the door. "What happened, what was that?"

Simeon pulled off his hood and mask. "Karíto look at me" He said as he held Karíto's shoulders. "Did you close the door, did you allow anything in with you?"

Karíto looked perplexed. "Yes I closed it, I did not allow anything in."

Simeon kept holding his shoulders ashis voice hardened "So you allow nothing in?"

Karíto's face became determined. "I allow nothing in." A light shone through and around the door which then slowly faded away. There was a papalitable relief from the group, they broke their gaze from the door and put away their weapons, returning to what seemed like normal life.

Simeon let go, he most of all seemed relieved. "We have a lot to talk about, but first of all. Never use that passageway again."

Karíto felt his strength return and his breath steady. Simeon helped him up and beckoned him to walk toward the waterfall. They walked over and Karíto washed his face in the running water. He and Simeon sat down on the bank.