Black Avatare

54 | PERAHERA

Grey clouds hung in the sky, brooding over downtown Hevana. The sun was only beginning to set, but the dimness was akin to that of dusk. The odd sunray beamed down onto the Stupa Tower, which loomed close at hand, rising well above the slanted roofs and gritty high-rises. The spire caught the light and flashed amid the muted greys and blacks—as if it were a heavenly eye that presided over the grand ceremony that unfolded in the city that day.

Binara lowered her gaze to the street, where the Perahera took place. She was seated on one of many balconies set aside for the onlookers on either side of the road. Hundreds of people also lined the sidewalks and peered down from buildings.

The street was a spectacle of flame, dance and noise. Rings of fire swirled amid cracking whips. Ceremonial outfits clinked and glinted. Flames spewed from fire-breathers. The activity rose and ebbed to the rhythm of many drums.

"It's glorious..." Piumi said next to her, enraptured by the sight.

"Yeah, it's more a festival now than a purification ceremony." Binara crossed her arms and side-eyed a cameraman who craned over the balustrade. "All fun and games after we've done all the work."

Piumi grinned and gave her a nudge. "Stop pouting. The city's safe. That's what matters."

"I'm not pouting."

"By the way, Binnie..."

"What?"

"You're...kinda different." She peered closer.

"What do you mean?"

"This 'we' for one thing." Her voice was hushed, almost drowned out by the noise. "You didn't even want to tell me your name when we first met, remember?"

Binara made a dismissive noise.

Piumi tapped her chin. "What exactly happened in Holmanloke?"

"I told you what happened," she mumbled. "I went to Mount Meru, talked to the Asuras and got the sword."

"So cool..." Piumi's eyes shone. "I still can't believe you did all of that. Like, wow, I can't even picture it. Didn't you say there was a lake? Plus—"

Tuning out the chatter, Binara swept her gaze over the crowds overflowing from the closely-packed buildings. She could spot multiple Yakadura agents in plain clothes. Bandages and plasters bore testament to the battle up in the hills, which seemed mind-blowingly unreal in hindsight. She was suddenly conscious of her own wounds—especially the injury on her side, which prickled at the slightest motion. What was even more incredible was the fact that she was one of the few people in Hevana who knew what had really transpired. To the rest, it was the thunderstorm that had the wildfires going up in Bahira Mountain. There was always one explanation or another—when the truth was glaring them in the face. Idiots.

For the hundredth time, her brain dwelled on the gut-wrenching memories—from the carnage to the terrifying fight with Mahasona. Abruptly, the fire and noise of the parade merged with that of battle. Perspiration broke out on her brow, and her breaths turned ragged. Even though there was no demonic aura now, pressure constricted her. Sounds dulled and receded at the same time her vision darkened around the edges.

"Binnie?" Piumi's voice cut through the fog and pulled her from the abyss. "Hey, you okay?"

"Fine, I'm fine..." Binara brushed a clammy palm over her forehead, pushing aside a wayward lock of hair.

Piumi nodded, her face solemn. "Sad that you lost the hairpin."

"I didn't lose it." She composed her face into her usual mask. "It's where I need it the most..."