Daughter of Ogden

Chapter 6 - Sassy Pants Forbidden

Whilst Nathaniel carried my bags to my room, Aadya sat me on the worn-out living room sofa. Staring blankly at the beige wall in front of me, in my peripheral gaze I saw Aadya working on sandwiches. Had my mind not been overstimulated, fried with dreadful information, I'd have explored the old home, but for many moments I found myself incapable of doing anything other than stare ahead blankly.

      When I finally regained some of my wits, I jumped to my feet, once again ready to bolt. "What the hell was that thing?" I demanded. Loud outburst startling Aadya, she nearly dropped the platter of bologna sandwiches.

      "The Slon?" She frowned and set the plate on the living room table.

     "The Slon?" I repeated slowly. "You know what... I'd rather not know. I don't want to do this."

     Naively, I made way for the front door, as if I actually believed that she would let me leave.

     "Sit down," she ordered, tone so fierce that I nearly dropped on the spot. I found the dignity to take a seat on the sofa cushion furthest from Aadya.

      "Whether you want to do this or not, is not up for discussion," she said plainly. "Now, do you want answers, or would you prefer to attempt another futile escape?"

     Arms crossed against my chest, I mumbled begrudgingly, "Answers."

     "Good choice." She pushed the food platter closer to my seat. "Have a sandwich, Ava. I'll explain as much as I can."

     Aadya decided to start from the beginning, and though her explanations lead to greater questions, I got the gist of it. The Legion of Boogdae was an acronym for the seven eldest clans. The spirit world was real, and they called it the Duha. For centuries the Force of Zid successfully separated the living world and the Duha. But many years ago, some fool messed with forces he shouldn't have and left me up shit creek without a paddle. The fool tried to connect the living world and the Duha; he wanted to control the lost souls that they called duhovi. He failed miserably. The lost souls used him, and he died in his search for power. But the duhovi got their way. The Force of Zid was weakened, and the lost souls were able to seep into the real world. They caused mass destruction, thousands died at their hands, until the seven were chosen.

      Who did the choosing? Who had control of the Force of Zid? What even was the Force of Zid? I still couldn't tell you. I had considered asking Aadya, but every bit of extra information further lead me into a frenzy, lead to the desire to curl into a ball and cry. The worst part of thinking her tales insane, was reading her mind, and knowing that she was telling the truth.

     When the seven were chosen as the protectors of the living world, they amongst their future children were blessed with the power of Zid. The Force of Zid split into the seven and their assigned stones, allowing for the reinforcement of the barrier between both worlds. The barrier could only be weakened again, if one of the chosen seven betrayed the others. A portal between worlds would always exist, but so long as the rocks remained close to one another and under their rightful protection, the passing of lost souls would remain controllable. Today the amounts of souls that seeped through the portal was supposed to be easily managed by the children of the Legion By children like me; like Aadya and Nathaniel.

      "So, because one of my ancestors was chosen to protect a rock, I'm expected to fight these weird ghost creatures?" I concluded.

      Eyes shut as she pinched the thin bridge of her nose, Aadya released a long sigh. "I suppose the answer is yes," she said. "But again, to do so, you must be part of a clan. And today the clans' responsibilities have changed. Each clan was given a specific role, we the Burkhards are the protectors. We do most of the fighting; we maintain control between this world and the Duha. I'm hoping a clan with a less threatening role will take you in. The Gladstone's would be your best bet, but Ailbert will be afraid to act against Ubel.