Out in the middle of a large desert flows a very wide river. White wisps rise up from the water and sinks back down into it. The skies are clear except for smoke that can be seen from out in distance up north, the crashed island. A flash of light brightens the area for a brief moment. The Bringers of Hope and Tao all let out a sigh as they look towards the smoke.
"Why are we at the River of Souls?" Drayk asks.
"Just wait, you'll see," Tao says jokingly then gets serious, "Roku, I want you to focus on the River of Souls with all your might. Let yourself get lost in the current, allow your mind to wander. Listen to the water, let it speak to you."
"What am I waiting for exactly?" Roku asks rather confused.
"There is nothing you are looking for. It will find you. Let the River speak to you Roku," Tao urges.
Roku takes a deep breath and focuses her mind on the river. She tunes out all the noise around her except for the raging river waters. The sound almost seems to relax her, very tranquil. Her whole body seems to relax and her mind goes blank. Roku has lost herself to the River of Souls. Whispers echo in her mind, although she cannot make any of the words out. Images of spirits fill her mind, flashbacks of the past peoples who lived near this river.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Roku finds herself floating once again in white emptiness. She twists her body around, trying to see if there is anything besides herself here. Nothing.
"Why am I here?!" Roku shouts, "What brings me this.... place?!"
"Hello sister," Merii's voice is heard coming from behind her.
Roku spins around and locks eyes with her sister, who is floating several feet away from her.
"It's good to see you again Riinah," Merii giggles, "Welcome to the Realm of Waters."
"Realm of Waters?" Roku asks, "What is this place?"
"This, my dear sister, is the way we Water Mages communicate after death. I am both here, and not. Very similar to how Leon has contacted you and Drayk in the past."
"What do you want Merii? Why are you here?"
"You get that from father you know, that impatience. The better question is, why are you here? What do you seek from the River of Souls?"
"I.... don't know."
"Now now dear sister, surely you must know why Tao has brought you here."
"I really don't though."
"Tsk tsk. To think the fate of the world lies in your hands. Riinah, you are here to learn a great truth, something you won't like.... Drayk will not survive the next encounter with his sister."
"You're lying! Drayk is the most powerful mage I have ever seen! He bested Lord Xivaac, he can defeat Sammi too!"
Merii begins to fade away while saying, "Believe what you will."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Suddenly, Roku finds herself back up on top of the peak where her master resided. She looks around with a smile on her face, this place will always feel like home to her. A sense of confusion hits her. This place is no where near the River of Souls, how could she be here? The River only shows images of past events, and that of people's memories. That's when it hits her, she turns around to see Master Crito standing behind her.
"Master!" Roku shouts out extremely excited.
"It's good to see you again my child. It's been far too long," Crito speaks softly, "I regret the timing of our last encounter. I didn't expect you to be there when the trio got ahold of me."
"You knew about that beforehand?"
"Master Leon had told me of my fate many years ago. I knew that our paths would cross, but I never realized I'd love you like my own daughter. That's neither here nor there though I'm afraid. We have important matters to discuss."
"It must be, to have brought you here to me. What is it master?"
"There is something you must do.... it is something that will not be easy.... sorry for being coy, but it's not easy to say."
"What is it Crito?"
"You must train under your sister, through this river. You must learn the way of the Water Mage."
"You want me to train under her?! Here?!"
"Yes. I understand your reaction, but she is the only Water Mage who would be able to teach you. She's the only one you have a connection with. This river can only allow you to communicate with someone you know."
"But.... still. Do I really need to know how to use Water Magic that bad?"
"Yes, you do. Lady Samantha will not be an easy opponent to best. You and Drayk together will be enough, but you need to be prepared to fight the ultimate fire mage. The essence of Lord Xivaac has heightened her powers, beyond anything imaginable. She can control the chimera of fire.... and now the Shadow Dragon, Eclipse, since she has mastered Lord Xivaac's power now."
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Roku wakes up startled, lying on the ground near the river. She looks up at Drayk and Tao, who are staring at her. Drayk helps her to her feet while wiping dirt off of her clothes. He smiles at her, but his expression turns to that if confusion. Roku looks completely torn, almost traumatised.
"You alright?" Drayk asks her.
"Merii.... said you'll be killed by Lady Samantha," Roku answers, "I don't believe her though, there's no way that could happen."
"I think she was trying to mess with your head," Drayk laughs.
"Agreed," Tao says after a moment.
"I saw my master, Crito as well," Roku sighs, "He says I need to study Water Magic under Merii if we are to stand against Lady Samantha."
"He's not wrong, you will need to train with that element, Lady Samantha is a fire based mage after all," Tao points out, "Just.... try to not let Merii get into your head."
"That.... is easier said than done," Roku says in an uneasy tone then tries to sound more confident, "I won't let her mess with my mind. Drayk and I will end this planet's suffering!"
YOU ARE READING
Legend of Parocaav II: Against the Darkness (rough draft)
Fantasy(Book II in the Legend of Parocaav series) The Bringers of Hope have finally succeeded in their quest for redemption. Lady Parocaav has been restored, but at what cost? The planet seems to be destined to be ruled by darkness. Lady Parocaav is gather...
