The Sky and the Sea, the Sea and the Sky

9

I couldn't believe I hadn't realized before. My mother- she knew she was going to die. But how? My eyes traveled down to Ray's face. Wrapping my arms under him, I pulled him up and let the weight of his head rest on my shoulder. I drew him in closer and just held him. The same he would have done for me. Her story, my mothers, why had she told me so young I wonder. The evil Damari spirit must have threatened her in some way. I can't begin to imagine the pain she must have lived through knowing that she would have to see her only child one last time. But it had to be me. It's always been. It's what I have been looking for but couldn't find.

"Kalani!" a voice echoed down from the sea. I looked past the protection of my cloud. It was Hai. I could tell even from up high that she had tears in her eyes. I fixated on her face for a few seconds, letting her feel my pain. Desperate for any relief from my afflictions, I slowly rose from my cloud. I continued to linger there, to take in the reality of the situation. That my world was the same one collapsing as of those in the Sky and Sea. "Meet me there!" she stammered. "We can get help!" I didn't know if I could lift Ray by myself. I couldn't even make myself do it, lift his lifeless body in my arms, and fly in the same sky as we once had. The same Sky where we had first met, first became friends, first fought, first... I sighed wistfully. "See you there," I replied, knowing she couldn't hear me.

For the first time in a while, I scanned the sky around me. I needed to find help to carry Ray. Skyden Men were fighting everywhere. There are also several women, but their duty was to provide safety in any way they can and to heed warnings for possible attacks. My mother believed that all people were of equal strength and dignity to lead a good cause. There is no good cause here, however. These thoughts were shaken away the moment I saw him. One of Ray's allies from the Skyden Guard. "BAYU!" I screeched. almost immediately, he spun around. "HELP ME!" He stopped fighting at once and sped over to my cloud. "Kal, what is-"

"Raiden." He looked down at him sorrowfully. "Kal... I'm so sorry." He put his hand on my shoulder hesitantly. His eyes were an alarming bright green but only masked his kind expression. "We need to move, now. It's the only way," he uttered. I knew Bayu was right. We would die if we stayed here. Staying as long as we have was already making us look like prey. "We will bring him to Mount Rowan. Listen Carefully. From there you will hide out until I can bring others from the guard. Do you understand me?" I knew I couldn't tell the whole truth in my reply. "Yes, but not for long, I- I know how to save us." I stammered. "No, Kal. This is the way. You must let us fight and bring others to you to help. You must be protected. Now HURRY, let's go." He lifted Ray's legs, and I cradled his other half in my arms. "Kal, please!" I rushed off the cloud with everything I had left. We ascended higher and higher so we could not be seen by the Damaris' below. After many moments passed, we were both panting quite heavily. I could see the peak of the mountain through the faded grey clouds surrounding us. This scene only made Bayu flap his wings harder and harder.

When we finally landed on the Mount, I collapsed on its surface. Bayu swiftly landed next to me, still struggling to breathe. "There," said Bayu suddenly. Stay in that cave hidden over there in the valley." Yes, indeed, there was a large rocky valley between the mountains in which a small yet deep cave was positioned. We slid our arms under Ray to fly him to the cave. Both in denial of Ray's condition, we solemnly carried him the distance. We lay him down in the cave. "Goodbye my brother," Bayu trembled. You fought for us day and night. You are an honored Skyden, Raiden." Bayu bowed his head and drew his sword. A few inches from Ray, he punctured his weapon into the ground, a symbol of honor towards his lost friend and ally."I go now, but have not forgotten." With those words, Bayu gave one last glance at Ray and flew up into the violet sky. He gave me a nod and went on his way.