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  “Who is there?” she shouted out to the moving shapes ahead of her. But as she looked down to her feet, she gasped.

  “The river!”

  Without hesitating she lurched herself forward, managing to break herself out of her trance and regain control over her body. She knew who the moving shape must be on the other side of this bubble thing she was trapped in. It was him. The one she had dreamed about. The fair-haired male from the other world!

  I knew I would make it to him!

  “Hello!” she called out, twisting her body to urge the bubble to move her across the water somehow. To find a way to reach him.

  Her heart was racing with excitement. Every part of her - body and mind - had all connected together again, and she could think of nothing else but getting over to him. It didn’t even matter what this could mean, or where Zeno, Rinzal, or the others were. The male was on the other side of the river. She had to get over to him.

  “Zeno did say they had no idea what could happen when I released my colour energy!” she giggled into her bubble space.

  The bubble moved slowly but she could feel she was getting closer to him. His shape was becoming clearer. He had his back to her. And it appeared he was leaning forward, as though his arms were wrapped around something.

  “Hello!” she called out again.

  The male turned around. Unable to contain her excitement she waved her arms above her head, desperate to gain his attention. But then she saw why he had been leaning forward. That he had not been wrapped around something at all. It was someone – a female!

  “Oh!” She heard herself cry.

  Who is she? This was not how I dreamed this scene? Why would you draw me to you like this if you already have a love?

  She wanted to cry, but another, more physical pain, distracted her.

  “Ouch!” she cried out again. Her Derado burned hot around her neck. Yanking at it she pulled it away from her scorching skin.

  “Damn!” she screamed as she struggled with her neckpiece, quickly realising the reason for its stubborn refusal to budge: she was releasing her energy again!

  A thick, dark, pink-coloured energy burst out of the diamond in the pendant and made its way towards her frame. Feeling both helpless and drained, she watched as the colour mist wrapped around her once again.

  So that’s it! You drew me over to you like this and now I have to go back!

  “Good-bye,” she managed to whisper as she closed her eyes, aware that she had no choice but to let herself go to wherever her energy would take her next.

  And I was so sure I was meant to be with you!

  Heavy, confused thoughts drifted across her mind and then… nothing.

  7. Games

  How did she disappear like that? Her first diamond energy release and she just vanished from the pyramid! I misjudged her power. And now… Atla is downright furious!

  Parador took her seat at the round mosaic table and then placed her hands on her knee. It was imperative that she projected confidence whilst she waited for him to make his appearance. It was a well-known fact that this was Atla’s favourite time of day: his morning coffee break, always taken in the rose gardens of his vast Estate. And Atla was notoriously punctual, which is why her heart raced as she registered that he was already late. Even taking a deep inhale of the floral scents surrounding her did little to settle nerves. There was no question in her mind, being kept waiting for him like this was intended as punishment.

  My plan should have worked. It WAS working. Atla was made aware of Tiegal’s vile thoughts during the release ceremony. All her ridiculous yearnings for this male she dreamed of. Every Tandroan heard it! It was almost comical how loud her deepest desires were - her weakness.

  Parador dug her fingernails into the skin on her thighs with such force that her blood seeped through her teal-coloured trousers.

  I was sure Atla would take her away then. Lock her up before she could pass such destructive ideas on to the others. Perhaps even destroy her altogether? But, no. She got away!

  The sound of a chair being dragged across the tiled floor made her flinch. Atla sat down directly opposite her and clicked his fingers to the side, signalling to a male waiter nearby to fetch him coffee. His short, heavily waxed black hair glistened in the morning sunshine and his severe side part exposed a sore redness to his skin where it had been unprotected from the scorching sun.

  Not for the first time did Parador question his decision to sport such a different and distasteful hair style. Surely there were more profound ways to indicate his superiority over them all.

  When I am in charge, I will have more hair than anyone else. I will let it tumble down my back. There will be no doubt who is in charge of the pack then!

  The toe-curling sound of Atla’s barking cough interrupted her thoughts. Careful not to show her distaste, she flashed him one of her most charming smiles as he leaned towards her.

  “So, then Parador! We seem to have a problem on our hands: a case of a vanishing young female.”

  “Yes, most unexpected…”

  “It was quite a spectacle, wouldn’t you agree?”

  His interruption silenced her. She bowed her head to offer her submission.

  “There she was one moment, a vision of pink energy, and then… nothing! Just a pile of clothes floating in our sacred diamond water!” Atla raised his arms, palms face upwards and to the side, waiting for her to offer an explanation.

  Parador lifted her chin, giving him a flash of her eye light. She had prepared herself for this.

  “Yes, it was most unexpected Atla. However, I have given it great thought and I feel certain that her disappearance was inevitable and necessary. Her presence in our world was simply not healthy. Tiegal Eureka’s thoughts were full of rebel ideas. She held great desire for the older ways of connection and…”

  Her pause was dramatic and deliberate. It was crucial that Atla understand that Tiegal posed a genuine threat to his ideology. “And intimacy.” She uttered this last word with a heavy exhale and a raise of her right eyebrow.

  Atla shuffled back into his chair, folded his arms and then shuddered.

  There you go. You really hate that word, don’t you?

  Parador felt her shoulders relax as she waited for her reasoning to settle Atla; to restore his confidence in her.

  “Ah yes, Parador, but it was your idea to get her upgraded to the Erasmati Pyramid. And didn’t I question this idea? That a mere teacher, a lowly elephant keeper, be granted a real diamond in her Derado! A place at my finest Release Day venue! And for what? So that she could humiliate our ways and all that we stand for? Do you not think I know what she was thinking? My aides tell me everything they hear from your Tandroan minds. And in Tiegal’s case, it seems she is…was… unable of concealing any of her corrosive thoughts.”

  That was the idea! I WANTED you to hear how damaged she is!

  Her fingers dug even further into her thighs. Keeping this frustration in check was unbearable. Still, she knew how to play him. Patience was the key.

  Let him vent and then make your move. Remember…he is easier to manipulate when he feels out of control.

  “And now the others are starting to wonder… to question our Tandro ways.”

  He growled at her as he leaned across the table. His face now much closer than she felt comfortable with. So close that Parador could detect the acrid scent of coffee on his early morning breath. Repulsed she managed to nod her agreement.

  “I can see this may not appear ideal Atla…”

  “Not ideal? They heard her thoughts! About her dreams of touching and kissing and other disgusting things!” Atla squirmed in his seat. “And this is exactly why we give you the Derados! So that you don’t need to lower yourselves to such weaknesses. All laws obeyed. All desires fulfilled. That is what I promise you all: controllable desires, longer lives and … to keep your own damn fires burning! To not let anyone else dampen your flames.”

  Atla grabbed the silver mug full o
f steaming coffee and lowered his nose to the rim. For some reason, the scent of coffee beans always seemed to calm him. Parador suspected that it reminded him of another time, of memories that he still struggled to let go.

  There you go! You got yourself all worked up then! Thinking about the old-world times. When making bonds with others left you open to being hurt. Like, I suspect you were way back then…when someone you connected with damaged that side of you! You are exactly where I want you now!

  “Atla, my esteemed ruler, what you have created - this remarkable new world - and what you have given us all is a gift. Please, let me assure you that my reasons for suggesting Tiegal Eureka be present at the Erasmati Pyramid for her Release Day was in the best interest of Tandro - and our way of life.”

  Pausing to let these words register, she focused her eye-light towards him, knowing she would need to practice a little bit of her mind magic to convince him.

  “I told you I had found someone who possessed an unusual energy that would be powerful when released. And I also knew that it was a dark energy that could threaten our world. I felt then, and still do, that it was important that the others saw how destructive such energy is. So much so, that it destroys you! Obliterates you into thin air. Like vapour, never to return.”

  “You knew she would disappear?”

  “Yes. I did,” she lied. “Trust me Atla, she strengthened the Tandro rule. Tiegal Eureka demonstrated the consequence of giving in to such dirty thoughts. If you release too much of your energy, you lose control of your fire, your island. And then… you simply disappear! It is a validation of your philosophy! Of everything you have created.”

  As her words ran through his mind, she finally relaxed her fingers from their painful grip on her flesh. Atla clicked his fingers to the side again. The male waiter appeared at their table in a flash. More coffee was poured into Atla’s mug and a matching one was placed before her. A clear sign that she had presented her argument well!

  “You do make some interesting points Parador. They please me, greatly. I only wish you had shared your ideas before with me. I do not like surprises. You know that!”

  That was a close one, but he seems to have bought it!

  “Yes, and for that I apologise. I will make sure to let you know when…”

  The sound of pounding feet approaching the courtyard made them both jump and turn. A flush faced female ran up to their table. She wore an alarming expression that suggested she was caught somewhere between panic, fear, and euphoric excitement. Her forehead glistened with sweat which had attracted wisps of her black hair to stick in spider-like webs across her unusually pale skin.

  This will be entertaining! Anyone who dares to approach Atla in such an inappropriate manner, and during his morning coffee, is going to be met with a nasty surprise – even if she is wearing a purple cloak.

  But the female’s announcement stalled her thoughts and sent a rush of fear coursing through her:

  “She’s back! The pink energy one who disappeared!” The female panted out her words.

  “And…she …she’s naked!”

  Parador jumped out of the open side-door of the trolley cart that had driven her to the Erasmati Pyramid and ran up the steps to the door as fast as she could.

  Stupid, stupid, stupid Tiegal! Now Atla will think I am the dangerous one! That I lied and betrayed him. How the hell did she get back?

  As she flung open the heavy doors to the Erasmati Pyramid she screamed her anguish into its vast inside space.

  “Tiegal Eureka! Where are you?”

  Nothing! Not a single sound reverberated back. “Ouch!”

  Her Derado burned around her neck

  “Stop it!” she demanded, slapping her hands over her turquoise diamond in a bid to prevent her colour mist from emerging. Releasing her energy in such circumstances would not help anything. This was her fear, her adrenaline, seeping out of her. It needed to be contained.

  “Hello! Anyone there?”

  Again, nothing.

  Turning back to the open doorway she shouted down to her female driver.

  “Hey, you, get in here, now!”

  The female looked terrified as she ran up the steps. Her black bob kinked at the edges in a jarring fashion. Parador had already noticed that she had a habit of smoothing it down with her sweaty hand at regular intervals. It made her want to slap her, and hard.

  “What is your name?” she demanded as soon as the female reached the step below her.

  “Jingishi.”

  “Ugh! Tastes like monkey dung.” Parador shuddered as the taste of the female’s name filled her mouth. She popped a sprig of mint between her lips and took a deep breath, waiting for the vile taste sensation of the female’s name to leave her.

  “Tell me again what you heard this Indramia and Ochrani saying to each other. And I need the words verbatim.”

  The female took a deep breath and then launched into her detailed account.

  “Well, I was just finishing off delivering some catering goods to the engineering camp before my shift at Atla’s Estate was due to commence, because I have lots of different jobs to attend to and in a very short time…”

  “Get to the point!”

  “Oh, sorry, yes.” The female took another step down, removing herself further from Parador’s personal space.

  “I, erm, well, I don’t really know them very well, but I’ve seen them a few times together and I always notice them as they just seem a bit too close!”

  Parador made a low growl.

  “And…sorry yes, one of them, the smaller one, Indramia I think, said she knew when the pink energy one would come back here because she had seen her return?”

  “You have already told me that. Where exactly did she say she had seen her return?”

  “As I already told you. The diamond lagoon pool.”

  “Hold on there, she didn’t just say diamond pool…she said lagoon pool! I said verbatim! Do you not understand what that word means?”

  Jingishi nodded her head and then took yet another step down.

  “Give me the keys to the trolley cart. And go back to your camp.”

  “But…I am supposed to go back to Atla for my shift…”

  Parador dug a clump of mint out from between the back of her teeth with her tongue and stared at the female, long and hard.

  “Go to your camp and forget this ever happened. You will have no recollection of hearing of the return of the vanishing one. Leave, now!”

  Without uttering another word, Jingishi handed the keys to the cart, ran down the steps and then sprinted off in the direction of the sleeping camps.

  As Parador watched the female leave she scanned the entrance to the Pyramid to check that she was safe from prying eyes. Once satisfied she was alone, she stamped down the pyramid steps, threw herself into the driver’s seat, turned the key to the right to kick-start the cart and then swung the steering wheel to a severe left. The energy cave was only ten minutes away from the pyramid. She had to get there before anyone else did!

  There were too many tectonic plates shifting all at once. Her mind was struggling to piece all the ruptures together. But, there was still time. There had to be. If she pushed this vehicle to the max she could stop Tiegal and the rest of her sisters from getting too close - before, they manifested their powers together - and made this whole situation even worse!

  8. The Return

  The voices echoed above the surface of the water, each of them calling out her name.

  I can hear you! Help me, please! I can’t breathe under here.

  The voices kept on calling. Wherever she was, under which waters, and in which time or world, it was clear her silent pleas could not channel through to them.

  I am under here! Under the water? Can’t you see me?

  Determined to reach them, Tiegal kicked, wriggled and punched the space around her. But with each desperate move she made everything around her blurred. Swirls of pink coloured energy mist danced around her mat
ching the exact movements of her intended actions. Horrified, she tried to scream as the realisation hit her: she had not yet reassembled her body into a physical form.

  Damn! I’m still just matter.

  The sheer terror that this awareness brought to her sent her into instant panic mode. But the more she fought, the stronger the current seemed to pull her further down into the water.

  “Are you absolutely sure she would return here? And at this exact time?”

  She knew this voice! Hearing this familiar, deep, comforting male tone stilled her frantic struggle.

  Jovil! You are here? Help me, please! I feel like I’m drowning.

  Once again, her silent pleas had no impact on the figures above the surface of the water. Despite this, she already felt calmer. Because a female voice had answered Jovil, one that she didn’t recognise, but was filled with promise:

  “As we told you Jovil. Our powers can only do so much. When I make a location perfume, I need a substantial part of a body to work with. To be honest, it was highly fortuitous that Tiegal cut herself on Indramia’s bracelet when she did. That little piece of her skin provided me with just enough of her essence to form the necessary ingredients we needed to locate her.”

  “It’s more than fortuitous Ochrani. It is quite remarkable!”

  Jovil’s answer was only just audible against the unmistakable sound of his feet pacing up and down a dusty, scratchy, stone floor; a sound that clearly identified where they were.

  I must be in the cave lagoon again. Jovil! Look at the water! I need you to see me. Pleeeease!

  Jovil’s anguished voice reverberated above her again:

  “Tell me again how these powers of yours work? Not that I don’t believe you. If you two are anywhere near as powerful as Tiegal is, then, anything is possible. I just need to get this clear in my head.”

  Jovil’s voice sounded gruff, anxious even.