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The beach is deserted. It always is. Despite the fabulous wreckage – which is a diver’s paradise – just off the coast between Iron-Bound Cove and Eagle Rock, very few people find the secret beach which is actually closest to the wreckage. We call it Starlight Cove. It’s not on any maps and it’s down a cliff that’s barely scalable by humans. The magic wards around the wreckage keep even the most curious explorers away. Even supes are wary of this place. Everyone will be. Except the Aerwyna people.
If there were more of us in this realm, we’d all flock here and worship the wreck for the magical beacon that it is. The gateway to Aerwyna. My homeland. The place I’ve not set foot in for so long that my memories have become hazy. Being forced to drink a memory elixir by the elders doesn’t help matters, but they’re adamant that if we’re to succeed on our mission here in this realm, we need to forget all about the one we come from. As leader, I get to keep certain memories as privilege and for safety, but the other guys’ memories have been almost fully wiped. They don’t remember this beach, the wreckage, the entrance to our realm, or anything about life back home. All they know is the importance of the mission and how fiercely they used to love and protect our queen.
For the foreseeable future, it has to remain that way.
It’s unfair, but sometimes I wonder if they got the easier end of the deal. A total fresh start. They’re not plagued and tormented by hazy, shadowy memories of what our lives once were.
It’s no wonder I drink too much. That girl in the bar – before I knew it was Malia, my student, and therefore forever out of bounds – was the closest I’ve come to being interested in a woman since our queen disappeared so long ago.
I sigh. I guess Karma ensuring that Malia is not only my student but quite possibly the Star too, is her way of making sure I stay loyal to my queen. I swore to forsake all others for her, and even now with the queen’s whereabouts unknown, I’m still bound and sworn to uphold that oath.
Malia being my student is probably for the best. Keep trying to convince yourself of that.
Parking the car at the edge of the cliff, I exit the vehicle and shut off ‘IDK You Yet’. The echoing lyrics feel oddly poignant as I trek along the cliff’s edge until I feel what I’m searching for. The pull. The lure of the magic calling me home.
It’s not so very different from the pull I feel around Malia.
Slipping through the hidden seam in the rock, the magic portals me onto the wreckage that’s out to sea. It’s a security measure of sorts. It was too dangerous to have the hidden portal into Aerwyna on the mainland, just in case someone happened to stumble upon it by accident. Instead, the portal to the wreckage acts as a holding cell, waiting to see if the one seeking entry has the right magic. The right DNA.
If they do, the gateway to Aerwyna will be opened and they’ll be transported back. If my blood is wrong or rejected, I’ll die a slow and agonising death.
Thankfully, my centuries-old bloodline of protecting our country’s queens speaks for me, and I’m granted access.
I’d almost forgotten what portalling feels like, but as soon as my chest feels like it’s being crushed under some invisible force with the strength of concrete, it immediately comes flooding back to me. I manage to snatch one final gasp of air before the portal fully activates and begins to spin. Everything around me blurs, colours blending and merging into one blinding white light that’s so painful I have to close my eyes. Sounds of the sea mingle with ancient voices reciting the prophecies of our people. It’s dizzying, exhilarating and undeniably home.
I arrive with a bump, crashing to my knees without grace. I forgot about the landing. Clambering to my feet, I brush myself off. Thank god the others weren’t here to witness that, they’d never let me live it down.
“Welcome, Omí Saidé,” the voice of an elder says. I have no idea who because my head is respectfully bowed.
“Rise, Okuta, and let us help you,” a second elder adds.
When I look up, my palms slicken and my heart beats a little faster. I had known the elders would greet me directly once I arrived, but I wasn’t expecting to portal directly into the middle of the elders’ council. With the eyes of the thirteen upon me, nerves surface.
“My apologies, your graces. I had not intended to interrupt a council meeting.” I dip my chin once more, unsure how to proceed.
“Omo, it has been many years since you have called on us in person. Do not fear any intrusion, for there is none. We are simply gathered to greet you and offer our wisdom and support,” Ayomide, the chief elder states kindly. He’s always had something of a soft spot for me, vouching for me and my team when we volunteered for this mission and the other elders expressed their doubts.
“Omo,” Tanimola spits. He uses the term like a weapon, whereas Ayomide speaks with affection. “This is what happens when you send children to complete warrior’s work. This task should have been completed months, if not years, ago.”
I grit my teeth as the urge to snap that this task would never have been necessary if he and his team had protected the prophecy in the first place. There was no issue until word of the Star was leaked and the Shikari were alerted. There’s always been tension between the Queen’s Guard and the Prophecy Keepers. Tanimola had desired the Head Guard role and was enraged when the Council of Elders chose him to join their ranks as Prophecy Keeper. He’s never embraced his role, and his reluctance to accept his fate in the early days was what led to this entire debacle in the first place.
Why is it that as soon as I’m on home soil, I remember all of this? But as soon as I return to the island, I’ll barely be able to recall having left in the first place? Internally, I sigh at the prospect.
“Nobody knows what lies tomorrow, Tanimola. You of all people should understand that,” Ayomide admonishes softly. “Come, Omí Saidé, let us discuss why you sought us out.”
It’s been such a long time since I heard my name spoken in our native tongue, it warms my heart. Still, I hesitate, not having anticipated speaking in front of the entire council. However, I’m here now, and I’m certainly not about to downplay my concerns when I do value their guidance, and the fate of our mission, and our people, might depend on their advice.
“We believe we found the Star that the prophecy speaks of,” I begin.
“Excellent! You must bring her to us at once!” Tanimola cries, leaning forward on his chair with excitement. Reluctance and something else, something I can’t name, sits hot and heavy in my stomach.
It is wrong of me to disrespect the elders, but I don’t trust Tanimola, and there’s certainly no love lost between us. His over eagerness at my simple statement stirs something protective in me. I never said the Star was a woman. I frown, wondering if it will get me in trouble to point this out. It’s probably wisest not to, but somehow I need to remember this when I’m back on the island.
“Continue, Omo. I believe there is more to this story, otherwise you would not be here alone,” one of the other elders adds. Adeyinka, I think. It’s hard to remember, especially with some new faces staring back at me so impassively.
“Thank you, your grace. It is true that we believed a young woman on the island may have been the Star. However, she was abducted.”
“Shikari?”
