Guided by the map Alawa gave them, they paddled to the island. They got off and pulled the kayaks further up the shore before leaving them there. Karl saw the same path the wolf led him to in his dream. They kept following the trail until he saw a white rock protruding from the tall grass. About three steps away from it, they veered off the path and kept walking forward, but there was nothing but endless grass and trees ahead.
Karl was beginning to wonder if they had made a wrong turn somewhere when a small cabin finally came into view.
"That's the cabin...!" he gasped.
Karl's hand moved to knock out of habit, but he stopped when he remembered that Alawa said it was already abandoned. The door was locked, so they went around to find another way to get in. One of the windows at the back had broken glass, so Karl thought of reaching inside to see if he could unlock it. Rywa stopped his hand midway.
"Wait," Rywa used heat to smooth out the sharp edges by melting the glass.
Cobwebs had already built up, and the dust made Karl cough. Rywa pulled out his handkerchief and spread it out. "Pardon me," he tied it at the back of Karl's head, using it as a makeshift dust mask to cover Karl's nose and mouth.
"Thanks!"
Though half of his face was covered, Rywa could tell he was grinning through Karl's eyes which turned into the shape of little crescent moons.
The inside of the rundown cabin was bare, a single room that contained everything. There was a wooden desk with a gas lamp on top and its matching chairs; a fireplace with a stack of unused kindling beside it and an axe hung on the wall; a shelf with dismantled gadgets and small appliances; unfinished woodwork and a rusty saw; a cooking pan and a single set of mug, bowl, and cutlery on a rack by the sink.
In the bedroom, they checked the cabinets and drawers, but they were all empty save for a small dish with spare change. Karl picked up one of the coins to take a closer look when he noticed that they had Zirkan runes and figured it must be their currency. It also further proved that the man who stayed here was indeed from Zirka.
There was a wall clock that had long stopped. Karl tiptoed and reached up as high as he could, but the clock remained out of his reach. Rywa took the clock down for him.
Karl checked in case anything was behind it, but there was nothing in there except a nail with a diamond-shaped head where the clock was hung.
"Rywa, do you think the man from the sky who Alawa said lived here was really him?"
"Lord Vlint? Yes, I'm positive." Rywa said as he was checking the drawers and cabinets. "She mentioned something in her story that told me it was him. The twin orbs. Lord Vlint was not a skilled fighter. He had an average build, but a rather below-average stamina from spending most of his days poring over books, documents, and tinkering with his devices to create all sorts of inventions.
But in his quest for knowledge, he often travelled far and wide, so he had to be able to defend himself. And that's what those orbs are- the dark sword served as his weapon, while the bright shield was what protected him. Where he lacked in fighting skills, his brilliance more than compensated for."
"What an amazing man…"
As Karl tried to hang the clock back, he felt a tickle in his nose. He looked up out of habit so he could sneeze, and when he did the clock slipped from his hold and fell to the floor. "Whoops."
He picked it up and was relieved to see it wasn't damaged except for the thin glass cover that got detached from the face. On the clock, it looked like any other transparent glass. But on his hands, it had a purple shade.
Curious, Karl put the cover on and off the face of the clock to see if there was any difference. Looking closer, the long and short hands were held together by a shimmering purple glass marble. With the glass on, it looked like a regular, pea-sized black stone. But without it, the stone was bigger and definitely purple, just like the stone Rywa used the night before.
"Rywa," Karl beckoned. "Is this… an illusion stone?"
Rywa came over and checked. "Good eyes, Karl. You're right, this is indeed an illusion stone."
He muttered the same spell as before. At Rywa's words the crest within the stone lit up momentarily and revealed sliding doors on the wall. But when they tried to open it, it was locked. On the base of the nail where the clock was hung, a crest had also appeared.
"It's a lock," said Rywa.
"So how do we open this?"
"We have to find the key. It should be something with a matching crest on it."
"Hang on," Karl remembered the coins in the drawer and took them out. After checking them one by one, he found the exact crest he was looking for. The coin also had a diamond-shaped hole that looked about the same size as the nail's head. "Bingo."
Looking up at the nail, Karl didn't even bother to try reaching for it. "I need something to step up on."
"Oh, if it's just a lift you need, I've got you."
"Whoa!" Karl was startled when Rywa wrapped his arms around his thighs and lifted him up. "I was gonna go grab the chair," Karl puffed his cheek.
The nail's head fit perfectly into the coin's hole. The crest at the base of the nail glowed then the sliding doors parted open. Behind it was a shelf with scrolls of handmade paper.
Karl unrolled one and, while he didn't quite understand what the diagrams drawn on it meant, he recognized some of the Zirkan runes. "Rywa, what are these?"
"It looks like he was studying the chemical compositions and quality of the air, water, and soil here on Earth, and these were his notes." He flipped through more of the scrolls. "He has even more writings here about those who lived on these islands. What they eat, their language, culture, and technology. It's just as Alawa said, he seemed very interested in the people," Rywa chuckled, amused. "He even made a comparison. It says here that while Zirkans are vastly different from most humans he had met on this planet, the people who live in these islands, in contrast, are very much like us. They have a profound respect for nature and all living beings."
As Rywa read further, the joy on his face dissipated bit by bit, until his smile was replaced by a frown. "I don't understand... There's not a single mention of the portals. Were those not why he left our planet? Did he not travel the universe in search of answers? Instead his study is filled with… observations of humans and their habitat" His frustration seemed to grow with every scroll, until he froze, eyes wide with shock.
"No... No, no, no... This can't be. This is a lie!!!" he yelled as he hurled the scroll he was reading to the floor. He leaned on the wall, sliding down until he was sitting on the floor, cradling his head in his hands and elbows resting on his knees.
"What's wrong?" Karl's voice was laden with worry.
"I can't accept this... I refuse to believe it," Rywa gripped strands of his hair.
Confused, Karl picked up the scrolls and tried to read what he could.
"I am the ultimate proof that the conditions of this planet are fit for a Zirkan to inhabit. In conclusion, I believe coexistence is possible. Tomorrow, I will depart for my home planet. Upon arrival, I will report to His Highness to proceed with Project Exodus..." Karl's voice trailed off at those last words. "Wait, by 'Project Exodus' did he mean...?"
He placed the scrolls down on the bed and knelt in front of Rywa, who still sat unmoving on the floor. He gingerly put his hands over Rywa's and peeled them away from his face. Karl's breath got caught in his throat as Rywa finally raised his head and met his gaze.
Karl had no words to describe the look in those golden eyes. Before he could even think of what to do or what to say, his body simply moved on its own and he wrapped his arms around Rywa, who held on to him like a drowning holding on for dear life.
Karl lost track of how long they stayed in each other's arms, but even after Rywa had let him go, they sat side by side in the old cabin, wordlessly staring at the dilapidated walls, until Rywa's voice broke the silence.
"I... don't know what I'm supposed to do now. Does this mean the years I spent searching for answers were all for nothing? Even Lord Vlint, with his extensive knowledge, had determined that it was a lost cause. And the only way to save my people is to leave the only place in the universe we call home..." Rywa clenched his fists.
Looking beside him, Karl tentatively spoke. "Rywa... I don't mean any disrespect towards him, but these notes were from thirty-five years ago. Something could have changed. Maybe something that wasn't thought to be possible then is possible now. There has to be a way, you just gotta keep looking.
Or who knows? Maybe he went somewhere else after he left Earth and figured something out?"
"No..." Rywa shook his head. "I'm certain that Earth would have been the last interstellar journey he went on before his death. A few years after his return, Lord Vlint's wife gave birth to their first child. He he had a weak constitution and was often sick, so Lord Vlint never left our planet again after he was born.
At one point, his son almost died from his illness. But he held on and fought for his life. He was so small, yet so strong and brave..."
Out of the blue, Rywa slapped his own face with both hands. Karl noticed that the light in his eyes was back. Underneath the sad smile were eyes filled with resolve.
"You're absolutely right. There must be another way, and I have to find it. If I give up now, I will never be able to face my dearest friend. Someday, that is, when we meet again on the other side. Thank you, Karl."
Rywa looked straight into his eyes, searching, then reached for his hand and kissed the back of Karl's fingers. "Why is it that your words are like a spell...? I feel as though a heavy burden was just blasted off my shoulders.
It's time I get myself together. But in order to move forward, I have to free myself from the shackles of my past."
-
It was well past sundown when they got back to the base. Alawa asked Rywa to check if everything was working as it should on his fighter, so Rywa took off for a short test flight.
"You should be able to reconnect with the outside world once you're out of the forcefield, by the way. I guess this is goodbye. Take care, and have a safe journey," said Alawa.
"Come visit us at GDF sometimes. Have you ever thought about becoming a space pilot like Admiral Cross? With your skills I'm sure you'd do great," said Karl.
Smiling, Alawa shook her head. "Thanks, Karl. I'll come visit for sure, but not to join." Alawa touched the trunk of the massive tree beside her. "I'm right where I should be. My heart has already decided long ago who it wants to protect."
"I see. Alawa… I'm sorry."
Alawa tilted her head. "What for?"
"Back then… I didn't mean to threaten them," Karl gingerly touched the tree trunk as well, looking up with an apologetic expression. "Rywa's gentle, he would never hurt these trees for no reason. And with you taking care of them, I know our ancient trees are in good hands."
"You have a kind heart, Karl. A big heart that has room not just for the humans you've sworn to protect, but for all life. The spirits of the staqueya- the great wolves- must look down on you with favour."
Karl walked towards Admiral Cross, who was leaning on his hoverbike, arms crossed.
"Admiral…" Karl paused, hesitant to bring up the subject. But he made up his mind to say it, "I'm glad you're here today. Like my dad said, you inspire future space pilots. The world still needs you. It's an honour to meet you, sir."
Karl straightened his posture and gave a salute.
Looking at him, Cross' mind wandered back to the last time he saw his adjutant. He pushed himself off the hoverbike and stood up. He raised his hand and patted Karl's head. Karl's sky-coloured eyes widened.
"There will come a time when you will question if the people you're protecting are really worth fighting for. When that happens, I hope you don't let it destroy you… as it destroyed me." The edges of his lips curled ever so slightly. "I'll return that salute when I've earned it, brat."
Rywa returned from his test flight and it was time to say goodbye. Karl hopped in and they taxied out of the hangar then flew off the island.
However, not long after takeoff, Karl's communicator beeped repeatedly. There was an influx of missed calls and messages all from their mother's secretary. Karl frowned upon checking the call register. Yun had never contacted GDF operatives who were out on a mission unless absolutely necessary, but the time log showed Yun had called him every 30 minutes for at least the past twelve hours.
"Ava, call Yun."
In half a beep Yun picked up. "Karl, what happened? Are you all right? I've been trying to reach you."
"We're okay. Just had an unexpected detour along the way, but thanks to that we actually found what we were looking for. We're heading back now. What about captain and the others? Are they back from the meeting with Dr. Perez?"
"That's why I was trying to reach you. Karl… We've lost contact with Team Alpha."
Karl felt his stomach lurch. "What do you mean?"
"Yun," Mrs. Lyle took over the call. "Karl, we'll discuss what happened when you come back. Get here as soon as you can."
Shaking his head, Karl said "Headmaster, permission to conduct a search."
"Denied. And where exactly do you plan to go searching for them?"
"We have location trackers I- I can come up with something! What about their vitals? What do their vital monitoring systems indicate? Are they all right or-"
"Karl Takaya Lyle. You head back to base right now, that's an order."
Karl clenched his hands into tight balls of fists. "Yes, Headmaster."
With a gentler tone, Mrs. Lyle added, "As soon as you're back, we'll discuss our plan." Then she hung up.
Noticing his breathing had hastened and become erratic, Karl closed his eyes and took deep breaths.
"Let's go on hyperdrive, we'll get there faster. Ready?"
Hearing Rywa's voice was like soothing warmth that gently rubbed Karl's chest.
"Yeah. Let's go."